YVR-NYC nonstop with cat - any tips?
Aug 22, 23, 6:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 3,999
YVR-NYC nonstop with cat - any tips?
My daughter is going to visit me with her cat, about 9.5 pounds. She is planning to travel with the cat in the cabin.
Of the three nonstop options on this route, can anyone comment on whether the experience is likely to be better on JetBlue, Air Canada, or United?
Any pitfalls to watch out for going either Canada-US, or US-Canada?
Of the three nonstop options on this route, can anyone comment on whether the experience is likely to be better on JetBlue, Air Canada, or United?
Any pitfalls to watch out for going either Canada-US, or US-Canada?
Aug 23, 23, 7:50 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: BSL
Programs: AA (EXP); among others :)
Posts: 2,480
Well, I`d say that depends.
Air Canada has the cheapest pet fees ($59 CAD on the outbound, $59 USD on the return). UA and B6 both charge USD 250 for a return trip (125 one way).
Air Canada also has the largest allowable carrier dimensions, although that should not be an issue with an average-sized cat on either airline at all:
B6: 17" L * 12.5" W x 8.5"H
AC: 17"L * 16"W * 9"H
UA: 18"L *11"L *10"H
Here's the rub, though:
If your daughter flies the on the cheapest ticket and has no status or inclination to pay extra for more spacious seating - JetBlue wins hands down, no doubt about it.
JetBlue uses Airbus A320 aircraft on this route that offer 32"-34" (the old ones have 34", the densified newer ones 32") of pitch in their standard Economy seating, whereas AC and United both fly this route utilizing densified Being 737-Max aircraft with just 30" of pitch in standard economy. In order to have a decent in-flight experience with any modicum of legroom with a pet carrier one needs to buy up to premium seating that offers 34" of pitch on both of them, and that tends to get pricey (AC fares including those seats start at $150 over than the cheapest fares, one way).
So, based on price/comfort JetBlue wins unless AC had very cheap Premium Economy fares or she had status and could get into extra-legroom seating for free, then it'd be AC with their considerably lower pet fees and larger carrier dimensions. United are even more expensive as there's high pet fees in addition to the seating surcharges.
Oh, and this being FT - only on JetBlue the pet fees earn FF points
Air Canada has the cheapest pet fees ($59 CAD on the outbound, $59 USD on the return). UA and B6 both charge USD 250 for a return trip (125 one way).
Air Canada also has the largest allowable carrier dimensions, although that should not be an issue with an average-sized cat on either airline at all:
B6: 17" L * 12.5" W x 8.5"H
AC: 17"L * 16"W * 9"H
UA: 18"L *11"L *10"H
Here's the rub, though:
If your daughter flies the on the cheapest ticket and has no status or inclination to pay extra for more spacious seating - JetBlue wins hands down, no doubt about it.
JetBlue uses Airbus A320 aircraft on this route that offer 32"-34" (the old ones have 34", the densified newer ones 32") of pitch in their standard Economy seating, whereas AC and United both fly this route utilizing densified Being 737-Max aircraft with just 30" of pitch in standard economy. In order to have a decent in-flight experience with any modicum of legroom with a pet carrier one needs to buy up to premium seating that offers 34" of pitch on both of them, and that tends to get pricey (AC fares including those seats start at $150 over than the cheapest fares, one way).
So, based on price/comfort JetBlue wins unless AC had very cheap Premium Economy fares or she had status and could get into extra-legroom seating for free, then it'd be AC with their considerably lower pet fees and larger carrier dimensions. United are even more expensive as there's high pet fees in addition to the seating surcharges.
Oh, and this being FT - only on JetBlue the pet fees earn FF points
Last edited by bhomburg; Aug 23, 23 at 8:03 am
Aug 23, 23, 6:24 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 3,999
Well, I`d say that depends.
Air Canada has the cheapest pet fees ($59 CAD on the outbound, $59 USD on the return). UA and B6 both charge USD 250 for a return trip (125 one way).
