Air travel or Amtrak with pet in cabin- best value with safety in mind

[LuvOrlando]

So I'm looking to start traveling with our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Newark area to Boston and there seems to be a lot of things to consider.

I'd like a carrier that rolls with a backpack if possible, anyone have one they like? What airlines are easiest to deal with or is Amtrak better? Any that I can buy a seat for my pet between myself & my daughter?

Of course, expense matters but I'd be ok to pay if it make my pet safer. I can drive I guess but in the winter that seems dangerous

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

No airline allows you to buy a seat for your pet. Pets must remain in their crates, stowed under the seat in front of you. It's the same for Amtrak; pets must remain in their carriers under your seat and can only be taken on trips of 7 hours or less.

 

[havaneselover]

Honestly I would drive. We used to fly with our bichon in the cabin. It's a pain unless your dog is super well behaved and not easily stressed. Plus it limits what airlines you can fly and what flights have space for a dog.

 

[afan]

Last time I flew on us fairways they had removed the restriction on the number of pets in cabin. Now with the merger with American that may have changed.

I don't know of any rolling pet carriers. The one I have is approved but doesn't really fit under the sear. You have to shove it because its too tall and its too long so forget having much leg room.

The dog needs to be under 20 lbs and able to turn around in the carrier.

If I was close enough to drive I would every time with my pet. So much easier and more comfortable for everyone.

 

[LuvOrlando]

My husband said he's seen people with a carrier on a regular seat but I'm not seeing anything like that, wondering if this may only be for international travel

 

[afan]

My husband said he's seen people with a carrier on a regular seat but I'm not seeing anything like that, wondering if this may only be for international travel

The seat may have been empty and not paid for. I've also seen non service dogs out of their crate, doesn't mean it's allowed.

 

[LadyD]

I used to fly with my dog on a regular basis. A few notes for non-service dogs:

• Your dog is technically supposed to remain in its carrier while at the airport too (lines, boarding area, etc) unless you're out at the relief area or going through security (some airports/employees are more forceful about this than others).
• You have to remove your dog from their carrier to put it through the X-ray machine at security and carry your dog through the security check and then get your dog back in its carrier after in addition to collecting your belongings and putting your shoes back on. Plan accordingly.
• To fly, you technically need a health certificate from your vet and they only last a brief period of time, so if you're gone a few weeks, you may need to make an appointment with a strange vet in your destination city to fly back home (though in my dozens of flights with my dog, it was never checked but they can deny bringing your dog on the plane if they request it and you do not have it).
• As other people have stated, your dog is to remain in its carrier for the entire flight under the seat. Each airlines restrictions for dog weight and carrier dimensions is slightly different. Your dog must be able to stand up and turn around in its kennel (but no one will check). Use a soft sided kennel if the airline allows it.
• My wife traveled internationally with her dog. It was not allowed outside of its kennel in the airplane cabin.
• King Charles are known for having heart conditions. Flying can be extremely stressful for some dogs and vets do not recommend any kind of sedation while flying since it can increase the chances of a health event for dogs. Know your dog's temperament and ask your vet if it is safe to fly with your dog based on their current health prior to booking the ticket for your dog.
• It's been a few years since I've flown with my dog, but I always had to call the airline to book the flight with my dog, and some airlines will charge you more just for booking via phone.

 

[QueenIsabella]

We traveled with our dog (and cats) last year when we moved. American charged us $125, and the pet counts as a carry-on. Sending an animal cargo is slightly cheaper--but, of course, they're not in the cabin with you.

We have a cavachon (cavalier crossed with a bichon), so about the size of yours. She rode in a soft-sided carrier under the seat in front of my DD (I had a cat on the same flight).

You do have to uncrate to go through security--this was more of an issue with the cat, as the dog had a leash. In my case, we had the two animals, plus my kids were 12 and 9, so it got tricky. We sedated the cats, not the dog, and we did need certificates of health. I think they checked those when we checked in with the airline.

We had to change planes. Getting through the airport with 2 pets in carriers, 2 kids, and our personal items, plus the one remaining carry-on, which was too heavy for DS9 to carry--that was a nightmare. We stopped in a family restroom and I put out a wee pad for the dog. To go to the pet walking area required going through security again. Not happening in my case (a single adult with one pet might have been able to do it just fine). Once we checked in at our second gate, I did have our dog out of her carrier (leashed) for a period of time. Nobody said anything, I had no idea it might not be allowed.

I hope that gives you a feel for how it goes. I'd be happy to answer any specific questions.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Thanks for the info on needing to get my dog out of his carrier & back in again. I think I'll just ship my clothing and toiletries to make it easier on me- great tips

 

[LuvOrlando]

Honestly I would drive. We used to fly with our bichon in the cabin. It's a pain unless your dog is super well behaved and not easily stressed. Plus it limits what airlines you can fly and what flights have space for a dog.

He's usually very well-behaved, think living stuffed animal lol

 

[LuvOrlando]

Last time I flew on us fairways they had removed the restriction on the number of pets in cabin. Now with the merger with American that may have changed.

