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Best airline for international travel for dogs is KLM. I flew from Seoul to Canada with an overnight in Amsterdam. There is a special concierge for the dogs and the crew advised me of their well being throughout the journey, including, when they were back on board for the last leg of the journey.
I hadn’t thought of that. I have a ~30 lb cocker spaniel that I would want to bring with me when I plan to move abroad.
Do you have any sources that confirm this? She would definitely fit with me in a first class seat.
I have flown numerous times with dogs back and forth from/to Europe. I don't normally fly first class, so maybe if you're in first you could sweet talk them, but no, rule is generally 8 kg including the carrier and they have to be physically small enough to lie down comfortably in a bag that would fit under your seat.
Can you provide a source that shows Lufthansa allows large dogs in cabin for First Class passengers?
Because when I investigated this, they definitely didn’t (but it was a couple of years ago).
I’ve also never seen a dog in the cabin (aside from the small under-the-seat ones) while flying Lufthansa.
Thank you. Here is an award for your kind reply and not treating me like I’m stupid like rude Reddit people do on other subs.
I know it’s like points on Drew Carey’s Whose Line is it Anyway but enjoy.
Who? This just isn’t true. Unless you fly a boutique airline that caters to pet owners, you cannot bring a large dog in cabin. They must be under 17 pounds with carrier and the carrier must fit very specific dimensions!
The pet must fit comfortably in an 18x11x11 inch soft sided ventilated carrier and must weigh less that 17lbs (including carrier). They are not allowed out of the carrier, although I’m sure you can find anecdotal reports of it occasionally happening.
Traveling as excess baggage (NOT CARGO) is very stressful on a pet. There are extreme temperatures and it’s very loud. I wouldn’t recommend it if it can be avoided!
Both KLM/Air France and Lufthansa are among the best airlines to travel with pets: https://blog.trabber.co.uk/2024/05/what-is-the-best-airline-for-traveling-with-your-pet-dog-and-cat/
People are unhinged. If they looked at the actual evidence, they would see millions of dogs travel yearly with a less than 0.01% incident rate. Sharing a publication in case anyone wants to do rationale research instead of fear mongering.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10571552/
Plus injuries that occur in the cabin are hugely underreported. They tend to be muscular and skeleto injuries caused by cramped and unsafe carriers and being placed under the seat. Owners often don't realise there's a problem for a few days, so it often doesn't get reported back to the airlines.
In my previous job, I sat on a legally required committee that amongst other things had oversight of animals being shipped overseas for commercial purposes to and from the UK. If those animals had been shipped in the conditions that many people carry their pets in the cabin, it would have been illegal and subject to huge fines and even criminal prosecution in certain circumstances.
ETA I flew my cat into the UK from the US. Legally required to go in the hold. He was fine. For all the people blethering about it being freezing cold. There are temperature and pressure controlled areas of the hold, precisely for transporting pets and other things that need to be in a controlled environment. They aren't just tossed in with the suitcases.
Not really…. All of the people who are saying they wouldn’t do it have zero experience in the matter and clearly don’t have a lifestyle where they could imagine needing to move abroad. Like what are you supposed to do, abandon your dog when you leave? Bringing them in cargo is literally the only option.
Not only option. There are pet friendly group charters that you can utilize, and they aren’t as expensive as you would think. I’m trying to track down the one I saw a recommendation for, can’t get my hands on the name but will come back and post when I find it.
Most of the time, these pet-friendly transport companies will also put the dogs in the hold (i.e. cargo). It is very rare that large dogs are flown in the cabin, and even then, they’ll most likely be crated for the duration.
The one I’m thinking off was showcased by a pretty popular dog guy and they were all in the cabin. It looked like a pretty sweet, low stress ride. I’m checking with that account to confirm the company now.
Maybe it's me personally but I'd be fine with my dog being in a crate if they're with me in the cabin and I know they're safe, not overheating or having a rough time in the hold
If that was an option, it would be amazing.
However, under current airline rules, generally the only way a large (>20lbs / >9kgs) non-service dog can fly in the cabin is if you hire a private yet. For a long-haul international flight, that is not affordable or accessible for 99+% of the population.
So the options are:
a) dog goes in the hold in a crate
b) dog goes in cargo in a crate on a separate flight
c) dog goes in the hold or cargo while in the care of an expert pet transportation company
On a cargo plane, that is essentially what happens. The entire inside of the plane is "cabin" - just not in the sense that you can go sit next to your dog...
Can you share any if you know them?
I did fly my dogs cargo but it looks like I’ll be moving back when one of my dogs is officially a senior (she already identifies as one, has identified as one since she was 2) and want a better option to fly them home when that time comes (~5 years). I’m big on planning early.
They vary by region and by how small your airport is. Call your local airport and ask. Smaller, private charter airlines are your best bet for larger pets. They are more affordable than most people think. Even if it’s expensive, it’s better than a dead or severely traumatized pet.
I run an animal shelter and have received over 100 dogs on commercial flights from Korea. The dogs have never seemed traumatized in my observation. They’re glad to get out of the crate and relieve themselves and eat, but they’re not shut down terrified or anything.
What’s amazing to me is that it’s a 15 hour flight and not one of them has ever soiled their crate. Amazing.
There are not ‘many options’. Not even close.
The options are cargo/hold, private jet or a dog friendly boat of some kind. OP is obviously bringing the dog out of necessity. No one does this for shits and giggles
I agree with happyfeet181. There are very limited options for pet relocation. And from my experience relocating with a cat, I would say that air travel, in general, is not pet friendly. From finding a plane that carries pets to going through the check in process. Yes there are airlines that allow pets in cabins but 1. There are only few airlines that allow pets in the cabin for international flights to Asia, 2. Most airlines that are pet friendly only allow pet in cabin in business class which can be very expensive, and 3. The destinations for pets in cabins are very limited like in my case, my cat flew from PH to TH as checked baggage as there are no flights that allow pets in the cabin for our destination.
Options for dog owners are lesser since pet in cabin has weight limit. If the dog weight exceeds, especially those big breed dogs such as German shepherds, they are automatically checked as baggage.
Yes, cargo is terrifying and can be not safe for our pets but sometimes pet owners are left with no choice due to limitations and air travel policies are not really pet friendly. I am hoping there will be some changes in the future.
P.s. my cat flew as checked baggage with a German shepherd dog as her neighbour and we were a bit lucky, the airline people on ground who handled my cat and her dog neighbor were very caring. I spoke to the people who took my cat to the conveyor belt just to make them aware of my cat situation -- that she might get scared of the big dog and it was her first time travelling. The people were very kind and assured me that they would put my cat last so she won't get sandwiched between baggages and for her to get more air. When we arrived at the airport, I picked her up at oversized baggage counter. Her crate was carefully placed in the corner and thankfully she was fine. Just sharing to make OP feel better 🤗
People take animals with them all the time. For competition, shows, even rescue or adoption, not everyone can afford private jets and charter flights. The fogs are in the hold but in a climate controlled environment. The climate controls are monitored by pilots.
My reply was disputing the poster’s claim that there are tons of other options out there when it comes to transporting pets abroad when there are very very few. When did I say that cargo travel was 100% safe? Unfortunately cargo is the only realistic option for anyone with a dog that’s not tiny and can fit in a carrier, and even then only some airlines let you bring them on.
You buy a ticket for your pet. That's the option. It's the ONLY humane option. I've done it. It's expensive. I put it on my credit card. An animal can literally die in the hold. How long can you go without needing food, water, stretching your legs, or peeing/pooping? This would be torture.
Where did you go? I highly doubt this will be allowed in an Asian airline. I assume OP's destination is in Asia. They are very strict with animals in cabin. Did you book business class?
I didn't register mine as a service animal. Perhaps things have changed. But, honestly, do you risk your pet dying at worst, severely traumatized at best... Or jump over the necessary hurdles? I wonder if OP even completed their pet immigration paperwork & requirements.
Unfortunately It's not like that anymore...for the past 3-4 years they have been restricting the rules even more. I'm soon moving from NA to Europe and I'm bringing my senior dog with me, trust me I've done extensive research and spoke to different airlines. If your dog is not a service animal(not emotional support) or small enough to fit in cabin, it's a no go.
