Flying cat from UK to USA

[Azsara 110]

I hope someone gets back to you yvy23 regarding your query.....

I finally booked my flight and my cats too. Were leaving a week tomorrow from Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic. It ended up costing £397 for my cat and £929 one way for me. The pick up details at Chicago O'Hare seem somewhat confusing, So I'm hoping it's easier than it looks. Because it's going to be hard to do as I won't have a car on arrival.

Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly. I will report back once I've settled. Good luck to all other's that are going through this process.

I am also going to be flying Nala with VA to ORD!! My stomach sinked when you said the pick up details seem somewhat confusing! How so?! :/

[Etta&James 0]

Hello!

I went through the exact same process of calling pretty much every airline to find out the best way of flying with my two little panthers.

Finally we booked with Air Canada flying to the US via Toronto, no problem having the beasts in the cabin. I really hope they behave now...otherwise my wife and I will be the most unpopular passengers ever. (...here's to hoping there's a really loud baby crying all the way to Toronto!)

[yvy23 11]

Hello!

I went through the exact same process of calling pretty much every airline to find out the best way of flying with my two little panthers.

Finally we booked with Air Canada flying to the US via Toronto, no problem having the beasts in the cabin. I really hope they behave now...otherwise my wife and I will be the most unpopular passengers ever. (...here's to hoping there's a really loud baby crying all the way to Toronto!)

Oh, I never thought of trying Air Canada. I'll give them a call. Brilliant information - thank you

[Naddy&Mikey 2]

I am also going to be flying Nala with VA to ORD!! My stomach sinked when you said the pick up details seem somewhat confusing! How so?! :/

So sorry for the delay in responding to you. In the last few weeks I have been running around like a headless chicken, trying to get everything sorted for our move to the states..

Thankfully, cat and I arrived safely last Thursday. Since then we've been recovering and getting settled in our new home.

What I meant by the pick up details being confusing is that Virgin Cargo send you a map via email and the map where you pick your pet up from looks like it's in terminal five, when it's actually a car drive away. In the directions and instructions on arrival it says you first have to go to Virgin cargo, collect the paper work, then head back to U.S customs, pay the fee ($45) and then head back to Virgin Cargo to collect your cat. The reason I found it somewhat confusing is that I didn't have any transport to do all this, so going back and forth seem like such a big task especially after a long flight and an early start.

In the end me and hubby just got a taxi to Virgin Cargo from terminal 5 and by the time we got there they had already cleared my cat through customs. All I had to do was pay the fee, sign a few forms and once all that was done they gave me my cat. It was an absolute joy to see she had made the flight. All the time I was sitting on the flight I kept thinking about how she was coping.

Now were home, she is still confused and stressed and not back to her usual self just yet. It's a very stressful time for all but more so for an animal that hasn't the foggiest what's going on.....

[Azsara 110]

So sorry for the delay in responding to you. In the last few weeks I have been running around like a headless chicken, trying to get everything sorted for our move to the states..

Thankfully, cat and I arrived safely last Thursday. Since then we've been recovering and getting settled in our new home.

What I meant by the pick up details being confusing is that Virgin Cargo send you a map via email and the map where you pick your pet up from looks like it's in terminal five, when it's actually a car drive away. In the directions and instructions on arrival it says you first have to go to Virgin cargo, collect the paper work, then head back to U.S customs, pay the fee ($45) and then head back to Virgin Cargo to collect your cat. The reason I found it somewhat confusing is that I didn't have any transport to do all this, so going back and forth seem like such a big task especially after a long flight and an early start.

In the end me and hubby just got a taxi to Virgin Cargo from terminal 5 and by the time we got there they had already cleared my cat through customs. All I had to do was pay the fee, sign a few forms and once all that was done they gave me my cat. It was an absolute joy to see she had made the flight. All the time I was sitting on the flight I kept thinking about how she was coping.

Now were home, she is still confused and stressed and not back to her usual self just yet. It's a very stressful time for all but more so for an animal that hasn't the foggiest what's going on.....

AWW im so glad both u and cat are doing good! I may message u nearer the time with questions! Im still about 2 months away from moving, is there anything that i should be doing at this point in regards to Nala's move? So far I have made sure all her jabs are up to date and got her spayed and chipped

Its my understanding she will need a blood test and fit to fly letter a couple of weeks before travel, is that it?

[Naddy&Mikey 2]

AWW im so glad both u and cat are doing good! I may message u nearer the time with questions! Im still about 2 months away from moving, is there anything that i should be doing at this point in regards to Nala's move? So far I have made sure all her jabs are up to date and got her spayed and chipped

Its my understanding she will need a blood test and fit to fly letter a couple of weeks before travel, is that it

If there's anything I can be of help with then please feel free to PM me.

Have you purchased Nala's carrier yet? If not when you do leave it open and accessible to her, just so she can become accustomed to it. Nearer the time purchase some 'Feliway Spray'. Spray the carrier in all corners and leave the scent to settle for ten minutes, then once your transporting her this spray will relax her somewhat. It helped my cat immensely. Also purchase a funnel so this can be attached to the outside of the cage, then water can be given at regular intervals by you and the Airline cargo crew.

Regarding blood tests etc, well I didn't have any of that done. All my cat needed was a micro chip and a fit to fly certificate within ten days of her flying. You can get a rabies shot done but this needs at least 30 clear days before she flies. I wanted this done but as I was flying within ten days the vet couldn't do it.

