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-   -   Flights WITH DOG (cargo) UK to Halifax NS - can it be done? (https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/flights-dog-cargo-uk-halifax-ns-can-done-920081/)

crofty82 Feb 25th 2019 8:44 pm

Re: Flights WITH DOG (cargo) UK to Halifax NS - can it be done?
 

Originally Posted by scilly (Post 12643814)
I have given up on using booking.com or any other such site ............. I've discovered that you can usually get rooms cheaper by phoning the hotel direct. AND you can discuss any special requirement(s) with someone who knows exactly what the hotel can and will provide.

Plus if you have any problems and need to complain while you're there, there is, in my experience at least, zero chance of a refund because all they'll do is refer you to the company you booked with.

We had to do that recently at a hotel in Newcastle, UK when the beds were filthy, and because we'd booked through Hotels.com they said all they could offer was a free night's stay in the future. Nice as the gesture was, it wasn't quite worth travelling the 200 miles from my home to just to take them up on it, especially as I'm not overly fond of dirty beds.

scilly Feb 25th 2019 11:22 pm

Re: Flights WITH DOG (cargo) UK to Halifax NS - can it be done?
 

Originally Posted by crofty82 (Post 12643840)
Plus if you have any problems and need to complain while you're there, there is, in my experience at least, zero chance of a refund because all they'll do is refer you to the company you booked with.

We had to do that recently at a hotel in Newcastle, UK when the beds were filthy, and because we'd booked through Hotels.com they said all they could offer was a free night's stay in the future. Nice as the gesture was, it wasn't quite worth travelling the 200 miles from my home to just to take them up on it, especially as I'm not overly fond of dirty beds.


How awful!

The other thing of course is that every one of the booking sites will often tell you that there are no rooms available on the dates that you want ............ if you phone the hotel, there are almost always plenty of rooms. Just not the ones that the booking site has on file.

That's not to mention the fact that the sites will tell you that "x people looking at this room right now". Wrong ............ I believe England has cracked down on that, but you still get it over here, because the site was lying, but it put pressure on the looker for a room to book "right now".

globetrotting Mar 5th 2019 6:58 am

Re: Flights WITH DOG (cargo) UK to Halifax NS - can it be done?
 
Have you considered taking the ferry

Lion Heart Mar 5th 2019 7:36 am

Re: Flights WITH DOG (cargo) UK to Halifax NS - can it be done?
 
Ferry from where to where ?

scilly Mar 5th 2019 7:50 pm

Re: Flights WITH DOG (cargo) UK to Halifax NS - can it be done?
 
Methinks globetrotting is a little confused as to where you are coming from and/or going to :nod:

Former Lancastrian Mar 5th 2019 9:23 pm

Re: Flights WITH DOG (cargo) UK to Halifax NS - can it be done?
 

Originally Posted by scilly (Post 12648505)
Methinks globetrotting is a little confused as to where you are coming from and/or going to :nod:

Well they do allow passengers on some cargo ships and there are such ships from the UK to Halifax. Not a way I would prefer to travel.

globetrotting Mar 6th 2019 1:27 pm

Re: Flights WITH DOG (cargo) UK to Halifax NS - can it be done?
 
Nope not confused. We just prefer not to fly our dogs, stress safety reasons etc, so we'd rather take ferry from Southhampton to New York and drive from there.

Atlantic Xpat Mar 6th 2019 2:18 pm

Re: Flights WITH DOG (cargo) UK to Halifax NS - can it be done?
 

Originally Posted by globetrotting (Post 12648888)
Nope not confused. We just prefer not to fly our dogs, stress safety reasons etc, so we'd rather take ferry from Southhampton to New York and drive from there.

There is a ferry that runs from Southampton to New York? Do you mean a cruise liner or a cargo ship? 5-10 days travel by ship is scarcely practical for most.

spouse of scouse Mar 6th 2019 2:21 pm

Re: Flights WITH DOG (cargo) UK to Halifax NS - can it be done?
 

Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat (Post 12648923)
There is a ferry that runs from Southampton to New York? Do you mean a cruise liner or a cargo ship? 5-10 days travel by ship is scarcely practical for most.

It'd have to be some ferry! :lol:

globetrotting Mar 6th 2019 2:22 pm

Re: Flights WITH DOG (cargo) UK to Halifax NS - can it be done?
 
