pollybegoode

Hi there,We’re moving back to the U.K. towards the end of the summer. We have a small dog that will be joining us in the cabin on our flight.I’m wondering if anyone has any experience with flying with the small dog and which route they took?I have been advised that flying to Amsterdam and then getting the ferry to Newcastle is possible with a small dog. Or flying to Paris and getting the ferry to Dover.
is there anyone who has experienced this? Is there an easier way like flying directly into the UK? Or does this mean a 4 month quarantine?
we would love your input!

verystormy

You can not fly directly into the UK with a dog in the cabin. It would have to fly in the hold. I know many don't like the he idea of that, but thousands of animals do it all the time. Our little one flew from Australia in the hold and was perfectly fine.

pollybegoode

Thanks so much for this. I would be fine with our dog flying in the hold. I'm presuming you contact the airline you have your flights booked though to figure out reserving the spot, and cost etc?

SanDiegogirl

From what others have said you need to get papers from a vet to ensure the dog is fit to fly and OK to enter another country and then find an airline that will fly them. Many people do the whole thing through pet transport companies.

Presume you have thought about the following:You can enter or return to Great Britain with your pet cat, dog or ferret if it:

• has been microchipped
• has a pet passport or health certificate
• has been vaccinated against rabies - it will also need a blood test if you’re travelling from an country that is not ‘listed’

https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain

Not all airlines will fly animals.

pollybegoode

thank you for this. I'm going to look into it. It's quite a process!

SanDiegogirl

Here's a great post from 2020 from a poster who moved pets from Canada. It's full of useful tips:

Bringing pets back to the UK (from "approved" countries)

pollybegoode

well this makes it crystal clear. This is SO helpful. Thank you!!

MGH888

So I have an alternate method to share ... we have a small rescue that's pretty neurotic and has anxiety. The travel in the hold + transfer at LHR seemed like it would cause a lot of stress and when I got hold of the Animal facility that handles the transfer/release they said it can take up to 6 hours .... that's probably not typical but it was a concern.

So we ARE flying pet in Cabin. Just have to do it the an EU destination. Luckily for us - Dublin allows Pet in Cabin arrival and processing and we can catch the ferry from Dublin to Holyhead, close to the in-laws. Much of the same stipulations as per the other link ... you need all the same paperwork, vaccines and health certificates / pet passport. But no need to place the dog in cargo/hold. It's cheaper for the flight - $200. BUT you need EU passport and a UK passport. So you double up on paperwork costs. Paris was also an option and KLM/Airfrance and Delta all got good reviews for Pet In Cabin travel.

I'll let you know how it goes the other side ... July and the move is coming fast !