How To Transport Puppy In Aircraft

[GeneralT001]

On 4/9/2022 at 8:55 PM, mhrivnak said:

I've done a few pilots-n-paws flights with puppies. Here's what I've had success with:

No food for 6 hours before flight. No water for 2 hours before flight.

I have a small plastic carrier that fits easily through the baggage door even fully assembled, and I've used other small carriers of various designs. Just check the carrier's dimensions with the door dimensions. I put down a tarp just in case anything spills out the front, and it saved the day once when the foster family violated the above rule about food but didn't tell me.

I've also had success putting small puppies in a large rubbermaid bin placed in the back seat. No lid required; they can't climb out.

I tried a small-sized wire cage once. It fit (tightlly) through the passenger door of someone's M20F, which gave me confidence it would fit in my plane when we did a hand-off. Maybe due to differences in upholstery or seat shape, it was much more difficult to get in and out of my plane without scratching anything, and I would not use it again. Unfortunately that one couldn't be disassembled.

If possible, bring an assistant in case any in-flight attention is needed. I probably wouldn't do the open rubbermaid bin without an assistant. On the flight pictured, my wife was certain that this pup NEEDED LOTS of attention for the entire flight.  The pup started in the rubbermaid bin, but when we level off in cruise was promptly scooped up and spent the duration sleeping in the co-pilot's lap.

Beautiful...sometimes wish they would just stay as puppies