Great news for pet travelers of a certain breed...

United Airlines has announced that they will now accept several dog breeds that have previously not been permitted, including American Staffordshire Terriers and Pit Bull Terriers. Effective immediately, dogs six months or older and weighing more than 20 pounds who meet the proper kennel requirements (kennels meeting Container Requirement #82) and show no signs of aggressiveness will be allowed to fly.

We previously reported that United's banned breed policy was being protested against by pet owners and various dog advocacy groups, and the IPATA Board of Directors also requested that United modify their policy. United is still in the process of updating their website to reflect this change, but you can take a look at the bulletin below to find out all the details.

As always, please contact PetRelocation.com with any pet travel questions.

 

 

United Airlines Acceptable Animal Breeds for Transport (Revised 4/2012)

 

Here are a few pet travel news links for you. Happy Friday, pet lovers!

 

Pet travelers flying with Alaska Airlines should be pleasantly surprised at this news.

Pet business news: Rover.com has raised $3.4 million with the goal of being the Airbnb for dogs.

National Pet Day + The New York International Auto Show = Pet safety tips and fun for everyone.

A kennel cough vaccine for dogs can now be administered orally.

The Mighty Texas Dog Walk was a great success!

Foreign Service officers aren't too happy about United's new pet policies.

A loose bat on an airplane inspired officials to track down passengers due to rabies fears.

More luxury hotels are going pet-friendly these days.

 

Karma wishes everyone a happy weekend

 

 

Name: David
Pets' Names: Genevieve & Jason
From: Austin, TX
To: Boise, ID
 

 

With a new job, my company relocated me from Austin, TX to Boise, ID. The relo was done on a short timeline, leaving no time to make the 3-to-4 day drive. Additionally, the thought of making that long drive with kids, a dog and a cat was not appealing.

PetRelocation.com was the most professional company I found to help us move our pets. Our coordinator, Katie, helped us navigate the government and airline regulations and kept us informed of our pets' progress along the way. When the driver, Marcus, picked the pets up at our house, I could tell right away that he loved animals, and knew how to handle them.

Katie found a great kennel in Boise to keep our pets until we arrived a couple of days later. Both pets are healthy and happy. Our dog, Jason, is a bundle of energy by day, and our cat, Genevieve, is playful by night.

PetRelocation.com did a wonderful job for us!

 

Name: Shelley
Number of Pets: 6
Pet Type: 4 cats, 2 dogs
Pet Breed: German Shepherd, Golden, 3 Domestic short hair, 2 Domestic longhair
From: Arizona
To: NY



Should we use our kennels and litter pans for our cats, or are cat carriers a better choice? Two are used to kennels and two used to be in them but haven't been for quite a while. I want to make this as stress free as possible for them. It's going to be at least 12 hours a day driving for four days. Any advice would be appreciated. I have never traveled with cats before, I take them to the vet in the carrier but that is it.

Thanks,
Shelley


Hi Shelley,

Thanks for your question! It sounds like you have quite an endeavor ahead of you. Luckily there are a few things you can do to make this cross-country pet move a little bit easier.

Since you're in control of this trip (and don't have to meet any airline requirements, for example) it's really up to you to decide what kind of travel carrier you use. For long journeys we suggest roomy travel crates with an absorbent material in the bottom, and to prepare the cats who haven't spent much time in the car, try going on a few short trips in the weeks preceding the move.

Be sure to bring plenty of food and water as well as any necessary medications, and it's smart to have current vet records and recent pictures of the pets, as well. Finally, your demeanor will rub off on them, so do your best to breathe deeply and stay calm.

Good luck with this trip, and please contact us if you have any more questions!

Name: Fiona
Pets' Names: Puppy & Socks
From: Sri Lanka
To: Uganda


I asked PetRelocation.com to see if they could do this move, which coming from Sri Lanka was a bit uncommon (more so for the dogs going to Africa). Mike soon got in touch, and after a large amount of research he confirmed the move was a possibility. Hampering this was the fact that I was not with the dogs, making everything take longer. But, as of the end of Sept., my two Sri Lankan street dogs arrived safe and well into Entebbe, Uganda.