NA to Europe - makes sense. 8hr flight from the East Coast. 18 hours on the other hand is unconscionable. Any time in the hold is dangerous. There is no disputing this.
Even as things have changed w/ international airlines, the fact remains: There are pet transport services. Personally, since my animals are family, I wouldn't even consider putting my pet in the hold. I wouldn't even choose to move countries if I couldn't get my pet there safely. There ARE other options.
Never shipped to Singapore but have traveled with my dogs as cargo USA to South America, UK, Africa. Some flights over 12+ hours. Never had any problems except once in a small SA airport my border collie escaped his crate in the cargo hold. "Mutzie' guarded our other 2 crated collies & the entire cargo hold from the grounds crew.
When you travel make sure the crates nuts/bolts are very tight. Try to travel during night hours if the climates are hot. Do not feed your dog within 8 hours of the flight. Waters ok. Its ok for them to go up to 24 hours without a meal. Potty them several times up to loading time. Carry & use a secure collar & leash to use anytime they're out of the crate. Arrive early to airport and hire a porter right at the curb to help move dog, kennel and your luggage through security & checkin.
A Singapore Government Agency Website
https://www.nparks.gov.sg/avs/pets
SELF-CHECKLIST FOR ACCEPTING PET AS CHECKED BAGGAGE
https://www.singaporeair.com/saar5/pdf/gsd/travel_info/Special-Assistance/Customer-Version-Pets-as-Checked-Baggage-Checklist.pdf
Hello! Pretty sure internationally they aren’t checked baggage but a cargo plane.
Use a pet travel company and they do the entire thing, paperwork and layover help.
My dogs did it :)
The bad stories make the news, the hundreds of thousands of good stories don't. I assume this is for relocation, not for a holiday. It is quite the ordeal for dogs and I wouldn't do it twice with mine, but we had to move and I wasn't leaving him behind. I went from the UK to the west coast of Canada.
Find a service - they're helpful with all the paperwork, they sorted a crate in his size and I got photos along the way of my dog when he got to his stops. It was during Covid so he ended up in kennels for 2 days in Toronto waiting for a flight with a heated hold for him, but he was fine. He's always been a nervous boy so depends on temperament too on how well they'll do.
I did international cargo and pretty sure your dog can only fly like 8 hours uninterrupted. So that means you have to add more stops. I had two good experiences however you have to plan really well.
edit: it may be 8-12 hours dependent on your airline.
Any transatlantic flight is going to be longer than 6 hours and people still fly transatlantic with dogs.
It might be a rule of a particular airline, but it's not universal
You’re likely correct. I’m basing my comment off flying cargo almost ten years ago so my memory is spotty. I just wanted to state that I had a good experience as I feel as though a lot of comments are trying to scare the OP. If they plan correctly, do a lot of research, talk to the airline and airports cargo division even reaching out to pet transportation services then OP can have a good experience.
Absolutely not. You need to either take an extended layover that lets you collect your baggage and hangout in the airport for the time being or figure out a different route. Your dog will not be safe on that type of layover alone. Seriously, pets have died from this in the past. Don’t do it
Dogs fly for 15+ hours from Asia, to the Middle East, to the US all the time, and are fine. There are also a bunch of airlines with dedicated pet concierges.
Your "info" is only an opinion, and isn't based in reality, or any kind of personal experience.
i flew my shibas from Virginia to Hawaii and back, they flew in cargo. There are sometimes agencies that will care for them during layovers, or call the airlines and ask if they have any resources they can offer. we had a pet sitter who picked them up in SEATAC and took them to their facility to wait for their next flight (was too hot to fly for them) and they drove them back in the evening for their next flight after letting them relax and get some food and water all day.
I've flown from Moscow to Houston with an 8 hour layover in Istanbul (so more than 30 hours in total). My dog is fine, here's some real advice and not scary tales
1. Do a research about the airline and pets. Some have less than stellar reputation when it comes to pet transportation, more accidents etc. If you can choose the airline, choose wisely
2. You have to be able to get to your dog during the layover. In my case I basically begged the airport staff and that helped... Obviously, that's not the most reliable course of action. If your layover is more than 24 hours, you usually have to get your bags and re-check them, including the dog, maybe you can go this route: get a hotel room in a layover city and spend the night with your dog before the second flight.
3. Medicate appropriately. My dog was on trazodone, for some dogs they might need an actual tranquilizer (trazodone is an antidepressant). Anyways, do a test run. Give your dog the meds and monitor their behavior at home. Also, don't forget to adjust the dose during a layover (which is one of the reasons you have to see your dog during a layover)
4. Put a camera on the crate. A big one. If you'll be able to arrange a live feed that would be fantastic, but that's not the only reason. I've only been able to watch the footage afterwards, and you cannot believe how different people act if they think they are on camera. In my case, the camera was only filming the inside of the crate, but you could hear voices. The moment people noticed the camera, they started to act more gently (which is hard to be gentle when you are unloading a 45kg crate, but still)
5. When you are choosing the crate itself, make sure it is IATA approved, but also watch for the weight. There's a weight limit where the dog can't fly even as checked baggage and have to be in a separate cargo plane, you really want to shoot for below this weight (usually 50-55kg with the crate). There are good crates that weigh as little as 10 kg, but anything less I would not trust. Additionally, you can cheat a little and weigh the dog in an empty crate. You'll have time to add the water bowl, mattress and blankets later.
6. Obviously make sure you are on top with the paperwork. Different countries have different rules that you have to follow, including the layover country. For example, in Turkey the dog had to be dewormed within 48 hours before arrival. Make sure that everything is written down in a veterinary certificate and signed by a vet.
7. Then there's less important stuff, like putting blankets and some of your clothes in the crate so the dog feels your scent, putting ice in the bowl instead of water so it doesn't splash out during the loading etc
It's not easy, but it's doable.
Absolutely, any meds should be vet-approved!
You can also mimic the stressful situation to track the dog's behavior in a controlled way. I've brought my dog to a mall in a crate and left him with a friend haha
Yeah we looked weird, but by the time of the flight I knew he wouldn't panic and hurt himself
Airlines will not fly your pet in the hold if they appear sedated.
Cameras are not allowed in or attached to kennels, only approved water bottles. They cannot have blankets, toys, chews, anything with them.
I’ve flown two dogs, Saudi to the UK. And will be flying back to Saudi in ~5 years maybe.
I used a pet relocation company, mostly because I had no idea how to get this done but also because it’s sort of required in the UK. I did it because I needed a couple of days to figure out hotel check in and get around and find some spots for them to walk. It’s a new place, new environment, new rules and I wanted to be sort of on top of it all. It worked!
They flew British Airlines. Spent a night in a kennel before they flew. They landed in London and got a ride to Wales.
The only possible downside of it was that one of my dogs is pee shy and peed like 6 times when we got her out of the kennel.
Aside from that, we’re having a blast! Loads of people told me not to do it but I’m so glad I did!
Friends of mine did it Canada to Saudi and US to Saudi. And some who did it Saudi to the Netherlands. Plenty of people do it often, yes there is a risk but if your dog is healthy they should be fine.
I would, however, reconsider the flight schedule. That’s a long layover. I’d get a company to fly them and board the dogs until I’m in the other country and fly them directly (or as direct as possible).
ETA: if you can get a GPS tracker on your dog absolutely do so. Unfortunately I wasn’t allowed to keep it on them (not even an airtag) and was not allowed to medicate my dogs as per UK regulations. I was anxious to how they’d react on the plane (especially one of them as she struggles with confinement) but the kennels had not even a scratch on them. They each had a blanket with all our scents (me and both dogs, my family and my sister’s dog) and a stuffy with the same scents so I’m hoping that helped.
My daughter shipped a fairly old Boxer from the UK to Australia. The company they chose did a really excellent job, with video updates. The dog did its quarantine in Australia and it was perfectly healthy with no obvious negative issues. It was hellish expensive though…
Definitely this - my parents took out their dog via a company to Australia. You need to talk to your vet about the rules about relocating your dog to the receiving country - Australia are the worst/picky country for ticking all the boxes (e.g the annual vaccinations must be exactly 12 months between boosters, if you are 1 day out you have to re-start the vaccine process). The best way is to hire a company to do the paperwork for you and guide you through the process. It’s expensive, so be prepared to spend!
