Travelling with a dog

[Tyga11]

Does anyone have an experience travelling with a dog on a plane? We are going to Denver (from Phoenix) in a month and this is our first plane ride with a dog...

I see on American they charge $125. Should we just drug him with Benadryl and call it a day? I thought about reaching out to our vet but I don't think it's necessarily kosher to ask for dog meds like that...

[Maynard]

Much better to talk it over w/ your vet and get a real Rx. Perfectly kosher, they do this a lot.

[eluded]

That’s like a 15 minute plane flight. It shouldn’t be that difficult unless the dog is unruly.

is it going to be in the cabin? Or in cargo like a piece of luggage?

[Tommy-G]

My wife is the manager of Vet hospitals. Couple things to keep in mind.
Down below its loud AF
It's cold AF
There is no workers/help down there god for bid something happens

IMO it's cruel to put a dog down below. I get its not cheap to keep them in the cabin and I get not everyone likes dogs but personally, I would never bring a dog on a plane unless it was life changing circumstances

[2000cs]

Drive

[TR930]

Size and breed might help answer

[megf]

We had to fly our dog (below the plane) a few years ago as we were moving from CA to NY and she was too large to go on the plane. All airlines require a certification from a vet within 10 days of travel that the dog is in good health. The vet also recommended AGAINST Benadryl as we were told it inhibits the dogs ability to self regulate their body temp which would be required under the plane where the temp isn't as regulated as inside the plane. I would recommend speaking with your vet.

We felt terrible having to have our dog travel under the plane and I wouldn't do it again, though she handled it fine.

[Tyga11]

The dog is flying with us in the cabin...American does not allow for dogs to be stowed anymore.

It's a french bulldog

[garyfried]

I travelled once with my dog, a 15 pound miniature schnauzer from Canada to Phoenix in a travel case. The trip was about 4 hours and the people on the plane didn't even know the dog was there. She is a very even tempered dog and behaves well in all conditions. Another choice is to get your dog approved as a service dog as the airlines sometimes wave the fees. Check this out online. For a short trip in Phoenix I would consider a kennel or friend to keep the dog. Good luck.

[ppointer]

We travel several times per year between Ohio and Florida with our 10lb yorkie. We have an airline-compatible soft carrier that fits under the seat. With Delta, you have to make a reservation over the phone for your pet. They will ask you weight of your dog, the breed, and the dimensions of your carrier. However, you must check in at the counter day of flight and then pay the pet fee. You must have a reservation because there are limits to the number of pets they will allow in the cabin.

Southwest's procedures are identical, except that you can check yourself in remotely prior to visiting the ticket counter to pay the pet fee.

I think Delta dropped the fee to $95 each way. Southwest wants about $125. After making the payment, both airlines give you a specific tag for your pet carrier.

I have seen a few people simply walk on without the tag, meaning they did not make a pet reservation nor pay the fee. The risk there is getting kicked off the flight, and I have seen that happen. I would expect to get stopped by the gate agent if you have no tag on your carrier, but I have not seen that so far.

Regarding drugging the animal, we give ours some pet-friendly melatonin, and then she sleeps for a couple of hours.

Note that we have seen a few flight attendants admonish people that bring their pets out of the carrier. We never do.

At the Delta sky clubs, the attendants are adamant the pet stays in the carrier and the carrier stays on the floor -- never on the furniture. Of course, they're looking for reasons to kick people out of the clubs.

[Gritty]

In the cabin is pretty easy for dog travel. Do to the size of our dog it was required to travel below and the outside temp forecast couldn't exceed 85 deg at take off or landing. Vets typically won't prescribe meds for travel - Too much liability. We didn't give our dog anything and it worked out fine.