I was like all people doing this, worried about the dogs being left in a corner of a large warehouse, by themselves, hot and with no water. As it turns out, they were well looked after en route by Petrelocation.com's agents and the chosen airline. They looked good and had obviously had the kennels cleaned on the way, as they had a long transit time. I could not contemplate trying to do this myself, and the positive result shows in the photo. Thanks Mike, I really appreciate this.

Name: Allyson
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Mixed
From: Tel Aviv
To: Houston


Hi Allyson,

I will be returning to the US with my dog later this summer. Based on what I have read on your site will probably use KLM or LH and transport him as checked baggage since I will be on the same flights. Will he be taken to the pet hotel with a transit time of approximately two hours? Will he require special docs since this is the EU, or are the US entry docs enough?

Thanks for an awesome website,

Allyson



Hi Allyson,

Unless you're changing airlines, you won't have to obtain any other paperwork besides what's necessary to enter the United States. It's hard to say what options you'll face if you haven't chosen an airline or a route yet, but as an example, the Frankfurt Animal Lounge offers a chance for transiting pets who are traveling via cargo to have a break from their travel kennels. In our experience it's often better to allow a longer layover or even an overnight so that pets can have a chance to stretch their legs, etc.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about this. Thanks for the question (and for the kind words)!

Name: Sasha
Pets' Names: Claudia, Georgia, Sydney and Coco
From: Denver, CO
To: Miami, FL

We have two dogs (golden Doodle and Shipoo) and two cats, and our move was from Denver, CO to Miami, FL. I can highly recommend PetRelocation.com for moving pets, as they made the whole move completely stress free from end to end.

I was impressed with the quick reply to emails from our consultant (Christina) as well as the outsourcing in airline boarding kennel at the other end and also the agent in Denver who collected our four pets at 5 a.m. Moving is so stressful, and adding pets to the move makes it even more stressful - our animals arrived settled and happy.

Happy pets = happy owners (family and kids). Thank you!

Pet travel isn't just an afterthought for Continental Airlines. They put forth plenty of effort to ensure that our furry friends are taken care of when flying becomes necessary.

Whether you're prepping for a long-distance move or taking advantage of the fact that you have an easygoing mini-pup who loves to take vacations with you, here are a few facts about Continental that could help you decide if they're the airline for you.

Which animals can travel in the cabin?
Cats, dogs, rabbits and birds can fly in the cabin if they meet prescribed size requirements. Only one pet per person is allowed in the cabin, and these pets must be carried in an approved carrier that fits completely beneath the seat in front of you. Pets under eight weeks old are not permitted on board.

How much does it cost to fly a pet on Continental?
For in-cabin pets, the fee is $125 each way (per kennel). Contact Continental for pet cargo travel rates.

Are there any restrictions or embargoes to be aware of?
Hot temperatures can be dangerous for pets generally and certain breeds specifically, so be aware that from May 15 - Sept. 15 no adult Boston Terriers, Pugs or Bulldogs will be accepted to fly. Certain breeds are restricted all year, including Pit Bulls and American Staffordshire Terriers. Country rules apply as well; for example, pets cannot fly into the Dominican Republic due to space constraints, and many countries (such as Greece and Mexico) require a customs broker. See Continental's website for the full list of restrictions.

Can Continental fly pets to the UK?
Since the UK is rabies-free, it's a tough country to fly into with pets, however Continental is the first airline to be approved under the Pet Travel Scheme. This makes it possible to avoid the six month quarantine for dogs, cats and ferrets if all guidelines are met.

What "extras" does Continental offer?
For pets traveling as cargo, a dedicated 24-hour Live Animal Desk serves as a point of contact, and a frequent flier program is available. For safety and comfort, rest stops are mandated for animals traveling longer than 18 hours. Find out more about the perks of the PetSafe program.