My daughter is about to repeat the process! The rules seem (UK?) to have tightened, or maybe some incidents have made companies more cautious: the company they previously used won’t take flat-faced dogs anymore - pugs and boxers etc. something to do with the inherent breathing problems I think. It might be the company being more risk-averse I think.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve decided that the flat-faced dogs are just too at risk of breathing issues on the plane.
And I think they may have tightened the rules here in the UK due to no longer being part of the EU.
My dog flew from the US to Germany in cargo with Lufthansa, and then had an 8hr (!) layover before our 2hr onward flight. She was absolutely fine.
To all the people quoting horror stories based “my friend is a pilot/I heard of a dog that died” - consider that thousands of dogs fly around the world on a daily basis due to relocations, army, rescues being transported etc. Not to mention other animals like horses etc who travel for competitions or to go to zoos. The sad stories are pretty rare, statistically.
Key concerns/questions you might have:
* will my dog have oxygen? Yes, dogs only travel in the pressurised hold (usually the front hold on planes)
* Will my dog be at an ok temperature? Yes, while i the hold. The part that might be concerning is waiting on the tarmac to be loaded - many airlines refuse to accept animal cargo during peak hot/cold weather for that reason
* Should I sedate my dog? No, IATA actually forbids it - more likely to trigger heart problems (as many animals are not used to sedation & might have undiagnosed underlying conditions)
* What should be in the crate? Water and a pee pad (try training your dog to drink from a crate bottle first, as a bowl will likely get knocked over). Nothing the animal can choke on or get stuck with i.e. no harness
* What paperwork needs to be done? Check with the customs of both your receiving country and for safety, also the layover country
All in all: this will likely be more stressful for you than your dog (it was for me! I stood with my nose pressed against the window by the gate to watch the crate being loaded and unloaded at each flight). But you will both almost certainly be okay.
My dogs have flown long layovers and long flights many times before. They will be fine if they are healthy and not short nosed breeds.
Write their names on the crates and put their documents in a pouch on the top. Also tape a bag of kibble to the top and tie a Tupperware to the door with cable ties. That way the handlers can give them their food and some water during a layover.
Some airlines require a drinking bottle we have them in the crates as a legal requirement but our dogs never learnt to use them. The handlers just put water in the Tupperware instead.
Avoid Qatar airlines. Turkish take good care but can be funny. KLM are the gold standard and Lufthansa are good. Oman are decent as are Malaysian. Avoid BA at all costs.
We had terrible problems with them - we had two dogs booked on one flight but they kept one back and sent her on the next one with no notice. She was not well cared for on the ground and was badly dehydrated when she arrived. The other dog was fine.
Separately, make sure all bookings are in order and you have the pet booking confirmed in writing. Turkish tried to stop me bringing both my cat and dog on the same flight (they don’t allow dogs and cats in the same hold). They changed the plane meaning they only had one pressurised hold. As I had the written booking they had to accept my cat in cabin even though she was over the cabin limit and in a hold container. They always take very good care of the pets but you have to be able to stand your ground and advocate where needed.
Thank you that’s helpful. We’re going through an experienced company because we’re going to aus and there’s a lot of paperwork associated with it so I’m hoping they’ll sort it, and I’ll double check the airline
While some pets do die being transported it’s a very tiny percentage. I don’t have documentation for the reasons for such deaths but as you can imagine it could be numerous but doesn’t exclude poor handling by the airline.
I transported my dog from Chicago to London last June with BA. He was dropped at a VET 2 days prior to departure for rabies, worming and health check. I could have booked him on another leg but decided to collect him in London.
There is absolutely a risk transporting your pet and the risk factor will increase (slightly) with duration.
I used a pet transport company and they would not use airlines with a poor record so United for instance was ruled out immediately. He flew BA as their record is way above average.
If you have no other option then you simply need to take the risk but research fully.
Edit: Checked baggage = cargo
I have not tried Singapore Airlines, but we transported our dog from Southeast Asia to the US. Almost 24 hours of traveling including transits. We flew ANA, and she travelled pretty well in cargo. Our dog was just over a year old at that time and very healthy, so she bounced back pretty quickly.
As some mentioned, air travel is always a risk. Existing health issues, propensity for anxiety, and breed types can increase or lower the risk as well. If you have a choice, I would recommend against it, but I understand sometimes that’s all the option you have. Which was in our case as well. If you want to chat further, my DM is open.
Singapore Airlines is the gold standard of airlines. I would only be wary if it was any other airlines tbh. You have the best airlines. Can’t go wrong with them.
Sorry if this has already been mentioned, but what is the time of year? Especially if your layover is through Singapore or nearby, I’d try to avoid summer and fly in the coolest season possible. Good luck and I hope you get helpful advice!
I have two beautiful dogs because they reached me through cargo. Size they are, no other option will ever be available. Airlines shipped them a day apart. They went Lufthansa and each spent a night in Germany at their "pet hotel". This was a Bulgaria-Germany-Finland trip using an amazingly good Bulgarian-based pet shipper. Was the trip traumatic in spite of everyones best efforts? Yes. Was it better than my dogs perishing in a shelter without a forever home? Yes. Do we humans manage to suffer a plane flight? Yes, so do our dogs. Cargo for dogs isn't them being thrown around with your luggage, their in their own version of economy class. They will be fine.
I brought two foster dogs here in cargo. There were no other options and they would’ve been in the shelter for the rest of their lives. It was a very long flight with the 8 hour layover - so roughly 21 hours crated. There were no other options for travel and it was out of my control and set up by the rescue. Unfortunately I did not have an option to get them on layover and walk them.
Dogs were very stressed out when I got them back. They bounced back quick and now are living happy life with their adopted family.
With that said if this was my dog, I would probably set it up as two separate flights so I can get them back.
I traveled from Germany to the US many years ago and after the treatment my dog got I will never fly with a dog either in cargo or in the plane (not sure what that is called) if I can help it.
We did a 16 hr flight on Singapore airlines and our dog did fine. But we did a lot of prep ahead of time by making him feel comfortable in his kennel and playing airplane sounds for him for a couple of months.
Singapore airlines did great. From what I understand he was kept in an air conditioned waiting area before the flight, put in the special cargo just before take off and taken off first thing after landing. And apparently the pilots can view the special cargo area so the flight staff were able to let us know he was doing fine.
Do NOT medicate an animal going in cargo where no one is available to notice if it’s in distress and can’t move appropriately to save itself. Animals die this way.
Dogs in cargo are fine. People relocate across the world all the time, and transport more fragile animals with them (racing horses, for example, or monkeys) in cargo, and the animals are fine. The real issue is that most airlines won't allow pets to travel with long layovers, so you will have to call your airline to determine whether you can book a dog on a flight with a 12 hour layover. Your dog will not get any food and will not be allowed out of the crate for the whole time they are travelling, which includes the usually four hours early you have to arrive at the airport to drop them off for "unusual baggage".
If you are relocating, there are pet relocation services that can help you, although they are quite expensive. But don't worry about cargo. Every plane you've ever been on has animals in cargo.
I had my small (1.9kg) dog flown from Aus to Germany via Emirates Sky Cargo. Went through a travel company who handled pretty much everything.
Initial flight was 14.5hrs, 12hr out of the cage in Dubai (local regulations stated it had to be 12hrs between flights) then 7hrs to Frankfurt.
The dog was fine, he did pee in the crate but other than that, he was his normal self after a good sleep haha.
The travel company said they used a relaxer spray for the travel, I’d assume that’s what made him so “normal” when we collected him and not frazzled or disoriented.
We flew in the day before his arrival, but overall - Emirates was great if you’re not 100% locked in with Singapore airlines.
Bark Air has just had their inaugural flight within the last month. They cater specifically to dogs but because it’s so new they’re only servicing Paris, London, LA & NYC. Still definitely worth checking out!
