Hello, I traveled here from the USA with my best friend Cecil and although I was able to get him on the plane coming here it was a very close call. They told me at the ticket counter that he was too tall for his carrier but that was after I already had his ticket/tag and we were able to board the plane. At the time we arrived Cecil weighed 9kg but he was a bit thin from dieting and he probably weighs 10kg now.
We are currently in Italy but we want to go to Madeira. There is supposedly a ferry to Madeira but it does not start running until July and we want to go in March or April. I tried searching for flights but all the airlines that service Madeira have animal restrictions for weight and/or carrier size well below Cecil's size. Thus I am reluctantly considering flying with him in the cargo hold. I wish they would let me fly in the cargo hold with him!
We are traveling light, I have an e-bike and some clothes in a backpack and Cecil has a soft carrier. I am wondering if it is safe to fly with a dog in a soft carrier in the hold? Do they rent hard crates at the airport or do they have special compartments or something for flying dogs in the hold? Or do I need to buy him a hard carrier for his safety? Is there another way to get him to Madeira? Is it a risk and we should consider waiting for the ferry in July? He is my best friend and I do not want to risk his health or safety. Thank you.
We are currently in Italy but we want to go to Madeira. There is supposedly a ferry to Madeira but it does not start running until July and we want to go in March or April. I tried searching for flights but all the airlines that service Madeira have animal restrictions for weight and/or carrier size well below Cecil's size. Thus I am reluctantly considering flying with him in the cargo hold. I wish they would let me fly in the cargo hold with him!
We are traveling light, I have an e-bike and some clothes in a backpack and Cecil has a soft carrier. I am wondering if it is safe to fly with a dog in a soft carrier in the hold? Do they rent hard crates at the airport or do they have special compartments or something for flying dogs in the hold? Or do I need to buy him a hard carrier for his safety? Is there another way to get him to Madeira? Is it a risk and we should consider waiting for the ferry in July? He is my best friend and I do not want to risk his health or safety. Thank you.