Flying with a ESA (Dog) LHR-LAX
#17
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,104
#20
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 88
Hey gang,
My wife has an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), our dog and we will be going to LAX on BA283 in a couple of weeks. BA have been incredibly supportive and helpful. We will be flying J and I just wanted to ask if anyone has had any experience flying with a dog long haul? Any tips/advice from owners regarding the welfare of the dog?
Thanks,
Gaz
My wife has an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), our dog and we will be going to LAX on BA283 in a couple of weeks. BA have been incredibly supportive and helpful. We will be flying J and I just wanted to ask if anyone has had any experience flying with a dog long haul? Any tips/advice from owners regarding the welfare of the dog?
Thanks,
Gaz
#21
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: London
Programs: BA Blue
Posts: 124
i was listening to jason manford on absolute 80s.
He was talking about emotional support animals and said about aa who had an esa horse in first class on a flight. (had a check and aa allow esa cats, dogs & horses)
on ba help page (they only allow esa dogs):emotional support dogs can only be accepted in the cabin on direct flights to or from the united states of america. If your journey is not to or from the usa, or includes a connection onto a non-usa flight, your emotional support dog will need to travel in the hold.
You need to contact us at least 14 days before your flight, as we need additional information to ensure your emotional support dog can travel safely in the cabin.
Also, you must contact the uk animal reception centre at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled departure of your flight to the uk to check your dog meets pet travel scheme requirements. They will issue a pre-approval letter for uk entry that must be presented at check-in, along with your approval from us, for you and your dog to be allowed to board your flight to the uk.
He was talking about emotional support animals and said about aa who had an esa horse in first class on a flight. (had a check and aa allow esa cats, dogs & horses)
on ba help page (they only allow esa dogs):emotional support dogs can only be accepted in the cabin on direct flights to or from the united states of america. If your journey is not to or from the usa, or includes a connection onto a non-usa flight, your emotional support dog will need to travel in the hold.
You need to contact us at least 14 days before your flight, as we need additional information to ensure your emotional support dog can travel safely in the cabin.
Also, you must contact the uk animal reception centre at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled departure of your flight to the uk to check your dog meets pet travel scheme requirements. They will issue a pre-approval letter for uk entry that must be presented at check-in, along with your approval from us, for you and your dog to be allowed to board your flight to the uk.
#24
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: north of heathrow
Posts: 1,104
If you are on Facebook, there is a page/group called British Airways Fan Page. There is a lady in there called Inger who regularly flies with her guide dog. Usually on short haul but I’m sure she would be happy to pass on some tips.
#25
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Hey gang,
My wife has an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), our dog and we will be going to LAX on BA283 in a couple of weeks. BA have been incredibly supportive and helpful. We will be flying J and I just wanted to ask if anyone has had any experience flying with a dog long haul? Any tips/advice from owners regarding the welfare of the dog?
Thanks,
Gaz
My wife has an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), our dog and we will be going to LAX on BA283 in a couple of weeks. BA have been incredibly supportive and helpful. We will be flying J and I just wanted to ask if anyone has had any experience flying with a dog long haul? Any tips/advice from owners regarding the welfare of the dog?
Thanks,
Gaz
I'm curious as to how the dog would be secured for takeoff and landing, particularly as there is no obvious way to do this in the CW cabin. It's a long flight to LAX, and our dog (healthy Lab) wouldn't be able to hold in a number 1 or 2 for that length during the day. I really do think it would be better for all concerned for the pet to travel in the hold.
#26
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 630
OP, I have to say I have never seen a dog on long-haul, even a registered service dog. But there are resources at e.g. Guide Dogs for travel with your dog: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/resourc.../travel-by-air
And specifically for welfare of the dog for travel more than 3 hours, which covers guidance for feeding, drinking, 'spend', and extra equipment you should consider: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/resourc...of-a-guide-dog
Assuming the ESA dog is trained to the same level as registered service dogs, have BA indicated whether you will be assisted through Heathrow or will be able to direct you to the 'spend' facility?
I hope your travel goes smoothly, but as indicated by the responses to your post, I am sure you are aware you may get some hostile looks from fellow passengers, particularly as your dog will not be on a registered service harness.
And specifically for welfare of the dog for travel more than 3 hours, which covers guidance for feeding, drinking, 'spend', and extra equipment you should consider: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/resourc...of-a-guide-dog
Assuming the ESA dog is trained to the same level as registered service dogs, have BA indicated whether you will be assisted through Heathrow or will be able to direct you to the 'spend' facility?
I hope your travel goes smoothly, but as indicated by the responses to your post, I am sure you are aware you may get some hostile looks from fellow passengers, particularly as your dog will not be on a registered service harness.
#28
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
#30
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,341
Two dogs (clearly not guide dogs) on my recent AA flight from MXP to MIA, think they travelled in the rear J cabin so only noticed them on disembarking. One was a large dog and as he exited the plane his rear legs gave way beneath him and he was struggling to walk, so he clearly hadn't coped well with being couped up so long. The other was a tiny thing and wearing a nappy, which was completely pointless as in the immigration hall he stopped and peed and left a giant puddle on the floor (the Italian owner just carried on and completely ignored it). I would therefore suggest that unless they are specially trained, dogs really aren't suited to long haul travel.