Petrelocation.com - We received the following question today and thought it would be a great blog post as well, especially knowing that we are asked this pet transport question multiple times a week:
HI there.. i just had a few questions because i wanted to ship my two cats from Ohio to Seattle, Washington and i was just wondering if there was an airline that you've found to be better off than other when shipping your animals... and the other question that i can't find the answer to online, is can i buy a bigger crate for my 2 cats and have them go together in the same one? they're only about a year and a half old each. thanks -stephanie
Our Domestic Team Leader, Marcus, responded as such:
We only work with a handful of airlines, especially during the summer months, to transport our clients pets. When it comes to air travel for pets, the real concern is how they are handled on the ground, not during the flight. Most domestic carriers have yet to implement the proper systems and procedure for handling live cargo during the summer and winter months. Live animals are the last ones on the plane and the first ones off. Most carriers take the animals out to the plane with all the rest of the luggage and cargo, load theses items first, and then load the animals last or before the door is to shut. Meanwhile the animals are sitting, waiting on a airport tarmac or ramp, exposed to the elements, temperature extremes, strange vehicles and noises, unfamiliar people, jets engines, etc. You can probably agree that this is no place for an animal, even when the weather is ideal. We work with airlines that eliminate this process.
Your animals will still need to be placed on the plane, of course, but not in the manner discussed above.
Domestically, we work almost exclusively with Continental Airlines. Through their Pet Safe program your pets are never left on the ramp/apron waiting to be loaded or unloaded. Live animals are held back in a climate controlled area of the cargo facility until it is time for them to be loaded. At this time they are transported in a private vehicle that is climate controlled (A/C in the summer, heating in the winter). They arrive at the aircraft just in time to be loaded, the door of the aircraft is shut, and off they go.
During flight, the cargo area is climate controlled, pressurized, and sound insulated, just like above in the passenger compartment except there are no passengers or seats. The animals have no idea that they are even flying. As far as they are concerned they are just waiting in some room waiting for the guy to come back and open the door. When that happens, everything is performed in reverse. They are immediately taken off the plane, place in their private ride, and chauffeured back to the climate controlled cargo facility waiting to be picked up.
I tell you that story to tell you this...Yes, there are airlines that we have found to be better that others when shipping live animals. :) However, the flights and aircraft required for the safe and comfortable transport of live animals do not always go where we would like them to go. Depending on your area, you may have to drive several hours to an airport that can handle the larger aircraft needed. We feel that, even though it may be several hours away from your local airport, these drives are a small price to pay for the safety and comfort of our animal friends and, more to the point, family.
When it come to transporting multiple animals, especially cats & dogs, in one carrier, there are two things to consider: age & weight. The airlines regulate that unless both pets are under 6 months of age AND under 20 pounds, they must have their own container.
I hope I was able to give you the insight you were seeking in regards to moving your pets. If you should have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to let me know.
You can also visit our website to learn more about pets traveling as cargo and we provide great insights on how you can transport your dog and cat yourself!!
Happy Pet Travels!
HI there.. i just had a few questions because i wanted to ship my two cats from Ohio to Seattle, Washington and i was just wondering if there was an airline that you've found to be better off than other when shipping your animals... and the other question that i can't find the answer to online, is can i buy a bigger crate for my 2 cats and have them go together in the same one? they're only about a year and a half old each. thanks -stephanie
Our Domestic Team Leader, Marcus, responded as such:
We only work with a handful of airlines, especially during the summer months, to transport our clients pets. When it comes to air travel for pets, the real concern is how they are handled on the ground, not during the flight. Most domestic carriers have yet to implement the proper systems and procedure for handling live cargo during the summer and winter months. Live animals are the last ones on the plane and the first ones off. Most carriers take the animals out to the plane with all the rest of the luggage and cargo, load theses items first, and then load the animals last or before the door is to shut. Meanwhile the animals are sitting, waiting on a airport tarmac or ramp, exposed to the elements, temperature extremes, strange vehicles and noises, unfamiliar people, jets engines, etc. You can probably agree that this is no place for an animal, even when the weather is ideal. We work with airlines that eliminate this process.
Your animals will still need to be placed on the plane, of course, but not in the manner discussed above.
Domestically, we work almost exclusively with Continental Airlines. Through their Pet Safe program your pets are never left on the ramp/apron waiting to be loaded or unloaded. Live animals are held back in a climate controlled area of the cargo facility until it is time for them to be loaded. At this time they are transported in a private vehicle that is climate controlled (A/C in the summer, heating in the winter). They arrive at the aircraft just in time to be loaded, the door of the aircraft is shut, and off they go.
During flight, the cargo area is climate controlled, pressurized, and sound insulated, just like above in the passenger compartment except there are no passengers or seats. The animals have no idea that they are even flying. As far as they are concerned they are just waiting in some room waiting for the guy to come back and open the door. When that happens, everything is performed in reverse. They are immediately taken off the plane, place in their private ride, and chauffeured back to the climate controlled cargo facility waiting to be picked up.
I tell you that story to tell you this...Yes, there are airlines that we have found to be better that others when shipping live animals. :) However, the flights and aircraft required for the safe and comfortable transport of live animals do not always go where we would like them to go. Depending on your area, you may have to drive several hours to an airport that can handle the larger aircraft needed. We feel that, even though it may be several hours away from your local airport, these drives are a small price to pay for the safety and comfort of our animal friends and, more to the point, family.
When it come to transporting multiple animals, especially cats & dogs, in one carrier, there are two things to consider: age & weight. The airlines regulate that unless both pets are under 6 months of age AND under 20 pounds, they must have their own container.
I hope I was able to give you the insight you were seeking in regards to moving your pets. If you should have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to let me know.
You can also visit our website to learn more about pets traveling as cargo and we provide great insights on how you can transport your dog and cat yourself!!
Happy Pet Travels!
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