Recent experiences of flying dogs over.
#16
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Re: Recent experiences of flying dogs over.
BA don't insist you use an agent for flying into the UK. I did read somewhere that they mandated an agent for flying out, though, which is really annoying -- but you could just double-check anyway. A lot of stuff has been in flux since the UK regulations changed in 2012.
I don't know about United. Did they say you had to use an agent, or did they just request that you booked pets via their cargo division/affiliate? When our cats flew LAX-LHR with BA, we organized everything ourselves, but we did have to book their tickets with BA World Cargo. The regular ticketing department isn't set up to take manifest cargo bookings.
I don't know about United. Did they say you had to use an agent, or did they just request that you booked pets via their cargo division/affiliate? When our cats flew LAX-LHR with BA, we organized everything ourselves, but we did have to book their tickets with BA World Cargo. The regular ticketing department isn't set up to take manifest cargo bookings.
#17
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Re: Recent experiences of flying dogs over.
Thankyou everyone, will probably have a call round some airlines tomorrow, I wasn't aware that you couldn't fly dogs as excessive baggage out of the UK at all?!
#18
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Re: Recent experiences of flying dogs over.
#19
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Re: Recent experiences of flying dogs over.
You probably already know this, but if you fly into the UK you don't have a choice. Thousands of pounds extra, and the only tangible difference for little Fluffy is that van-ride from the plane to customs -- argh!
Edit for the OP: I'm 99% sure you still can't fly pets out of the UK as baggage. As with arriving pets, they have to be manifest cargo.
Edit for the OP: I'm 99% sure you still can't fly pets out of the UK as baggage. As with arriving pets, they have to be manifest cargo.
#20
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Re: Recent experiences of flying dogs over.
Yes, very! But no more expensive than flying the pets cargo with any other airline. Cargo is expensive!
It was a real shock to us because, as I've said, we flew the cats as excess baggage from Europe to the US and were assuming we could do that again to come back to the UK. Nope. It was about 3 times the cost to go cargo, or maybe more.
It was a real shock to us because, as I've said, we flew the cats as excess baggage from Europe to the US and were assuming we could do that again to come back to the UK. Nope. It was about 3 times the cost to go cargo, or maybe more.
#21
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Re: Recent experiences of flying dogs over.
BA don't insist you use an agent for flying into the UK. I did read somewhere that they mandated an agent for flying out, though, which is really annoying -- but you could just double-check anyway. A lot of stuff has been in flux since the UK regulations changed in 2012.
I don't know about United. Did they say you had to use an agent, or did they just request that you booked pets via their cargo division/affiliate?
I don't know about United. Did they say you had to use an agent, or did they just request that you booked pets via their cargo division/affiliate?
Travelling with pets | Special Assistance | British Airways
I phoned United Cargo but they said you have to use an agent. Phoning Virgin this morning to see how that compares... but they don't allow you to do it on the weekends, which was our preference so my wife won't have to take time off work having (hopefully) only just started.
Also looking into travelling to Paris, Amsterdam or Frankfurt and going via their national airlines... but this lengthens the trip and adds stress further. Wondering whether driving may be better for that or getting a connecting flight...
Also I can find no flights actually on Lufthansa (rather than code shares) from Frankfurt which go to Houston despite (wikipedia (poor source I know) saying there are. I can see why people end up getting agents!
#22
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Re: Recent experiences of flying dogs over.
Eventually booked with KLM flying via Amsterdam to Houston - £505 for me and $200 for the cat as checked-in luggage which seems extremely reasonable. It'll be 13 hours journey there and then a five hour drive Houston-NOLA but that seemed largely unavoidable.
Any recommendations for pet carriers? Having saved on the flight I'd like to get him something very comfortable, expensive if need be. They don't seem to mind a fairly large carrier - for a medium sized cat that would give him plenty of space but I'd be worried he'd be thrown around?
Any recommendations for pet carriers? Having saved on the flight I'd like to get him something very comfortable, expensive if need be. They don't seem to mind a fairly large carrier - for a medium sized cat that would give him plenty of space but I'd be worried he'd be thrown around?
#23
Re: Recent experiences of flying dogs over.
I will be flying American Airlines from Manchester to JFK with my 2 cats as they seem to be the only airline flying direct from UK that allow pets as excess baggage.
#24
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Re: Recent experiences of flying dogs over.
Any recommendations for pet carriers? Having saved on the flight I'd like to get him something very comfortable, expensive if need be. They don't seem to mind a fairly large carrier - for a medium sized cat that would give him plenty of space but I'd be worried he'd be thrown around?
In general, a carrier suitable for pet flying is going to be a whole lot bigger and sturdier than the everyday type you use when going to the vet.
One rule is that there needs to be a certain amount of clearance above the cat's head, and that they're able to turn around, so you usually find you need quite a large carrier. I've just measured ours (the cat still sleeps in it) and it's about 52cm x 52 x 72. They are bloody cumbersome to lug around, be warned!
You can pad it out with blankets. I don't think being thrown around is an issue; it would be very unlucky if you hit severe turbulence, but generally it's more important that the pet has a comfortable amount of space when flying long-haul. Some airlines won't actually accept carriers under a certain size.
One of the best brands is the Petmate VariKennel Ultra.
FYI, the IATA doesn't officially endorse any one brand, so when you see a carrier advertised as 'IATA approved', take it with a pinch of salt.
#25
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Re: Recent experiences of flying dogs over.
I've just looked at the Heathrow website pets section, and it does indicate that pets can legally fly out of the UK as excess/accompanied baggage, but that it depends on the airline.
(And flying in to the UK is still cargo only.)
Heathrow: Tips and advice | Travelling with pets
#27
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Re: Recent experiences of flying dogs over.
Have you got his info recently? If so, where from? I calls American Airlines this morning and got told that no animal could be flown out of the UK as excess baggage?
#28
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Re: Recent experiences of flying dogs over.
I think the rules might have changed recently. Alarmingly, when I booked with KLM (flying out of Amsterdam) at the beginning of the year they also said 'We're stopping the pets as baggage service soon too but can't tell you when.' :s
#29
Re: Recent experiences of flying dogs over.
It is current on their website and I spoke to them about 3 weeks ago.
http://www.americanairlines.co.uk/i1...ggage/pets.jsp
If you spoke to US Airways (as they are now semi-merged), they will NOT fly animals form the UK.
http://www.americanairlines.co.uk/i1...ggage/pets.jsp
If you spoke to US Airways (as they are now semi-merged), they will NOT fly animals form the UK.
#30
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Re: Recent experiences of flying dogs over.
I only called them to double check, as so much of it is unsure. I thought after reading their website they would but she was adamant they wouldn't. It was definitely American Airlines I spoke to. Looking like I might have to go trough an agent and just pay the extra money which was something I was really hoping to not have to do!