Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

So there I am calling BA cargo asking them how much for my pets to be shipped back on the flight I intend to book for this coming August and bombshell. They won't be flying pets again until summer is over which according to them will be on September 15th or any day where the temp is below 85f.

So where does this leave us?!?! I am going to contact AA and see if they have the same rule. Surely the area the animals are in is temp controlled?? It reaches something like minus 37 when you are flying so in my book all the animals in the hold would be dead at that point would they not? Anyone else know anything about heat restrictions on flying pets?

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

That is ridiculous! We flew our dog back from Australia on Qantas. If that rule was applied there pets flights would be cancelled all the time!
As you say the hold gets very very cold and they have to be heated for animals anyway. As soon as the plane is above the clouds it wont matter a jot how hot it is on the ground.
I would challenge it if i were you, or, as you say try another airline

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

They have done this before - Westjet in Canada also have hot/cold weather restrictions on animal carrying flights. One of the pilot bods might explain exactly why.

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

It could be to do with the likely temperatures during any delay. Although the temp in the hold would be controlled during flight, once the pet is loaded into the hold if there is any delay due to late passengers etc then the heat could start to build up. Think what its like if you are stuck on a plane waiting to leave, gets quite hot as there is limited air con while on the ground.

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

Hi,
I have flown pets out of NZ. I found that Emirates are the best airline (this was after extensive research). Emirates flight EK406, take pets on a Friday night only. The airline pressurise the cargo hold to the passenger cabin and therefore the resultant temperature is neither too hot, nor cold.
The animals are put on the aircraft at the last possible minute in case of a delay on the ground.

I would also use the services of an organisation called 'Dogtainers' based in the airport vicinity. They will provide a cage, water and take care of all your paperwork.

Hope that helps.

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

I noticed on BA's website about pet shipping that many airports do have a ban on flying pets in the summer months. Could you consider a different airport..travelling to a non-restricted city? Check out their website, there is a list of airports and the restricted dates.

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

I think you will find the same applies to most airlines flying in and out of the US.


It's not ridiculous Fea...several dogs have been killed in the US during the summer months. If the plane is been delayed it gets too hot in the hold and a plane can be stood on the runway for hours before it takes off. Some airlines have an air conditioned compartment especially for pets which controls the temps...maybe Quantas have this because of the year round high temps in Aus.

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

Yes, i know what you are saying but it IS riduculous that they can accomodate millions of upon millions of people in that kind of heat but not animals going on their planes?? All they would have to do is leave the animals in an air conditioned area off the plane until shortly before take off!

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

I've just had a lightbulb moment! I am sure i saw a news artcile on Sky last week about a new airline in America just for pets. I will do a search.

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

Darn. I think it only operates inside Amercia at the moment. But maybe you could use it to transport the pet to a place that doesnt have heat restrictions

http://petairways.com/

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

I believe the temperature regulations are more to do with temperature on the tarmac than in the hold of the aeroplane. Some airports are so large that they can't have an animal cargo centre close to every terminal. It's the transport to the plane and sitting on the tarmac that can kill an animal.

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

Okay so now I am totally stunned. Just spoke to AA and they told me there has been a long standing embargo. Nutshell... no warm blooded animals may enter any UK airport from an AA flight!
So I guess BA is the only way but not until 15th September and then if the temp remains above 85f then there could be even more delay. We can not remain here until then because the kids have to start school and our rental contract would have begun a month earlier. It was so easy flying them in!!!!! Honestly I'm feeling so defeated over this. It was so easy to leave the UK but if I hit one more hurdle trying to get back in I think I'm going to throw a big baby tantrum!!! Arghhhhh..... okay, I feel better now :rofl:
Right, it looks as though I'm going to have to find out if there is a pet exporter/boarding kennel that can take them in for us and keep them until they can get on a BA flight, hopefully in Sept. Can wait to see the quote and I'm pretty sure it's way out of our budget.

Any recommendations for DFW area pet shippers are welcome :)

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

We ran into the same situation upon our move from UK to US (we moved in July) and I understand your frustration.

You don't say what breed of dogs you have - that actually does make a difference. Virgin will fly certain breeds of dog so you might check with them. As we had pugs (a brachycephalic breed) they wouldn't touch them.