Take a look at this Behind the Scenes video outlining Continental's pet-friendly features, and check back later this week for more info!


(Photo by smemon87 via Flickr)

--


PetRelocation.com's Pet Friendly Airline Spotlight Series will feature one airline each week during the month of May.  Check back each Monday through Thursday this month for more information about the various pet programs and tips for booking pet-friendly flights, and use #PetReloAS on Twitter to follow and join the conversation!

We've almost made it to the weekend! Take a look at the most interesting pet news we ran across this week, and enjoy your Friday!

-Did you see that we launched a PetRelocation.com Pet Friendly Airline Series? This first week we explored JetBlue Airways. Check out 10 things we learned about JetBlue and take a look at the pet photo contest they're running.

-The elites of the American military have been put into the spotlight following the events of last Sunday, and it turns out there was a dog involved in the big terrorist raid, as well. Take a look at this amazing slideshow that explores the role of specially-trained military dogs.

-Sometimes we can't bring our pets with us when we travel, and a lucky few are able to afford top-notch lodgings for their furry friends. Resort-style kennels equipped with webcams and posh amenities are becoming more and more common, as chronicled in this NYTimes article about pet stay facilities.

-An Oklahoma woman has won the right to keep a kangaroo as a pet after demonstrating that the partially-paralyzed animal alleviates her depression and is no danger to the community. Read more about Irwin the therapy kangaroo.

-Here are some pictures of Basset Hounds running. Clearly this link needs no further explanation.

Name: Amanda
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: dog
Pet Breed: Corgis (21 lbs, 26 lbs)
From: Dallas, TX
To: Alaska

I am having trouble finding what kind of travel bag to get to transport my fur kids in the cabin with me. It will be too hot in Dallas for the Airline to allow us to ship the pets in cargo, meaning that they will have to go in the cabin with me. Do you have suggestions on what type of bag to get and where? Also, what should I do to prepare them? Is there anything we can do to help calm them down too? Our youngest one likes to bark a lot. I am afraid they will remove him because of barking. Suggestions? Anything you can help with would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Amanda


Hi Amanda!

Thank you for your question. First, it's important to check with the airline you'll be using to find out about their particular requirements for in-cabin pet transport. Unfortunately you'll be encountering weight limits (JetBlue, for example, doesn't allow the dog and carrier to exceed 20 pounds), so review each possible airline to find out if this trip can be carried out as you imagine it.

As for purchasing a pet travel carrier, again, check with the airline to see what they allow. Continental permits both hard-cased and soft kennels that can be placed under the seat in front of you, and they allow one pet per passenger. Many airlines sell the travel carriers at the ticket desk and JetBlue sells them online. If you end up flying your dogs in cargo, you'll also need to meet specific travel crate requirements.

For behavior, it's important to be sure that your dogs are comfortable being in a carrier, so work on getting them used to it during the weeks before you go. We do not recommend sedating pets during air travel (sedatives may interfere with regular breathing).

One of our Pet Relocation Specialists would be happy to speak with you if you have further questions, Amanda, so contact us if you need anything! Good luck with everything and keep in touch!

March 15th marked a new beginning for me when I started my job as a Pet Relocation Specialist here at PetRelocation.com.  Upon first hearing of my new gig, people typically had a few different reactions.

“What will you be doing?”

“I have a cat I want to get rid of. Can you find him a new home for me?”

“What is PetRelocation.com?”

It turns out I will be relocating “Any pet, Anywhere, Anytime” (that’s the company motto). I will not be able to “get rid” of your cat for you. And what is PetRelocation.com? It’s a company with amazing owners, amazing employees, and a big heart. 

We relocate pets across the United States and across the world. If you’re moving and you think your cats will scratch and claw in the car all the way from San Diego to Miami, send them via air, shipped specially by PetRelocation.com!  If your company tells you you’re moving to China, Germany or South Africa, we can make sure your pets make it there safely, as well. 

