Travel with Pets - Pet carrier on Continental

Hello all,

I would like to take my six month old miniature schnauzer puppy on a flight over Mother's Day weekend, so he can meet his Grandmother :) The only pet carrier he fits into is Sherpa's large bag: 20"L X 11.75"W X 11.5"H. Do you think it'll fit underneath the seat okay? Continental said it can't exceed 45" in total, which it doesn't. However, he can't stand in it, but he can turn around. I'm worried we'll be turned away. Do you think we'll be okay?

Some friends who met him yesterday, one of which used to work for an airline, said he's too big and won't fit underneath the seat. But like I said, he fits comfortably in the large Sherpa bag, which is "airline approved." Is there any way I can confirm the bag will fit? Is it possible to take him in the bag to the airport prior to our trip and ask a counter agent for confirmation?

Thank you in advance for any and all advice!

Matt

PS: he's almost 17 lbs. Don't know if that matters or not.

Hello all,

I would like to take my six month old miniature schnauzer puppy on a flight over Mother's Day weekend, so he can meet his Grandmother :) The only pet carrier he fits into is Sherpa's large bag: 20"L X 11.75"W X 11.5"H. Do you think it'll fit underneath the seat okay? Continental said it can't exceed 45" in total, which it doesn't. However, he can't stand in it, but he can turn around. I'm worried we'll be turned away. Do you think we'll be okay?

Some friends who met him yesterday, one of which used to work for an airline, said he's too big and won't fit underneath the seat. But like I said, he fits comfortably in the large Sherpa bag, which is "airline approved." Is there any way I can confirm the bag will fit? Is it possible to take him in the bag to the airport prior to our trip and ask a counter agent for confirmation?

Thank you in advance for any and all advice!

Matt

PS: he's almost 17 lbs. Don't know if that matters or not.

Welcome to Flyer Talk!
If you do decide to fly with your puppy remember you will need to get a "reservation" for him as they do limit the number of pets that can travel on any given flight. Looks like it is $250 round trip to carry him in the cabin, and the carrier will be in lieu of a carry on.
From Continental's website:

In-cabin PetsContinental allows domesticated cats, dogs, pet rabbits and household birds to be carried in the aircraft cabin on most U.S. flights within the U.S. An in-cabin pet may be carried in lieu of a carry-on bag and is subject to a $125.00 service charge each way ($250.00 for round trip travel). Pets can be booked online or by calling Continental Reservations for assistance.

For travel outside the U.S. with an in-cabin pet, contact Continental Reservations (800.525.0280 in the U.S.) for assistance and information about international in-cabin pet acceptance and service charges.

Pets must be carried in an approved in-cabin kennel. The pet must be able to move comfortably in the kennel (stand up and turn around). The kennel must fit completely under the seat forward of the customer and remain there at all times aboard the aircraft.Maximum hard case kennel dimensions are: 17" L x 12.5" W x 8" H (43 cm L x 32 cm W x 20 cm H).

In-cabin pet kennels may be available at Continental ticket counters for $55.00. The dimensions are 17" L x 12.5" W x 8" H (43 cm L x 32 cm W x 20 cm H).

In-cabin pet restrictions:

Only one pet per passenger is allowed in cabin.
One pet per flight is allowed in the front cabin (select aircraft only).
Four pets per flight are allowed in the Economy cabin on all Continental Airlines, Continental Micronesia, Continental Express and Continental Connection (except flights operated by Cape Air) flights.
One pet per flight is allowed in the Economy cabin for Continental Connection flights operated by Cape Air to/from San Juan, PR and within the state of Florida.
Pets are not permitted on flights operated by Cape Air dba Continental Connection to/from Guam.
Pets are not permitted in the BusinessFirst cabin of Boeing 757, 767 or 777 aircraft due to inadequate storage space under the seat.
Customers traveling with an in-cabin pet on a Boeing 757-200 aircraft must be seated by the window.
Customers traveling with an in-cabin pet may not be seated in the bulkhead or an emergency exit row.
Pets are not permitted on flights to and from Hawaii.
Pet must remain in the kennel at all times on board the aircraft.
Customer is responsible to determine and comply with all state entry requirements which may apply.
Advance arrangements must be made.
Pets under eight weeks old are not permitted.
Pet must travel on the same flight as the owner.
No oxygen will be administered to a pet in the event of an emergency.

Ryder roo, what was your experience? My wife and I are in almost the exactly same boat - our dog is 17 pounds (although the requirements on the Continental site are in inches for the carrier, not pounds of the pet), and we have the same "large" sherpa bag. We've flown with Gus before, in the same bag, on Delta with no problem, but I'm worried about the new airline (and the new airport - we've never flown with Gus out of EWR or PDX).

Hopefully you'll get this and respond - I'd very much appreciate it!

Thanks,

-Andy

Ryder roo, what was your experience? My wife and I are in almost the exactly same boat - our dog is 17 pounds (although the requirements on the Continental site are in inches for the carrier, not pounds of the pet), and we have the same "large" sherpa bag. We've flown with Gus before, in the same bag, on Delta with no problem, but I'm worried about the new airline (and the new airport - we've never flown with Gus out of EWR or PDX).

Hopefully you'll get this and respond - I'd very much appreciate it!

Thanks,

-Andy

My Cavalier Winston has flown quite a few times on CO in a large sherpa. He is a very compact 20lbs ;) but fits in the bag happily and comfortably. I have never been questioned by CO employees re: the size of the bag or the dog.

Good luck!