Has the UK recently outlawed animals as carry on baggage?

[hamtaro 4]

I really need help, I have been trying to book a flight via United airlines but the people on the phone are just clueless. But despite the fact people on this site have taken their animals as hand baggage on United, I found this page on united's site that suggests they are NOT ACCEPTED from the UK, as hand or checked baggage.

http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,53410,00.html

So I went to delta's site and found this:

"United Kingdom (U.K.) regulations do not permit carry-on pets or accompanied pets traveling with passenger baggage. All animals, including service animals, must be transported as cargo. "

What is going on? Any advice? God but I hate this country. This makes me hate it more.

I can;t put my cat in cargo. I just can't. I guess this means I'm giving my cat away.

Edited May 17, 2011 by hamtaro

[* Kristin * 49]

In February of this year, I moved from London (LHR) to Los Angeles with my cat in the cabin with me... under my seat.

That page that you linked to - I believe when I viewed it it said that pets were something like 200 pounds (note - which was wrong. I think she cost me between 40 - 80 pounds. All I know is it was considerably less).

Call United's booking line (I called the US number, even though I was in the U.K.) and chat with them about what you're trying to do.

You will need to book your flight first, and THEN add the pet. You can book over the phone and add your pet at the same time OR you can book online and add your pet later (That's what I did - but it can be risky, as only 2 pets were allowed in the economy cabin. I did it almost straight away and confirmed that at the time I called, no pets were booked yet).

I hope they haven't changed anything for you, as it was wonderful being able to fly with Mischief!!

I really need help, I have been trying to book a flight via United airlines but the people on the phone are just clueless. But despite the fact people on this site have taken their animals as hand baggage on United, I found this page on united's site that suggests they are NOT ACCEPTED from the UK, as hand or checked baggage.

http://www.united.co...,,53410,00.html

So I went to delta's site and found this:

"United Kingdom (U.K.) regulations do not permit carry-on pets or accompanied pets traveling with passenger baggage. All animals, including service animals, must be transported as cargo. "

What is going on? Any advice? God but I hate this country. This makes me hate it more.

I can;t put my cat in cargo. I just can't. I guess this means I'm giving my cat away.

[Amy and Nick 37]

Jeez, again. Deep breaths.

If the United site says "not accepted" it is most likely that they are not accepted. Thats in carry on or checked.

Delta: looks like $200 to carry-on. first come, first serve. call 800-221-1212 for info.

Continental: "For travel outside the U.S. with an in-cabin pet, contact Reservations (800.525.0280 in the U.S.) for assistance and information about international in-cabin pet acceptance and service charges."

Be calm, and use Google as your friend.

[hamtaro 4]

Well I booked the cat on United and they say the reason it is not accepted on the website is only 2 cats allowed on each plane going out of UK (this is more the UK rule) and yes I could book my cat. But they are fond of giving out all kinds of confusing and conflicting information every time I ring.

So I have booked the cat and hopefully not messed it up, I mean they asked for the weight of the cat and I hadn't a clue so I guessed "5 kilos with carrier." They made me buy a Sherpa bag then told me it was too heavy at first! You can't get a Sherpa bag under 1 kilo (which is what they said it had to be.) Drove me nuts.

I have to take him in the plane with me because he is an EXCEPTIONALLY clingy cat who was abused and thrown out in earlier life and he will not leave my side, I mean quite literally. I am going to buy him a lead to walk on because every time I go out he follows at my heel anyway and everyone in the neighbourhood knows him for this. He is whiny and clingy and liable to drive everyone in the plane nuts no doubt, but I can't leave him here. I'm still exceptionally worried my visa is invalid because of the slight damage and they won't let me into the country and the cat will be impounded. Very very nervous, but what can I do otherwise.

You can;t fly out from Manchester basically with anyone now because other airlines I called have a summer embargo or cost an epic fortune in comparison. I can't put my cat in the hold. He will try to tear his way out of the bag, and yes I have witnessed this after walking away and leaving him in the bag. He needs constant companionship all the time.

