Chartering Private Jet For Dog Transport

We need to take our 100lb German Shepherd to St Thomas. However, 1. we are in NY, though it's not impossible for us to get to FL), and 2. we need to transport him in mid May. What are the costs?

I transported my dog down it was $100 and you have to make a reservation for him. I made a reservation on a plane then I booked my tickets, so I didn't end up getting tickets on a flight he wasn't on.

Then I told EVERYONE with a US Air uniform on that there was a dog below. Make sure you tell the pilot when you get on so they turn on the climate control. Bring a bottle of water with you and watch him get unloaded in St Thomas since you will be standing on the tarmac. Try to walk over and pour the water in the bowl for him since most of the water will be gone at this point. Someone will stop you but they will take the bottle and do it for you. I found it easier to be stopped then to actually wait for eye contact and ask for help.

No problems whatsoever. Althtough TELL them to bring the dog in the side door, and NOT to put him on the carousel. They put my dog on the carousel and I was LIVID because he was about to fall off going back around, but luckily my real estate agent grabbed him at the last second.

Good luck

USAir no longer flies dogs - many of the airlines that continue to transport dogs are putting in restrictions as the temp rises. But Local is right - absolutely tell EVERYONE...if it's a rescue dog it helps even more 🙂

Thank you for the tips for transporting our dog. Unfortunately, we cannot take our dog as checked luggage, since he is so large. We have to ship him as cargo (which costs $580 with American from NYC-STT). I was just wondering whether there was a less expensive way. 🙂

Double check with AA on that price - there's a difference between shipping a dog "cargo" and shipping in the plane in the baggage department. I went through all of that myself, Sylvia, although mid May is totally pushing the temperatures. You get different answers from different people - if you finally like an answer, get that person's name. NYC may be different - but one of our dogs was WAY over 100 lbs., but we made nicey-nice with the ticket agent and he overlooked the scale when it wildly tipped to the heavy end! Sorry travel people everywhere - please don't blast me! I called it "working within the system"!

Cargo versus airfare - it was cheaper for us to pay relatives to fly down with the dogs (i.e., their ticket + $100 for the dog) than to fly the dog cargo. Of course, all of the airlines have changed rules again (wonder if they are all based in the Caribbean, lol???) If you should be able to get a nonstop, your GSD should do very well! I think it was all of the layovers that taxed ours somewhat.

Good for you for making such a valid effort!

I have been browsing this board for a few months and it has been a GREAT scource of information. This is my first post.

My wife and I are planning on moving to STX this summer. We have bought a place there and are taking care of loose ends here stateside. We are having trouble working out the details on getting our two friendly german shepherds down with us. We can get the dogs down to Ft. Lauderdale/ Miami. We are flexible on our travel date. Please let me know what kind of money we are talking about Wait, let me make sure I'm sitting down...

I called a private jet company (timeshare kinda thing) that also offered charters. I was prepared for a high number but thought it might be worth it.

It was much much more expensive than I hoped. You get charged for a trip-and-a-half since it's one way. At least they don't charge for the round trip.

Anyway, this particular company said it would be about $30,000 from Austin, TX. Guess my beloved cat and I will fly with a regular airline. If she goes at all. A few days ago she went into renal failure and I hope to know this morning if she responded to IV fluids. Fingers crossed.