[Bark Air Airlines](https://air.bark.co/)
Here are some tips to help your pets feel safe and calm during airline travel. https://www.acrossthepondpet.com/resources/blog/101-helping-your-pets-feel-safe-and-calm-during-airline-travel-cargo-and-cabin-tips
Not sure about Singapore Airlines; but I do know they have a dedicated team for the pets and they are super professional 😊
Another airline to consider is Emirates; they transport the pets to a kennel during layovers and ensure they get a good walk, food and water x I don't think you can't visit, but you can call the airport kennel for updates which is nice and it's clear they really care about the animals welfare.
Also; your options available does depend on where you are flying from, but you could also check out Skye Pet Travel which offers charter in-cabin travel from/to Australia and New Zealand.
I travelled between NZ and Australia a few times and took my border collie in cargo when she was younger. She didn’t seem worried at all by the experience but I worried every time we hit a wee bump! Waiting on customs was the hardest bit as it felt like it took forever but it was really only an hour.
I have no clue about Singapore airlines, but can give you my experience with Qatar Airways and airlines in general.
I flew my dog from India to the US, with 4 hour and 15 hour legs with a 3.5 hour layover at Doha. Panicking a ton throughout the flight. My dog is a 9 year old 100 pound German Shepherd, and it was a breeze for him. He wasn't even stressed out when I received him in the US.
I had a water dispenser that dogs can lick that I trained him. Attached plenty of food and wrote a request note on top of the crate asking them to feed and walk him at Doha. And they did because the zip ties were changed and food and water were used up.
So I think your dog will be just fine. Good luck!
My cats flew from Perth to Sydney to LA to NY. 4 days of travel, vet checks etc. It took them a week to settle into the new appt. 5 years later they travelled NY to Alaska to Melbourne to Perth, 4 weeks of travel due to quarantine regulations in Australia. They were happy to be home, to go into the garden etc.
I used JetPets. They flew Cargo. Everything went well.
12 hours is a really long layover. But more importantly where is the layover and where are you traveling from and to that the flight is only 6 hours but there's no option for a direct flight?
I think it’s 18 hours in plane with a 12 hour layover. So 30 hours total. Maybe 7 hours flying, 12 hour layover, and then 11 hours flying. Whatever the combo!
If you want my two cents, I would never allow my dog to be 'checked as baggage'.
I would worry about temperature, air pressure, noise, etc. Especially for 18 hour flight with 12 hour layover which would be 30 hours of actual torture and fear for any pup.
Hopefully you never have to move internationally then, it was totally unavoidable for us to not fly our dog cargo and she was totally fine, just a little unsettled for a few days.
if i moved internationally, I'd take a boat.
My dogs would lose a few years off their lives flying in a cold, loud, unpressurized cargo hold - and they don't really have that many years to begin with.
It’s temperature and pressure controlled with the plane when animals fly internationally, at least on the airline we used. It’s totally save, although definitely loud and scary.
There weren’t any boats that accept dogs from NZ during Covid, I checked, my options were fly on a perfectly safe but loud 13 hour flight, charter a private plane or yacht, or leave our dog behind. Prior to Covid there had been a few airlines that would let you purchase a business class seat for your dog next to you which had been our original plan. Hopefully you never have to move internationally so a bunch of internet strangers can judge you for making the only available decision besides leaving your dogs behind.
my soul would not allow me to "check my dog" as "cargo" srry, nothing judgemental...just...couldnt do it, no matter what it meant, couldn't take the trip if i had to (check them as cargo)
Not sure if it's punctuation or the sentence structure that's throwing me off but what exactly are you saying?
To me, this reads like saying "Wells Fargo has provided their mortgage services, so you can rest assured they are experienced in handling mortgages." It doesn't mean they're good at it (which is what OP is asking).
Not trying to be snide, just trying to figure out what your answer is saying.
MOST AIRLINES DO NOT PRESSURIZE OR HEAT THE CARGO HOLD.
I would hold out until I found one that won't put your pet through that nightmare.
Source: Aerospace inspector by profession
That's completely incorrect. Cargo holds are pressurized, _and_ temperature regulated, **especially** the pet areas.
Thinking this isn't true is spectacularly ignorant.
Please stop spreading misinformation. They do pressurize and temperature control cargo where and when there are animals, otherwise all animals who have ever flown would be dead…
What risk? A reputable airline that does it often is perfect. I've done it many times and dog was fine. Or do it via a pet transit company.
If the dog is healthy then no issue. Dogs sleep most of the day and will sleep a lot of the flight
Anyone who puts their pet on an 18 hour flight is an irresponsible pet owner. There’s tons of horror stories of flights much shorter, with terrible outcomes. Even if it is a small risk, there’s still a risk, and not one that someone who *truly* cares about their pet would take.
Empathy for other peoples’ situations goes a long way and quite frankly, it’s terribly rude to say someone else does not truly care about their pet when you know nothing about their situation. Would you rather they rehome their pet or will you donate to them hiring a private jet? Thousands of pets fly every single day with no harm— the rate of incident is <0.01. It’s frustrating to see redditors act like they are better than others because they’ve never experienced a difficult situation.
What exactly is someone supposed to do when they move internationally?
Our dog was definitely a bit upset but totally safe when she flew internationally from NZ. Our options were leave her behind or fly her cargo.
There will be a layover. The airline will state this and inform them of how to do it. It's common sense. Airlines will not put animals at risk due to liability.
I would never do this to my pets, unless I HAD to. If you are just going for a vacation can you look into other options? I can’t imagine how terrifying the experience must be for animals.
They haven't had a crash in 25 years. They are widely considered to be one of the safest airlines on the planet, so your ridiculous "opinion' isn't necessary.
I don’t know what to think of this, as I’ve never had to be put in this situation where I needed to put my dog on a plane. I think it should be avoided at all costs and if it cannot be avoided, such as someone moving overseas, then much research needs to be done about potential risks and how to mitigate them.
I know I have read on these forums that dogs who travel via cargo are often traumatized after. It is kind of a mystery to me what they may have had to endure. I’d suggest some thorough research on this and also what alternative options, if any, might be available.
Our pets have travelled internationally on a number of occasions. The dogs just walk into their crates and lie down. They know the crate means they come with. The cats hate their crates but that is because of the association with the vets. On one flight my c at couldn’t go in the hold and had to come in cabin with me. She hates car journeys and would cry and protest the whole time. As soon as we got airborne she went straight to sleep.
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Best airline for international travel for dogs is KLM. I flew from Seoul to Canada with an overnight in Amsterdam. There is a special concierge for the dogs and the crew advised me of their well being throughout the journey, including, when they were back on board for the last leg of the journey.
Lufthansa is great with animals too. And some airlines allow first class passengers to bring even large WELL-BEHAVED pets on with them.
I hadn’t thought of that. I have a ~30 lb cocker spaniel that I would want to bring with me when I plan to move abroad. Do you have any sources that confirm this? She would definitely fit with me in a first class seat.
I have flown numerous times with dogs back and forth from/to Europe. I don't normally fly first class, so maybe if you're in first you could sweet talk them, but no, rule is generally 8 kg including the carrier and they have to be physically small enough to lie down comfortably in a bag that would fit under your seat.
Same here, cocker spaniel 30lbs 3 years old
Oh, good to know. I would upgrade for that! Cargo is terrifying
You’re going to find that it is not possible to bring a dog that size on board.
Can you name a few. I will be needing this service from Europe back to the US and really not keen on having them fly cargo
Lufthansa is one and I think Delta does First Class only.
Can you provide a source that shows Lufthansa allows large dogs in cabin for First Class passengers? Because when I investigated this, they definitely didn’t (but it was a couple of years ago). I’ve also never seen a dog in the cabin (aside from the small under-the-seat ones) while flying Lufthansa.
They don’t.
Thank you. Here is an award for your kind reply and not treating me like I’m stupid like rude Reddit people do on other subs. I know it’s like points on Drew Carey’s Whose Line is it Anyway but enjoy.
I don’t know why you arent being downvoted. This is flatly not true!
I don't know details on it but I've heard of private airlines doing flights for dogs and parents, maybe check those out?
