What do Pet Airlines do?

I wonder what the floors of pet airline planes are made of? I hope they don't have carpet! It has to be something that is easy to clean messes off of.

Where do the animals go on their potty breaks? Is there a designated “bathroom” area, perhaps covered in puppy training pads?

I imagine that the attendants on pet airlines have to be able to tolerate strong smells. You know that most of these animals will go to the bathroom in their carriers before they are let out for a break.

@lonelygod - There is actually one pet airline that I would recommend, Pet Airways. While most large airlines let pets travel, most don't bother with attendants in cargo, or with the best temperature control. For my pet, I always send her in an airline pet carrier where she actually has a chance to get out and roam a bit in the cabin.

Pet Airways does charge by animal carrier size, so imagine that your dog would cost you about $600 or so to send across the US. Just be aware that flight schedules are really limited and they may not service the city you're landing in. Last time I checked Pet Airways they mostly used major cities like Los Angeles and New York for transit points.

Can anyone recommend some good pet airlines for dogs?

My family and I are going to be moving across country and we would like to get our dog on a flight at the same time we leave, as the moving company is taking care of hauling our stuff. We are just be flying to our new city, as the idea of driving across the country is less than appealing. We don't like the idea of the airline we're with flying just treating our pet like cargo though, so we're willing to pay to make sure he stays comfortable and happy. Also, do pet airlines generally charge more for larger dog travel? We have a Husky, so he's quite large.

@strawCake - Yeah, pet airlines do seem a lot more humane for dog travel. I know when pets travel in the cargo hold, they don't get bathroom breaks or anything like that. Sometimes flights can be really long! I imagine a lot of dogs probably go to the bathroom in their crates, and then have to basically sit in their waste. That can't be healthy.

That being said, I don't think I would take advantage of this option for just regular travel. I don't see the need to bring my pet with me just to go on vacation. However, if I were moving across the country I would absolutely use a pet airline!

I actually read an article recently about an airline that lost a few pets that were traveling in the cargo hold. I would be so upset if something like this happened to my cat, so I think pet airlines for dogs and cats are an awesome idea.

I think it would be really inconsiderate to have pets travel in the main cabin of an airplane with people. Some people have allergies, and would be inconvenienced or worse by pets in the cabin! But the cargo hold sounds dangerous and unpleasant.

A pet airline is a great alternative if you absolutely have to travel with your pet.

I have shipped my pets via pet airlines several times and they arrived healthy and happy every time. Yes, it does cost more than sending your pet to cargo, but cargo is not a suitable or safe place for pets.

A friend of mine didn't mind shipping her pets in cargo and when they arrived, they all looked very nerve-wrecked and scared. Not to mention that they stopped interacting with her for a long time to punish her.

I think cargo is a scary place for pets and I even heard from someone that in the case of a fire, the pets in cargo will die even if the fire doesn't reach there.

I'd rather pay up extra money than put my pets through that trauma and danger.

@Mykol-- I agree with you that it wouldn't be worth paying so much for this service if I was just taking a short trip in the US. But if I'm planning to move abroad or something, this service is definitely worth the cost.

My family moved to the US when I was young and we actually brought our dog with us. Pet travel rules were not so strict during those years and my dog actually crossed the Atlantic in the plane sitting on our lap.

It was not easy though, we constantly tried to hide her so that people wouldn't be bothered and she couldn't use the bathroom the entire time. When we reached the US, we had another connecting flight where we had to send our dog under the plane and she almost got lost. We had lost hope of her returning when my dog came out to the baggage claim area hours later.

If I ever have to take a trip like this again, I would much rather send my dog on a pet carrier airline.

Do any pet airlines allow pet owners to travel on board as well?

I know how difficult it is to travel with pets. I'm so worried during flights that something might happen to my dog because I'm not there with him. I would love to use pet airways, but only if I can be on the same flight.

Paying for travel in pet airways won't be advantageous for me if I can't be there with my dog. My dog is very attached to me and becomes very sad and stressed when he doesn't see me or feel me nearby. This is my main concern when I travel by regular airlines.

I am sure there are people who are willing to pay to have their pets taken care of like this.

I have a feeling we might see more pet friendly airlines like this, as our pets have become as important to us as our family members.

I think it would be a great job to work for a pet shipping airline company. I love to travel and I love animals, so what a perfect way to do something I love and make some money at the same time.

I wonder if you need any special kind of training to do something like this. It would probably be beneficial if you lived near a major city that was an airline hub, but would be interesting to check it out.

What will they think of next to make sure our pets are pampered and cared for?

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge animal lover and treat my pets like my kids, but sometimes I think we carry things a bit too far.

I am wondering how much something like these pet travel airlines cost? It can be expensive enough just flying myself somewhere, but to add an expense like this might double the cost.

I am sure it costs more than having a friend keep your dog for you while you are gone, or paying for someone to check in on your pets everyday.

I have never flown with my pets, and often feel like it might be a traumatic experience for them. I know many of them are given drugs so they will remain calm while they are in the airline pet carrier.

My friend and I have an agreement that we will watch each other's dog when we are gone. This works out great, and I think this is what I will continue to do when I travel.

Wow, I have never heard of such a thing. I guess that with all of the doggie bars and pet hotels, pet airline travel is just the next new thing to come out.

I understand the need to have your pets have a comfortable and stress-free flight, but this seems a bit much. I would rather have someone care for my pet than put them on an airplane like this. I think this is really extravagant and I would rather use the money for something else.