Pets from Heathrow to Houston

[Keeto 12]

Hi fellow VJ'ers.

As we all know from all the experiences we have had so far in our journey's planning is EVERYTHING.

So we are all already looking into our options for our lovely mini Schnauzer - Leo - to fly to Houston.

I have researched as much as I could over the weekend and my wife has phoned airlines as much as she could as well.

So far, Continental/United is absolutely useless. Very unprofessional and has no idea what is currently going on with their own "PetSafe" scheme. Several calls later we still have no idea.

British Airways is much more upfront and just came to the point by saying: "Use a pet agent to transport your dog....." Is this the norm? Pay lots of money for someone to do what seems to be something quite basic?

Searching here on VJ was also quite vague as to the actual process of getting a pet on the plane.

We already know what the requirements are for Texas - Health Check Document (not older than 3 days) and a Rabies shot not younger than 30 days. We have our own airline approved kennel for him with all the other requirements as well (water and food containers etc)....as far as I can see we just need to get him on the plane now.....and I can't see where the value is in paying £500+ for this "service"....

Anyone else experience would be nice...thanks.

Edited July 16, 2012 by Keeto

[AmyWrites 593]

Had the same issue, BA also said the "pet travel agent", but also read somewhere the US isn't taking animals from certain countries, so we ended up giving our pets to family members here isntead

[Holly2234 66]

Im not sure because ive never done it, but Delta seems to have some info on their site http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/special_travel_needs/pet_travel_information/domestic_international_pet/index.jsp#intl Half way down the page. I dont know how relevent any of it is, but it might be worth calling them for some answers.

[Boiler 45,516]

I have seen good things mentioned about both PetAir and AirPets.

You are flying into Houston, if in the Summer there may be issues due to the heat.

[JohnR! 5,495]

1342434423[/url]' post='5528630']

Hi fellow VJ'ers.

As we all know from all the experiences we have had so far in our journey's planning is EVERYTHING.

So we are all already looking into our options for our lovely mini Schnauzer - Leo - to fly to Houston.

I have researched as much as I could over the weekend and my wife has phoned airlines as much as she could as well.

So far, Continental/United is absolutely useless. Very unprofessional and has no idea what is currently going on with their own "PetSafe" scheme. Several calls later we still have no idea.

British Airways is much more upfront and just came to the point by saying: "Use a pet agent to transport your dog....." Is this the norm? Pay lots of money for someone to do what seems to be something quite basic?

Searching here on VJ was also quite vague as to the actual process of getting a pet on the plane.

We already know what the requirements are for Texas - Health Check Document (not older than 3 days) and a Rabies shot not younger than 30 days. We have our own airline approved kennel for him with all the other requirements as well (water and food containers etc)....as far as I can see we just need to get him on the plane now.....and I can't see where the value is in paying £500+ for this "service"....

Anyone else experience would be nice...thanks.

Having traveled with my dog to Europe several times, I am a die hard customer of Air France when it comes to pets traveling in the cargo hold. When I say AF, I mean flights operated by AF and not code-shared with DL. AF's large planes - A330 & 777 - have a cargo hold specially reserved for pet crates, their pet fares are cheaper than DL or UA and their service outstanding. That would be my recommendation if you can't get your dog in the cabin with you.

If your dog is small enough and fits the requirements to travel in the cabin, any airline will do.

In the very common event that you suffer from anxiety - a disability no less - and have a statement from your psychologist or psychiatrist to the effect that you mustn't be separated from your dog for medical reasons, you should, by law, be allowed to take your pet inside the cabin, regardless if size, according to the American with Disabilities Act, so long as your pet does not pose a security risk to other passengers. Your dog need not be a registered service dog for that purpose.

I have also learned that buying a business orr first class tickets will help the airlines be more accommodating of your pet.

Edited July 16, 2012 by Gegel

[Keeto 12]

I have seen good things mentioned about both PetAir and AirPets.

You are flying into Houston, if in the Summer there may be issues due to the heat.

So "pet agents" are the way to go then?

Nope it will be in the late Autumn early Winter.

Having traveled with my dog to Europe several times, I am a die hard customer of Air France when it comes to pets traveling in the cargo hold. When I say AF, I mean flights operated by AF and not code-shared with DL. AF's large planes - A330 & 777 - have a cargo hold specially reserved for pet crates, their pet fares are cheaper than DL or UA and their service outstanding. That would be my recommendation if you can't get your dog in the cabin with you.

If your dog is small enough and fits the requirements to travel in the cabin, any airline will do.

In the very common event that you suffer from anxiety - a disability no less - and have a statement from your psychologist or psychiatrist to the effect that you mustn't be separated from your dog for medical reasons, you should, by law, be allowed to take your pet inside the cabin, regardless if size, according to the American with Disabilities Act, so long as your pet does not pose a security risk to other passengers. Your dog need not be a registered service dog for that purpose.

I have also learned that buying a business orr first class tickets will help the airlines be more accommodating of your pet.

