Large Dog shipping / traveling

We flew a dog with a large crate on Cape Air once. It only works if the flight is not full, because the crate displaces 2 passengers. Cape Air booked us and the crate on a full flight, so it was bound to cause problems. See the details at https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,99254,140728#msg-140728

We flew a dog with a large crate on Cape Air once. It only works if the flight is not full, because the crate displaces 2 passengers. Cape Air booked us and the crate on a full flight, so it was bound to cause problems. See the details at https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,99254,140728#msg-140728

I was told they will break the crate down and stick it in the "cargo" area I guess the dog sits with you in the cabin... at least this is what I heard; I'm sure your account is much more accurate as you actually did it. 🙂

ok, so best I've found so far is fly United to San Juan (they have a 150lb dog limit) then take cape air from PR to STX (it's limited to one dog per flight & the dog flys in the cabin with you) price ranges are like 60-180 depending on time of day (plus additional 20$ish for dog).

Sounds like this works best if you have a little time to plan.

Well done. (tu)

Let us know how it works out.

CD

In my experience, if the dog flies in the cabin with you, it usually only happens on flight that is not booked up.
The dog remains in the kennel which takes up 2 seats which is why this can only happen on flights that are not filled.
I had to take one of my dogs to PR for Orthopedic surgery. On the flight over on the sea plane, Shadow had to ride in cargo.
She howled the entire ride commencing with the engine starting up and the pre-flight talk.. She serenaded us all the way to Old San Juan. Very embarrassing, to say the least. On the return, the flight was not filled up so, Shadow, in her kennel, sat across from me, taking up 2 seats while enjoying the view without a sound.

It's a shame that airlines make it so difficult and expensive to fly with large pets.

My tenants relocated from WI with their 2 huge (but sweet) Great Danes. They are the size of small horses so ended up having to share a private plane with others.

As for dog in car, try sitting in it in back seat with your dog's favorite treats without actually going anywhere, spend some time getting her used to car. Try to get her comfortable with being in the car instead of looking at it as anxiety producing.
The minute I pull the leashes off their hooks, mine are all excited about a trip to the vet.
They love to ride in the truck up front, not in the back

Is your dog kennel trained? Can you fit that sized kennel in your vehicle? If so, that might be an option.
If you are thinking of relocating, and your pup is not kennel trained, you should start getting her/him used to a kennel now.
Use favorite toys, feed her or him in kennel, leave in for short amounts of time and never use as punishment.
Mine like their kennels but I got them used to them while still pups. Maybe a dog trainer can help you?

I took out the front seat in my truck so have lots of room for all the dogs in one trip. It's easy to remove the seat.

I would use tranquilizers only as a last resort as it may result in even more anxiety after the fact.
If you do - try the tranquilizer out at home first when you will be home to see your dogs reaction prior to using it in a stressful situation.
Good Luck!

Any chance of more details on the private plane share?
I have a move planned in about 1.5 years that requires 2 large dogs, 3 cats and a 1 eyed goldfish named "Lucky".

I'll ask them and post response when recieved.

My tenants responded regarding bringing their 2 very large but sweet Great Danes.

"Regarding how we brought the dogs here, we used Airpropel Charters. Delta would not let us ship them as cargo as they were too large to fit in the plane that flew from ATL to STT. We just e-mailed the company and as they receive enough interest a date is scheduled and deposits are taken. Then all you do is show up to whatever airport was decided on and fly out. The plane we took had the seats taken out from the back half so they all laid down on blankets and pillows we brought while we sat in front of them. The company’s contact information is below:"

Lauren Granger

Airpropel Charters

www.airpropel.com

mail@airpropelcharters.com

340-626-1703

Thank you for the update from your friends. Do you think you might be able to ask them a) Where they flew from/to and how much it cost? And b), What type aircraft were they in? Thanks very much!

They came from Wisconsin.
I would imagine it depends on a lot of different factors so best to call the company youself to identify costs for your particular needs.
The phone and e-mail contact is on my post.

Here's the update on my tenant's relocation with their 2 humongous Great Danes:

"No we did not use the service for the whole journey, but you can. The main service setup the flight from Fort Lauderdale to St. Thomas for us, so we made a road trip out of it. Drove from Milwaukee down to Fort Lauderdale then flew out of there. Prices vary substantially depending on how many people fly with you, size of the plane, etc. If someone is thinking of doing this they really just need to talk to Lauren there are many factors that will determine the total cost."