Air Canada also has the largest allowable carrier dimensions, although that should not be an issue with an average-sized cat on either airline at all:
B6: 17" L * 12.5" W x 8.5"H
AC: 17"L * 16"W * 9"H
UA: 18"L *11"L *10"H
Here's the rub, though:
If your daughter flies the on the cheapest ticket and has no status or inclination to pay extra for more spacious seating - JetBlue wins hands down, no doubt about it.
JetBlue uses Airbus A320 aircraft on this route that offer 32"-34" (the old ones have 34", the densified newer ones 32") of pitch in their standard Economy seating, whereas AC and United both fly this route utilizing densified Being 737-Max aircraft with just 30" of pitch in standard economy. In order to have a decent in-flight experience with any modicum of legroom with a pet carrier one needs to buy up to premium seating that offers 34" of pitch on both of them, and that tends to get pricey (AC fares including those seats start at $150 over than the cheapest fares, one way).
So, based on price/comfort JetBlue wins unless AC had very cheap Premium Economy fares or she had status and could get into extra-legroom seating for free, then it'd be AC with their considerably lower pet fees and larger carrier dimensions. United are even more expensive as there's high pet fees in addition to the seating surcharges.
Oh, and this being FT - only on JetBlue the pet fees earn FF points
Air Canada has the cheapest pet fees ($59 CAD on the outbound, $59 USD on the return). UA and B6 both charge USD 250 for a return trip (125 one way).
Air Canada also has the largest allowable carrier dimensions, although that should not be an issue with an average-sized cat on either airline at all:
B6: 17" L * 12.5" W x 8.5"H
AC: 17"L * 16"W * 9"H
UA: 18"L *11"L *10"H
Here's the rub, though:
If your daughter flies the on the cheapest ticket and has no status or inclination to pay extra for more spacious seating - JetBlue wins hands down, no doubt about it.
JetBlue uses Airbus A320 aircraft on this route that offer 32"-34" (the old ones have 34", the densified newer ones 32") of pitch in their standard Economy seating, whereas AC and United both fly this route utilizing densified Being 737-Max aircraft with just 30" of pitch in standard economy. In order to have a decent in-flight experience with any modicum of legroom with a pet carrier one needs to buy up to premium seating that offers 34" of pitch on both of them, and that tends to get pricey (AC fares including those seats start at $150 over than the cheapest fares, one way).
So, based on price/comfort JetBlue wins unless AC had very cheap Premium Economy fares or she had status and could get into extra-legroom seating for free, then it'd be AC with their considerably lower pet fees and larger carrier dimensions. United are even more expensive as there's high pet fees in addition to the seating surcharges.
Oh, and this being FT - only on JetBlue the pet fees earn FF points
It seems Air Canada is not so generous with carrier size when on a Max 8/9, which she would be for YVR-EWR. Then these are the restrictions:
https://www.aircanada.com/us/en/aco/...ce/pets.html#/
- On Airbus A321, Airbus A220, Airbus A320, Airbus 319 and Boeing 737 MAX 8 (7M8)
Narrow Body aircraft, pet carriers must have soft-sided material and cannot exceed these dimensions :- Height: 20 cm (7.75 in)
- Width: 40 cm (15.75 in)
- Length: 43 cm (17 in)
Aug 23, 23, 9:46 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 3,999
I booked JetBlue. I also bought the extra space beyond the already generous economy (I checked that she is allowed to have a cat in row 3), so that she can be more comfortable with a cat carrier under the seat.
Aug 24, 23, 3:07 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: BSL
Programs: AA (EXP); among others :)
Posts: 2,480
Good choice 
Remember that the pet carrier counts as her carryon allowance - that means the only baggage she's entitled to bring in the cabin in addition to the cat carrier is a bag in the 'personal item' size. (17"*13"*8"). When I traveled with animals on JetBlue which wasn't all that often I always had more than that and never got into any sort of trouble, but then, status..... She'll likely have to check a bag, doing that in advance saves money.
Remember that the pet carrier counts as her carryon allowance - that means the only baggage she's entitled to bring in the cabin in addition to the cat carrier is a bag in the 'personal item' size. (17"*13"*8"). When I traveled with animals on JetBlue which wasn't all that often I always had more than that and never got into any sort of trouble, but then, status..... She'll likely have to check a bag, doing that in advance saves money.