[N&S 32]

Just out of curiousity - is that Sherpa bag thing so tight that cat hair can't get through or are there any other precautions taken regarding people with severe allergies to cats? My soon-to-be mother-in-law would have serious problems if you sat next to her with a cat for an 8 hour flight...

[* Kristin * 49]

When I flew with my cat in February, there were no precautions against allergies or anything. They didn't even ask anyone around me if they had a problem. Luckily - the woman next to me loved cats.

The Sherpa bag is AMAZING (for the cat anyway).

I bought this one in the pink: http://www.sherpapet.com/page.asp?id=42&name=Cat%20Tote%20Carrier

Note that it technically DOES exceed United's size restictions but I promise you - it DOES fit under the seat and is amazing.

It's just over 1kg - but I'm not sure why they told you that about the weight. People's suitcases are heavier than that. You will be fine.

Just out of curiousity - is that Sherpa bag thing so tight that cat hair can't get through or are there any other precautions taken regarding people with severe allergies to cats? My soon-to-be mother-in-law would have serious problems if you sat next to her with a cat for an 8 hour flight...

[hamtaro 4]

Well they told me to get a sherpa bag and it could be 18" by 11" by 11", if it was a solid bag the dimensions were less. But I'm still worried because they have given me different information every time. I'm worried because I bought this bag: Medium Sherpa Bag Dimensions: 45cm (18") D x 27.5cm (11") W x 26.25cm (10.5") H. Bag Weight: 1.30kg (2.87lbs) For pets up to 7.26kg (16lbs)

Worried it will be too big!

[* Kristin * 49]

Ours was 16" D x 9" W x 11" H, and it was a good fit. There are some other albeit older posts on here about travelling with animals in the cabin.

I would say - get to the airport very early - that way, you will know if there are any problems early on.

But honestly, I think you will be fine. I know it's very stressful.

Also - did you by any chance buy a seat in Economy Plus? That would be my recommendation. You get just a bit more leg / under the seat room, which could make or break your pet fitting under your seat.

In normal economy, the aisle seats have slightly smaller under seat stowage. I think it was all the same in Economy Plus.

Well they told me to get a sherpa bag and it could be 18" by 11" by 11", if it was a solid bag the dimensions were less. But I'm still worried because they have given me different information every time. I'm worried because I bought this bag: Medium Sherpa Bag Dimensions: 45cm (18") D x 27.5cm (11") W x 26.25cm (10.5") H. Bag Weight: 1.30kg (2.87lbs) For pets up to 7.26kg (16lbs)

Worried it will be too big!

[hamtaro 4]

Unless it is somehow not much more expensive, I don't really want to spend that much more money. This has been an EXTREMELY expensive and lengthy visa process for me, compared to many others coming from first world countries. If I have to scrunch up in my seat and not be comfortable because the bag doesn't quite fit under the seat I'm going to have to put up with it. If I can somehow get an upgrade on the day that isn't too expensive I'll go for it.

The thing that most concerns me is I saw on another post that even though the cat is deemed hand baggage, that they take it away and put it on your seat waiting for you. I'm really concerned that my cat is going to wail and wail and be deemed stressed and unfit for travel. This is a very noisy cat that "talks" all the time, I'm already prepared for having to keep the cat quiet by waving interesting things in front of his bag. Right now as I type the cat is wailing for attention. Really concerned it will be seen as stress and they won't take him on the plane. I wanted to be able to watch him all the time to keep him quiet.

As for the people with allergies, no the cat hair cannot fly out of the bag. The bag has very fine mesh. Also very few airlines allow pets on board. Those that do only allow 2 pet for the entire plane.

Edited May 20, 2011 by hamtaro

[* Kristin * 49]

No, they won't take your cat away from you when you are boarding the plane.

** YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE YOUR CAT OUT OF ITS CARRIER **

After you go through security, they will guide you to a small room where you will need to take your cat out of its carrier. They will ask you to hold the cat whilst they take its carrier and run it through the security belt (because obviously, they cannot do that with the pet in it!)

