Airline Travel

[Inger]

I know we have an active thread about traveling with our fids, but I am specifically looking at airline travel.

As most of you know, I'm taking Bumble to Virginia with me next month. Between car time, airport time, and actual flight time, she'll have to be in some sort of carrier for about 8 hours. The question is what kind of carrier will work and not make her completely miserable?

Please don't suggest the fabulous, perfect, ideal, pak-o-bird airline carrier. By the time you finish with shipping and tax, it's over $300 and I can't bring myself to do that since I wouldn't need to use it that often.

I am looking at the Celltei Birdie Pouch https://www.celltei.com/products/birdie-pouch.html but is that going to be too small for 8 hours? I can't really get anything too much bigger since it still has to fit under the seat at takeoff/landing (and comfortably in my lap the rest of the time since I doubt I'll luck out and have an empty seat next to me).

Does anyone have any other thoughts/ideas? For those of you who don't know, Bumble is a parrotlet, so while I thought about a hard sided cat carrier, I think she could get through the front so that probably won't work.

TIA

 

[bill_e]

Inger, do you already have the tickets and know what kind of planes you'll be flying on? Are any of them regional jets or turboprops?

 

[bill_e]

How about something like this? I believe your bird is small and this will definately fit under any seat. Just drape a towel over it for warmth and security.

Amazon has tons of soft sided carriers and some travel cages. I've carried Nike around in a cat carrier, they are cheap, easy to put a perch or two in and can be gotten small enough to go under a seat.

Just throwing out ideas.

https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Trave...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=KHNHJTVH6RH1T0GVMTHY

 

[Inger]

How about something like this? I believe your bird is small and this will definately fit under any seat. Just drape a towel over it for warmth and security.

Amazon has tons of soft sided carriers and some travel cages. I've carried Nike around in a cat carrier, they are cheap, easy to put a perch or two in and can be gotten small enough to go under a seat.

Just throwing out ideas.

https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Trave...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=KHNHJTVH6RH1T0GVMTHY

Yes, parrotlets are the smallest parrots in captivity, so she does qualify as small :05: I actually already have that tiny cage - it just doesn't seem very secure and maybe harder to drag around since it doesn't really have a strap (the one that came with it fell off before I got it home, so that got tossed LOL) But she might actually like it better since she'd have more access to finger/treats. I'm not sure the airline would go for it though, and I can't find specifics on carrier requirements. Oh - and it's a nonstop on Alaska Air from Seattle to DC so it will be a nice big plane. I have looked at the ones on Amazon, and it's likely I'll go that way in the end. Thanks for the thoughts!

 

[bill_e]

You probably already saw this. Notice the requirement for $100 each way for the pet and calling them within 24 hours of your flight...and also no online reservations. If you already an online reservation I would call...probably not an issue if you call.

The following carrier sizes are accepted for travel in the cabin:

Kennel size chart for travel in cabin
Type Kennel size Dimensions (length x width x height)
Hard-sided 50lbs 17" x 11" x 7.5"
Soft-sided 50lbs 17" x 11" x 9.5"

Airline Pet Policy Alaska Airlines - Fly Your Dog or Cat Safely
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/policies/pets-traveling-with-pets

 

[Inger]

You probably already saw this. Notice the requirement for $100 each way for the pet and calling them within 24 hours of your flight...and also no online reservations. If you already an online reservation I would call...probably not an issue if you call.

The following carrier sizes are accepted for travel in the cabin:

Kennel size chart for travel in cabin
Type Kennel size Dimensions (length x width x height)
Hard-sided 50lbs 17" x 11" x 7.5"
Soft-sided 50lbs 17" x 11" x 9.5"

Airline Pet Policy Alaska Airlines - Fly Your Dog or Cat Safely
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/policies/pets-traveling-with-pets

Her travel has already been arranged. :14: I have to pay the (stupid) $100 fee when I check in. Thanks for checking on it for me! And thanks for the kennel dimensions. Everything I've looked at so far meets the requirements.

 

[bill_e]

You're welcome. It wasn't all that long ago (less than 10 yrs) that pets under the seat were free. Just another airline rip off.

 

[Inger]

You're welcome. It wasn't all that long ago (less than 10 yrs) that pets under the seat were free. Just another airline rip off.

Exactly. It takes the place of one carry-on item, so it’s not like she’s taking any extra space. Very irritating, but I love my Bumble was and can’t imagine leaving her home for 17 days!!


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[Kiwibird]

Kiwi spent 3 days stuffed in a budgie cage when we moved cross country, he was fine.

Generally speaking, many animals feel more secure smaller quarters when traveling. I think a small bird pouch would be fine. Just make sure it can fit under the seat. I'd contact your airline to be 100% sure whatever carrier you choose fits the airline parameters for being allowed.