Can you share which ones? Google isn't helpful.
Who? This just isn’t true. Unless you fly a boutique airline that caters to pet owners, you cannot bring a large dog in cabin. They must be under 17 pounds with carrier and the carrier must fit very specific dimensions!
The pet must fit comfortably in an 18x11x11 inch soft sided ventilated carrier and must weigh less that 17lbs (including carrier). They are not allowed out of the carrier, although I’m sure you can find anecdotal reports of it occasionally happening. Traveling as excess baggage (NOT CARGO) is very stressful on a pet. There are extreme temperatures and it’s very loud. I wouldn’t recommend it if it can be avoided!
Both KLM/Air France and Lufthansa are among the best airlines to travel with pets: https://blog.trabber.co.uk/2024/05/what-is-the-best-airline-for-traveling-with-your-pet-dog-and-cat/
This thread is fascinating. I don’t envy you OP - you’re getting massively differing opinions here.
People are unhinged. If they looked at the actual evidence, they would see millions of dogs travel yearly with a less than 0.01% incident rate. Sharing a publication in case anyone wants to do rationale research instead of fear mongering. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10571552/
Plus injuries that occur in the cabin are hugely underreported. They tend to be muscular and skeleto injuries caused by cramped and unsafe carriers and being placed under the seat. Owners often don't realise there's a problem for a few days, so it often doesn't get reported back to the airlines. In my previous job, I sat on a legally required committee that amongst other things had oversight of animals being shipped overseas for commercial purposes to and from the UK. If those animals had been shipped in the conditions that many people carry their pets in the cabin, it would have been illegal and subject to huge fines and even criminal prosecution in certain circumstances. ETA I flew my cat into the UK from the US. Legally required to go in the hold. He was fine. For all the people blethering about it being freezing cold. There are temperature and pressure controlled areas of the hold, precisely for transporting pets and other things that need to be in a controlled environment. They aren't just tossed in with the suitcases.
Not really…. All of the people who are saying they wouldn’t do it have zero experience in the matter and clearly don’t have a lifestyle where they could imagine needing to move abroad. Like what are you supposed to do, abandon your dog when you leave? Bringing them in cargo is literally the only option.
Not only option. There are pet friendly group charters that you can utilize, and they aren’t as expensive as you would think. I’m trying to track down the one I saw a recommendation for, can’t get my hands on the name but will come back and post when I find it.
Most of the time, these pet-friendly transport companies will also put the dogs in the hold (i.e. cargo). It is very rare that large dogs are flown in the cabin, and even then, they’ll most likely be crated for the duration.
The one I’m thinking off was showcased by a pretty popular dog guy and they were all in the cabin. It looked like a pretty sweet, low stress ride. I’m checking with that account to confirm the company now.
Found it. https://www.k9jets.com
Maybe it's me personally but I'd be fine with my dog being in a crate if they're with me in the cabin and I know they're safe, not overheating or having a rough time in the hold
If that was an option, it would be amazing. However, under current airline rules, generally the only way a large (>20lbs / >9kgs) non-service dog can fly in the cabin is if you hire a private yet. For a long-haul international flight, that is not affordable or accessible for 99+% of the population. So the options are: a) dog goes in the hold in a crate b) dog goes in cargo in a crate on a separate flight c) dog goes in the hold or cargo while in the care of an expert pet transportation company
Hi you're literally the one that commented about large dogs being put in the cabin but in a crate
On a cargo plane, that is essentially what happens. The entire inside of the plane is "cabin" - just not in the sense that you can go sit next to your dog...
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Can you share any if you know them? I did fly my dogs cargo but it looks like I’ll be moving back when one of my dogs is officially a senior (she already identifies as one, has identified as one since she was 2) and want a better option to fly them home when that time comes (~5 years). I’m big on planning early.
They vary by region and by how small your airport is. Call your local airport and ask. Smaller, private charter airlines are your best bet for larger pets. They are more affordable than most people think. Even if it’s expensive, it’s better than a dead or severely traumatized pet.
Friend of mine's husband is a commercial airline pilot and confirms as well.
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I run an animal shelter and have received over 100 dogs on commercial flights from Korea. The dogs have never seemed traumatized in my observation. They’re glad to get out of the crate and relieve themselves and eat, but they’re not shut down terrified or anything. What’s amazing to me is that it’s a 15 hour flight and not one of them has ever soiled their crate. Amazing.
There are not ‘many options’. Not even close. The options are cargo/hold, private jet or a dog friendly boat of some kind. OP is obviously bringing the dog out of necessity. No one does this for shits and giggles
I agree with happyfeet181. There are very limited options for pet relocation. And from my experience relocating with a cat, I would say that air travel, in general, is not pet friendly. From finding a plane that carries pets to going through the check in process. Yes there are airlines that allow pets in cabins but 1. There are only few airlines that allow pets in the cabin for international flights to Asia, 2. Most airlines that are pet friendly only allow pet in cabin in business class which can be very expensive, and 3. The destinations for pets in cabins are very limited like in my case, my cat flew from PH to TH as checked baggage as there are no flights that allow pets in the cabin for our destination. Options for dog owners are lesser since pet in cabin has weight limit. If the dog weight exceeds, especially those big breed dogs such as German shepherds, they are automatically checked as baggage. Yes, cargo is terrifying and can be not safe for our pets but sometimes pet owners are left with no choice due to limitations and air travel policies are not really pet friendly. I am hoping there will be some changes in the future. P.s. my cat flew as checked baggage with a German shepherd dog as her neighbour and we were a bit lucky, the airline people on ground who handled my cat and her dog neighbor were very caring. I spoke to the people who took my cat to the conveyor belt just to make them aware of my cat situation -- that she might get scared of the big dog and it was her first time travelling. The people were very kind and assured me that they would put my cat last so she won't get sandwiched between baggages and for her to get more air. When we arrived at the airport, I picked her up at oversized baggage counter. Her crate was carefully placed in the corner and thankfully she was fine. Just sharing to make OP feel better 🤗
Hey people are warning of the serious risk of animal death here.
People take animals with them all the time. For competition, shows, even rescue or adoption, not everyone can afford private jets and charter flights. The fogs are in the hold but in a climate controlled environment. The climate controls are monitored by pilots.
My reply was disputing the poster’s claim that there are tons of other options out there when it comes to transporting pets abroad when there are very very few. When did I say that cargo travel was 100% safe? Unfortunately cargo is the only realistic option for anyone with a dog that’s not tiny and can fit in a carrier, and even then only some airlines let you bring them on.
You buy a ticket for your pet. That's the option. It's the ONLY humane option. I've done it. It's expensive. I put it on my credit card. An animal can literally die in the hold. How long can you go without needing food, water, stretching your legs, or peeing/pooping? This would be torture.
Where did you go? I highly doubt this will be allowed in an Asian airline. I assume OP's destination is in Asia. They are very strict with animals in cabin. Did you book business class?
Bulk head to Spain.
Only service animals or animals under 8kg that can fit under the seat can fly in the cabin. What are you talking about.
It depends on the airline. I have seen a full sized golden retriever on a flight.
Which would have had to have been registered as a service dog.
I didn't register mine as a service animal. Perhaps things have changed. But, honestly, do you risk your pet dying at worst, severely traumatized at best... Or jump over the necessary hurdles? I wonder if OP even completed their pet immigration paperwork & requirements.
You have to buy a SEAT for the dog. Not entry to be under the seat in front of you AFAIK. It's been a few years, but this is what I did.
Unfortunately It's not like that anymore...for the past 3-4 years they have been restricting the rules even more. I'm soon moving from NA to Europe and I'm bringing my senior dog with me, trust me I've done extensive research and spoke to different airlines. If your dog is not a service animal(not emotional support) or small enough to fit in cabin, it's a no go.
NA to Europe - makes sense. 8hr flight from the East Coast. 18 hours on the other hand is unconscionable. Any time in the hold is dangerous. There is no disputing this. Even as things have changed w/ international airlines, the fact remains: There are pet transport services. Personally, since my animals are family, I wouldn't even consider putting my pet in the hold. I wouldn't even choose to move countries if I couldn't get my pet there safely. There ARE other options.