I think Premium Economy was an extra 50 quid for my flight (LHR - LAX), but I believe it varies. Your cat needs to fit under the seat. There's unfortunately, no way around that.

Unless it is somehow not much more expensive, I don't really want to spend that much more money. This has been an EXTREMELY expensive and lengthy visa process for me, compared to many others coming from first world countries. If I have to scrunch up in my seat and not be comfortable because the bag doesn't quite fit under the seat I'm going to have to put up with it. If I can somehow get an upgrade on the day that isn't too expensive I'll go for it.

The thing that most concerns me is I saw on another post that even though the cat is deemed hand baggage, that they take it away and put it on your seat waiting for you. I'm really concerned that my cat is going to wail and wail and be deemed stressed and unfit for travel. This is a very noisy cat that "talks" all the time, I'm already prepared for having to keep the cat quiet by waving interesting things in front of his bag. Right now as I type the cat is wailing for attention. Really concerned it will be seen as stress and they won't take him on the plane. I wanted to be able to watch him all the time to keep him quiet.

As for the people with allergies, no the cat hair cannot fly out of the bag. The bag has very fine mesh. Also very few airlines allow pets on board. Those that do only allow 2 pet for the entire plane.

[Amy and Nick 37]

Why dont you ask your vet about something to give your cat to keep him/her calmer throughout the flight?

[hamtaro 4]

My other worry-

No direct flights to where I was going on the airlines that allow pets. I have to travel on two planes. I am not bothered about taking the cat out of its carrier at any point, he was good as gold at the vets yesterday but that was principally because I was there. I really hope at the connecting airport which I'm guessing is my port of entry, that I am allowed to leave the airport, feed the cat and come back in. I have for this purpose bought a cat leash in case. Iam not joking about this cat, he is ridiculous. My neighbour was feeding him at one point, because I was at work. She let him in because it was raining. He saw me come home and tried to jump out of an upstairs window to get to me, while howling bitterly. This is going to be close to 24 hours of him being in a bag. We have taken long trps around the town on buses to acclimatise him but I'm not too sure this is going to be anything less than extremely stressful, not least if I am delayed at PoE and miss the connecting flight. Because there are no more connecting flights that day on the pet friendly airline! Fortunately there are pet friendly hotels in the area.

Do I take the cat through immigration? I heard that they prioritise families with kids at Washington DC (connecting airport.) I'm really hoping I will get prioritised if I am holding a cat because it would be terrible to miss the flight and subject the cat to more stress.

Edited May 21, 2011 by hamtaro

[* Kristin * 49]

Note that I think you are forbidden to give your pet anything in order to calm them before the flight, due to adverse reactions with the altittude, etc. (a few years ago, I believe you could)

With regard to taking your pet out - assuming you have enough time after you go through immigration, etc. AND to go back through security, then that will be fine.

Just from my experience though, my cat was too darn scared to do anything. She didn't eat / drink / anything until she was at my parents house. Meaning - she did nothing for about 20 hours. Remarkable kitty ;-)

My other worry-

No direct flights to where I was going on the airlines that allow pets. I have to travel on two planes. I am not bothered about taking the cat out of its carrier at any point, he was good as gold at the vets yesterday but that was principally because I was there. I really hope at the connecting airport which I'm guessing is my port of entry, that I am allowed to leave the airport, feed the cat and come back in. I have for this purpose bought a cat leash in case. Iam not joking about this cat, he is ridiculous. My neighbour was feeding him at one point, because I was at work. She let him in because it was raining. He saw me come home and tried to jump out of an upstairs window to get to me, while howling bitterly. This is going to be close to 24 hours of him being in a bag. We have taken long trps around the town on buses to acclimatise him but I'm not too sure this is going to be anything less than extremely stressful, not least if I am delayed at PoE and miss the connecting flight. Because there are no more connecting flights that day on the pet friendly airline! Fortunately there are pet friendly hotels in the area.

Do I take the cat through immigration? I heard that they prioritise families with kids at Washington DC (connecting airport.) I'm really hoping I will get prioritised if I am holding a cat because it would be terrible to miss the flight and subject the cat to more stress.