LOL! Nope Leo is everything but a service dog! Some days I think he needs some therapy!......and I really wish we could afford business/first class tickets..... The whole reason I'm asking is because we're trying to save as much money as possible.

Edited July 16, 2012 by Keeto

[Boiler 45,516]

International flights did not allow dogs to travel in the Cabin. I assume it is still the case.

[Holly2234 66]

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=765160

Came across that. There are more links in the thread something might be useful. That one related to cats particularly but there are more experiences over there. It seems BA requires the use of a pet agent.

[JohnR! 5,495]

So "pet agents" are the way to go then?

Nope it will be in the late Autumn early Winter.

LOL! Nope Leo is everything but a service dog! Some days I think he needs some therapy!......and I really wish we could afford business/first class tickets..... The whole reason I'm asking is because we're trying to save as much money as possible.

In this case, check with a pet agent but also call the airlines and check on their charges, so that Leo can travel in the same aircraft as you, if only in the cargo hold.

[Lisa-O 8]

Hi fellow VJ'ers.

As we all know from all the experiences we have had so far in our journey's planning is EVERYTHING.

So we are all already looking into our options for our lovely mini Schnauzer - Leo - to fly to Houston.

I have researched as much as I could over the weekend and my wife has phoned airlines as much as she could as well.

So far, Continental/United is absolutely useless. Very unprofessional and has no idea what is currently going on with their own "PetSafe" scheme. Several calls later we still have no idea.

British Airways is much more upfront and just came to the point by saying: "Use a pet agent to transport your dog....." Is this the norm? Pay lots of money for someone to do what seems to be something quite basic?

Searching here on VJ was also quite vague as to the actual process of getting a pet on the plane.

We already know what the requirements are for Texas - Health Check Document (not older than 3 days) and a Rabies shot not younger than 30 days. We have our own airline approved kennel for him with all the other requirements as well (water and food containers etc)....as far as I can see we just need to get him on the plane now.....and I can't see where the value is in paying £500+ for this "service"....

Anyone else experience would be nice...thanks.

Hi, I had looked into this too a few month ago...Delta and Virgin also do pet travel. All the pet couriers do, is make sure all the documents are in order, escort the dog in pen area ready to go on the plane, give them a quick walk etc then escort the dog in pen on the plane, and vice versa the other end. If you go thru the airline companies themselves, they have reps to do the same thing. I think the reason they ask to have a courier do this, is because they know the ins and outs of transporting animals and nothing goes amiss, and its piece of mind for yourself. £500 sounds about right, this should include pen and everything, I was looking at the same price for a giant bullmastiff. The best thing to do is probably call as many airlines and couriers as possible to see what they can all offer, and you'll have a better idea of which way you want to go from there. Take a look on KLM's website or youtube pet transport, and there's company videos of what happens behind the scenes, it made me feel better about the whole process. Good Luck, I hope you get everything goes well for you!!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Here's a bit about animals on United http://www.unitedcargo.com/services/SpecAnimals.jsp

There's a pet phone number on this page http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/animals/default.aspx

Is Houston your final destination?

[Keeto 12]

Thanks guys for all your help and suggestions so far.

Nich-Nick Houston is the final destination and we are planning to fly direct from Heathrow to Houston either with BA or United.

Thanks for the first link that helped quite a bit.

The second link with the phone number is the number that is been giving us the run around. No-one there seems to know what is going on with their "petsafe" apparently "award winning" service.....so far we have heard 5 stories from 5 different people working in the call center....really don't know what "award" they won with this kind of service. Must be the United/Continental merger that is driving them nuts.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Must be the United/Continental merger that is driving them nuts.

The merger has not been good for long-time Continental flyers like us. And the (former) Continental employees grouch about it often here in Houston. Did you find links on those pages showing cargo drop-off location for LHR and another for IAH. That's assuming the dog isn't small enough to travel in the cabin with you.

Are you and your spouse flying together or will one be awaiting the other in Houston?

Edited July 16, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[Reyan 56]

We used Lufthansa from Minsk to Frankfurt to Seattle last year to bring my wife's dog. If the dog is going into the cargohold (we had to do this route because her dog was too big), make sure the airline can accommodate this due to the warm weather. Some airlines allow small dogs to be in the cabin, but they limit it to like 2 pets plane so call ahead if you plan to go this route.

Our dog had to get rabies shots 30 days before departure flight, we microchipped the dog (check with airline), and did a veteranarian checkup 24 hours prior to flight (they gave us a document verifying dog was in good health for the flight). When we arrived to Seattle, CBP basically checked to make sure the dog was healthy and the rabies shots were up to date. It cost us 150 euros.

http://www.lufthansa.com/de/en/Animals

Eventhough you are using a different airline, the US custom part should be the same still.

Goodluck.

[jayne d 12]

Hi, if you read the following post it includes a list of what I needed to do to bring my cat to Alabama.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/348288-taking-dog-to-usa-from-uk/