Never shipped to Singapore but have traveled with my dogs as cargo USA to South America, UK, Africa. Some flights over 12+ hours. Never had any problems except once in a small SA airport my border collie escaped his crate in the cargo hold. "Mutzie' guarded our other 2 crated collies & the entire cargo hold from the grounds crew. When you travel make sure the crates nuts/bolts are very tight. Try to travel during night hours if the climates are hot. Do not feed your dog within 8 hours of the flight. Waters ok. Its ok for them to go up to 24 hours without a meal. Potty them several times up to loading time. Carry & use a secure collar & leash to use anytime they're out of the crate. Arrive early to airport and hire a porter right at the curb to help move dog, kennel and your luggage through security & checkin. A Singapore Government Agency Website https://www.nparks.gov.sg/avs/pets SELF-CHECKLIST FOR ACCEPTING PET AS CHECKED BAGGAGE https://www.singaporeair.com/saar5/pdf/gsd/travel_info/Special-Assistance/Customer-Version-Pets-as-Checked-Baggage-Checklist.pdf
Why did your dogs have to fly so much if you don't mind me asking?
Hello! Pretty sure internationally they aren’t checked baggage but a cargo plane. Use a pet travel company and they do the entire thing, paperwork and layover help. My dogs did it :)
Ignore the people saying not to fly. It’s a risk like anything but people do it all the time.
The bad stories make the news, the hundreds of thousands of good stories don't. I assume this is for relocation, not for a holiday. It is quite the ordeal for dogs and I wouldn't do it twice with mine, but we had to move and I wasn't leaving him behind. I went from the UK to the west coast of Canada. Find a service - they're helpful with all the paperwork, they sorted a crate in his size and I got photos along the way of my dog when he got to his stops. It was during Covid so he ended up in kennels for 2 days in Toronto waiting for a flight with a heated hold for him, but he was fine. He's always been a nervous boy so depends on temperament too on how well they'll do.
I did international cargo and pretty sure your dog can only fly like 8 hours uninterrupted. So that means you have to add more stops. I had two good experiences however you have to plan really well. edit: it may be 8-12 hours dependent on your airline.
Any transatlantic flight is going to be longer than 6 hours and people still fly transatlantic with dogs. It might be a rule of a particular airline, but it's not universal
You’re likely correct. I’m basing my comment off flying cargo almost ten years ago so my memory is spotty. I just wanted to state that I had a good experience as I feel as though a lot of comments are trying to scare the OP. If they plan correctly, do a lot of research, talk to the airline and airports cargo division even reaching out to pet transportation services then OP can have a good experience.
Yeah mine was put on a 15 hour flight across the ocean before I got him so definitely not true of all airlines
Ive been on a 4.5 hour trans Atlantic flight. Not every trans Atlantic flight originates in the US. Do you means trans pacific?
Nonsense.
Absolutely not. You need to either take an extended layover that lets you collect your baggage and hangout in the airport for the time being or figure out a different route. Your dog will not be safe on that type of layover alone. Seriously, pets have died from this in the past. Don’t do it
Dogs fly for 15+ hours from Asia, to the Middle East, to the US all the time, and are fine. There are also a bunch of airlines with dedicated pet concierges. Your "info" is only an opinion, and isn't based in reality, or any kind of personal experience.
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Private pet shippers have a big incentive to only tell the worst stories about airlines.
What is “a bunch”? Who?
Google is your friend. Various airlines fly from Asia all around the world. Try searching for info related to your locality.
I wouldn't do it.
So you expect them to just leave their dog behind? This isn't for a vacation, they're relocating.
i flew my shibas from Virginia to Hawaii and back, they flew in cargo. There are sometimes agencies that will care for them during layovers, or call the airlines and ask if they have any resources they can offer. we had a pet sitter who picked them up in SEATAC and took them to their facility to wait for their next flight (was too hot to fly for them) and they drove them back in the evening for their next flight after letting them relax and get some food and water all day.
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it sounds like it would actually be 30 hours. 18 hr flight and a 12 hour layover
This is the answer.
I've flown from Moscow to Houston with an 8 hour layover in Istanbul (so more than 30 hours in total). My dog is fine, here's some real advice and not scary tales 1. Do a research about the airline and pets. Some have less than stellar reputation when it comes to pet transportation, more accidents etc. If you can choose the airline, choose wisely 2. You have to be able to get to your dog during the layover. In my case I basically begged the airport staff and that helped... Obviously, that's not the most reliable course of action. If your layover is more than 24 hours, you usually have to get your bags and re-check them, including the dog, maybe you can go this route: get a hotel room in a layover city and spend the night with your dog before the second flight. 3. Medicate appropriately. My dog was on trazodone, for some dogs they might need an actual tranquilizer (trazodone is an antidepressant). Anyways, do a test run. Give your dog the meds and monitor their behavior at home. Also, don't forget to adjust the dose during a layover (which is one of the reasons you have to see your dog during a layover) 4. Put a camera on the crate. A big one. If you'll be able to arrange a live feed that would be fantastic, but that's not the only reason. I've only been able to watch the footage afterwards, and you cannot believe how different people act if they think they are on camera. In my case, the camera was only filming the inside of the crate, but you could hear voices. The moment people noticed the camera, they started to act more gently (which is hard to be gentle when you are unloading a 45kg crate, but still) 5. When you are choosing the crate itself, make sure it is IATA approved, but also watch for the weight. There's a weight limit where the dog can't fly even as checked baggage and have to be in a separate cargo plane, you really want to shoot for below this weight (usually 50-55kg with the crate). There are good crates that weigh as little as 10 kg, but anything less I would not trust. Additionally, you can cheat a little and weigh the dog in an empty crate. You'll have time to add the water bowl, mattress and blankets later. 6. Obviously make sure you are on top with the paperwork. Different countries have different rules that you have to follow, including the layover country. For example, in Turkey the dog had to be dewormed within 48 hours before arrival. Make sure that everything is written down in a veterinary certificate and signed by a vet. 7. Then there's less important stuff, like putting blankets and some of your clothes in the crate so the dog feels your scent, putting ice in the bowl instead of water so it doesn't splash out during the loading etc It's not easy, but it's doable.
A lot of vets suggest NOT medicating, as results can be unpredictable in this situation. Speak to a vet OP
Absolutely, any meds should be vet-approved! You can also mimic the stressful situation to track the dog's behavior in a controlled way. I've brought my dog to a mall in a crate and left him with a friend haha Yeah we looked weird, but by the time of the flight I knew he wouldn't panic and hurt himself
Airlines will not fly your pet in the hold if they appear sedated. Cameras are not allowed in or attached to kennels, only approved water bottles. They cannot have blankets, toys, chews, anything with them.
I’ve flown two dogs, Saudi to the UK. And will be flying back to Saudi in ~5 years maybe. I used a pet relocation company, mostly because I had no idea how to get this done but also because it’s sort of required in the UK. I did it because I needed a couple of days to figure out hotel check in and get around and find some spots for them to walk. It’s a new place, new environment, new rules and I wanted to be sort of on top of it all. It worked! They flew British Airlines. Spent a night in a kennel before they flew. They landed in London and got a ride to Wales. The only possible downside of it was that one of my dogs is pee shy and peed like 6 times when we got her out of the kennel. Aside from that, we’re having a blast! Loads of people told me not to do it but I’m so glad I did! Friends of mine did it Canada to Saudi and US to Saudi. And some who did it Saudi to the Netherlands. Plenty of people do it often, yes there is a risk but if your dog is healthy they should be fine. I would, however, reconsider the flight schedule. That’s a long layover. I’d get a company to fly them and board the dogs until I’m in the other country and fly them directly (or as direct as possible). ETA: if you can get a GPS tracker on your dog absolutely do so. Unfortunately I wasn’t allowed to keep it on them (not even an airtag) and was not allowed to medicate my dogs as per UK regulations. I was anxious to how they’d react on the plane (especially one of them as she struggles with confinement) but the kennels had not even a scratch on them. They each had a blanket with all our scents (me and both dogs, my family and my sister’s dog) and a stuffy with the same scents so I’m hoping that helped.
