Traveling with Pets on UA (In-Cabin or Cargo -- not ESA) {Archive}
May 9, 2018, 1:14 pm
#331
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
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May 9, 2018, 1:25 pm
#332
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,362
OP: traveling with a cat in-cabin with UA is perfectly okay, allowed and not a big drama. UA will charge a fee, but it is not expensive.
Just make sure you follow all crew members' instructions; i.e. keep the pet-carrier under the seat in front of you, and do not - AT ANY TIME - remove the pet from the carrier.
I did EWR-PEK and PEK-EWR (three years later) with our cat and it was event-less.
Unlike what was recommended in post #2 I recommend a soft carrier and therefore a soft litterbox pad, such as this:
https://www.petsmart.com/cat/litter-...ml?cgid=200154
I would also try and get the most direct flight (hopefully without a layover anywhere). This will be less stressful for the animal.
Good luck.
May 9, 2018, 1:25 pm
#333
Suspended
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Location: DCA
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Here is the UA program with all of the details and effective June 18 Note especially the requirement of using a shipping agent for international and the limitation on cat (and dog) breeds. There is a lot of advance preparation involved.
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...q/animals.html
The AC program here:
https://www.aircanada.com/us/en/aco/...ance/pets.html
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...q/animals.html
The AC program here:
https://www.aircanada.com/us/en/aco/...ance/pets.html
May 9, 2018, 1:31 pm
#334
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,301
Quite a bit of naysayers to OP's questions and concerns.
OP: traveling with a cat in-cabin with UA is perfectly okay, allowed and not a big drama. UA will charge a fee, but it is not expensive.
Just make sure you follow all crew members' instructions; i.e. keep the pet-carrier under the seat in front of you, and do not - AT ANY TIME - remove the pet from the carrier.
I would also try and get the most direct flight (hopefully without a layover anywhere). This will be less stressful for the animal.
Good luck.
OP: traveling with a cat in-cabin with UA is perfectly okay, allowed and not a big drama. UA will charge a fee, but it is not expensive.
Just make sure you follow all crew members' instructions; i.e. keep the pet-carrier under the seat in front of you, and do not - AT ANY TIME - remove the pet from the carrier.
I would also try and get the most direct flight (hopefully without a layover anywhere). This will be less stressful for the animal.
Good luck.
May 9, 2018, 1:37 pm
#336
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Posts: 66,859
May 9, 2018, 1:43 pm
#337
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Posts: 30,038
May 9, 2018, 2:15 pm
#338
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,301
To the OP: Depending upon what you hear from UA, you may also want to investigate Norwegian Air. They fly nonstop from Gatwick to Oakland and are also less expensive (probably for both you and the cat):
https://www.norwegian.com/uk/travel-...ing-with-pets/
https://www.norwegian.com/uk/travel-...ing-with-pets/
May 9, 2018, 5:59 pm
#339
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 101
Having the cat in the bag, so to speak, for 11 hour flight + preflight time + actually getting to the airport is a very long time.
May 9, 2018, 6:03 pm
#340
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 101
Quite a bit of naysayers to OP's questions and concerns.
OP: traveling with a cat in-cabin with UA is perfectly okay, allowed and not a big drama. UA will charge a fee, but it is not expensive.
Just make sure you follow all crew members' instructions; i.e. keep the pet-carrier under the seat in front of you, and do not - AT ANY TIME - remove the pet from the carrier.
I did EWR-PEK and PEK-EWR (three years later) with our cat and it was event-less.
Unlike what was recommended in post #2 I recommend a soft carrier and therefore a soft litterbox pad, such as this:
https://www.petsmart.com/cat/litter-...ml?cgid=200154
I would also try and get the most direct flight (hopefully without a layover anywhere). This will be less stressful for the animal.
Good luck.
OP: traveling with a cat in-cabin with UA is perfectly okay, allowed and not a big drama. UA will charge a fee, but it is not expensive.
Just make sure you follow all crew members' instructions; i.e. keep the pet-carrier under the seat in front of you, and do not - AT ANY TIME - remove the pet from the carrier.
I did EWR-PEK and PEK-EWR (three years later) with our cat and it was event-less.
Unlike what was recommended in post #2 I recommend a soft carrier and therefore a soft litterbox pad, such as this:
https://www.petsmart.com/cat/litter-...ml?cgid=200154
I would also try and get the most direct flight (hopefully without a layover anywhere). This will be less stressful for the animal.
Good luck.
I wanted to know if anyone had any specific experience with departing the UK with a pet in cabin. Obviously, I am going to talk to UA about this. However, as we all know, you can get 1 answer on the phone and have an entirely different experience at the airport.
Was just trying to tap someone with actual experience on this route.
Last edited by Roar; May 9, 2018 at 6:09 pm Reason: clarity
May 9, 2018, 6:06 pm
#341
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Posts: 66,859
May 9, 2018, 6:28 pm
#342
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 101
FT's Travel with Pets might be a better place for that query as it is not really UA related.
That said, will the experience of booking / checking a pet in the UK with United not be dictated in large part by United?
I really just wanted to know if anyone had done this on United and what the experience was like. (My fear is they are going to tell me it's fine on the phone and then I am going to show up and they are going to give me a hard time...)
May 9, 2018, 6:34 pm
#343
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,362
I'd break the travel. Not the flight. I have to be on the East Coast for a while, so could do a shorter flight (eg to NYC) stay for a while. Take another flight later to SFO from there.
Having the cat in the bag, so to speak, for 11 hour flight + preflight time + actually getting to the airport is a very long time.
Having the cat in the bag, so to speak, for 11 hour flight + preflight time + actually getting to the airport is a very long time.
Sounds reasonable.
I was more trying to offer encouragement, as this topic stirs negative emotions in many (just look at the response I received in Post #339 ) and FT, in my view, should be more of a place of help than scalding.
WineCountryUA offered good advice by providing that general link.
Best of luck and safe travels.
May 16, 2018, 9:04 pm
#344
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA MM, SQ KrisFlyer, SPG/Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,231
Question (since this is a really long thread):
In cabin pets. They have to be in carriers? Unless they are service animals, in which case they don't?
Is there a list of approved breeds and non-approved breeds to travel in cabin?
In cabin pets. They have to be in carriers? Unless they are service animals, in which case they don't?
Is there a list of approved breeds and non-approved breeds to travel in cabin?
May 16, 2018, 10:01 pm
#345
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
In-cabin pets
A more restrict listed exist for animals transported as cargo.
The animal is expected to remain in the kennel while in the airport and on board the aircraft.
The kennel must remain in the floor space below your seat.
Pets must remain in kennels with the door secured at all times while in the boarding area and on board the aircraft.
The kennel must remain in the floor space below your seat.
Pets must remain in kennels with the door secured at all times while in the boarding area and on board the aircraft.
United allows domesticated cats, dogs, rabbits and household birds (excluding cockatoos) to travel accompanied in the aircraft cabin on most flights within the U.S.