Travel with Pets - Most Pet-Friendly Legacy Carrier?

I have been a pretty loyal UA flyer until I was recently denied the right for my puppy, Brutus, to accompany me on a flight. I have almost always flown in first class, and I offered to purchase him an extra seat so my puppy could sit next to me and not discomfort other travelers. So I thought I would ask the general forum for your opinions regarding which US legacy carrier has the most pet-friendly policies.

If it matters, Brutus is highly trained and is very well behaved on every flight he has taken. I am in the process of getting him certified as a companion dog, but that will take some time and I am hoping for him to accompany me on a flight I need to take next week.

EDIT: Again, I am willing to purchase a first class seat for my puppy, so he will be paying far more than 95% of the passengers on the flight. I cannot understand why United doesn't want the revenue, but their loss might be another airline's gain!

I have been a pretty loyal UA flyer until I was recently denied the right for my puppy, Brutus, to accompany me on a flight. I have almost always flown in first class, and I offered to purchase him an extra seat so my puppy could sit next to me and not discomfort other travelers. So I thought I would ask the general forum for your opinions regarding which US legacy carrier has the most pet-friendly policies.

If it matters, Brutus is highly trained and is very well behaved on every flight he has taken. I am in the process of getting him certified as a companion dog, but that will take some time and I am hoping for him to accompany me on a flight I need to take next week.

EDIT: Again, I am willing to purchase a first class seat for my puppy, so he will be paying far more than 95% of the passengers on the flight. I cannot understand why United doesn't want the revenue, but their loss might be another airline's gain!


USAir. $100. It must fit under the seat in a carrier. I forget the dimensions, but basically it was to be able to have enough room to stand up in the carrier. If it's too big it has to go as cargo.

Regulations on Transporting Dogs by Airplane
By Kimberly Kaplan
link (http://www.dailypuppy.com/articles/regulations-on-transporting-dogs-by-airplane/72d0056e-6af2-9ff1-0922-446c6ddbf103)


Dog Travel

A dog should be able to handle the stress of an airport, the terminal, the runway or walkway to the plane itself, and the flight. Consult a veterinarian for advice. A veterinarian must certify that a dog is acclimated to temperatures below 45 degrees if flying might occur at lower temperatures. Otherwise, the dog will not be allowed to travel.
Health Certificates

A health certificate is required for dog transportation. A licensed veterinarian must have signed the certificate no more than ten days prior to travel.
Service Animals

The FAA deems service animals are not pets but working dogs. They are allowed to travel in the cabin to be available to assist their owner, who is either a person with a disability or a handler training a guide dog. Some airlines may requirement service dog papers to be provided.
Cabin Restrictions

Each airline has different size regulations to allow a dog to travel in the cabin. If they are allowed in the cabin, they are considered by the FAA to be carry-on baggage and are subject to all FAA carry-on baggage regulations.

The pet container must be small enough to fit under the seat and must not block the main aisle. It must remain under the seat during the entire trip. Dogs may not be removed from the kennel for any reason. Any flight attendant can assist with proper stowage of kennels.
Large Dogs

Dogs too large to travel the cabin must travel in the luggage compartment of the airplane. They must be in a latched travel kennel. These dogs are considered cargo and will be handled by specific employees.

Kennels must be an appropriate size for each specific dog. They must have proper ventilation and must be sturdy so the dog can be transported safely in and out of the airplane.

I don't think any airline will let a dog occupy a seat. How big is your dog?

Until I read your post I would have said United. I have had to take two labradors cross-country twice in the past decade (LAX-IAD and then back several years later). Opted for UA mainly because of the 777 that was flying that route (more modern plane, more pet space underneath). Both times everyone I encountered at UA went out of their way to make sure the dogs were ok, including the pilots who went underneath and checked on them as part of the pre-flight look around - and then came and found us and said they looked good.

You might want to checkout this Pet Friendly Airline Series (http://blog.petrelocation.com/blog/pet-friendly-airlines) from earlier this year. Continental lets you earn miles on the dollars spent to bring your pet - so that may qualify them as most friendly legacy in flyertalk terms. Jetblue has a program too.

things are changing. i don't think the airlines like the hassle... BA is not bad from london to the usa

A few years ago Oprah flew the (then) worlds largest dog to Chicago to be on her show. That Dane had its own seat- seemed like a well behaved dog, too. But then again I doubt many of us would have Oprah as their travel agent.

IMHO for anyone to give an educated response we need to know the answers to the following three questions. @:-)
What breed is Brutus, how old is he and how much does he weigh? :confused: