Corgi with cancer needs to fly for groundbreaking treatment - tips on safer aircraft?

[FlyingCorgi]

Dear pilots,

My beloved 9-year-old Corgi mix has an aggressive form of cancer and our only hope is a clinical trial in Minnesota. We are based in Los Angeles. It's a 30 hour drive or under 4 hour flight... the flight seems the safer option. But he is just 10 pounds too big for airlines' in-cabin pet policies. I would do anything for him. He is my best friend and was born literally into my hands. If you would be so kind as to share your expertise, I desperately need advice.

1) Is there any way (without lying and saying he's a service dog - seems like such bad karma to take on when beginning a journey to save a life) to get any airline to accept him in-cabin? I work in marketing and I know that this could be great PR for an airline - the trial he is entering is expected to produce treatment that rapidly benefits humans, too, and in fact is the ONLY major advance of treatment of this cancer... ever.... otherwise treatment has been the same since chemo was invented. He is only 30 pounds, well-trained, and REALLY cute. I would be willing to participate in any marketing/advertising/PR if it gets my dog a safer way to fly. I am terrified to have him in cargo when he is undergoing experimental treatment for cancer.

2) If I can't get him into the cabin, which aircraft and airlines are safest for pets? I have read the FAA safety reports which include pet injuries, death, or loss, but I am very interested in employees' take, too. What models of aircraft should I look for that have a separate, climate-controlled compartment for pets? Which airlines have newer, better-equipped planes for flying pets?

3) Does anyone fly QLA (any area airport) to MSP and would be willing to have us on their flight and direct their crew to take special care? Even if you are not flying the days we need for our first appointment, there will be two more visits for further treatment in the next 3 months and I would feel much safer knowing my pilot was aware of our special situation.

4) Any further suggestions? Anything I should have asked and didn't?

Eternal gratitude for answers and suggestions - this is the hardest thing I have ever done. Second-hardest was losing the woman who was the most important factor in making me the person I am today - she died right after my 18th birthday and having my puppy (4 1/2 weeks old when she passed away) was the only thing that helped me survive... I am not ready to lose him, too.

[S.o.S.]

I will cautiously welcome FlyingCorgi but I would suggest that this post is very close to the line marked 'Incredulity Expired'.

If the post is real, then I suggest there are many legal ways of transporting the animal. If this is a Troll, then the poster should bear in mind that we have their IP address and we can be intolerant of time wasters.

[FlyingCorgi]

I'm very confused, I'm asking for exactly that, safe and legal options. I have never flown with an animal checked or as cargo before and am quite nervous to make the first time an emergency situation. He is in good enough health despite the cancer to get a valid health certificate - the details of how this is possible belong on a veterinary forum but I can share privately if anyone is a medical geek in addition to a plane geek and is curious. I work in tech and in my field there are almost always things the casual observer doesn't know that are common knowledge to the professional. I suspect possibly the same is true of the commercial flight field, and hope to gain some of this knowledge to help me make the right decisions.

[eastern wiseguy]

As a pet parent of two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels I can understand your angst.

When I relocated from UK to the USA my preferred mode of transport for my third Cavvy was the Queen Mary 2. There was no way I was putting any dog of mine in a hold. For various reasons though,it fell through and she now lives very happily with my sister in the Netherlands.

However I digress.

You may want to look at these people

Pet Travel by Private Jet Hire | PrivateFly

Best of luck . Please let us know how it turns out. PM if SOS prefers.

[SpringHeeledJack]

If it were me, I'd drive there. Simply because your vehicle would be familiar to the animal (sounds/smell etc) and many stops for 'stretching the legs' would be beneficial and stress reducing for said animal. You would be there the whole time, thus reducing stress for your animal and for yourself, which as you are well aware, your corgi can pick up on. Air travel is shorter, but it seems to me that longer slower would be the better option, and it allows much flexibility once in Minnesota. Btw, what is this new experimental treatment out of interest ?


SHJ

[S.o.S.]

I'm glad to hear that FlyingCorgi please bear in mind that a public forum with anonymous posting (that is also free) is subject to much unreasonable interference. I hope all goes well.

[419]

Are there any smallish business airports or flying clubs near to where you are and where you have to fly to?

If so, it might be worth popping in there and asking to see if someone can help.
You might be lucky and find a business jet of private flight going the right direction that is willing to take you and your pet.

[OhNoCB]

All that I can offer to this is that I once flew a lady and her dog on a private chartered flight because she didn't want it traveling in any hold. THis may be the best option if you want to avoid that and avoid driving also.