Flying on Airplane With Bird

[Zazu123]

Hello, I am moving across the country late July and I just got my conure his airline travel carrier. I got the best I could find to make the trip as comfortable as possible. It’s the Celltei In-Cabin Airline Carrier. I have all the airline stuff figured out, now I was just hoping to get tips on how to get my conure comfortable in the carrier. I was thinking of using it as his sleeping cage for the next few months so he is as used to it as possible. I just want to make sure this wont cause him to yell and scream once I take him on the plane because he might not be able to fall asleep. Any tips? My main goal with the carrier is to make sure he is comfortable and quiet throughout the journey.

 

[Scott]

I like your idea of acclimating using carrier as sleeping cage. You want him to be comfortable and enjoy the flight.

 

[ChicagoConure]

Replying to an older post here, but thought I would reply since I just flew cross country with my GCC and with a little bit of work and the right equipment it was a super easy trip.
There are officially only 2 major US airlines that allow birds in the cabin- Air Alaska and Delta. We used Delta and you have to call in to make a pet reservation. Make sure you have specific dimensions and weight of your carrier so they can process the ticket correctly.
Like others have said on the Forums- the Celltei airline approved travel carrier is a GREAT investment. It measures 16" long, 10" wide and 11/5" tall, and that height can go down to 8" since it compresses to fit under the seat. Get your bird used to the carrier, have them eat it in it, take them for a few car rides (with the carrier on the floor) and just walk them around and let them understand they will be moving around in this. Our GCC did not love getting in, but I can grab her fairly easy and once in it, and a few treats, she was very content in there.

Delta says they have a special service counter for pet check in, but be aware that there is no special counter (at least in O'Hare) you have to stand in line for a regular service agent, so get to the airport a bit earlier than usual. You will pay your PET FEE at the service counter and they will issue you a ticket- currently to travel with a bird in cabin it is a $95 charge. Also realize that the carrier counts as a personal carry on item, so if you have a backpack or handbag as well- you would have to check any luggage with you.

TSA- just be prepared that you will have to take your bird out. I have seen some posts where they say agents will just look in- but at least for the Celltei carrier since it has only 3 sides that you can see into - I had numerous supervisors tell me that they have to run it through the machine to inspect the floor and the ceiling of the carrier. A TSA agent will take the carrier, while you walk through the detector, and then they escort you to a private room. I tried to just grab her out of the carrier but of course she wanted to explore the room! TSA agents were very friendly and thought it was a unique experience. Once again since she lets me grab her easily, I was able to get her back in when they returned the cage.

I kept the carrier fairly sparce, just millet on the floor, some treats scattered, and then in one of the food cups I placed some pieces of tangerine and watermelon. The fruit was a way for her to stay hydrated without water sloshing all over- although I did give her some sips of water on our layover by putting a cup in the carrier.

If you are ok on paying up a little- the Delta comfort seats have a bit more room underneath and allow you to fit the carrier without much effort under the seat in front of you. I would recommend an aisle seat just so you have some extra leg room if needed.

We are lucky to have a fairly quiet GCC so she thought the whole thing was a fun field trip. She only squeaked a few times and with the airplane noise you could barely hear it. There was a crying baby 2 rows in back of us and my seat mate turned to me during the flight and said "I'm much happier sitting next to the bird."

Good luck to any of those traveling in the future- hope more airlines realize what good travelers are feathered friends can be.

 

[Pickle's Mom]

I took just flew last week with my bird. We were coming to Hawaii, which has it's own set of challenges. Piccolo had to ride as a checked bag, and had to have hard carrier instead of his normal Pak o Bird, etc. I definitely tried to get him used to it prior too. Short trips out in it, with lots of treats. A few overnight trials too. I definitely agree about the fruit to help with hydration too. We usually use apple in his Pak o Bird. Definitely allow way more time than you think you need at airport. We had to go through guest service line with Hawaiian Airlines. We were almost 3 hours early, and still almost missed flight. The ticket agents didn't know policies, etc. In our case. We put a shred toy in for him too...it was shredded during trip, for sure. Hope your trip goes well!

 

[flyingron]

I use the pakabird in the car and in our own plane. Bacca, our quaker, loves flying (especially if she can sit up front with me). Unfortunately, the airlines (and hotels and the like) describe "pet friendly" as just meaning "dog friendly."

 

[EugeneKiselev]

We once flew to San-Francisco from Atlanta and back with Kivi (green checked conure). It was Delta. There were no issues at all, nobody asked us to take her out of her travel bag. However, our travel bag is completely transparent which probably helped. (we have two travel bags: the small transparent one for actual traveling by car, train or plane and a big backpack for hiking etc and for sleeping in hotels)

 

[DonnaBudgie]

My husband and I are flying from Maine to Las Vegas to see the Eagles at the Sphere on April 3rd. We are taking one budgie (baby Joey, 5 months old) on the airplane because I don't want her to be lonely while we're gone for a week. She has her own smallish cage at home and requires supervision when she's out of her cage because she can't fly that well. Shes super sweet and bonded to us. I have a backpack carrier and a collapsible travel cage for her. She'll stay in the hotel while we're at the concert and otherwise out and about in Vegas.

Am I nuts for doing this? She has taken 10 hour road trips with us and has stayed in hotels many times. I have a bird sitter who comes twice a day to take care of my budgies when we're out of town. Should I just leave her at home?

 

[TiredOldMan]

If she can ride in the cabin with you I see no reason not to take her

 

[rheashard2]

I flew Texas to Southern Cal with my CAG. No cage for two weeks. It was a dog carrier. I got the largest approved for in cabin. Starting a monthh in advance I began getting him used to it; sleeping, feeding etc. He had a lot of out kennel time when I was around. He was used to travel, so being in carrier wasn't a big deal.

 

[Inger]

My husband and I are flying from Maine to Las Vegas to see the Eagles at the Sphere on April 3rd. We are taking one budgie (baby Joey, 5 months old) on the airplane because I don't want her to be lonely while we're gone for a week. She has her own smallish cage at home and requires supervision when she's out of her cage because she can't fly that well. Shes super sweet and bonded to us. I have a backpack carrier and a collapsible travel cage for her. She'll stay in the hotel while we're at the concert and otherwise out and about in Vegas.

Am I nuts for doing this? She has taken 10 hour road trips with us and has stayed in hotels many times. I have a bird sitter who comes twice a day to take care of my budgies when we're out of town. Should I just leave her at home?

I don't think you're nuts. I travel with Bumble any time I can.

 

[TiredOldMan]

I can't believe anyone wouldn't want to travel with Bumble!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Thanks everyone who has replied to my question about flying with my youngest budgie, Joey. People who don't have birds don't understand. She's a seasoned car traveler and the weather in Vegas this time of year is really pleasant. I've traveled with her by car in the worst weather in Maine winters but it never required me to take her carrier outdoors. I'll need to walk some outdoors wirh her backpack carrier getting to the rental car etc.
She'll be in the hotel room most of the time but we will spend several hours every day playing wirh her and she's pretty independent when we're not home. I just didn't want to leave her for a week with no playtime because I don't want to upset her thinking we abandoned her.