Please don't hesitate to contact me my dear....

[Azsara 110]

If there's anything I can be of help with then please feel free to PM me.

Have you purchased Nala's carrier yet? If not when you do leave it open and accessible to her, just so she can become accustomed to it. Nearer the time purchase some 'Feliway Spray'. Spray the carrier in all corners and leave the scent to settle for ten minutes, then once your transporting her this spray will relax her somewhat. It helped my cat immensely. Also purchase a funnel so this can be attached to the outside of the cage, then water can be given at regular intervals by you and the Airline cargo crew.

Regarding blood tests etc, well I didn't have any of that done. All my cat needed was a micro chip and a fit to fly certificate within ten days of her flying. You can get a rabies shot done but this needs at least 30 clear days before she flies. I wanted this done but as I was flying within ten days the vet couldn't do it.

Please don't hesitate to contact me my dear....

Thank you so much for your advice I feel a little bit more at ease now it sounds simple enough! Ill be sure to buy Feliway spray God knows she'll need it she hates being in a carrier lol. I Havent bought it yet but i will be soon!

[Naddy&Mikey 2]

Thank you so much for your advice I feel a little bit more at ease now it sounds simple enough! Ill be sure to buy Feliway spray God knows she'll need it she hates being in a carrier lol. I Havent bought it yet but i will be soon!

Try to purchase the spray online if you can. I went around the local pet shops in the UK and they were charging around £24.99. I got it for £5.99 via the internet. It's only a 20ml bottle but enough to get your cat through the journey. Also see if you can purchase some pads for the bottom of the carrier. I used puppy training pads and they worked well. Don't feed your cat on the morning of the flight, this will stop her pooping. Also one more thing, the only flight an animal can be booked on is the morning flight (11am - VS039) You have to drop them off at Virgin Cargo at 7am.....

[Azsara 110]

Try to purchase the spray online if you can. I went around the local pet shops in the UK and they were charging around £24.99. I got it for £5.99 via the internet. It's only a 20ml bottle but enough to get your cat through the journey. Also see if you can purchase some pads for the bottom of the carrier. I used puppy training pads and they worked well. Don't feed your cat on the morning of the flight, this will stop her pooping. Also one more thing, the only flight an animal can be booked on is the morning flight (11am - VS039) You have to drop them off at Virgin Cargo at 7am.....

Ok thank you so much

[Darnell 8,478]

I am so happy to hear of news of the Kittehs making the pond jump. Yay Kittehs !!!!

[Naddy&Mikey 2]

I am so happy to hear of news of the Kittehs making the pond jump. Yay Kittehs !!!!

Thank you Darnell I'm pleased she made the long journey too...especially as she's 14 years old......

[Azsara 110]

Thank you Darnell I'm pleased she made the long journey too...especially as she's 14 years old......

Thank you guys for all your help, the shipping of Nala went fantastic! You were right nothing to worry about

[Naddy&Mikey 2]

Thank you guys for all your help, the shipping of Nala went fantastic! You were right nothing to worry about

Elated to hear that Nala's trip went so well. I'm hoping that the cargo staff treated her as well as they did my cat? All the best to you and your new life

[Avery Cates 1,141]

Hi guys,

My fiancee also brought her cat with her when she came, via Virgin. The "special climate controlled pet area" is just the space that the crew goes in to take their breaks, they just like to charge a lot for it. They'll check on the pets when they're down there, but it's not really first class for pets as they'd like you to think. Her cat hid under the blanket for most of it from what I hear. A couple of the stewardesses eventually coaxed her out a bit and commented to her later how cute the cat was.

Virgin will give you a map of the airport you're going to, and yes, the instructions are to go from the Virgin hanger, to Customs, and back to Virgin, however by the time you clear the border guards yourself, and if they're in a good mood, the Virgin staff will have already cleared your pet through customs and have it waiting for you at the hangar, so you'll only have one stop. This is especially nice if for some reason you don't have transport, as depending on the airport, you're looking at a mile or more each between the terminal, Virgin hangar, and Customs.

Edited December 5, 2013 by Avery Cates

[Azsara 110]

Hi guys,

My fiancee also brought her cat with her when she came, via Virgin. The "special climate controlled pet area" is just the space that the crew goes in to take their breaks, they just like to charge a lot for it. They'll check on the pets when they're down there, but it's not really first class for pets as they'd like you to think. Her cat hid under the blanket for most of it from what I hear. A couple of the stewardesses eventually coaxed her out a bit and commented to her later how cute the cat was.

Virgin will give you a map of the airport you're going to, and yes, the instructions are to go from the Virgin hanger, to Customs, and back to Virgin, however by the time you clear the border guards yourself, and if they're in a good mood, the Virgin staff will have already cleared your pet through customs and have it waiting for you at the hangar, so you'll only have one stop. This is especially nice if for some reason you don't have transport, as depending on the airport, you're looking at a mile or more each between the terminal, Virgin hangar, and Customs.

Yea when my folks brought her over they said there was so much running around back and forth on state side, filing out forms and what not. It was the worst part of the whole process

Elated to hear that Nala's trip went so well. I'm hoping that the cargo staff treated her as well as they did my cat? All the best to you and your new life

Thanks!