I will be taking my ~15lb Jack Russell/Toy Poodle mix with me to Canada in a few weeks. (Mid-June sometime, not 100% on the dates yet.) I've read AA's requirements for taking onboard lapdogs, and know that you must have the rabies certificate and such, but I'm looking for any anecdotes having to do with carrying pets through security, on board the aircraft, etc.

I'll be taking her in a squishy carry-on bag and we'll be riding up front, where I (think?) there's a bit more room under the seats for her.

Make sure the TSA does not confuse "lapdog" with "laptop" or he will go in a plastic tub and get x-rayed. I always though JRT's were very active and cannot imagine a dog that big under a seat in F or otherwise.

I am fairly sure AA requires a rigid pet container which must fit under a seat and the pet must be able to stand and turn within it.

You need to arrange and pay a fee to carry the pet in the cabin and a limit to number of in cabin pets exists-usually one per premium cabin. Some airlines allow more than one in the main/coach/economy cabin. First come basis to reserve/pay the fee so if someone already made arrangements for their pet on your flight and cabin, you may be out of luck.

I believe the airline prints out a "pet boarding pass"-some document to show the service fee is paid and which the TSA will want to see for any animal passing through security. This same document needs to be obtained and shown at the security checkpoint for service animals like seeing eye dogs among others for which no in-cabin fee is charged.

Definitely check with AA and make the necessary arrangements and get their terms and conditions, which might well be on AA.com. If the size or type of carrier is not in compliance with their policy or the dog too large for the carrier in their estimation, they could refuse to allow your dog to be carried in-cabin.

https://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/travelInformation/specialAssistance/travelingWithPets.jsp

https://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/travelInformation/specialAssistance/travelingWithPets.jsp

Hi yes there is a fee for the dog, but it can be in a soft container if you like that one. That is the one I see the most. I just had Stevie Nicks on board and she had two little guys in soft containers in FC. Just make sure you are not in the balkhead Hope this helps

Yes, a soft sided carrier is allowed and probably your best choice. Sherpa brand is most popular.

Do call AA and let them know you're bringing the dog. They will reserve your space. (FYI - This will also prevent you from doing online checkin). When you arrive at the ticket counter, they will collect the fee. They may also check that the dog fits in the carrier. At 15 pounds, it may be a bit snug, but with my Westie, I've always been able to convince them it's ok.

Sicne you are travelling to Canada, there may be extra regulations. I'd look into those also.

At some airports, there are signs that TSA will need to see the dog's travel receipt, but I've never actually been asked. At security, you'll need to take the dog out of the carrier. The carrier gets xrayed, while you walk or carry the dog thru the detector. (Avoid using metal/chain leashes, I suppose).

I'm not sure the underseat space is any bigger in F on the 757/MD80s... wider maybe, but not higher, and there's electrical stuff that cuts into the space also.

Flyertalk has a brand-spanking-new Travel With Pets forum that you should visit.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=645

I picked up a new puppy from our breeder at TUL just a week ago. Our first puppy from this breeder was shipped without any incidents, but he was pretty frightened when he arrived. This time I decided to fly to Tulsa and bring the puppy back with me in the cabin. All in all, it was much easier than I expected.

I made the pet reservation over the phone after ticketing myself online. Be sure to call AA reservations before ticketing, because as stated earlier there is a limit on the number of cabin pets allowed per flight, per cabin. The per-cabin part is important if you are attempting to upgrade; I found this an excellent use of miles to upgrade at ticketing, rather than hoping for sticker upgrades and cabin-pet space before each segment. The pet fee is paid at the airport when you check in. Keep in mind that the pet record locator is attached to your own record locator. This will prevent you from using online check-in or reserving exit-row or bulkhead seats, even on segments where you don't have the pet with you. Also remember that your pet carrier counts as one of your carry-on / personal items.

Despite all the requirements, I wasn't asked to show health records or the cabin-pet receipt at any time - either to AA or the TSA.