When asked why I wanted to work at PetRelocation.com, I had a few things to say.  I have a passion for animals, and since I would never leave my dog in the hands of strangers, I wanted to find out more about this niche in the market. I wanted to find out how this company shipped pets. Were they just tossing them in with the luggage? Do they get left in a warehouse? What in the world does ‘quarantine’ mean?

After working here for a week, I found my answers:

How does the company ship pets?

It’s literally a door-to-door service. Our agent picks up your pet from your home and takes him to the airport. He flies to your new home and another agent picks him up and hand delivers him to your door. The day of the move, the pet owner literally doesn’t have to lift a finger. 

Were they just tossing the pets in with the luggage?

No way! PetRelocation.com works with pet-friendly airlines, such as Continental, KLM and Lufthansa. These airlines have policies and procedures in place to ensure your pet is the last to board the airplane and first to be taken off. They are not left on the tarmac while staff rearranges luggage. They are never “tossed” anywhere. They all travel with name tags, water and blankets. Airline personnel can say hi personally to “Buddy” or “Elvis.” Imagine if your dog left you, was unsure of what was happening, and then as he was getting on the plane a stranger called him by his name and gave him some water.  The last thing he hears is something we all love to hear: our own name! It’s those little personal touches that make the difference.

Do they leave pets in a warehouse?

Not a chance! PetRelocation.com works with agents and airlines who treat your pets as they would their own. They are never left on a tarmac or in a warehouse unattended. In fact, some airports are set up to let pets out of their crate during a layover to stretch their legs and run around a bit!

What does ‘quarantine’ mean?

Quarantine sounds like a scary word. Webster has many definitions, including "a state of enforced isolation." So my dog has to be locked up? Like solitary confinement? Not exactly! Everyone here reassured me that quarantine just means making sure an animal isn’t going to transport rabies or another disease from one country to another. Sometimes it means they have to enter a facility (kennel), but most times the quarantine period can be completed at the owner’s home. Nothing changes except they get their rabies shot and they can’t leave the country for a short period. They can still go to the park, the lake, the vet, etc…

So now I’ve worked here at PetRelocation.com for a little while. In our office, as I type this, we have a Labradoodle named Aussie, a Golden Retriever named Charlie, and an Airedale/lab mix named Draper. It’s obvious we are a bunch of animal lovers, and just about everyone who works here has a pet of their own. That’s why we’re so good at what we do. We treat your pets as if they were our own, we’re friendly, we thrive on our great customer service, and there is no move too big or small.

We have pictures all over the office of pets that have been to Spain, Italy, India, China, the Caribbean and more! At the end of a move, there’s a little sense of joy when you get that phone call saying the pet owner and pet have been reunited in their new home, and you know you made it happen. It almost gives you goose bumps.

 

 

Name: Ashlee
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Rhodesian Ridgeback
From: Jacksonville, FL
To: New York, NY

My dog is just over a 100 lbs, and I am having a hard time finding an airline that will fly a dog that large. Are there any airlines that you recommend?

Thanks,
Ashlee



Hi Ashlee,

Great question! We know that pet travel with large dogs can be somewhat challenging, so we're happy to share our experiences and advice with you.

First, take a look at this recent blog post we wrote about Moving Big Dogs. You'll see that you may need to buy a custom travel crate, which means it's important to double check that your airline can accommodate a larger kennel. In terms of airlines, we often use pet-friendly Continental because they make sure, among other things, pets are the last to board the plane and the first to be unloaded.

Good luck with everything, and don't hesitate to contact us if you have any more questions! One of our Pet Relocation Specialists would be happy to help you with your move. Good luck!

Our Australia pet shipping specialist, Scotty Walkwitz, recently traveled along with Harley, a pet we moved to Australia, on her journey.  Moving pets to Australia is no simple task, as Scotty explained in his first post about moving Harley to Australia, and you can catch up with Harley's move by reading how her first day of pet travel went from Houston to Los Angeles!

