I did it once (in cargo) and would never do it again. I'd find another way to get the dog there or not take the dog. Before my first human baby, she was my baby, and it broke my heart watching them wheel her away the second time. We were unable to get a direct flight and nearly missed our connection, which made me so anxious that she would miss it, too. Not to mention the stress it put her under, and my worries about pressurization and temperature.

No. But if you must, work with one of the airlines who have departments that specialize in transporting animals. For example, Lufthansa is the best if you're traveling to Europe. Emirates is good for Middle East/Africa/South Asia

https://www.lufthansagroup.com/en/themen/animal-lounge.html
http://www.lufthansa.com/mediapool/pdf/58/media_1088595558.pdf
https://www.lufthansa.com/online/myportal/lh/us/info_and_services/baggage?nodeid=1769643&l=en&cid=1000390

My dog was traumatized flying in cargo. Only if you have no choice.

Anonymous wrote:Omg please don't. It's cruel to the dog and totally obnoxious to the other passengers.

I assume you are referencing having dogs in the cabin and this just isn't the case for every dog. I think you definitely need to know your dog's temperament as not all dogs are good flyers; however, my dog (12 lbs terrier mix) is an excellent flyer. She sleeps the entire time (not drugged) and every single time we get off the plane everyone always says "Oh wow, I didn't even know there was a dog on the flight!"

Anonymous wrote:do you HAVE to fly with your dog? dogs that can fly on the plane - fine. I would never ever put my dog in cargo. the conditions are horrible and the number of stories I have heard of animals dying on the flight is too heartbreaking. please don't do this. board your dog or drive him. please don't fly him

+1M

I have a good friend whose dog died in cargo. Horrifying.

There are companies that will drive your dog across country for you if you are moving. I would do this over flying any day.

We flew with my dog in the cargo in 1998. We were promised it was pressurized etc. She was two and she died and I still feel like shit about it even now.

Omg please don't. It's cruel to the dog and totally obnoxious to the other passengers.

Anonymous wrote:do you HAVE to fly with your dog? dogs that can fly on the plane - fine. I would never ever put my dog in cargo. the conditions are horrible and the number of stories I have heard of animals dying on the flight is too heartbreaking. please don't do this. board your dog or drive him. please don't fly him

This. Do not fly with your animal. If you are moving, drive the dog. Otherwise board the animal until you return. I wish airlines would refuse to transport dogs in cargo. They cannot do it safely and humanely.

Yes it is a nightmare. Avoid at all costs. We had to do it when we moved to Austria. I stressed about it for over a year. It turned out ok (she died while we were in Austria so no return flight) but I refuse to get another dog until our days of moving overseas are over (State Dept).

Anonymous wrote:do you HAVE to fly with your dog? dogs that can fly on the plane - fine. I would never ever put my dog in cargo. the conditions are horrible and the number of stories I have heard of animals dying on the flight is too heartbreaking. please don't do this. board your dog or drive him. please don't fly him

+1 I think there are some airlines that specialize in transporting dogs in the cabin, not in cargo. I was on a flight one time and the flight attendant was telling me about a group of passengers going hunting and had their hunting dogs with them. There was a long delay on the tarmac and all seven dogs on board (in cargo) died.

^^ obviously I meant dogs that can fly on the plane WITH you, like PP does with the 10 lb dog

do you HAVE to fly with your dog? dogs that can fly on the plane - fine. I would never ever put my dog in cargo. the conditions are horrible and the number of stories I have heard of animals dying on the flight is too heartbreaking. please don't do this. board your dog or drive him. please don't fly him

Yep we fly often. Dog is 10lbs and fits under the seat. He's perfectly content and no one ever hears or sees him.

Would be totally different with a dog in cargo though. I haven't ever done that.

Any words of wisdom? Will be traveling with my 70 pound dog in a crate of some sort. Will also have my two toddlers with me. Is this going to be a nightmare?