Hello, LiquidFluoride,

Can you share anything you learned regarding dog shipments UNDER 100lbs? I need to get my heeler to STX before any seasonal heat restrictions kick in. She'll be flying solo. I know your dog is over 100lbs, but maybe through all your research you gleaned something that would be helpful to me.

I heard the animal shelter on St Croix has a program for escorting dogs OFF the island - I wonder who they use.

Thanks very much!

Animal shelter uses American.

I'd your dog flying solo without you? In that case she won't be able to fly American since American requires an escort (Which is why the shelter always needs pet escort volunteers). United will fly animals solo (as cargo) to PR, then you could pick up there and fly to STX with her on cape air or seaborne.

Lots of great information. Thanks everyone for sharing so much. I need to get our dog here from Phoenix. I might meet her in Miami, and join her for a flight to STX. Otherwise, it's a long time in a crate for her to go from Phoenix to Miami to Puerto Rico to St Croix. I almost think it's more humane to leave her in Phoenix, but I figure it's only one miserable day, and just like childbirth, the pain is soon forgotten...

right now I've got my dog on a diet while we drive down to miami, trying to see if i can thin her down enough to make it under the weight limit...

our tickets are for the 20th, so 11 days to slim her down.

Thank you for the update from your friends. Do you think you might be able to ask them a) Where they flew from/to and how much it cost? And b), What type aircraft were they in? Thanks very much!

When I checked with Airpropel to ship my wife, myself and our two birds, they wanted like $3000.00 to fly from Orlando to St. Thomas, but that was if they got at least 9 people total. If not then the price would go up quite a bit depending on how many peolpe flew on the same flight. It could be as high as $9000.00. YOU MUST BE FLEXIBLE WITH YOUR TIME LINE. Lauren asked me for a three month window if we wnted to get the flight as cheap as possible. If you are loaded and willing to pay what ever the cost is, then they are on standby and waiting:)

Someone asked me earlier about sedating the pets on airlines. It is now on Delta and AA website that they are recommending NOT to sedate your pet. That is where I got that information. I sedated in '95' but not in 2012. I also, found that all flights coming to STX will not take the extra large series crates. All pet information and the airline's policies and restrictions are right on each of their websites.

Liquid Fluoride,

I didn't find an update as to how it went with your large dog(s). I know you got them onto a plane out of Miami. Where did you go from there?

United can get my dog to San Juan for $400 but the problem is getting her a sure flight from San Juan to STX. Have left messages/e-mails with Seaborne, and can't find a real person at Cape Air to tell me anything definite on whether they can accomodate her.

I hate to get her as far as PR then be stuck with no way to get her from there to STX.

So what did you end up doing?

Thanks very much.

You can get her from SJU to STX - just depends on what you want to pay. If you are not getting help from Seaborne or Cape Air try Bohlke International Airways, Coastal Air or Island Airlines - all charters.

Getting our pups there was a huge problem for us! We used http://airpropel.com they were the best! We shared a jet with four greyhounds (on their way to STX) and one pit bull (on his way to Tortola). Great experience but be prepared the planes are small and expensive.

Liquid Fluoride,

I didn't find an update as to how it went with your large dog(s). I know you got them onto a plane out of Miami. Where did you go from there?

United can get my dog to San Juan for $400 but the problem is getting her a sure flight from San Juan to STX. Have left messages/e-mails with Seaborne, and can't find a real person at Cape Air to tell me anything definite on whether they can accomodate her.

I hate to get her as far as PR then be stuck with no way to get her from there to STX.

So what did you end up doing?

Thanks very much.

What size crate does your dog fit in and what is the breed? I just flew an 105lb American "bully" or bulldog on delta as checked baggage but that ends 5/15. The largest crate size Cape Air will take is a medium plus which is like 27x20x19. Seaborne says they will not fly anything over 75lbs.

I flew through Miami to STX, My two puppies were light enough to get on with no issue, their mother was slightly over, but while she was on the scale I stuck a toe under her kennel and slightly lifted until she weighed around 95lbs with the crate. 😉

I don't suggest depending on this method to get you through, but it got me through 🙂

Eght years ago, we brought two large dogs (over 100lbs) to St.Croix from Los Angeles.
LAX- SJU.
Our only option was to rent a small plane from San Juan to STX, it worked out well with no airport hassle.
A great adventure to fly with two large dogs in a small plane!

yes the ferry it ran aground. no replacement.

Huh? The ferry ran aground. The discussion was about FLYING dogs in.

Huh? The ferry ran aground. The discussion was about FLYING dogs in.

I thought I was suffering from a senior moment ... 😀