We ended up coming over on the Queen Mary which was a wonderful alternative. However, they only have about 12 kennels on board and they do fill quickly so that might not be an option for you.

I did meet a woman here in TX who imported 2 pugs from Germany. She used Lufthansa and raved about their services. You might want to check with them as well.

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

When you moved to the US, how did you get your dogs from New York to Texas? We are thinking about the Queen Mary option, but the main thing that is putting us off is the fact that we still have to get our dog from Texas to New York.. Also someone on here was saying that April 2010 kennels on QM2 are already booked up; so if this is the case for May or June this may not be an option for us either...:(

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

Hang on a sec..........this is not unknown and we have warned people over and over again on this forum that summer months are no go with pets shipping out of the States to the UK.

The rule is not a ridiculous one, it's designed because the temperatures on the tarmac can soar during summer.

It's been 4 years since we shipped our dog and we were well aware of the rule as long ago as that..........now that being said.........I think.........note I said 'think'...there are some airports that may ship during the summer months. I just can't remember which ones do. It may be either Dallas/Ft Worth or maybe Newark that just possibly has air conditioned pet facilities. Check with BA and see if they can point you in the right direction......it could be possible to drive to one of those airports with your pet and depart from there. Also check with Virgin.

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

I flew with two dogs on August 26th last year from Houston to Heathrow on Contintental . . .

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

That's probably the Texas airport I was thinking of then Sarah. Is Houston a George Bush Airport..........I remember it stuck in my craw that I may have to fly out of an airport named after Bush.:D

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

Yup, that's the one. George Bush Intercontinental . . .

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

In case it's helpful, here's the link for the Continental web page that deals with traveling with animals: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...s/default.aspx

Note under "Safeguards" it has "Personal handling in climate-controlled vehicles for connections over Continental's hubs when the animal will be exposed to temperatures above 85°F (29.5°C) degrees for more than 45 minutes."

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

Can you bring the pets up to NYC or Canada? Its not that HOT up here...surely there is another option once your belongings leave..

Moving in august...!!!!!!!! we'll be arriving the same time...PM? when you can...xx

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

It gets extremely hot in the NYC area. I think you'll find the same rules apply to NYC as the rest of the US.

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

The 'rules' are not in every airport or airline. Some airlines do it at some airports..........it's just a matter of flying out of the right airport on the right airline.

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

Suzy flew BA from DC to LHR in July 2006 ... so it's possible.

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

Thats why i suggested the pet airways link, but it seems i am being ignored! ;)

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

As far as I am aware, the new pet airways is only concerned with domestic flights and not approved by DEFRA to ship into the UK.

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

Yes i know, i saw that when i went to the website, but i posted it as i thought they could maybe be used to transport the pet within USA to an airport that doesnt have heat restrictions

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

We only live 500 miles from NY...and its not that HOT this year...haven't even put the air con on...only once in June..that's it! So there is always an option...Its alot cooler this way north, than Florida/California.(where ever they are located at the mo, maybe its possible.?

think postive usagypies...xx

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

We've not had a good summer this year for sure. It's normally quite a bit hotter and more humid in the NYC area than Ontario. My daughter loves living in Toronto because the summers are shorter and cooler than here.

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

When our pets flew to the US from the UK in 2005 we used a specialist company to transport them.
They made us aware that if the temperature rose above a certain limit the animals couldn't fly....not that we would have wanted them to.

As others have said, they could be on the tarmac a long time or overheating in the hold.

The company we used booked flights from Manchester UK to Atlanta because, apparently Atlanta has very good airport boarding facilities.

We flew several days earlier and the company boarded our pets at their kennels in the UK, which were lovely. They flew late in the day from the UK and someone stayed with them as long as possible to ensure they didn't get caught in a British heatwave.



They arrived in Atlanta late at night (11pm or later) and were taken to the kennels, fed, watered and exercised. The following day they flew on a very early flight (5.30am) to Pittsburgh to avoid the heat.

Obviously all of that cost more and could have gone wrong had the temperatures really soared.

It took a lot of organising and I spoke with several pet moving companies before I found one I really liked... and I don't know if it could still be done. I think they flew with Continental.