Going through security is fairly simple; just take your pet out of the carrier and carry him or her through the detector. It can be a challenge juggling carrier, briefcase, laptop, boarding pass AND puppy - but I'm guessing you'll find like I did that you get more assistance than usual from both the TSA and your fellow passengers. Who doesn't love a cute dog? ;)

The flights were actually the easiest part. After take-off, I pulled her carrier closer to my feet and opened up the end flap so she could see out. My puppy slept almost the whole way and when I got up to leave the aircraft most people noticed her for the first time.

Good luck with your travel!

[QUOTE=pgppetch;9755751]I am fairly sure AA requires a rigid pet container which must fit under a seat and the pet must be able to stand and turn within it.

QUOTE]


We travel with our small dog ina soft bag all of the time. I don't know if a hard container would even fit under the seat.

When I traveled with my Yorkie, I used a Sherpa bag. They are somewhat expensive but worth it. There are pockets to put his vaccination information and other carry-on items. Remember, your dog is part your carry-on allocation. So, in reality you only are supposed to get the dog and one personal item. Whether AA will be more lenient I don't know. It always upset me because not only do I get the honor of paying $80 each way for my dog, I can't take another bag. Stupid, stupid.

My dog was only about 7 lbs. Although AA might say they allow a 15 lb dog in the cabin, he may not actually fit under the seat at all, let alone very comfortably. I always got a vet certificate but it was not checked on Continental. Used to be checked on America West all the time. Haven't flown with a dog since Thanksgiving 2006. These rules and fees change all the time and are not consistent among airlines. Continental doesn't allow any dog over 10 lbs. I believe.

I loved flying with Willy and he loved it, too. When we flew out of LAS, I used to walk him through the terminal and we'd march onto the elevator and the tram to get to the D gates and he acted like he owned it. However, EWR would always make me carry the dog in the bag through the terminal.

Good luck and have fun.

When I traveled with my Yorkie, I used a Sherpa bag. They are somewhat expensive but worth it. There are pockets to put his vaccination information and other carry-on items. Remember, your dog is part your carry-on allocation. So, in reality you only are supposed to get the dog and one personal item. Whether AA will be more lenient I don't know. It always upset me because not only do I get the honor of paying $80 each way for my dog, I can't take another bag. Stupid, stupid.

My dog was only about 7 lbs. Although AA might say they allow a 15 lb dog in the cabin, he may not actually fit under the seat at all, let alone very comfortably. I always got a vet certificate but it was not checked on Continental. Used to be checked on America West all the time. Haven't flown with a dog since Thanksgiving 2006. These rules and fees change all the time and are not consistent among airlines. Continental doesn't allow any dog over 10 lbs. I believe.

I loved flying with Willy and he loved it, too. When we flew out of LAS, I used to walk him through the terminal and we'd march onto the elevator and the tram to get to the D gates and he acted like he owned it. However, EWR would always make me carry the dog in the bag through the terminal.

Good luck and have fun.

If you check the carryon pet sticky thread on top of this board you will find up to date information for all major US carriers.

RSSrsvp - Moderator

Thanks for replies all :)

The 'squishy' bag is a Sherpa bag.

I believe the airline prints out a "pet boarding pass"-some document to show the service fee is paid and which the TSA will want to see for any animal passing through security. This same document needs to be obtained and shown at the security checkpoint for service animals like seeing eye dogs among others for which no in-cabin fee is charged.

In our many years travelling with an in-cabin pet throughout Europe, the Americas and Asia we have only been asked for this twice: departing VCE on Volare and departing KTM on IC (the second one was fair enough, IC do not allow pets in cabin but there is no operator KTM-DEL that does so we knew we'd have to do some sweet talking (I ended up writing a no-liability letter for the IC station head in Kathmandu). The TSA does not ask to see any evidence you have a boarding pass for your dog, neither do authorities in continental Europe (except in that one case in Venice).