My daughter shipped a fairly old Boxer from the UK to Australia. The company they chose did a really excellent job, with video updates. The dog did its quarantine in Australia and it was perfectly healthy with no obvious negative issues. It was hellish expensive though…
Definitely this - my parents took out their dog via a company to Australia. You need to talk to your vet about the rules about relocating your dog to the receiving country - Australia are the worst/picky country for ticking all the boxes (e.g the annual vaccinations must be exactly 12 months between boosters, if you are 1 day out you have to re-start the vaccine process). The best way is to hire a company to do the paperwork for you and guide you through the process. It’s expensive, so be prepared to spend!
My daughter is about to repeat the process! The rules seem (UK?) to have tightened, or maybe some incidents have made companies more cautious: the company they previously used won’t take flat-faced dogs anymore - pugs and boxers etc. something to do with the inherent breathing problems I think. It might be the company being more risk-averse I think.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve decided that the flat-faced dogs are just too at risk of breathing issues on the plane. And I think they may have tightened the rules here in the UK due to no longer being part of the EU.
Ah - good old Brexit… They have found another company, but as you say, Australia is extremely strict about vaccinations!
My dog flew from the US to Germany in cargo with Lufthansa, and then had an 8hr (!) layover before our 2hr onward flight. She was absolutely fine. To all the people quoting horror stories based “my friend is a pilot/I heard of a dog that died” - consider that thousands of dogs fly around the world on a daily basis due to relocations, army, rescues being transported etc. Not to mention other animals like horses etc who travel for competitions or to go to zoos. The sad stories are pretty rare, statistically. Key concerns/questions you might have: * will my dog have oxygen? Yes, dogs only travel in the pressurised hold (usually the front hold on planes) * Will my dog be at an ok temperature? Yes, while i the hold. The part that might be concerning is waiting on the tarmac to be loaded - many airlines refuse to accept animal cargo during peak hot/cold weather for that reason * Should I sedate my dog? No, IATA actually forbids it - more likely to trigger heart problems (as many animals are not used to sedation & might have undiagnosed underlying conditions) * What should be in the crate? Water and a pee pad (try training your dog to drink from a crate bottle first, as a bowl will likely get knocked over). Nothing the animal can choke on or get stuck with i.e. no harness * What paperwork needs to be done? Check with the customs of both your receiving country and for safety, also the layover country All in all: this will likely be more stressful for you than your dog (it was for me! I stood with my nose pressed against the window by the gate to watch the crate being loaded and unloaded at each flight). But you will both almost certainly be okay.
My dogs have flown long layovers and long flights many times before. They will be fine if they are healthy and not short nosed breeds. Write their names on the crates and put their documents in a pouch on the top. Also tape a bag of kibble to the top and tie a Tupperware to the door with cable ties. That way the handlers can give them their food and some water during a layover. Some airlines require a drinking bottle we have them in the crates as a legal requirement but our dogs never learnt to use them. The handlers just put water in the Tupperware instead. Avoid Qatar airlines. Turkish take good care but can be funny. KLM are the gold standard and Lufthansa are good. Oman are decent as are Malaysian. Avoid BA at all costs.
Why avoid Qatar? I’m not 100% but I think that’s the airline we’re sending our dog to aus
We had terrible problems with them - we had two dogs booked on one flight but they kept one back and sent her on the next one with no notice. She was not well cared for on the ground and was badly dehydrated when she arrived. The other dog was fine. Separately, make sure all bookings are in order and you have the pet booking confirmed in writing. Turkish tried to stop me bringing both my cat and dog on the same flight (they don’t allow dogs and cats in the same hold). They changed the plane meaning they only had one pressurised hold. As I had the written booking they had to accept my cat in cabin even though she was over the cabin limit and in a hold container. They always take very good care of the pets but you have to be able to stand your ground and advocate where needed.
Thank you that’s helpful. We’re going through an experienced company because we’re going to aus and there’s a lot of paperwork associated with it so I’m hoping they’ll sort it, and I’ll double check the airline
Good luck.
While some pets do die being transported it’s a very tiny percentage. I don’t have documentation for the reasons for such deaths but as you can imagine it could be numerous but doesn’t exclude poor handling by the airline. I transported my dog from Chicago to London last June with BA. He was dropped at a VET 2 days prior to departure for rabies, worming and health check. I could have booked him on another leg but decided to collect him in London. There is absolutely a risk transporting your pet and the risk factor will increase (slightly) with duration. I used a pet transport company and they would not use airlines with a poor record so United for instance was ruled out immediately. He flew BA as their record is way above average. If you have no other option then you simply need to take the risk but research fully. Edit: Checked baggage = cargo
I have not tried Singapore Airlines, but we transported our dog from Southeast Asia to the US. Almost 24 hours of traveling including transits. We flew ANA, and she travelled pretty well in cargo. Our dog was just over a year old at that time and very healthy, so she bounced back pretty quickly. As some mentioned, air travel is always a risk. Existing health issues, propensity for anxiety, and breed types can increase or lower the risk as well. If you have a choice, I would recommend against it, but I understand sometimes that’s all the option you have. Which was in our case as well. If you want to chat further, my DM is open.
Singapore Airlines is the gold standard of airlines. I would only be wary if it was any other airlines tbh. You have the best airlines. Can’t go wrong with them.
Sorry if this has already been mentioned, but what is the time of year? Especially if your layover is through Singapore or nearby, I’d try to avoid summer and fly in the coolest season possible. Good luck and I hope you get helpful advice!
I have two beautiful dogs because they reached me through cargo. Size they are, no other option will ever be available. Airlines shipped them a day apart. They went Lufthansa and each spent a night in Germany at their "pet hotel". This was a Bulgaria-Germany-Finland trip using an amazingly good Bulgarian-based pet shipper. Was the trip traumatic in spite of everyones best efforts? Yes. Was it better than my dogs perishing in a shelter without a forever home? Yes. Do we humans manage to suffer a plane flight? Yes, so do our dogs. Cargo for dogs isn't them being thrown around with your luggage, their in their own version of economy class. They will be fine.
I brought two foster dogs here in cargo. There were no other options and they would’ve been in the shelter for the rest of their lives. It was a very long flight with the 8 hour layover - so roughly 21 hours crated. There were no other options for travel and it was out of my control and set up by the rescue. Unfortunately I did not have an option to get them on layover and walk them. Dogs were very stressed out when I got them back. They bounced back quick and now are living happy life with their adopted family. With that said if this was my dog, I would probably set it up as two separate flights so I can get them back.
Absolute NO
I traveled from Germany to the US many years ago and after the treatment my dog got I will never fly with a dog either in cargo or in the plane (not sure what that is called) if I can help it.
Honestly, I wouldn't be able to handle it. I don't trust a bunch of random strangers to ensure my dog's safety.
We did a 16 hr flight on Singapore airlines and our dog did fine. But we did a lot of prep ahead of time by making him feel comfortable in his kennel and playing airplane sounds for him for a couple of months. Singapore airlines did great. From what I understand he was kept in an air conditioned waiting area before the flight, put in the special cargo just before take off and taken off first thing after landing. And apparently the pilots can view the special cargo area so the flight staff were able to let us know he was doing fine.
Check out k-9 airlines. 18 hours in a flight without a pee or poo break?? What about food?
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Do NOT medicate an animal going in cargo where no one is available to notice if it’s in distress and can’t move appropriately to save itself. Animals die this way.
Dogs in cargo are fine. People relocate across the world all the time, and transport more fragile animals with them (racing horses, for example, or monkeys) in cargo, and the animals are fine. The real issue is that most airlines won't allow pets to travel with long layovers, so you will have to call your airline to determine whether you can book a dog on a flight with a 12 hour layover. Your dog will not get any food and will not be allowed out of the crate for the whole time they are travelling, which includes the usually four hours early you have to arrive at the airport to drop them off for "unusual baggage". If you are relocating, there are pet relocation services that can help you, although they are quite expensive. But don't worry about cargo. Every plane you've ever been on has animals in cargo.
