Pet carry on airplane

newwan

Hi
Anyone ever carry a cat on board a transatlantic?

Our dog and cat are coming overseas in 2 weeks. Dog checked in carriage. Cat coming on board.

Wondering what size carrier I can get away with for the cat? I have a 20*12 inch carrier at home that is compliant with size but my cat is 17" by 12 " so I was gonna get something bigger...

And I'm wondering how lenient air Canada will be with size!

Any other advice for bringing a cat and dog? Not overfed or overwater... Pet pads underneath them

kathleen37

What are the pictures you have posted? You obviously can't carry an animal in an enclosed case.

This is the details from the Air Canada website.

"The pet carrier
Must be leak proof and well ventilated. Both soft-sided (preferred) and hard-sided carriers are accepted in the cabin;
Must be big enough to allow your pet to stand up, turn around and lie down safely and comfortably. No part of the pet may extend outside the carrier. The pet must remain in the carrier and the carrier must remain under the seat and closed at all times;
Will count as the one standard carry-on item, which you’re allowed to bring on board."

"Maximum carrier size allowed
Hard-sided
Height: 23 cm (9 in)
Width: 40 cm (15.5 in)
Length: 55 cm (21.5 in)
Soft-sided
Height: 27 cm (10.5 in)
Width: 40 cm (15.5 in)
Length: 55 cm (21.5 in)"

Which airport are you flying into? Website also says "If your itinerary includes a flight that is marketed by Air Canada but operated by one of our codeshare partners, you will not be able to travel with your pet."

newwan

kathleen37 wrote: »

What are the pictures you have posted? You obviously can't carry an animal in an enclosed case.

This is the details from the Air Canada website.

"The pet carrier
Must be leak proof and well ventilated. Both soft-sided (preferred) and hard-sided carriers are accepted in the cabin;
Must be big enough to allow your pet to stand up, turn around and lie down safely and comfortably. No part of the pet may extend outside the carrier. The pet must remain in the carrier and the carrier must remain under the seat and closed at all times;
Will count as the one standard carry-on item, which you’re allowed to bring on board."

"Maximum carrier size allowed
Hard-sided
Height: 23 cm (9 in)
Width: 40 cm (15.5 in)
Length: 55 cm (21.5 in)
Soft-sided
Height: 27 cm (10.5 in)
Width: 40 cm (15.5 in)
Length: 55 cm (21.5 in)"

Which airport are you flying into? Website also says "If your itinerary includes a flight that is marketed by Air Canada but operated by one of our codeshare partners, you will not be able to travel with your pet."

The pic is the dimensions of a carry on. All the rest is sorted. I just want to know, as my question asks, what size carry on can I get away with...

kathleen37

Get away with?

As long as your cat can stand up, turn round etc - that will be fine. I've twice seen dogs being refused at the gate because their carrier wasn't big enough for them - that was in the States though.

I used to fly with my two dogs in the hold - same requirements there - stand up/turn around etc.

Also, make sure neither of your animals is sedated. The sedation lowers blood pressure and can cause death in pressurised cabins. Most airlines won't allow sedated animals, but I once had a vet that previously worked in Frankfurt airport, and they allow it there apparently. She said there were lots of dead animals on arrival...

baby and crumble

newwan wrote: »

The pic is the dimensions of a carry on. All the rest is sorted. I just want to know, as my question asks, what size carry on can I get away with...

Something that's within the dimensions of the carry on?

Pelvis

baby and crumble wrote: »

Something that's within the dimensions of the carry on?

No, that's wrong from what I can see.

The pet has to be in something big enough for it, I think that trumps the carry on dimensions. I don't think carry on refers to pets.

newwan

Pelvis wrote: »

No, that's wrong from what I can see.

The pet has to be in something big enough for it, I think that trumps the carry on dimensions. I don't think carry on refers to pets.

Yeah I was hoping for something a couple of inches longer than allowed carry on. That would give my cat loads of room

kathleen37

But what you hope for and the dimensions that are allowed - along with the previso that your cat *must* be able to stand up and turn around are what you have to work with.

The dimensions I posted above are "carrier" size - not "carry on" size. If you turn up with a carrier bigger than allowed, or your cat doesn't have enough room - they will not allow the cat to fly.

The reason for the dimensions are so it will fit in the cabin. You know the cat carrier will have to sit on the floor under the seat in front of you?

newwan

kathleen37 wrote: »

But what you hope for and the dimensions that are allowed - along with the previso that your cat *must* be able to stand up and turn around are what you have to work with.

The dimensions I posted above are "carrier" size - not "carry on" size. If you turn up with a carrier bigger than allowed, or your cat doesn't have enough room - they will not allow the cat to fly.