We just got back from a trip from the USA to Costa Rica with our French Bulldog in cabin and did not have any real trouble. We used a soft side carrier and she slept most of the nearly 4 hour ride. Our only hassle was coming back into the U.S.A. when the Agriculture people had their dog sniffing bags and the beagle alerted on one of my husband's bags...they took a little longer going thru our things due to this...the culprit? A ziploc of dry dog food we packed so that her stomach would not be upset by new food in a strange place, we ended up getting thru after they confiscated the dog food. We were advised next time to leave the food in it's original bag so they can see the contents.....? strange but whatever, we can do that, and in fact WOULD have willingly/gladly done it this time if we had KNOWN.......I didn't find it anywhere in my pre-flight research.

I always get a health certification from the vet, it's supposed to be issued within 30 days of travel. I've never been asked to see it.

I've only been asked for the pet in cabin excess baggage charge receipt by TSA once, and it wasn't even TSA but a contract ID checker a few years ago. Why they want to know that I've paid I have no idea, presumably they would have an interest in knowing that health docs have been checked (but in all likelihood they haven't), but a more direct way to check for that would be to ask for the docs themselves...

I've also done kiosk checkin with Alaska even with a pet in cabin reservation, and then did not have the fee collected.

My 9 pound Yorkie barely fits under the seat in most domestic first configurations, at least comfortably. I'd hate to take a larger dog for a long flight under those conditions (though in a pinch it's certainly better than traveling as cargo).

In the cabin I've had very mixed experiences. I've seen some pax take out their animal, or at least put the sherpa bag on their lap and unzip it. Some pax and FAs are happy with that, others freak out. Technically the animal isn't supposed to come out at all. Although if my little guy gets nervous I'll unzip the bag slightly to pet him (also to give him a bit of sausage off my breakfast, etc).

If I'm connecting and traveling for a long time I'll try to schedule a long enough layover to allow me to exit security and walk him.

My dog is too small to give any sort of sedative to safely and without medical supervision, so my vet recommended children's benadryl which tires him out and makes him sleep for much of the flight.

gleff, you have given us sound advice. Especially the part about having an updated vet letter just in case you come across an overly zealous agent. Years ago I used to take my Cavalier on NW frequently and they used to insist on the vet letter every single time. On the other hand, DL's agents have never asked for the letter, but I always have one ready. @:-)

Just so you are aware, most FAs love dogs, and would love to pet and play with them. It is the regs that prohibit us from allowing animals out of their carriers, as well as complaints from just 1 other passenger that make us enforce the rules.

If you could somehow get the authorizaton that your pet is an "assistance animal", they would be allowed to ride outside of the carrier.

Well does a letter from a psychologist saying I have obsessive compulsive behavior as I am addicted to miles and points count? The doctor could say that my Cavalier is a service animal and she has a calming influence on my disorder. :)

Having only flown with a cat on AA and NW, NW wanted to see the certificate at check-in. AA hasn't needed to see it, but everyone at AA has wanted to see the cat. He's been to a few Admiral's clubs and gets lots of attention at check-in and inside the terminals.

I travel quite a bit with my dogs. Weight doesn't necessarily mean they won't fit. A JRT is pretty compact and muscular. My Italian Greyhounds are 10-15 pounds of solid muscle but curl up into a tiny ball. Most airlines make you take a window seat because there is more room underneath the seat in front. also you can only have one pet/kid per row because there are only 4 air masks.

If you have one of the square sherpas start learning to squish the corners now. They are not easy to get under quickly. I use a Sherpa backpack type which is amazing.

Don't give your dog any sedatives. Even rescue remedy can have a bad reaction. He is likely to be great. I have been on planes with a lot of dogs and most passengers never knew there were any on board.

Having only flown with a cat on AA and NW, NW wanted to see the certificate at check-in. AA hasn't needed to see it, but everyone at AA has wanted to see the cat. He's been to a few Admiral's clubs and gets lots of attention at check-in and inside the terminals.

The last time I flew on NW which was about 3 years ago they were pretty strict about seeing a vet's letter. It will be interesting to see what will happen after the DL/NW merger as the DL agents only care about collecting the carryon pet fee and nothing else.

NW doesn't require a cert, the policy was changed a few years back. I've flown on them many times with a cat in cabin and was only asked for a cert once in MSP. I informed the check-in agent of the new policy, invited her to look it up, and was allowed to proceed without further delay.