8:00 AM PST

I woke up to a very rainy day out in Los Angeles and as I walked down to the corner to get some breakfast, I got caught in a heavy downpour -- what a way to wake up in the morning!  Meanwhile, Harley was at the Kennel Club LAX where she could eat her breakfast inside and stay nice and dry.

10:00 AM PST

After going over every detail of Harley’s Australian Import Permit and making sure all of Harley's accompanying Australia Pet Import paperwork was in order, it was time to take the documents into the USDA for their endorsement. Once the USDA signs off on everything, Harley will be ready for the final kennel sealing before her departure.

2:00 PM PST

After the USDA, I arrived back at the Kennel Club LAX to check on Harley.  The sun was now shining and things had dried out quite a bit. I took Harley out to the play area for a little bit of play time before we headed back to the USDA. The Kennel Club LAX, a bright pink oasis in the sea of airline cargo terminals and busy LA traffic, has a great playscape in the back for their guests to run and play. Playtime is a standard amenity during any dog's stay at the Club and I took a video of Harley at the Kennel Club, enjoying some California sun!

Once Harley had had her fill of sniffing in corners and trotting around, it was time to load up and head over to the USDA for the final kennel sealing.

3:30 PM PST

When we arrived at the USDA for the final kennel sealing, we were #6 in line -- a lot of dogs were traveling to Australia and New Zealand that day. While we waited for Calvin (the officer with the USDA) to finish up with the 5 dogs ahead of us in line, Harley and I took some time to walk around the parking lot. She had a long flight ahead of her and I wanted to make sure she got to stretch her legs as much as possible before it was time to get back in the kennel for her flight.

4:00 PM PST

It was finally Harley’s turn to see the USDA officer.  They scanned her microchip one last time to make sure it was still operating and matched all of her documents, and I gave her a few last scratches on the head.
The kennel sealing is done by the USDA and consists of six points of sealing -- each of the four corners of the kennel and two on the kennel door must receive a seal. Each of these metal seals has their own individual serial number and cannot be tampered with or broken. After a pet has been sealed in their kennel, they cannot be taken out until they arrive in Australia.  This process prevents the spread of rabies into Australia, which could devastate the ecology of a country that has been historically rabies-free.

Once her kennel was sealed and we had all the final endorsed paperwork, it was time to head off to Air New Zealand to get Harley checked in for the flight. Many times we use Qantas Airlines for our Australia moves, however Harley is flying with Air New Zealand because she is moving to Perth.  We can’t take a connecting flight through Australia on Qantas to Perth so we have to connect through Auckland, NZ on an Air New Zealand flight and then continue on to Perth.

4:30 PM PST

My time with Harley is quickly winding down.  Once we complete her check-in with Air New Zealand, she will wait safely with the Air New Zealand staff until she is ready to be boarded on to the aircraft. The check-in doesn’t take long, and after her air way bill is issued (which is similar to a human's boarding pass) it is time to say goodbye. Harley, as she has been through the entire trip so far, is very calm and ready to go. I say my goodbyes and then it's time to get myself checked in on my flight back to Houston later that night.


I had been working with Harley and her owners for the six months leading up to her trip, and Harley and I became pretty good pals during our two day trip from Houston to Los Angeles.  So it certainly felt bittersweet to see her off but I knew that she'd arrive in Australia safely -- after all our hard work, it was impossible for her not to!  Plus, I knew how excited her owners were to see her after being separated from her for a while.  I could see why they missed her:  she was a very easy traveler (not once did she complain) and her tail was always wagging. Stay tuned for more updates on Harley’s arrival into Perth, Australia.