Yes the queen Mary 2. It might not be practical for most but I guess that depends on each individual and their thoughts on flying with their dogs. I know for us it's what we would rather do. Just trying to let them know that there is another option.

christmasoompa Mar 6th 2019 2:27 pm

Re: Flights WITH DOG (cargo) UK to Halifax NS - can it be done?
 

Originally Posted by globetrotting (Post 12648926)
Yes the queen Mary 2. It might not be practical for most but I guess that depends on each individual and their thoughts on flying with their dogs. I know for us it's what we would rather do. Just trying to let them know that there is another option.

OP is moving next month though, and from what I can gather from the forums, the QMII kennels are booked up years in advance. So unfortunately unlikely to be feasible even if they do have the time to cruise over.

Welcome to BE btw.

scilly Mar 6th 2019 8:17 pm

Re: Flights WITH DOG (cargo) UK to Halifax NS - can it be done?
 
Nor could it be a pleasant drive from NY up to NS, even this late in the winter!

There is a thread somewhere re travelling that route, and across Canada, by car, with dogs, in the winter season!


I think Cunard Lines might be horrified to see the Queen Mary 2 described as a "ferry" ..... you might never get a ticket if they ever hear about it :nod:

glb19 Mar 8th 2019 10:24 am

Re: Flights WITH DOG (cargo) UK to Halifax NS - can it be done?
 
FYI - I spoke to PetAir about London - Halifax flights and people being told that they don't fly any pets at all to Halifax - this is the response I got:


I have heard back from the airline and there are no issues regarding space for pets travelling on their aircrafts. They do use smaller aircrafts on their direct routes to Halifax but I believe we must use the “indirect” route which goes via Toronto as the direct route does not have sufficient heating in the hold.

So to confirm, there is no issues with space on the flights to Halifax but they may have to use the indirect route which goes via Toronto. If the booking team are able to find a flight direct to Halifax which is heated in the hold, they will certainly use that for them.
I think in that kind of situation I'd rather fly to Montreal and drive rather than subject the animals to a longer journey to Toronto, a layover, and being loaded on another plane.

Robj10 Mar 9th 2019 4:21 pm

Re: Flights WITH DOG (cargo) UK to Halifax NS - can it be done?
 
I’m in a similar situation myself. Myself, my partner and our 3 year old son are moving to Halifax in September this year. We have been quoted for a direct Air Canada flight from Heathrow to Halifax from a pet transport company with no mention of the unheated hold. I was told to get back in touch 4 weeks before we fly to book. Lucky I stumbled upon this thread.

We are now looking into flying to Montreal and making the drive which isn’t ideal with a 3 year old. Another option we are looking into is taking the ViaRail Montreal to Halifax train.

scilly Mar 9th 2019 11:14 pm

Re: Flights WITH DOG (cargo) UK to Halifax NS - can it be done?
 

Originally Posted by Robj10 (Post 12650753)
I’m in a similar situation myself. Myself, my partner and our 3 year old son are moving to Halifax in September this year. We have been quoted for a direct Air Canada flight from Heathrow to Halifax from a pet transport company with no mention of the unheated hold. I was told to get back in touch 4 weeks before we fly to book. Lucky I stumbled upon this thread.

We are now looking into flying to Montreal and making the drive which isn’t ideal with a 3 year old. Another option we are looking into is taking the ViaRail Montreal to Halifax train.

That would be a good choice ......... we use it regularly.

Be warned .................

a) check their policy for animals. I understand they are not allowed IN the passenger car, whether you have a sleeper or are in Economy. You are lucky in that The Ocean is the only train that allows animals in the baggage car from June 1 to September 30 because it is the only VIA train that has air conditioned baggage cars. You need to check the type of cage needed.

b) it is overnight, leaves Montreal at 7 pm, gets into Halifax ca 5 pm the next day

c) cabins are for 2 people only, upper and lower berth, they are rather narrow, but I THINK you might be able to have one of you sleep with a 3 year old in the lower bunk ............. I've slept with a 6 year old in a lower berth that was only slightly wider than on The Ocean. Meals are included in sleeper price (dinner, breakfast and lunch), and they cater for children.

d) Economy Class is cramped and uncomfortable, so I am have been told by several people who have done it. Food is not included in Economy Class, and I am not sure what they have that is suitable for children.

e) Watch for deals on fares.



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