Is it possible to fly with a large dog in the passenger cabin of the plane?

Question

I am moving from USA to AUS and will be taking my Great Dane with me. A typical dane, she suffers from anxiety and I fear flying in the cargo area may be too much for her. Is there a way to qualify her as "special needs?" Thanks for your input, I'm really worried about this!

Answer 1

Your best bet will be to get a signed statement from your vet stating that the dog needs to be with you in cabin. Contact the airline prior to buying tickets and find out all papers they require. As well as for in AUS, they will require paperwork on the dog as well. Most likely if the dog is not a service dog, you will not be allowed to have her in cabin. Esp due to her large size. Your vet might be able to give her sedation before flying, but that carries alot of risks itself and is not advised. As the dog loses its balance and can be injured or die.

Answer 2

Most airlines require that any pet which flies in-cabin must have their carrier fit under the seat. Additionally, you cannot remove the pet from the carrier during the flight, so time is an issue.
Your great dane would have to fly in a rigid walled carrier in the cargo area. Given the length of time a flight to AU would entail, it may be best to have her shipped via a special pet courier service separately. Your pet will have to remain without food, (it is permissable to have a water bottle inthe carrier) during a 12-14 hr flight. If this is non-stop, then there are no bathroom breaks either for your pet.
If your dog is especially anxious, you can consult with your vet about medicating her during the flight to reduce her anxiety.
Check with the airline about their regulations regarding the carrier size and type, and what labeling will have to be placed on there.
If you live on the east coast, it may be best to stage your travel over several days, perhaps by flying to CA first, then two days there, then proceed to AU in order to give your dog a chance to rest and eat.
Only service dogs (like seeing eye dogs), with appropriate certification are permitted in-cabin in some cases. Usually, they have to travel in the cargo area too. These arrangements also have to be made in advance. So I say again, call your airline and ask many questions. Ask if they have a pet concierge. Your animal will likely have to be quarantined at the end of the line in AU anyway, so you need to check that out too, as it costs money.

Answer 3

No, call the airline and they will tell you the proper way to transport the dog and what kind of kennel they require. The dog will have to go through customs and may have to be quarantined before it can enter Australia.

You will have to provide detailed receipts from the vet for immunization records, etc.

Any time you ship a live animal there is a risk. You should really thing about flying the dog to Australia because the flight is really long - I have done it on my own and I do not know how a dog would fare under the conditions in the hold for that length of time.

Answer 4

I do not reccommend that you take your dog. I know that must be heart breaking to hear but it could kill your dog. Like you have said Great Danes are anxious also because of their body mass I believe thay are prone to heart attacks. Really I would either reconsider the move or find your dog a new home here in the U.S. Sorry.

Answer 5

Sorry your pet will have to fly in the cargo area,as it is too large to go under the airline seat while in flight.Would suggest booking a flight with Continental airlines,as their cargo area is climate controled and pet won't get too hot or too cold.Very safe.

Answer 6

Sorry, no.
Instead of having her fly in the same plane as you--but in cargo, why not look into a professional pet moving company?
Here's a link to a group that might help:
http://www.ipata.com/page.php?rp=2

They might have ideas about how to make the trip less stressful for the dog.

Good luck1

Answer 7

Sorry...it's impossible if your on any commercial airline. Now if you were rich, you could charter a personal jet, which would allow you to have your Great Dane in the passenger area. But otherwise...puppy has to make due.

Answer 8

Nope. Only certified service dogs can ride in the air cabin unless they're small enough to fit in an airline approved carrier and fit under the seat.

Flying internationally they'll probably require you kennel her. Its expensive and you'll have to pay regular airline charges for her along with any overnight kenneling fees.

Answer 9

Umm how will your dog go pee and poop on the like...24 hour flight to australia?

they wouldnt let big dogs in a passenger cabin.. many people may be very annoyed, alergic, plus its too big. :(

They don't put animals in a dark scary place on a plane either you know, they have their own special compartment with light and heat. But if that still scares little muffins then she will have to suck it up... :(

and a private plane from usa to australia will run very very expensive as they need to use a large plane. which costs more to operate, especially if its just you and your dog and your family. were talking over a million dollars to operate a large airliner from USA to australia nonstop.

and i should add... i would be very very very pissed off if i had to sit near a huge dog that potentally could smell bad, droool, and bark on the plane....i wouldnt be able to deal..

Answer 10

No. We just looked up the requirements when we went, and unless your dog is under 4 pounds, you're not going to be able to fly him.

Try sedating her. Go to the vet and ask for some "special" pills. They will help in calming her down.