If you flew with your pet to BlogPaws and found yourself running into some of the anxieties of pet travel (like picking out the right type of pet travel carrier, making sure your health certificates are in order and oh yeah - getting to your plane in time for the flight!), you're in good company:  recently actress Minka Kelly, known for her role as Lyla Garrity on the  Austin-filmed TV show Friday Night Lights, ran into some trouble when she tried to fly from New York to Los Angeles with her dog in tow. Apparently her cockapoo's carrier didn't fit properly (Kelly was seated in first class), and she was told she couldn't fly.

Delta is a dog-friendly airline and Kelly had taken the proper steps to allow her 5-year-old pup on board, so what led to this snafu? It seems that Delta's planes aren't uniform in terms of storage space available,  so despite her preparations, this dog-devoted  celebrity was dealt some bad luck when little Chewie's kennel was too big for the space allowed.

Luckily, a kind-hearted passenger seated in coach - where the carrier could be properly accomodated - offered to switch seats with Kelly during take-off and landing so that she could stay close to the dog and remain on her flight.

So there you have it. Even glamorous celebrities can encounter problems when flying with their pets, proving that it's best to do lots of research before you hit the skies. Double check with your airline about any possible issues that could arise, have all paperwork in order, and, like this (unpleasantly) surprised actress did, always be ready to deal with a curveball or two.

I'm trying to do all the research I can when it comes to moving our dog overseas with us. I can't find a specific checklist or timeline anywhere, so I was hoping you could help me. I know there are certain forms that need to be filled out, but they're only good for a certain amount of time...We're moving in 2 months (very last minute, I know). Is there any way you can help me? Also, he has a plastic travel crate, but I wanted to know if there is any standard for how he fits in it. He can stand, sit, turn around, and lie down. However, I heard someone mention that there has to be a certain amount of clearance over his head to be accepted by the airlines. Is this true and if so, what is the amount of clearance needed? Thank you!


Hi Rebecca,

Thanks for you inquiry! Here is some information for you regarding Germany's rules, regulations and requirements specific to pet relocation/import. 

Please refer to our free, downloadable e-book on PetRelocation.com which will help you organize and facilitate your dog's relocation!

The e-book contains a checklist as well as airline dimension requirements (including head room clearance specifics) for travel kennels! 

Also, I invite you to become our fan on Facebook.com where you can connect with other pet owners who share a common bond of love for their pets (and animals in general!).

Our Facebook fans share pet travel experiences, tips and general camaraderie, all based online!

I wish you and your Lab a happy and safe relocation to Germany!

This question comes into us from Margarita, who left a note on our Facebook page asking for help with the in cabin pet travel crate requirements for her pet.   She's flying from the US to Germany with her mini-Dachshund and would like to take him in cabin, but isn't sure what size travel crate he needs if she's flying Delta to Paris and then connecting with Air France on to Germany.

If you're planning pet travel on two different airlines, you'll need to fulfill the requirements for both airlines.  So let's take a look at the pet travel rules for each.

Delta Airlines Pet Travel Policy

• Delta allows pets in the cabin and defines "pets" to include dogs, cats, and household birds.
   
• The Delta website states the following about pet travel crates for in cabin travel:
  
  Your pet must be small enough to fit comfortably in a kennel under the seat directly in front of you. Maximum carry-on kennel dimensions are determined by your flight. You must contact Delta Reservations to determine the appropriate kennel size.  
  
  In Margarita's case, I called the reservations line (800-221-1212) and the person I spoke with said the maximum crate sizes were as follows:
  
  Hard-shelled in-cabin crate: 17" L x 12" W x 8" H
  Soft-shelled in-cabin crate: 18" L x 12" W x 12" H
  
  Maximum weight of the pet with the kennel is 20 lbs.
  
  The agent I spoke with on the phone said these kennel sizes and weight restrictions apply to in cabin pet travel on most of Delta's major jets.
   
• Fees:  $200 USD/CAD/EUR one-way for international in cabin travel (currency is based on your departure location)

Air France Pet Travel Policy

• Air France's website states that only cats and dogs are accepted in the cabin.
   