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

As we were with our dogs (and needed to get to TX ourselves) we rented a car. (Pre-arranged it to have transport meet us as Red Hook cruise terminal and take us to car rental lot as there was no car rental facilities at that terminal.) So we drove with our dogs, cat and luggage to TX. Quite a road trip!

I would seriously suggest calling Cunard to verify yourself what is booked already. You can get added to a list for stand-by so they will notify you if any kennels come available. I found the Cunard personnel to be extremely helpful in planning our trip. We would not hesitate to go that route in the future rather than the stress/danger of flying our dogs in cargo.

Good luck!

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

Thanks for that Rebster, I had thought about renting a car and driving there. How long did it take you? I really want to go back this way; I think it'll be a lot more comfortable and a great experience, just need to persuade the hubbie that it's a great idea though.. :rolleyes::)

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

You are a genius!!!! Solved! Will post details later :)

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

We took 3 days but that was with a stopover in North Carolina to visit family. I believe we could have made it in 2 if we had pushed ourselves but we wanted to take our time and treat it as an adventure. It was a nice way for DH to see some of the country that he had never seen on his holidays here. (Who comes from the UK to visit Mississippi??? :p)

There are many hotel chains that accept pets so it does make it a bit easier. Also if you are planning to rent a car I would highly suggest a minivan. Not glamourous but believe me you will be thankful you did. ;)

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

Thanks for this advice Rebster.. I read this out to my husband and he is slowly coming round to the idea.. I like the idea of taking a road trip for a couple of days before we leave as well. :)

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

Hey there,

I just booked with Aer Lingus to fly my cat from Washington DC to Dublin, Ireland. After reading this thread I made sure to ask them about temperatures but they reassured me they fly no matter what. If all else fails perhaps you could fly into Dublin and take another flight from Dublin to wherever you are headed in the UK.

Hope you got it sorted out.

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

They appear to be a lot cheaper than BA as well... BA quoted me $1248 approx. for next May; Continental only $859. A bit gutted as I just called Cunard re. the Queen Mary 2 apparently their kennels are already booked up for April, May, June and July 2010 and there isn't even a wait list!!!! :( Looks like we may take the Continental route as well....

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

So what we are doing is booking our pets in at DFW. Then they will be flying to Houston. They are taken to the kennel facility and given a 'comfort stop'. Fed, watered, walked etc... then back to Houston for the flight to heathrow.

If your pet + cage weighs less than 9lb it is $499.00
If the weight is more then 10lb and up to 50lb it is $659.00

Once the pets arrive at Heathrow a company called PBS international custom clear them. Their fee is seperate but payable upfront to continental. If the pets arrive so that they can be cleared between the hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, they charge $500 for the first animal (its more than $500 but less than $600 - I can't remember the exact figure because I was feeling faint by then!) and $16.00 for the 2nd animal and $16.00 for the 3rd animal.

There is no way we could let any of them go so we're having to re-jig our budget to cover this higher than expected cost. That of course doesn't include the other cost's like the international health certificate, 'fit to fly' letter, tick and tape worm, flea treatments and any other missing vac's. plus 3 kennels as the ones we have are too small for flying (need 3 inch space between the top of their heads and the roof when standing) etc....

But the point is that we CAN get them home, in August from south-central, thank goodness.

Hope this information is helpful.

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

You've got all the DEFRA stuff covered right?

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

good luck with your pets, usagypsies...Our minds can stop spinning soon.

I think we've actually got a rental on hold now...woohoo...not to hijack your post. will PM you later...off to a girls night out tonight...good grief, i sure need it!!!

Re: Pet shipping nightmare! BA say 'Too hot to fly'
 

Hey Jerseygirl
I'm praying I'm all set on that. Like so many others I get completely confused bith reading the Defra website and even talking to them of the phone and taking notes messes with my head.
My 2 moggies had their boosters before the original rabies shots expired. I have their titer paperwork and their microchip certs (microchis before the rabies shots of course). The pups 6 calender month from blood draw will be up on the 30th of this month (approx 3 weeks before we fly).
Then I need the international health certificate signed by USDA.
Tick & tape 24/48 before flying.
'Fit to fly' letter for airline.

Please tell me I sound like I know what I'm doing lol:D have I forgotten anything obvious?