The reason for the dimensions are so it will fit in the cabin. You know the cat carrier will have to sit on the floor under the seat in front of you?

Yes I know that. How will they know if my car can stand up and turn around though? It's not as if I can train him to do it on demand. And I doubt they'll measure him... I can barely measure him

baby and crumble

I'm not trying to be rude but why not contact the company you're flying with directly? Otherwise it's just us randomers on an internet forum speculating.

newwan

baby and crumble wrote: »

I'm not trying to be rude but why not contact the company you're flying with directly? Otherwise it's just us randomers on an internet forum speculating.

Last time I called I was 1 hour 20 waiting in the q

baby and crumble

newwan wrote: »

Last time I called I was 1 hour 20 waiting in the q

I find Twitter great for these kinds of questions, if you're on it. Tag the ISPCA or something too.

shaunr68

The dimensions quoted in post 2 do refer to maximum pet carrier size allowed in the cabin:

https://www.aircanada.com/ie/en/aco/home/plan/special-assistance/pets.html

So get something within these dimensions, as large as possible so that your cat is comfortable.

My missus brought a small dog from the UK to Romania a few years ago (I know they usually go in the other direction) by Lufthansa and they were very strict with the carrier dimensions, in that it must fit under the seat for take off and landing. Each airline will have their own rules of course, but if you're flying with Air Canada then the above link should provide everything you need.

newwan

shaunr68 wrote: »

The dimensions quoted in post 2 do refer to maximum pet carrier size allowed in the cabin:

https://www.aircanada.com/ie/en/aco/home/plan/special-assistance/pets.html

So get something within these dimensions, as large as possible so that your cat is comfortable.

My missus brought a small dog from the UK to Romania a few years ago (I know they usually go in the other direction) by Lufthansa and they were very strict with the carrier dimensions, in that it must fit under the seat for take off and landing. Each airline will have their own rules of course, but if you're flying with Air Canada then the above link should provide everything you need.

Their dimensions are an awkward size. None on Amazon are of those dimensions that I can find. Anyone know of anywhere selling those dimensions? Thanks


PS any last minute advice re dog and cat trip to Canada?
Plan so far
1. Last trip to the vet for all vax stuff is 4 days pre flight
2. Both chipped and checked in with air Canada
3. Arrive 3 hours preflight or more
4. Small meal, poop walk and small amount of water for both pets 3 ish hours preflight
5. Appropriate sized crates for both.
6. Pet pads under sheet in both crates
7. No sedatives
8. Fav toys for both.
9. Cat treats in my pocket if cat gets upset.
10. Once in the crate in dub airport neither pet can leave crate. Both collared with their names on collar
12. Big folder with all their paperwork ready to go
13. Plan b if it's too hot to travel is for dog to stay with sister in law in dub for few weeks

Anything else?

tk123

Zooplus maybe?

kathleen37

What about your dog? What size is the kennel for the cargo hold? Only hard sided there. What are those dimensions?

How much does the cat weigh? Looks like some carriers are also based on weight?

Kev1nDonn

If I was you I would speak to your vet first.

newwan

kathleen37 wrote: »

What about your dog? What size is the kennel for the cargo hold? Only hard sided there. What are those dimensions?

How much does the cat weigh? Looks like some carriers are also based on weight?

Dog is sorted with the correct hard cased cage. It's easy for him cause he's checked. The cat is a little more tricky cause he has to fit under the seats

newwan

Ok nearly all sorted bar one other thing.

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/imports/policies/live-animals/pets/cats/rabies-free/eng/1364954808466/1364954913271


Canadians want a vet cert and...
"be accompanied by documentation from a competent government authority, stating that rabies has not occurred in the country of origin for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the animal's shipment to Canada."

Anyone know anything about this competent government authority? It's Ireland and rabies isn't here so I'd assume the letter from my vet will suffice. Any ideas?

Nody

newwan wrote: »

Ok nearly all sorted bar one other thing.

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/imports/policies/live-animals/pets/cats/rabies-free/eng/1364954808466/1364954913271


Canadians want a vet cert and...
"be accompanied by documentation from a competent government authority, stating that rabies has not occurred in the country of origin for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the animal's shipment to Canada."

Anyone know anything about this competent government authority? It's Ireland and rabies isn't here so I'd assume the letter from my vet will suffice. Any ideas?

Try contacting them.

muddypaws

I would say it would probably need to be a government approved vet, such as a county vet, just google the one for your county, they are very approachable, as they deal with balai certs all the time for dogs going to rescues in the UK etc, usually work out of a council office.