• The container is considered as cabin baggage. For pets in the cabin, the allowable weight is 6KG maximum for the combined weight of the pet and the container.
   
• The pet must be kept in a kennel with air vents at the owner's feet throughout the flight. The kennel can be made of hard plastic, metal or wicker, but not cardboard. The sum of its three dimensions must not exceed 115 cm, or 45 inches.
  

Since Air France's requirements ask for a smaller crate than the largest maximum size allowed by Delta, in Margarita's case she would need to go with a smaller crate that would be allowed on both Delta and Air France.  One option for her is a soft-sided pet travel carrier called the Sleepypod Air.  The Sleepypod Air meets the size requirements for Delta and Air France, as it can be compressed to a size of 16" L x 10" W x 8" T.  Once on the flight, the ends of the carrier can be expanded to a length of 22" to give pets a little extra leg room while still being small enough to fit underneath the seat in front of you.  This could be a great option for Margarita's mini-Dachshund, since those types of dogs tend to be a little longer.

Whatever type of carrier your purchase, it's important to make sure that if you are going to purchase a carrier for in cabin travel, it will still need to be large enough for your pet to fit comfortably inside.  If the airline feels that your pet is not in an adequately-sized travel carrier, then they typically will refuse it for shipment.

Frontier Airlines, one of the more economical pasenger airlines, has begun offering pet flights in certain locations.   With the increasing popularity of pet airlines and pet travel services, more and more airlines are starting to cater to the four-legged variety of passengers.

Frontier Airlines Pet Flight Booking Information:
All pet flights must be booked in advance with Frontier by calling:

866-945-9255 or 720-374-4651 Mon - Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm (mst) or
800-892-6580 Ext 5 Mon - Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm (cst)

Frontier Airlines Pet Flight Pricing Information:
Small Animals
(Rodents, Birds, Ferrets):
Minimum: $150 Per Pound: $1.25

Large Animals (Dogs and Cats):
Minimum: $240 Per Pound: $2.55

Kennel Sizes

Series - Cost	Dimensions	Weight
100-$240	21L x 16W x 15H	26 lbs.
200-$250	27L x 20W x 19H	53 lbs.
300-$270	32L x 22W x 23H	78 lbs.
400-$330	36L x 24W x 26H	116 lbs.
500-$460	40L x 27W x 30H	168 lbs.
600-$705	46L x 30W x 35H	249 lbs.
700-$765	48L x 32W x 38H	301 lbs.

Frontier Airlines Pet Flight Airports Served:
Atlanta, Appleton, Austin, Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Flint (Inbound only), Ft. Lauderdale, Green Bay, Grand Rapids, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Madison, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York, Omaha, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh (inbound only), Portland, Sacramento, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, Spokane, Tampa, Tuscon, Washington D.C., with seasonal service to Anchorage and Fairbanks

Today we had a couple of pet travel crates show up at our offices that we hadn't seen before.  They are the N2N Pet Retreat Kennels with "Calm Quil." 
These crates are definitely stylish and offer plenty of room on the inside.  They come with an "ultra-soft microfleece spa blanket" for the bottom of the crate, as well as two heavy-duty velcro tabs that you can attach to the two halves of the crate to secure them. 
We liked a couple of features quite a bit.  Pet airlines will not allow dogs or cats to travel internationally unless the crate is ventilated on all four sides, which this one is.  It also has the Calm Quil feature, which is a small pheremone cartridge that uses natural aromatherapy to help pets relax when traveling.  The cartridge goes in a small slot at the top of the crate (above the pet's head).  You can purchase replacement cartridges online or at pet stores like Petsmart.  We do wonder what international customs officials might think of this cartridge if they look inside the crate upon arrival.
Some of the things we didn't like were the supposed "safety" latches on the side of the crate.  They are supposed to lock tightly around the button but it was very easy for us to push the buttons in and slide the latches over.  While it was good to add the velcro tabs to keep the middle part of the crate latched, we also added zip ties on all sides to prevent the crate from splitting in half.  The plastic was also a little thinner than the plastic on the Varikennel SkyKennels we typically use.
Have you used the Pet Retreat? Let us know how your pet liked it!

