41 replies to this topic

[secheltsally]

Help! Need advice. I plan to come to Mexico for the winter but have to bring my two small dogs with me. Does anyone have info on flying them there in cabin? Looks like its fine from Vancouver to Phoenix but the flight from Phoenix to Mexico (Guad) might not allow them in cabin. Yikes! I am not keen to drive. What's the latest policy re pets on airlines?

[RVGRINGO]

You can fly them into Mexico in cargo, temperatures permitting; not in the cabin.

[Malaya]

You might want to check if WestJet will take them. They fly into Manzanillo directly and were only 3 hours from there. PV is another option but it's a 5 hour drive.

Pete Johanson used to fly his dog "in cabin" all the time and he might be able to give you better ideas. He flew direct from Seattle to Guad with no stops.

[Jeanette]

As far as I can determine, ALL airlines flying from the US to Mexico (or Mexico to the US) will not allow dogs in the cabin anymore. This does not apply to flights in and out of Canada.

You will have to put the dogs in cargo if you must bring them. Remember that certain breeds are not allowed in cargo on certain airlines, specifically the brachycephalic "flat nose" breeds such as pugs, pekinese and bull terriers.

And if the airline tells you that it will be okay, don't believe it. I just received an email from a woman who is on vacation in Manzanillo who got a phone call from the airline telling her she couldn't bring her dog back with her unless she put it in cargo even though it had flown down with her in the cabin and she had a return ticket for the cabin for the dog. She is frantically searching for a airline approved dog kennel while on her vacation.

Sorry, I know this is a hard situation for people (like me) who have pets that are part of the family. But this is a serious situation unless you are comfortable putting your dog in cargo.

[Malaya]

I just checked the West Jet site and they still accept pets in cabin for a fee. I would make sure that applies to flying into PV and Manzanillo.

Pet info for West Jethttp://www.westjet.c...s/pets.shtml#10

http://www.westjet.c...s/pets.shtml#10

They also have direct flights from Vancouver to Puerto Vallarta on Sat. There may be other days available so I'd check.

Flights for Manzanillo that are direct start at the end of October.

[Canookie]

I have to wonder if Westjet wouild be allowed to fly pets in cabin into mexico when it seems like every other airline can't...it's a Mexico thing, not the airline policy. I would be very afraid that no matter what Westjet or any airline told me, once you get there, you could be stuck. I'm wondering if there are any bus lines in Mexico that allow pets...

[RVGRINGO]

No pets on buses, as far as I know.

[johanson]

I have also flown with one dog (not two) in to "RichMan", just south of Hongcouver, BC, but that was more than 10 years ago.

At one time you could fly to Mexico with one small pet in cabin that would fit under the seat. But they would only allow one pet per plane not per passenger. I have read on MexConnect, and as was posted above, that the laws have recently changed in Mexico and that no pet can travel in-cabin to Mexico.

Please double check.

[ohjoni]

I just checked US Air's website, that would be the airline you would fly via Phoenix. They will not take pets to Mexico in the cabin. I flew with my small dog on American last February in the cabin no problem. I also checked AA's website and they do take pets in the cabin to Mexico. I am a retired AA ticket/gate agent and would be upset if they changed this rule, but as if now you can still take your dogs in the cabin. They allow 7 per flight. Only one per person though.

[ohjoni]

Help! Need advice. I plan to come to Mexico for the winter but have to bring my two small dogs with me. Does anyone have info on flying them there in cabin? Looks like its fine from Vancouver to Phoenix but the flight from Phoenix to Mexico (Guad) might not allow them in cabin. Yikes! I am not keen to drive. What's the latest policy re pets on airlines?

The biggest issue may be if you are traveling alone.,,,only one dog per passenger

[ohjoni]

I take back what I said in my earlier post on this topic. Looks like Mexico has a law that has been on the books for a longtime. AA's website does not show that pets cannot travel in the cabin to Mexico, but everything I have researched says no airlines will allow pets in the cabin. This is pretty upsetting being that both our dogs (Brussels Griffons) are snub nosed and cannot fly in cargo. The only way we can fravel with them now is to drive ;-((. Hope this law can be changed.

[secheltsally]

Thanks Guys....I wouldn't bring both dogs myself but the husband or friend could bring one. Recently had a friend fly to Lake Chapala with her dog in cabin through LAX and no problems but every site I t says no, at least not the airlines I usually fly, such as US Air. She thinks it was US Air but will have to look it up. I'm frantic as I just bought a house there and if I come for 5 months I need/want to bring my dogs. I'd be worried about cargo as one is only 7 lbs and they are also hairless (Chinese Crested) and are heat/cold sensitive. Guess I have to do some more investigating....or consider driving....really don't want to do that. Oh boy....