I don't know of any rolling pet carriers. The one I have is approved but doesn't really fit under the sear. You have to shove it because its too tall and its too long so forget having much leg room.

The dog needs to be under 20 lbs and able to turn around in the carrier.

If I was close enough to drive I would every time with my pet. So much easier and more comfortable for everyone.

I don't know that driving would work, I have health issues that make my ability to dive unpredictable so that's kind of dangerous

 

[LuvOrlando]

The seat may have been empty and not paid for. I've also seen non service dogs out of their crate, doesn't mean it's allowed.

That may be true, no way to know

 

[LuvOrlando]

I used to fly with my dog on a regular basis. A few notes for non-service dogs:

• Your dog is technically supposed to remain in its carrier while at the airport too (lines, boarding area, etc) unless you're out at the relief area or going through security (some airports/employees are more forceful about this than others).
• You have to remove your dog from their carrier to put it through the X-ray machine at security and carry your dog through the security check and then get your dog back in its carrier after in addition to collecting your belongings and putting your shoes back on. Plan accordingly.
• To fly, you technically need a health certificate from your vet and they only last a brief period of time, so if you're gone a few weeks, you may need to make an appointment with a strange vet in your destination city to fly back home (though in my dozens of flights with my dog, it was never checked but they can deny bringing your dog on the plane if they request it and you do not have it).
• As other people have stated, your dog is to remain in its carrier for the entire flight under the seat. Each airlines restrictions for dog weight and carrier dimensions is slightly different. Your dog must be able to stand up and turn around in its kennel (but no one will check). Use a soft sided kennel if the airline allows it.
• My wife traveled internationally with her dog. It was not allowed outside of its kennel in the airplane cabin.
• King Charles are known for having heart conditions. Flying can be extremely stressful for some dogs and vets do not recommend any kind of sedation while flying since it can increase the chances of a health event for dogs. Know your dog's temperament and ask your vet if it is safe to fly with your dog based on their current health prior to booking the ticket for your dog.
• It's been a few years since I've flown with my dog, but I always had to call the airline to book the flight with my dog, and some airlines will charge you more just for booking via phone.

Nothing has even been mentioned of his heart but I wouldn't want to stress him anyway. I dont think he need any kind of medicine as long as he could see me and I can reach him and pet him every once in a while I think it would be OK

 

[LuvOrlando]

We traveled with our dog (and cats) last year when we moved. American charged us $125, and the pet counts as a carry-on. Sending an animal cargo is slightly cheaper--but, of course, they're not in the cabin with you.

We have a cavachon (cavalier crossed with a bichon), so about the size of yours. She rode in a soft-sided carrier under the seat in front of my DD (I had a cat on the same flight).

You do have to uncrate to go through security--this was more of an issue with the cat, as the dog had a leash. In my case, we had the two animals, plus my kids were 12 and 9, so it got tricky. We sedated the cats, not the dog, and we did need certificates of health. I think they checked those when we checked in with the airline.

We had to change planes. Getting through the airport with 2 pets in carriers, 2 kids, and our personal items, plus the one remaining carry-on, which was too heavy for DS9 to carry--that was a nightmare. We stopped in a family restroom and I put out a wee pad for the dog. To go to the pet walking area required going through security again. Not happening in my case (a single adult with one pet might have been able to do it just fine). Once we checked in at our second gate, I did have our dog out of her carrier (leashed) for a period of time. Nobody said anything, I had no idea it might not be allowed.

I hope that gives you a feel for how it goes. I'd be happy to answer any specific questions.

Thanks for sharing your experiences, sounds like it could be tough so I'll plan well. what kind of carrier did you use and do you like it

 

[kaytieeldr]

United: https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/animals/in_cabin.aspx?Mobile=1, notably "The kennel must fit completely under the seat in front of the customer and remain there at all times." and "Pets must remain in kennels with the door secured at all times while in the boarding area and on board the aircraft. "
American: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/pets.jsp "Your pet stays in their kennel and under the seat in front of you for the entire flight"
Delta: http://www.delta.com/content/www/en...ial-travel-needs/pets/pet-travel-options.html "The kennel must fit under the seat directly in front of you. And "Your pet must remain inside the kennel (with door secured) while in a Delta boarding area (during boarding and deplaning), a Delta airport lounge and while onboard the aircraft.
Southwest: https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/traveling-with-animals/pets/index-pol.html "Southwest Airlines allows small vaccinated domestic cats and dogs to travel with you in-cabin under the seat in front of you. "
Amtrak: https://www.amtrak.com/pets "Pets must remain inside their carrier while in stations and onboard trains. Please keep your pet with you at all times" and "Onboard, place your pet carrier under your seat (not under the seat in front of you), except on Amtrak Cascades trains where you can put your pet carrier on the floor in front of the seat next to you."

Any action other than keeping the pet secured in the carrier and the carrier under the seat is a violation of policy.