Booking your pet's flight correctly is one of the most important parts of your trip.  After all, how else will your pet get to where you're going?  Below is a step-by-step guide to booking a flight on KLM Airlines for your pet.

Accompanied Pets

Please Note:

If you are traveling with your pet to Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, South Africa or the United Kingdom, please skip this section and proceed to Unaccompanied Pets.

1)  First you will need to determine whether your species of pet can travel in cabin.  KLM only allows small cats and dogs up to 6 kg (13 lbs) including their carrier in the cabin.  If you have a dog or cat who weighs under 6 kg (13 lbs) with his carrier, go to step 2. If you have another species of pet, go to step 6.

2) Your pet will need to travel in a hard-shelled kennel no higher than 20 cm or in an animal travel bag (soft-sided) that expands to a maximum of 115 cm (L+W+H).  Your pet will need to be able to stand up comfortably in the carrier while traveling.  If your pet cannot fit comfortably in a carrier or kennel of this size, go to step 4. 

3) Call to Book Your Flight:  To make reservations by phone, please contact your country's KLM Telephone Reservations Line.

When you call to book your flight, you will need to notify the person making the reservation that you will be traveling with a pet in cabin.  While you can book your flight up until the last minute, KLM requires at least 48 hours advance notice for pets traveling in cabin.  Your pet will also need to fulfill the international pet travel requirements for your destination country (if traveling internationally).

4)  If your dog or cat cannot travel in cabin due to size or weight restrictions, your pet can travel underneath the plane in the air-conditioned cargo hold as "Accompanied luggage."  Your pet must be transported in a hard-shelled pet travel crate approved for pets as cargo (see below).  Your pet and kennel combined may not weigh more than 75 kg (165 lbs).  If your pet weighs under 75 kg with his carrier, proceed to step 5.  If your pet weighs more than 75 kg with his carrier, proceed to step 6.

Travel Crates for Pets as Cargo:  Your pet's travel crate will need to be up to IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards.  We sell IATA-approved pet travel crates through our website, which are suitable for domestic and international travel.  Lufthansa also requires pet travel crates to be equipped with a water dish.  We recommend attaching your pet's water dish to the inside of the crate door (see: All About Pet Travel Crates).

5) Call to Book Your Flight:  To make reservations by phone, please contact your country's KLM Telephone Reservations Line.

When you call to book your flight, you will need to notify the person making the reservation that you will be traveling with a pet in the cargo hold as accompanied luggage.  While you can book your flight up until the last minute, KLM requires 48 hours advance notice of pets accompanying their owners and traveling in the cargo hold.

Unaccompanied Pets (or Pets Traveling as Cargo)

6) Your pet should be transported as freight by Air France-KLM Cargo if:

• Your pet and kennel weigh more than 75 kg (165 lbs). 
• The kennel is larger than 292 cm (115 inches) (l + w + h). On some types of aircraft, the kennel must not be larger than 247 cm (97 inches) (l + w + h).
•  The pet is travelling to Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, South Africa or the United Kingdom. 

For your pet to travel unaccompanied via Air France-KLM Cargo, a cargo account is required and pricing is based off a dimensional or volume weight.  If your pet is going to be traveling unaccompanied, it is best to obtain a quote from a PetRelocation.com Specialist by filling out our International Quote Request form.

Air France-KLM Pricing Structure for Pets

Accompanied:   For pets traveling within Europe on most AF-KL flights, the pricing per pet is EUR 70.  For all other international flights, the price per pet is EUR 200.

Unaccompanied/Cargo:  The pricing is based on dimensional weight and varies per pet.  Fuel surcharges and other fees also apply.