Amazon and Plane Flight

[Doorknob]

I have a Yellow Nape Amazon and she is 32 years old. I have has her since she was a baby.
I live in Hawaii and will be retiring this summer. My plans are to move to the mainland and travel full time in my camper/truck (lots of off road travel). The airlines will only allow birds to be transported in the cargo hold. The flight would be around 5 hours. I certainly do not to stress her out either in the flight or the traveling. She is healthy. Is this asking too much from her. I would hate to give her up, but if that would be better for her I will have to.
Looking for some feedback.
Mahalo

 

[wrench13]

Get her declared as a Emotional Support Animal by some shrink or doctor. You shuld be able to keep her in cabin is a travel cage that fits under your seat.

 

[SailBoat]

Documents, documents, documents!!!
Especially Health Documents! If you have been seeing a CAV (Certified Avian Vet) for years, you will have an established Health History of your YNA! If not, it's time to find one and begin developing a Health History. You should approach this as if you are coming into mainland USA from a foreign country both as a result of the length of the flight and ever tightening travel issues.

The 'When' you will be traveling is very important as at the moment and for the next six weeks, travel is down and will likely stay down until this Virus either stabilizes or lessens.

You will likely not be able to travel your favored airline and have to search around to find one that allows you to have your YNA in a cat carrier that will fit under the seat in front of you!!!

NOTE #1: Travel volumes are down and airlines will be looking to fill seats, so expect some relaxing of rules...

NOTE #2: Find a CAV ASAP, like TODAY! It commonly takes 30 to 60 days to complete the health documentation...

Get the size of a carry-on that will fit under the seat, you do not have to tell anyone more than that to get that sizing. Assure that your Amazon will fit into that space.

 

[Scott]

I was surprised to learn parrots are not permitted in the cabin between U.S. mainland and Hawaii with the possible exception* of Alaska Air. Checked United, Hawaiian, and Southwest sites; apparently it is either U.S. government or State of Hawaii proviso. Several airlines suggest keeping Hawaii free of rabies as reason - though that doesn't explain embargo for travel to mainland or parrots.

Would be excruciating to re-home a lifelong pet and traumatic beyond belief to lose her due to travel stress. That said, many would consider a one-time flight in cargo pit reasonable risk. The airborne portion is in pressurized and temp controlled area, much of the risk is ground handling transition. You mention Summer retirement; many airports will be embargoed due to high temperature.

I'd seek an evaluation with a certified avian vet as prelude before making life-changing decisions.

*Alaska Air states "only cats and dogs." I'd seek clarification, in writing if deemed acceptable: https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/policies/pets-traveling-hawaii