How Do Pets Handle Long International Flights?

Name: Laura
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Eurasier
From: Europe
To: Boston

Dear PetRelocation,

I have never had a dog flown before and I wonder if there are calming medicines that are administered? How are their basic needs cared for (thinking here about the intake of food and water as well as the excretion of the same)? What are the conditions in the hold (thinking temperature, light, presence of other animals)? What happens during layovers if there is no direct flight to be had (Copenhagen-Boston)?

Thanks,

Laura
 

Hi Laura,

These are all great questions. The idea of putting your pet onto a long international flight can definitely feel daunting at first, but we find that the more that a pet owner learns about the process, the more confident they can begin to feel about planning a successful trip. We have helped thousands of pets move safely and would be happy to share a few tips and facts with you.

First, please know that sedation is not allowed or recommended during pet flights. Crate training is a better way to help your dog feel calm during a flight and it's a practice we do highly recommend. Helping your dog to see the crate as a comfortable and safe place is very important -- please read more about crate-training here (these tips apply to both dogs and cats).

It's also important to choose a pet-friendly airline with dedicated staff and pet safe practices. We often use KLM, Lufthansa, United and British Airways for our clients' pets due to their level of attention to their pet passengers.The cargo area of the plane is pressure and temperature controlled and, with pet-friendly airlines pets are the last to be loaded and the first to be removed upon arrival. They are situated securely and carefully with the pet's safety and comfort in mind.

Layovers can be a good thing for pets, as this will allow for a bathroom/stretch break that makes a long journey more comfortable. We often schedule our clients' flights so that they can stop at an animal hotel for a few hours or even overnight where they are tended to by professionals. The layover situation will depend on the route you ultimately choose, and we'd be happy to further discuss your options with you if you'd like.

Please fill out our online consultation form if you'd like to find out more about our services, and in the meantime you can also read over these basic pet travel tips and these recent pet move stories from our clients. Again, hopefully the more you learn the better you'll feel about your pet's travel experience.

Thanks for reading, and we hope to hear from you soon!