Conure on airplane

bryann

New member
Oct 3, 2017
1
0
Hi all,

I'm planning on moving across country in January and taking my 3 year old green cheek conure with me. I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on taking him on an airplane with me? Any affordable (and airline approved) carry-on travel cage recommendations? I use a hamster cage to take him to the vet but that won't cut it for a 5+ hour trip.

Thanks!
 

clark_conure

Well-known member
Jul 14, 2017
3,943
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2,256
Minnesota
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A crossover Quaker Scuti (F), A Sun conure named AC, A Cinnamon Green Cheek conure Kent, and 6 budgies, Scuti Jr. (f), yellow (m), clark Jr. (m), Dot (f), Zebra(f), Machine (m).
A member just recently did this, I'll have to look it up but it's not a big deal, several years ago a dude with a cat in a pet carrier was next to me on a flight.

i'd use a pak o bird or any generic travel cage just bring fresh water and treats and pellets....I'll have to dig back to the begining of summer I think but there was no problem with it.
 

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
9,792
San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Placing your GCC in a small airline approved carrier and travelling in the cabin is far preferable to shipping as freight. Most but not all airlines accept birds in the cabin, but regulate the number per flight. Please make your reservation early to ensure acceptance, and visit the airline web site for detailed instructions. Most will specify the maximum sized carrier that will fit in the seat in front of you; this shouldn't pose difficulty with your bird. For this reason, you will need to avoid a bulkhead seat (a wall or partition in front of the seat) and some airlines prohibit carriers in window/door exit rows.

Good luck, let us know how it goes!
 

shellaves

New member
Jul 25, 2016
21
0
San Diego
Parrots
golden conure, Katie & Marco
Placing your GCC in a small airline approved carrier and travelling in the cabin is far preferable to shipping as freight. Most but not all airlines accept birds in the cabin, but regulate the number per flight. Please make your reservation early to ensure acceptance, and visit the airline web site for detailed instructions. Most will specify the maximum sized carrier that will fit in the seat in front of you; this shouldn't pose difficulty with your bird. For this reason, you will need to avoid a bulkhead seat (a wall or partition in front of the seat) and some airlines prohibit carriers in window/door exit rows.



Good luck, let us know how it goes!



I like this advice. A few years ago I traveled with two golden Conures in an airline approved carrier under my seat, so they wouldn't have to go cargo. We traveled well together, they kept absolutely quiet and I kept the carrier fully covered so they would feel safe. They knew that they were with me because they could hear my voice and I would peek in on them.


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Sunnyclover

New member
Jan 11, 2017
1,646
43
New Jersey
Parrots
Sun Conure - Ollie- Hatched 08/18/16*

Nanday Conure -Finley- Hatched 10/07/17*

Turquoise Yellow Sided Green Cheek Conure -Paris- Hatched 03/03/18*

Black Capped Conure -North- Hatched 10/10/18
I took my sun conure Ollie on a 6 hour plane ride 2 months ago. I flew on Alaskan Airlines and had no issues at all. You DO have to tell them when you book the flight because if they don't have enough carry on pet spots on the plane they will either not allow your bird to board or make you put him in cargo. The cargo option is terrifying so please don't let that happen. On Alaskan Airlines they did not require a 10 or 30 pet health certificate (you have to get a health check from a vet) but many do require it. I got one anyways because some states require them also for pet transportation from state to state. They wouldn't let me take Ollie out of his cage but I was able to hold his carrier and pet him during the flight. He is wonderful and was very quiet on board but he is really really well behaved and he travels a lot with us in the car and we take him on outings a lot. If you don't take your bird on outings and in the car I'd suggest you start because it will be much easier when you get to the airport. A bird who's never been out or in public can easily panic at the airport with all the people and possibly if your bird is going off like a siren while trying to board a plane they might not let you on and they do the bird might also freak out the whole flight. It's important to do so e dry runs in public places 1st. If you have any questions please feel free to ask because I recently did fly with my bird.
 

DerTier

New member
Jan 27, 2017
177
3
Pierce cty wa usa
DO NOT SHIP ANY ANIMAL AS FREIGHT CARGO ON A PLANE. They get treated like actual cargo, including sitting on 100* + tarmac for hours, freezing to death in the non heated cargo bay (they do sometimes heat it properly but its rare), or being lost.

I talked to someone recently who had their dog die from sitting for hrs on the tarmac while they delayed the plane trying to get off and rescue their dog
 

cottngton

Banned
Banned
Sep 23, 2020
1
0
Washington
DO NOT SHIP ANY ANIMAL AS FREIGHT CARGO ON A PLANE. They get treated like actual cargo, including sitting on 100* + tarmac for hours, freezing to death in the non heated cargo bay (they do sometimes heat it properly but its rare), or being lost.

I was thinking about the same. But now I'm sure that I won't ship my parrots as a freight cargo. TBH, I can't believe that they actually do this crazy **** with animals. It's like - it's obvious that the animal won't survive it. Not so long ago, my GF had found private jet rentals for a good price, and she keeps telling me that we need to take a private jet. Maybe it's the truth, I don't know. There is nobody to look over for our parrots. And that's why we didn't have a vacation for about 2 years now.
 
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Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
9,792
San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Most airlines in the U.S. have improved pet handling and refuse transportation during weather extremes. Some have embargoes based on the calendar and arrival/departure cities.

Highest points of risk are waiting planeside to board and after arrival, waiting for transport to terminal. Some airlines have climate controlled vans that shuttle animals to each gate, but I have also witnessed breaches of rules. My preference is to not ship by freight, rather fly in cabin with owner or courier.
 

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