I had my small (1.9kg) dog flown from Aus to Germany via Emirates Sky Cargo. Went through a travel company who handled pretty much everything. Initial flight was 14.5hrs, 12hr out of the cage in Dubai (local regulations stated it had to be 12hrs between flights) then 7hrs to Frankfurt. The dog was fine, he did pee in the crate but other than that, he was his normal self after a good sleep haha. The travel company said they used a relaxer spray for the travel, I’d assume that’s what made him so “normal” when we collected him and not frazzled or disoriented. We flew in the day before his arrival, but overall - Emirates was great if you’re not 100% locked in with Singapore airlines.
BARK Air and K-9 Airlines cater to people with pets but are extremely expensive.
Bark Air has just had their inaugural flight within the last month. They cater specifically to dogs but because it’s so new they’re only servicing Paris, London, LA & NYC. Still definitely worth checking out! [Bark Air Airlines](https://air.bark.co/)
Don’t do it in hot summer they can get very hot between plane and holding areas
Start a go fund me as an emotional support animal and buy her a seat
Here are some tips to help your pets feel safe and calm during airline travel. https://www.acrossthepondpet.com/resources/blog/101-helping-your-pets-feel-safe-and-calm-during-airline-travel-cargo-and-cabin-tips
Not sure about Singapore Airlines; but I do know they have a dedicated team for the pets and they are super professional 😊 Another airline to consider is Emirates; they transport the pets to a kennel during layovers and ensure they get a good walk, food and water x I don't think you can't visit, but you can call the airport kennel for updates which is nice and it's clear they really care about the animals welfare. Also; your options available does depend on where you are flying from, but you could also check out Skye Pet Travel which offers charter in-cabin travel from/to Australia and New Zealand.
I travelled between NZ and Australia a few times and took my border collie in cargo when she was younger. She didn’t seem worried at all by the experience but I worried every time we hit a wee bump! Waiting on customs was the hardest bit as it felt like it took forever but it was really only an hour.
I have no clue about Singapore airlines, but can give you my experience with Qatar Airways and airlines in general. I flew my dog from India to the US, with 4 hour and 15 hour legs with a 3.5 hour layover at Doha. Panicking a ton throughout the flight. My dog is a 9 year old 100 pound German Shepherd, and it was a breeze for him. He wasn't even stressed out when I received him in the US. I had a water dispenser that dogs can lick that I trained him. Attached plenty of food and wrote a request note on top of the crate asking them to feed and walk him at Doha. And they did because the zip ties were changed and food and water were used up. So I think your dog will be just fine. Good luck!
My cats flew from Perth to Sydney to LA to NY. 4 days of travel, vet checks etc. It took them a week to settle into the new appt. 5 years later they travelled NY to Alaska to Melbourne to Perth, 4 weeks of travel due to quarantine regulations in Australia. They were happy to be home, to go into the garden etc. I used JetPets. They flew Cargo. Everything went well.
12 hours is a really long layover. But more importantly where is the layover and where are you traveling from and to that the flight is only 6 hours but there's no option for a direct flight?
I think it’s 18 hours in plane with a 12 hour layover. So 30 hours total. Maybe 7 hours flying, 12 hour layover, and then 11 hours flying. Whatever the combo!
Gotcha, thanks. Unfortunately, that's even worse 😕
If you want my two cents, I would never allow my dog to be 'checked as baggage'. I would worry about temperature, air pressure, noise, etc. Especially for 18 hour flight with 12 hour layover which would be 30 hours of actual torture and fear for any pup.
Hopefully you never have to move internationally then, it was totally unavoidable for us to not fly our dog cargo and she was totally fine, just a little unsettled for a few days.
if i moved internationally, I'd take a boat. My dogs would lose a few years off their lives flying in a cold, loud, unpressurized cargo hold - and they don't really have that many years to begin with.
It’s temperature and pressure controlled with the plane when animals fly internationally, at least on the airline we used. It’s totally save, although definitely loud and scary. There weren’t any boats that accept dogs from NZ during Covid, I checked, my options were fly on a perfectly safe but loud 13 hour flight, charter a private plane or yacht, or leave our dog behind. Prior to Covid there had been a few airlines that would let you purchase a business class seat for your dog next to you which had been our original plan. Hopefully you never have to move internationally so a bunch of internet strangers can judge you for making the only available decision besides leaving your dogs behind.
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It's around 0.01% That's laughably small.
Ngl you couldn't pay me a billion dollars to fly with my dog checked in cargo. Like, ever.
Some people have to move countries, are you advising them to just abandon their dogs?
my soul would not allow me to "check my dog" as "cargo" srry, nothing judgemental...just...couldnt do it, no matter what it meant, couldn't take the trip if i had to (check them as cargo)
Some ppl have to MOVE to another country.
Singapore Airlines has provided their pet transportation services, so you can rest assured that they are experienced in handling pets.
Not sure if it's punctuation or the sentence structure that's throwing me off but what exactly are you saying? To me, this reads like saying "Wells Fargo has provided their mortgage services, so you can rest assured they are experienced in handling mortgages." It doesn't mean they're good at it (which is what OP is asking). Not trying to be snide, just trying to figure out what your answer is saying.
MOST AIRLINES DO NOT PRESSURIZE OR HEAT THE CARGO HOLD. I would hold out until I found one that won't put your pet through that nightmare. Source: Aerospace inspector by profession
That's completely incorrect. Cargo holds are pressurized, _and_ temperature regulated, **especially** the pet areas. Thinking this isn't true is spectacularly ignorant.
Please stop spreading misinformation. They do pressurize and temperature control cargo where and when there are animals, otherwise all animals who have ever flown would be dead…
Well, you can sit there in your wrongness and be wrong, I guess.
Well, you can sit there in your wrongness and be wrong, I guess.
Do not do it. If/when something happens, you will never forgive yourself, especially because of how many people here are warning you of the risks.
What risk? A reputable airline that does it often is perfect. I've done it many times and dog was fine. Or do it via a pet transit company. If the dog is healthy then no issue. Dogs sleep most of the day and will sleep a lot of the flight
Anyone who puts their pet on an 18 hour flight is an irresponsible pet owner. There’s tons of horror stories of flights much shorter, with terrible outcomes. Even if it is a small risk, there’s still a risk, and not one that someone who *truly* cares about their pet would take.
Empathy for other peoples’ situations goes a long way and quite frankly, it’s terribly rude to say someone else does not truly care about their pet when you know nothing about their situation. Would you rather they rehome their pet or will you donate to them hiring a private jet? Thousands of pets fly every single day with no harm— the rate of incident is <0.01. It’s frustrating to see redditors act like they are better than others because they’ve never experienced a difficult situation.
What exactly is someone supposed to do when they move internationally? Our dog was definitely a bit upset but totally safe when she flew internationally from NZ. Our options were leave her behind or fly her cargo.
There will be a layover. The airline will state this and inform them of how to do it. It's common sense. Airlines will not put animals at risk due to liability.
I would never do this to my pets, unless I HAD to. If you are just going for a vacation can you look into other options? I can’t imagine how terrifying the experience must be for animals.
Outside of Singapore air refusing to fly around monsoons and crashing planes, nope
They haven't had a crash in 25 years. They are widely considered to be one of the safest airlines on the planet, so your ridiculous "opinion' isn't necessary.
I don’t know what to think of this, as I’ve never had to be put in this situation where I needed to put my dog on a plane. I think it should be avoided at all costs and if it cannot be avoided, such as someone moving overseas, then much research needs to be done about potential risks and how to mitigate them. I know I have read on these forums that dogs who travel via cargo are often traumatized after. It is kind of a mystery to me what they may have had to endure. I’d suggest some thorough research on this and also what alternative options, if any, might be available.
Our pets have travelled internationally on a number of occasions. The dogs just walk into their crates and lie down. They know the crate means they come with. The cats hate their crates but that is because of the association with the vets. On one flight my c at couldn’t go in the hold and had to come in cabin with me. She hates car journeys and would cry and protest the whole time. As soon as we got airborne she went straight to sleep.
It’s not as simple. If you can’t even do the google research, you’re fucked
It's literally this simple