Hello All:

I know this question was covered a long time ago, but I don't see any recent info, so here goes...

Does anyone have any recommendations (or warnings!) about which Airlines to travel with dogs? I have 2 GSD's, 5 cats, my wife and myself all going from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Saskatoon, SK, Canada some time in March. We're thinking possibly Air Canada via Toronto.

Any and all suggestions very welcome!

Mike

Continental Airlines used to have big problems with losing and killing pets, and that is exactly why they are the best airline today for moving animals. They learned from their mistakes and are now tops when it comes to animals.

The real tricks are to avoid changing carriers and avoid traveling over the weekend. Make sure you get a vet health inspection very shortly before you travel. Get the vet inspection even if the airlines swear you don't need one, the story you get over the phone and what happens at the ticket counter are two different things. Take copies of all your vacination records and make sure they are up to date. Traveling across international boundries also makes thing rough. Make sure you check with the departments of agriculture in both countries. And finally make sure there is enough room in your travel plans to deal with problems.

Whatever you do, DO NOT FLY A DOG via NORTHWEST AIRLINES!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />
I mean this from the bottom of my heart.

I know this from a very bitter personal experience. If you have any kind of concern for your animal at all, avoid flying with those careless basta*ds!!
No amount of apologies will ever bring back an animal that is killed by inattentive, lazy airline workers. And if you payed 4k for your workdog? Too bad, they have a tiny, set amount to reimburse for the loss of a "pet" - and they will laugh in your face literally over a disputed amount, and simply tell you that they have unlimited legal funds and will fight you in court until doomsday.

Oh, did I mention their sterling customer service? :rolleyes:

I have shipped dogs via Air Canada countless times...it's one of the best and most reliable. They truly look after all live animals. I have found that they won't compromise on their safety no matter what! Highly recommend them. Have never had an issue with their service or their care.

Many, many thanks for this info - this is exactly the kind of thing I was looking for!

Our dogs (and cats, for that matter!) are family, and we want to do what keeps them safest.

Again, all the advice much appreciated, and any other comments very welcome!

Regards,

Mike

Hi Mike, I have shipped many pups throughout Canada, the US and even to Mexico, and have received pups from Germany. Air Canada does do a great job, if you can get them where you're at. One of my pups (8 weeks old) was stranded in Toronto during 9/11 going from Victoria, BC to Columbus, Ohio. The airline sent him home with a vet tech from the local kennel, she took care of him like he was her own. Tended his newly cropped ears, and even sent me photos! He was shipped to his new owner a week later, no worse for wear! And, at no charge to anyone!
I have used Delta on many occasions, and have had great service. I've also used U.S. Airways twice, even though it meant an 8 hour drive to Manchester, NH, it was the best connection for my puppies going to the south and to Mexico.
I have contact phone numbers for all these airlines, if you like. You can email me at ourpassion@leidenschaftkennels.com<br />Saskatchewan... BRRRR!!!
Tammy.

My pup came to me thru Delta airlines from Chicago to Newark, NJ and they did a great job. Don't know if it made a difference that she was a puppy and smaller though. She was picked up special in a van directly from the landing plane and driven to a location where I was waiting near the baggage area. So no waiting on the runway or anything. She was uncrated and walking around with me before the regular human passengers got any of their luggage off the plane!

The only other thing I would add is to travel early in the day, morning buisness hours would be best. (and again avoid weekends) that gives the best chance at dealing with any problems that come up. And remember it never hurts to ask for special treatment from the ticket and/or gate agents.

I'm a U.S.Army MP. In personal and official military travels Delta and Continental are great. Northwest I would never send an animal on. A few tips, travel during the week early in the day if possible. In the summer time a lot of airlines will put a freeze on animal transport due to heat. Make sure you have all your shots updated and have the paperwork to prove it. I noticed earlier in the post about having a Vet check up, was mandatory for us, and a great idea. I have flown all over the states and all over the world. If you go outside the states makes sure you know of any wild quarantine laws. Hawaii had some real winners, Korea and Japan had some wierd ones as well. Take care, do your research and call the Airline you pick in advance and make sure you know all the rules. Good luck.

just a note on flying dogs later in the day - don't do that! Learned that the hard way the other day. I brought a female in from CO to PA last week - she was supposed to come in to PA but at the last minute they (US Air) called to say she couldn't go to PA because of the weather - it was windy (???) - so she would be coming on another flight to Dulles (DC), arriving at 11:20 pm. "Cargo is closed so pick her up at baggage in the terminal". I had to scramble to make it there on time since Dulles is 2+ hours drive. I got there at 11:15 pm, the flight had arrived and people were there waiting for their baggage. Baggage came, no dog. I waited, no dog. The US Air office was closed, but I waited in the oversized-baggage area until midnight. No dog. People left, cleaners came - no dog. Someone said they had seen a dog crate in the United oversized baggage hallway, so I went all the way across the terminal, no dog. All the way across the terminal looking in every nook and cranny for her (or for a US Air person), no dog. Finally bothered United people to let me use their phone, called US Air - they said baggage/cargo was closed. They didn't know where my dog was, but "ticketing would open at 4:15 am and cargo opens at 9:30 am". By that time, noone was around except the United people, and no dog. I was very upset. Went out to my truck, drove to the carge building in hopes of finding someone, drove back to the terminal and napped in my truck until early morning - was at the ticket counter at 4:15 am, they didn't know what to do but I made them call "ANYONE TO FIND THE DOG" and they called "operations" who said "well yeah there is a dog over here" - operations is in another building across the tarmac. The dog had never been brought to the terminal, because it was late and the cargo people wanted to go home. So they left her in the operations building and took off. I will never ship a dog late again, for sure. (ps dog was fine, luckily she was adult and could handle a long time in a crate)