 

[Inger]

Kiwi spent 3 days stuffed in a budgie cage when we moved cross country, he was fine.

Generally speaking, many animals feel more secure smaller quarters when traveling. I think a small bird pouch would be fine. Just make sure it can fit under the seat. I'd contact your airline to be 100% sure whatever carrier you choose fits the airline parameters for being allowed.

Oh that’s a good point about small=secure. Thanks! I’ve been keeping an eye on dimensions and everything is within the requirements, but thanks for the reminder. [emoji2] I’ve almost got myself convinced I just need to get the XS pak-o-bird. They look so nice and everyone raves about them. Also they have a Black Friday deal. 12% off and $20 shipping. Hahaha maybe the lamest special I’ve seen but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ it will basically make the custom name free [emoji23]


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[ErikaDunkelheit]

Hi, during my googleing for Dennis and his travel i've found this carrier that actually has the spec for travel, is transparent and kind of antistress but double check with the airlines companies if it s ok for them

PlayfulParrot: Wingabago Bird Carrier

or this one

https://www.windycityparrot.com/car...r-small-to-medium-parrots-animals-p-1686.html

that's less expensive but not as comfortable as the wingabago (what a funny name!)

Have a nice trip =)

Erika & Dennis

 

[Inger]

Hi, during my googleing for Dennis and his travel i've found this carrier that actually has the spec for travel, is transparent and kind of antistress but double check with the airlines companies if it s ok for them

PlayfulParrot: Wingabago Bird Carrier

or this one

https://www.windycityparrot.com/car...r-small-to-medium-parrots-animals-p-1686.html

that's less expensive but not as comfortable as the wingabago (what a funny name!)

Have a nice trip =)

Erika & Dennis

Those are great! The Wingabago is just a touch too big I think, although REALLY nice. The other one would work. It might me a bit bulky to haul around the airport. I will for sure keep these in mind! Really appreciate the suggestions [emoji846]


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[clark_conure]

Not for nothing, I think I'd feel safer with my conure up with the pilot. Clark is usually clipped, but I'm sure he has a lot more knowledge about flying, and especially knowledgeable with soft landings.

 

[Scott]

Not for nothing, I think I'd feel safer with my conure up with the pilot. Clark is usually clipped, but I'm sure he has a lot more knowledge about flying, and especially knowledgeable with soft landings.

There is aviation humor about birds and cats... specifically a cat and duck. The Cat and Duck Method describes how to fly on instruments. (poor weather conditions) Pretty sure Alaska Airlines pilots have closely studied!!
http://www.hsvwings.com/C&D_Flight.pdf

 

[Inger]

Not for nothing, I think I'd feel safer with my conure up with the pilot. Clark is usually clipped, but I'm sure he has a lot more knowledge about flying, and especially knowledgeable with soft landings.

There is aviation humor about birds and cats... specifically a cat and duck. The Cat and Duck Method describes how to fly on instruments. (poor weather conditions) Pretty sure Alaska Airlines pilots have closely studied!!
http://www.hsvwings.com/C&D_Flight.pdf

Good thing Bumble can’t be confused with a duck! [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]


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[Inger]

Not for nothing, I think I'd feel safer with my conure up with the pilot. Clark is usually clipped, but I'm sure he has a lot more knowledge about flying, and especially knowledgeable with soft landings.

But first Bumble would chew all the levers and sticks and thingies so that they’re unusable. Then she would sit on the captain’s shoulder and groom his neck hairs while saying “tickle” (and when she gets the back of your neck like that it is uncomfortably tickle-y), then she might try to give him a manicure, and when he decides to eat his lunch she would help. And at some point he would irritate her so she’d bite him. And also poop on him. A lot. Every 13-15 minutes, to be precise. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]


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[Inger]

Update: I finally let myself order the Pak-o-Bird. [emoji2] And personalized it with Bumble’s name. Thanks for everyone’s input!


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[Gorden9001]

OxGord carrier preferable

 

[bill_e]

Update: I finally let myself order the Pak-o-Bird. [emoji2] And personalized it with Bumble’s name. Thanks for everyone’s input!


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I know it was expensive but I'm confident you'll love it. Now you can take Bumble on your daily walks etc when the weather's nice too.

 

[Inger]

Update: I finally let myself order the Pak-o-Bird. [emoji2] And personalized it with Bumble’s name. Thanks for everyone’s input!





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I know it was expensive but I'm confident you'll love it. Now you can take Bumble on your daily walks etc when the weather's nice too.

Yes! I can take her lots of places. I also have a harness for her and will be working on training her to it over the winter, but options are good. [emoji846]


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