Pets from DXB to LAX. KLM no pets 787?

[KATLPAX]

Hi all, I’m trying to get my retriever dog and cat back to the USA from DXB and finding lots of restrictions. One is KLM not allowing pets as checked bags in their 787 aircraft. What is the reason and should I be concerned on other carriers 787s?

other issues, AF currently not allowing transfer at CDG, EK too long to LAX. LH looks promising. Cargo wanted up to $8000 which is insane.

other ideas appreciated as well as dxb pet relo companies.. thanks a bunch guys

[The Outlaw]

I used EK DXB to YYZ. We have a retriever as well and she was "checked in" baggage and not Cargo as the price you quoted was pretty close to the "pants pulling down" they tried to give me! If I recall correctly there was a fee of 500 USD or so but it was better than the alternative. You may have to consider DXB JFK or DXB YYZ and then connect to a domestic flight for the remainder.

[KATLPAX]

Thanks! Great idea, I may use this option. The trouble I’m finding with this is many US carriers, DL,AA, UA have suspended pet services in cargo hold! It appears that Alaska may be an option (JFK-LAX). Appreciate any ideas for a late Jan early Feb travel.

[Romasik]

Did you consider driving to LA from JFK or YYZ? It's also cheaper, especially if you are a family.

[Dropp the Pilot]

Give Pushkal Verma a ring at the British Veterinary Hospital. The team there was tremendously informed about current regs and options and a truly fine resource for getting our dog home. I believe there was also a small EK discount. This experience is a few years old....

[KATLPAX]

Thanks for the advice. Driving from NYC to Los Angeles not on my bucket list! Especially in winter!

I’ll give British Vet a call, I need all the help I can get!

much appreciated guys!

[KingAir1978]

If it's any help, Spirit Airlines accepts animals in a cage the cabin (not the cargo hold, though)

[moneyhoon]

A guy I once flew with spoke highly of Cargolux may be worth checking them out.

[jafar]

KATLPAX
KLM is by far the best and their pet hotel at Schiphol is great. Have you tried from Abu Dhabi? I did take two large dogs and a cat from AUH to MAD vi AMS a few years ago as extra luggage No issue whatsoever and the cabin crew was always ensuring there where not left behind

[KATLPAX]

Tried Abu Dhabi and just my luck they fly A330s out. However on those two day they fly in and out of AUH, the connection to LAX switches from 777 to....787s!grrr

[Long Haul]

On the 787, pets and other live animals can be carried in either the bulk or forward cargo holds, both of which are heated and air-conditioned. The bulk hold is the one where last-minute bags, mail, etc., are loaded, that don’t go into those metal baggage containers. KLM has found that, on their 787s, the temperature control for the bulk compartment is not reliable enough to accept pets there. This seems to be a fleet-wide problem, and I don’t expect there to be a fix for this anytime soon. Which leaves the forward hold, but on KLM flights these are often full with pharmaceutical or food products, which need to be cooled to 5 deg C instead of the 18 deg C that pets normally require (although if your retriever is anything like mine was, she would love after her time in the desert!). KLM has decided not to take any pets at all then, in order to be able to accept perishable cargo in the forward hold always, which produces way more revenue than animals. Other airlines may be willing to turn up the temp in the forward hold for your pets, or find that the variation in the bulk hold is acceptable, so I wouldn’t worry. If you do end up on a 787, however, and this goes for any airplane, really, a gentle reminder to the crew that your pet is on board, with the request that they keep an eye on the temperature is always a good idea. When I see on my paperwork that we have a pet in the hold, I will usually ask the owner what temperature they would like, as I know it varies greatly from animal to animal, and set it accordingly.

As for flights, I know you wrote that DL isn’t taking checked-in pets, but is that maybe only on regional aircraft, because I don’t see that on their website. It seems that you could fly either AUH-AMS-JFK-LAX or AUH-AMS-MSP-LAX on Friday the 29th, for example, and always be on an Airbus or 767. Just a thought.

Good luck bringing them home.

[KATLPAX]

Thanks so much. Great info. I’ve had some luck in finding Turkish accepts Pets thru Istanbul then onto LAX. I also see that EK can get me to JFK then I find options from there. I’m avoiding the cargo route as it’s crazy expensive. Delta seems to use this rather than in the hold as I travel. Thanks again for the info. Very helpful.

[KATLPAX]

Got them home, thanks LH and EK

So as I have both a dog and cat, I flew from DXB to LAX on LH w the cat, crew was awesome kept me updated that my little bugger was safe on board. A friend flew w the rather large dog to SEA on EK direct. I flew up to SEA and drove the my dog to LA in a large rental sUV. SEA is a tad shorter flight so it allowed the dog to go. LAX too long on EK so they won’t accept pets on board.

that was just about a year ago now, and as I understand the US is not allowing the import of dogs from several countries (including the UAE) due to rabies I think. Got my guy home just in time.