Flying with your Parrot

Fraido · Jul 31, 2018

Hey guys, I’m going to be flying with my baby in the future, so I’m looking for some assistance.

What kind of pet crate would you recommend to fly a pet bird in? What kind of differences should there be compared to a crate for a cat or dog?

There are so many regulations for crates, it’s hard to find an appropriate airline approved crate.

The airline is Aer Lingus in case anyone has some specific experience with them.

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ChristaNL · Jul 31, 2018

Aer Lingus is one of the more laid back ones (but my experiences ares a few years old!) - they have rules and they have "rules".
The problem with the terrorismhype that the rules change every time you turn around.
But they still treat you as a person instead of cattle- so good luck!

Never took a bird with me btw

but if they are not fully booked they can be surprisingly lenient/ forgiving.

Fraido · Jul 31, 2018

ChristaNL said:
Aer Lingus is one of the more laid back ones (but my experiences ares a few years old!) - they have rules and they have "rules".
The problem with the terrorismhype that the rules change every time you turn around.
But they still treat you as a person instead of cattle- so good luck!

Never took a bird with me btw but if they are not fully booked they can be surprisingly lenient/ forgiving.

Haha, I have flown with them to and fron Ireland once, but from what I’ve been reading online they don’t allow any pets in the Cabin with you!

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Inger · Jul 31, 2018

What kind of bird do you have? Its size may change the answers [emoji5]

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Fraido · Jul 31, 2018

Inger said:
What kind of bird do you have? Its size may change the answers [emoji5]

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Just a little GCC!

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ChristaNL · Aug 1, 2018

They also had/have serious official rules about no musical instruments etc. in the cabin. One of my flights home (from Dublin): some people where traveling with medium-sized harps (3 octaves-ish) and they were given an extra seat for them so the instrument would be okay. Normal people not celebs or anything like that!

(Of course the irish and harps... it a tradition thing, but still!)

They probably can find some space for your conure (or let you hold him/her / crated of course/ on your lap). Just ask them very nicely

(if he/she has a lot of green feathers it might help

-send a picture along with the application )

Inger · Aug 1, 2018

I flew with Bumble in the US in December and it was a pretty easy experience, once I figured out what I was doing. Obviously things might be different overseas, but here’s a start.

First, I would go to the Air Lingus website and check their pet policy. I personally would not fly with my bird unless she could be in the cabin with me, and I would not count on them bending rules. They might; but they might not, and then what? If they allow birds in cabin, then make the reservation including the bird right away. There are often limits on the number of pets in the cabin so get yours on the list.

Their website should include information on what sort of carrier is required. Mine had to fit under the seat at takeoff and landing. I used an XS Pak-o-bird (she’s a Parrotlet) and it was perfect. Not sure a GCC is quite small enough for that. And maybe a POB isn’t in your budget (I had some extra $$ that month) but just check the website requirements and then do your best to find something that works. I know people sometimes even use small cat/dog crates for birds.

Keep us posted!

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Scott · Aug 1, 2018

Apparently the only animals Aer Lingus permits in the cabin are "service dogs."

Aer Lingus site: https://www.aerlingus.com/travel-in...lling-with-pets/#/tab-0-flights-within-europe

Might you have the opportunity to fly the route on another airline that may have more lenient policies - and allow birds in the cabin?

Shipping birds as "cargo" is IMO problematic, though the overwhelming majority are flown safely.

Fraido · Aug 1, 2018

Scott said:
Apparently the only animals Aer Lingus permits in the cabin are "service dogs."

Aer Lingus site: https://www.aerlingus.com/travel-in...lling-with-pets/#/tab-0-flights-within-europe

Might you have the opportunity to fly the route on another airline that may have more lenient policies - and allow birds in the cabin?

Shipping birds as "cargo" is IMO problematic, though the overwhelming majority are flown safely.

I’m not sure of any other airlines that fly to Ireland from Canada, I’d need to look into it more.

This is actually for a move, so a nessecary trip.

Boyfriend is contacting the airline and asking questions today, and that should hopefully help a bit.

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Inger · Aug 1, 2018

Check Delta. I know they fly internationally and they’re one that allows birds in-cabin, at least in the US.

