Air Travel with Large Dogs

[Lexus423]

Hello,

My wife and I are avid travellers. I was wondering if anyone has had experience with any airlines and travelling with dogs. I have spoken to several airlines (in an attempt to make a trip to Florida) and apparently they only allow you to bring a dog that fits in a crate under your seat. I have a male GSP so that obviously wasnt going to work.

We would love to plan a trip to California next year but are concerned regarding airline policies with large dogs. Does anyone have any experience flying with certain airlines or have any recommendations? Thanks.

[postoakshorthairs]

I don't have any experience traveling with, but i have shipped a couple of adult dogs....which i believe is what you'll basically have to do. I used Delta (which i believe now is northwest but might be mistaken) and you sent them as "live cargo". I was charged by the crate size/weight. They're pretty picky about the crate being big enough for the dog etc. It's not cheap...around 300 for each dog one way. I'm not sure if there's a discount if your traveling with or not. I also don't believe they can be in the same crate unless they're young puppies or mother/puppy. Like i said, limited experience so i'm sure you'll get other info.

[phermes1]

I've flown with my dogs on Delta a few times and always had a good experience. OK, once they didn't deliver me the tag indicating that my dog had been loaded until after we had started taxiing out - in which case it was too late if he had NOT been loaded - but otherwise they treated them very nice.
I would only do it on a nonstop flight. Layovers would scare me.

Either way - getting a dog on an airplane is expensive. I'd bank on spending at least the price of your plane ticket, and most likely more.

[Georgia Boy]

My dog (DD) and I flew from ATL to DENVER this fall. It cost more to fly him than it did for me. He flew as cargo and I think it was $275.00 each way for him on Delta (which owns North West now) My ticket was just over $300.00 round trip.

[birddog1968]

Maybe some dark glasses and a long walking stick might get him on the plane beside you