[Jeanette]

I just checked US Air's website, that would be the airline you would fly via Phoenix. They will not take pets to Mexico in the cabin. I flew with my small dog on American last February in the cabin no problem. I also checked AA's website and they do take pets in the cabin to Mexico. I am a retired AA ticket/gate agent and would be upset if they changed this rule, but as if now you can still take your dogs in the cabin. They allow 7 per flight. Only one per person though.

Be upset, ohjoni. ALL the airlines flying between the US and Mexico are not allowing pets in the cabin anymore. I have heard conflicting information about direct flights from Canada to Mexico - but if you stop in the states, the dog will not be allowed to remain in the cabin.

The law that started all of this is a Mexican law that has been in existence since 2007. There are different opinions as to why Mexico just started enforcing it. And a variety of rumors and conspiracy theories. I'll not comment on any of it except to say there is no reason to believe that this is going to change in the near future.

I'm sorry if I sound negative, but you've no idea of the horror stories I've received via emails about this. Unfortunately, there was little warning and there are a few people who have contacted me that cannot put their pets in cargo and are currently unable to get them home. Horrible situation!

As of right now and in the foreseeable future, you will need to bring pets by car or in cargo (subject to temperature and breed limitations), or leave them behind.

[secheltsally]

Okay...here's the latest scoop. Trip Advisor says that last week Mexico changed the rules, and pets are no longer allowed in the cabins flying into Mexico. On ANY airline. They have to go into cargo and as most airlines refuse to allow pets shipped in cargo we know that's not safe. Feeling frustrated right now as I've just made a major life decision based on being able to bring my pets with me to Mexico for the winter. They advise against driving and now this! Grrrr......

[secheltsally]

Now some of the forums are saying that this new information has been misinterpreted and the 'no pets in cabin' only applies to domestic travel in Mexico and not international flights. What?! Seems each airline is viewing this rule differently and apparently a lot have not even heard of it. This 'rule' has been in place since 2008....I am totally confused. So, is this just a rumour then and some airlines are running with it? Who can we contact to get the correct information regarding flying with pets in cabin on international flights?

[Jeanette]

You can contact whoever you want, but it won't matter a damn what they tell you on the phne, what their website says ir EVEN what your ticket says. The airlines are changing the rules to not allow pets in the cabin on flights between the US and Mexico - in either direction.

How do I know? In the last three weeks, I've had about ten emails from people with tickets already for the pet to be in the cabin. One person was told at the airport that the dog couldn't get in the cabin. She refused to put her dog in cargo and canceled her trip (she's now fighting for a full refund on the price of her ticket.)

In other cases, the Airline calls the passenger and says the pet has to go in cargo. One person wrote me because he has a pug dog in mexico and can't figure out how to get the little guy home to the US - snub nose can't go in cargo and the owner has no car! Another young woman is on a beach vacation in Manzanillo and brought her dog with her in the cabin. One week later, she is frantic and running herself ragged looking for an airline approved dog crate.

Sorry, but the safest advice is what I said before.

[secheltsally]

I suppose it would be worse to have them down there and be scheduled to come back and not be able to get them back! Sounds like I'll be driving down in January. Can't imagine finding anyone willing to take care of them for months. This certainly throws a damper on my plans but sounds like its true so I'll have to deal with it.

[Jeanette]

I believe that is the best decision unless you have friends or relatives that would take them, or want to consider a house and pet sitter. That arrangement is very easy for the pets in the vast majority of cases. No stress of travel and they get to stay home in their own beds. As much as you would miss tit's an alternative worth considering.

If you drive, my site can help with a lot of information on hotels and health certifcates and so forth. Email me if I can help in any way.

[Sunshine Girl]

I suppose it would be worse to have them down there and be scheduled to come back and not be able to get them back! Sounds like I'll be driving down in January. Can't imagine finding anyone willing to take care of them for months. This certainly throws a damper on my plans but sounds like its true so I'll have to deal with it.

Secheltsally, we have driven down to Jocoetpec for the winter since 2007 with our pair of elderly dogs from Vancouver Island. Part of the reason we have a winter home in Mexico is so we can access it with our dogs by car. We would never put them on a flight, would worry about that more than driving down. In any case, driving with them has been surprisingly very easy, and not very stressful for them or for us. We can do the drive in about 5 nights/6 days and it is a blessing with dogs to have the car while down there to be able to take them to the vet when needed and with us when we want to go away for the day. Write me privately for more details if you like.