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Scott · Aug 2, 2018

I'd check Air Canada and Norwegian, the latter may have just started or be about to begin service between Ireland and Canada. Perhaps WestJet, Canada's low cost airline. Other possibility is to fly from Ireland to the U.S. and connect to your final destination.

Fraido · Aug 2, 2018

Scott said:
I'd check Air Canada and Norwegian, the latter may have just started or be about to begin service between Ireland and Canada. Perhaps WestJet, Canada's low cost airline. Other possibility is to fly from Ireland to the U.S. and connect to your final destination.

I’m looking into Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat... though on the Air Transat website they state only cats and dogs in the cabin, I’m going to call and find out regardless and ask for more specifications crate-wise for my animals since I’m also flying my cat and dog.

I’m 100% going for a direct flight, going to avoid a flight with connections at all cost, since I’ve got all three animals.

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Scott · Aug 2, 2018

Best advice is to ensure the promised permission to fly with pets in cabin is in writing! Hearsay and supposition won't go far once at the airport the day of travel unless documented.

Most airlines limit the total number of pets in the cabin on a given flight (service animals excepted) so you'll want to make the reservation as soon as practical.

I assume your boyfriend will travel on the same flight - would be helpful as there may be limits on the number of animals per person!

Totally agree with the desire for a non-stop or direct flight!

Fraido · Aug 6, 2018

Well unfortunately no airlines doing direct flights allow birds in the cabin.

I considered sticking with the original airline I was going to use, but they only fly animals via some cargo company and the person I contacted estimated it would be $1400 just for my husky to fly!? Crazy.

Looking into Air Canada now, since the cost to fly my pets as checked baggage with them is far less for each and my dog shouldn’t go over their 100lbs limit with the crate.

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Scott · Aug 7, 2018

The only possible advantage to using a cargo company is they may carry live pets in what is normally the "passenger area" rather than below deck in the cargo holds. Most cargo carriers use converted passenger airliners, and fully pressurize and climate control the main deck. Does seem expensive for sure, so it is a matter for you of risk assessment.

dhraiden · Aug 7, 2018

Seconding get services provided in writing. Glad you might've found a better alternative with Canada than Lingus. Let us know how it goes. If somehow you should be allowed to have the animal with you in the passenger section, do not ever consent that it be placed in the closed overhead compartments or the like. Either below the seat in front of you in a rigid carrier with no soft or collapsible panels or next to you if at all possible.

noodles123 · Aug 7, 2018

I'm pretty sure they are fairly relaxed for cargo..

. I know you can literally drill a hole into a pet carrier for a dowel perch and then tape up the air holes with added wire mesh (to prevent chewing and escape) and they are okay with that..At least, Delta is....Now is it great/even okay? Not ideal....but does it happen and do the birds survive? Mostly...I would double check on the climate control situation if putting bird in cargo, because too hot or too cold for too long is no good (they may restrict flight when it is too hot/cold--I don't know)....and you don't want them sitting on the tarmac in crazy temps either. I want to say that it cost me a $100 something....and she made it, but again, I wouldn't likely do that again.

I was actually really upset when I found out that there was no temperature control on my bird's flight (despite what I had been told)...It was pressurized, but no temp control. Now, thankfully, it was approx 5 hours on a nice day, but STILL....Trust, but verify. I was P*SSED!

Fraido · Aug 7, 2018

I appreciate all the input guys, thank you.

Air Canada won’t fly birds.

I think I’ve settled on WestJet, they will fly birds and allow them in the cabin even. This just means I’ll have a layover somewhere as there are no direct flights to Ireland with this airline. The cat and dog should be fine, so I do believe this is what we’re going to do.

For now I am working on all the paperwork to leave the country with him.

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Fraido · Aug 7, 2018

Actually now that raises another question for me, they only allow soft sided carriers, is anybody familiar with a soft sided carrier I should look into specifically?

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noodles123 · Aug 7, 2018

maybe these?
https://www.google.com/search?q=bir...KHaNAA4oQ9QEwAXoECAAQBg#imgrc=gl1G2Aa6F__UwM:

Flying with your Parrot

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Happy Birthday, Rossi

A huge thank you!!!

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