09-11-2018, 06:24 PM
Hopefully you can check if your dogs can stand comfortably in the carriers that can be brought on board and the carrier must fit under the sit in front of you. Read all the fine print from the airlines on this and make your reservations ASAP and make sure you let the airline know that you will be travelling with pets in cabin.
We travelled to LAX from Hilo with our two dogs, 45 and 60 lbs, in June 2015 on United, checked in cargo. We chose the United flight because it was nonstop and the flight was supposed to depart at 8 PM so the dogs would not be subjected to extra heat from the sun. I'v read that problems occur when you have a connecting flight. We had to give the dogs rabies vaccinations and also obtain a health certificate from our vet within 10 days of the flight. We had 4 pieces of large luggage since we were moving and the two large dog carriers. Friends came with us to the Hilo airport to help. Pets must be checked in two hours before the flight and the check in process takes at least 30 minutes. Each kennel also needs to have a water and food bowl attached to the door. We had to remove the dogs from their kennels so the agricultural inspectors could inspect the kennels, (our luggage also had to be placed on the conveyor belt and inspected). We then had to move the kennels and luggage to the last counter where we would check in for the United flight. The United counter staff were very patient and the paperwork to sign seemed endless. The kennels had to weighed with the dogs in them and the total cargo charge was over $800. We then had to remove the dogs again and I believe a TSA inspector inspected the kennels. We placed the dogs back and I think the doors were sealed with zip ties. We were allowed to stay with the dogs for a while before they were taken to a room before they were placed on the airplane. When we boarded the airplane we had to ask one of the baggage staff, who were on the jetway if our dogs had been loaded. The baggage agent assured us that she had actually done this and that they were doing fine. She then came onto the airplane after we were seated to assure us that they were okay. When we landed at LAX you pick up your pets at the Petsafe terminal. You have to take a cab/uber to the Petsafe terminal at LAX. There is no shuttle. Petsafe terminal has free parking in front and an area for pets to relieve themselves.
We returned this past May to Kona from San Diego and travelled on Alaska Air, also a good customer service experience. Paid for direct airport release in Kona which was done in a small office behind the ticket counter with very little room. Paperwork, vet visits, tests, and permit was overwhelming and $$$$. Plan on starting the process at least 60 days before you return. We gave our dogs a natural herbal product called NutriCalm that really did relieve the anxiety for them. You are not supposed to sedate your pets, but our vet told us this was just a mild relaxation aid and not sedation. But don't tell the airline when you check in because they will refuse the pet.
We travelled to LAX from Hilo with our two dogs, 45 and 60 lbs, in June 2015 on United, checked in cargo. We chose the United flight because it was nonstop and the flight was supposed to depart at 8 PM so the dogs would not be subjected to extra heat from the sun. I'v read that problems occur when you have a connecting flight. We had to give the dogs rabies vaccinations and also obtain a health certificate from our vet within 10 days of the flight. We had 4 pieces of large luggage since we were moving and the two large dog carriers. Friends came with us to the Hilo airport to help. Pets must be checked in two hours before the flight and the check in process takes at least 30 minutes. Each kennel also needs to have a water and food bowl attached to the door. We had to remove the dogs from their kennels so the agricultural inspectors could inspect the kennels, (our luggage also had to be placed on the conveyor belt and inspected). We then had to move the kennels and luggage to the last counter where we would check in for the United flight. The United counter staff were very patient and the paperwork to sign seemed endless. The kennels had to weighed with the dogs in them and the total cargo charge was over $800. We then had to remove the dogs again and I believe a TSA inspector inspected the kennels. We placed the dogs back and I think the doors were sealed with zip ties. We were allowed to stay with the dogs for a while before they were taken to a room before they were placed on the airplane. When we boarded the airplane we had to ask one of the baggage staff, who were on the jetway if our dogs had been loaded. The baggage agent assured us that she had actually done this and that they were doing fine. She then came onto the airplane after we were seated to assure us that they were okay. When we landed at LAX you pick up your pets at the Petsafe terminal. You have to take a cab/uber to the Petsafe terminal at LAX. There is no shuttle. Petsafe terminal has free parking in front and an area for pets to relieve themselves.
We returned this past May to Kona from San Diego and travelled on Alaska Air, also a good customer service experience. Paid for direct airport release in Kona which was done in a small office behind the ticket counter with very little room. Paperwork, vet visits, tests, and permit was overwhelming and $$$$. Plan on starting the process at least 60 days before you return. We gave our dogs a natural herbal product called NutriCalm that really did relieve the anxiety for them. You are not supposed to sedate your pets, but our vet told us this was just a mild relaxation aid and not sedation. But don't tell the airline when you check in because they will refuse the pet.