Flying a pet from the U.S.

[Wookie]

We are needing to fly our daughter's dog from Austin to Guadalajara.  Has anyone done this lately?  Can the pet be put on the plane and sent by itself and then met here or does someone need to fly with the pet?  Are carriers available for rent or use at the airlines or do you need to purchase your own and if so what kind are the best?  Any first hand, recent experience would be very much appreciated.

[Joyfull]

You need to provide your own airline approved kennel. All pet stores sell them. They are made of plastic. If the pet travels without a passenger it needs to go as freight and is very expensive. Volaris charges about $90usd if the dog flies as a passengers baggage.

[Wookie]

Thank you both for this information.  Modeeper, were you on the plane with your dog or did he fly alone?  Also, if he was alone where did you go to pick him up after the plane landed?

 

[court0503]

I wouldn’t bank on anyone’s response here. You neeed to check the rules of the airline you’ll be flying as rules vary widely from no dogs at all ever to  certain breeds not accepted, to depending on weather, limited number per flight   etc.  each airline also has specific crate requirements. ANd beware rules can change literally overnight. 

[HarryB]

BE SURE the health certificate has in addition to all the vaccinations has a statement that says the dog is free of internal and external parasites.

[Wookie]

Thanks for all of the information.  It always helps to have as much information as possible before dealing with the airlines or whatever as the person with whom you are dealing with may not be as well informed as they should be which can wind up biting you in the backside!?