Page 2 | Cabin or hold?

Parques · 2024-10-25T03:43:37+00:00

Hi. Advice, experiences etc welcome. We are planning on an extended trip to southern Italy (8 weeks approximately) and our mini dachshund will be coming too. It is my understanding that some airlines (Lufthansa is one I believe) allow small dogs suitably contained to fly in the cabin from certain UK airports. Has anyone flown from the UK with their dog in this manner? Alternatively, has anyone transported their pet in the hold? Really looking for advice for the most stress free method for Otto. I realise coming back poses its own problems with restrictions entering the UK. Thank you. 🐶

schloss · 27/10/2024 14:37

Parques · 27/10/2024 13:44

Yes, this is the way we will no doubt adopt. He is used to the car, but never fully relaxed and prone to sickness. Not feeding him before the journey is our usual strategy. Animals cannot fly back into the UK via the cabin, so we would have to travel back by car anyway. Thank you 🙏🏼

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I think this is a sensible move.

You can get a dog out of car sickness but it does take time. For many of the smaller dogs they cannot see out of the windows so motion sickness can be a problem.

MainStreetOrHighStreet · 27/10/2024 15:14

If he struggles with car sickness, might he vomit on the plane? Are you allowed to take dogs in carriers into the toilet to clean up? Just imagining the stink if you can’t and whatever bodily function in the container has to stay there for three hours.
Also, if he’s vocal, would he not just get increasing so if you don’t let him out?

Clearinguptheclutter · 27/10/2024 15:26

I’ve been on a several intra-European flights with dogs and cats (in carriers, in the cabin) and all was well. Once (many years ago) a small toy tog was literally running up and down the aisle much to the cabin crew’s amusement

I think that would be fine

but have never seen a dog or cat in the cabin on a flight in/out of the UK. Different rules, I guess.

schloss · 27/10/2024 15:35

@Clearinguptheclutter "but have never seen a dog or cat in the cabin on a flight in/out of the UK. Different rules, I guess" Dogs travelling into the UK cannot fly in the cabin of commercial aircraft, they can in private/VIP/corporate jets.

CabbagesAndCeilingWax · 27/10/2024 15:46

If he's not great in the car, he'll almost certainly be worse on a plane.

Can you ask the vet if there's any antisickness meds they can prescribe for short term use? And/or a canine valium equivalent?!

laddersandsnakes12 · 27/10/2024 16:00

Speaking as someone who transported our dog in the hold for a trans Atlantic flight I really wouldn't do it for something so short term. We were moving countries and absolutely could not leave her behind and rehome her, she is very very attached and is a German shepherd so the loyalty is strong. We figured a stressful flight was the lesser of the 2 evils for her. But the whole experience of moving her was stressful and I can't imagine how terrified she must have been. If we hadn't had to do it then we wouldn't have put her on a plane. She was fine once she saw me and got to come out of her crate, but both airports stressed her out before she was checked in and she refused to go to the toilet outside before check in as she was so anxious and overwhelmed with the noise and the amount of people, so when she arrived at heavy baggage on the other side the bottom of her crate was covered in urine and she was incredibly stressed. So really, I would never put a dog under that kind of stress unless it was absolutely necessary. Suffice to say we are not moving across an ocean again while we have her!

Original poster

Parques · 27/10/2024 21:47

MainStreetOrHighStreet · 27/10/2024 15:14

If he struggles with car sickness, might he vomit on the plane? Are you allowed to take dogs in carriers into the toilet to clean up? Just imagining the stink if you can’t and whatever bodily function in the container has to stay there for three hours.
Also, if he’s vocal, would he not just get increasing so if you don’t let him out?

