quote:
Originally posted by DanielP
My dog, Bear, is 105 pounds and requires a size #700 carrier. I used to fly United and take him as excess baggage for $250 each way. United changed their policy and now will only transport him as cargo. They charge $600 each way and he has to be checked in 3 hours before the flight and cannot be picked up for 2 hours after landing. It adds a ton of stress on him.
Alaska and Hawaiian say max. carrier size is a size #500 carrier. No can fit!
Anyone know of any better options than United Cargo?
Dan
Don't go by the kennel "size". Different manufacturers have different dimensions when calling their kennels a 500 or a 700. There is no standardization for kennel sizes and some manufacturers use the "bigger is better" advertising mentality and exaggerate the numbers for sales. One brand's 700 is actually another brand's 500. Alaska airlines uses the "Vari Kennel" brand when they talk sizes. The truth is that they will take any kennel size so long as it FITS through the cargo door hole in the aircraft. The maximum size kennel that they can take is listed on their web site as "Not exceed 53 inches in length x 48 inches wide x 34 inches high" and it looks like they transposed the numbers- they probably meant 53L X 48H X 34W. You can call to confirm. Most 105 pound dogs should fit into those dimensions without any problem. Depending on brand that could be a 500, 600, or 700 kennel.
One thing to add- Alaska Airlines only allows the use of kennels that BOLT together. (As of May 1) Those brands that have other types of mechanisms to close them, or if you lost screws and have been cheating with cable ties are now a NO GO. Usually the larger sized kennels use bolts anyway, but not always. Aloha Air Cargo goes one stop further and requires that the bolts be steel or similar metal, plastic bolts are NOT allowed.
Last I checked, large dogs are still allowed as checked baggage on Alaska. I think it's $200 but don't quote me on that.
If you do show up with a verboten kennel, Alaska Airlines will sell you one of theirs. Their prices actually aren't that bad (cheaper than Petco, more expensive than Walmart), however they don't always have them in stock.
Please let us know how this works out for you.