All valid points that warrant investigation. Thank you 🙏🏼

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Original poster

Parques · 27/10/2024 21:49

laddersandsnakes12 · 27/10/2024 16:00

Speaking as someone who transported our dog in the hold for a trans Atlantic flight I really wouldn't do it for something so short term. We were moving countries and absolutely could not leave her behind and rehome her, she is very very attached and is a German shepherd so the loyalty is strong. We figured a stressful flight was the lesser of the 2 evils for her. But the whole experience of moving her was stressful and I can't imagine how terrified she must have been. If we hadn't had to do it then we wouldn't have put her on a plane. She was fine once she saw me and got to come out of her crate, but both airports stressed her out before she was checked in and she refused to go to the toilet outside before check in as she was so anxious and overwhelmed with the noise and the amount of people, so when she arrived at heavy baggage on the other side the bottom of her crate was covered in urine and she was incredibly stressed. So really, I would never put a dog under that kind of stress unless it was absolutely necessary. Suffice to say we are not moving across an ocean again while we have her!

Thank you. This must have been stressful for you as well as your lovely pooch. Xx

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Original poster

Parques · 27/10/2024 21:51

schloss · 27/10/2024 15:35

@Clearinguptheclutter "but have never seen a dog or cat in the cabin on a flight in/out of the UK. Different rules, I guess" Dogs travelling into the UK cannot fly in the cabin of commercial aircraft, they can in private/VIP/corporate jets.

Yes. Inbound they are definitely not allowed which presents its own problems. Can’t quite stretch to a private jet! Xx 🤣🤣

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Original poster

Parques · 27/10/2024 21:51

Clearinguptheclutter · 27/10/2024 15:26

I’ve been on a several intra-European flights with dogs and cats (in carriers, in the cabin) and all was well. Once (many years ago) a small toy tog was literally running up and down the aisle much to the cabin crew’s amusement

I think that would be fine

but have never seen a dog or cat in the cabin on a flight in/out of the UK. Different rules, I guess.

This made me smile! Xx 🤣

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schloss · 27/10/2024 22:24

Parques · 27/10/2024 21:51

Yes. Inbound they are definitely not allowed which presents its own problems. Can’t quite stretch to a private jet! Xx 🤣🤣

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Otto may disagree and quite fancy being a VIP!

grumpypedestrian · 27/10/2024 22:36

I would be very concerned about the potential stress for your dog. If he doesn’t like the car then I can’t imagine he’ll like the plane.

You say he’s prone to barking. Please don’t inflict that on other passengers on a plane. I love dogs but even I would hate that.

Original poster

Parques · 28/10/2024 06:46

schloss · 27/10/2024 22:24

Otto may disagree and quite fancy being a VIP!

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And be fed salmon and chicken on demand! 🤣🤣🤣

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Original poster

Parques · 28/10/2024 06:48

schloss · 26/10/2024 23:18

Cabin going out is possible, if you want to fly direct back to the UK the dog will have to go in the hold.

Onto the logistics - cabin for a dog can be very stressful. They will need to be in an approved sized holdall and for the majority of the airlines, stowed under the seat and zipped in for the entire journey.

On return, if you wish to fly then your best solution would be to fly from Italy to the Netherlands then come back as a foot passenger on one of the ferries to the closest place you live in the UK. The ferries now have dog friendly cabins, where the dog can be with you for the journey on either the day or overnight sailings.

I would not put a dog in the hold under any circumstances.

Driving or travelling by foot into the Netherlands then training to Italy could be an option. Then hire a car if you need it. I have travelled a lot on European trains with dogs far bigger than a Dachshund with no problems at all, including the overnight Nightjets where dogs can go in an en-suite cabin with you.

Thank you. I hadn’t considered this route. I’ll investigate 👍🏼

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TheyAllFloatDownHere · 28/10/2024 06:49

I would go over ground (drive, train etc) as my first choice.

Cabin as my second.

No way would I choose hold.

elderflowerspritzer · 28/10/2024 06:50

Why do you have to take your dog with you to Italy for 8 weeks?

He would likely be much happier to stay with someone else here whilst you are away, be looked after, and reunited when you get back.

Surely that seems like the best option all round and then he doesn't have any travel stress at all?

grumpypedestrian · 28/10/2024 07:59

Are you inflicting this stress on your dog because you want him to go with you over thinking about what’s best for him?

I know that comes across as harsh but I hate seeing dog owners cause their dogs unnecessary harm.