Nevisian

Does anyone travel with their pet bird? I'm having one heck of a time finding an airline that recognizes birds as pets. We're talking about an African Grey parrot in a regulation underseat pet carry-on. We have all the documents necessary to cross boarders and cooperative Vets at each end, but no airline.

toedtoes

And you thought getting through customs with an "exotic bird" would be tough...

I did a quick search and found this site:
http://www.parrotletranch.com/cabin.html

I haven't read through it, but it might help.

Good luck!

toedtoes

I took a look at some of the airline links, and it looks like most don't allow larger birds (most likely due to the "noise disturbance" they risk).

You don't indicate where you're travelling from or to. There might be other options available.

I'm assuming you're making a move and not just visiting. If you are visiting, I highly recommend you leave the bird home. If you are making a move, is it possible to do so by driving or boat? That would be easier for the bird in the long run.

fuzzypuppy1234

We moved across country with our 2 Cockatiels. We called the airlines and they said we could bring them on the plane. However, when we got to the airport, they were going to deny us boarding.

How did we eventually get them on? My mom started crying.

I wouldn't recommend that as a backup plan though.

Nevisian

Thanks toedtoes. The Airline link does help. I don't know why I didn't find it on the net. Actually, getting an "exotic" bird through customs is easy if you follow the rules and have the correct documents. The manditory three week quarantine on either end is easier to prove with a caged animal and both ends of the trip allow at home quarantine. It's just that, in talking to customer service at AA and United, they don't recognize birds as pet. The bird is the size of a large mango (that's his name) and if you cover a birds carrier they stay quiet. Travelling with the bird has been easy in the car. It is better to take the bird with you whenever possible: they can become neurotic if they feel abandonded. (Don't I sound like a pet owner?) Unfortunately we need to fly and stay for more than two weeks (his max time at the birdsitter). Fuzzypuppy: I'm too old to pull off a crying jag but you're mom must be a fun lady.
Thanks for the help.

toedtoes

If you were driving, I'd say take him no problem, but with flying there are so many issues involved.

Is it possible to have your sitter stay at your home? I've found with my Severe Macaw that he's quite content to stay in his own home, in his own cage, with his special sitter. She is really good with him. I use the answering machine to leave messages that my sitter can play over and over so he gets regular voice contact with me. I've gone for 3 weeks with no problem.

blightyboy

Send it freight most airlines carry live animals as cargo

gail

Just curious - how noisy would a bird be in an under-seat carrier? I am wondering if it would just think it was night time and go to sleep or would it squawk the entire trip. (Asking because in my job I make home visits and yesterday a parrot squawked and flew around the house the entire time I was there - I was considering making soup out of it by the time I left)

BTilke

We took our two pet birds (parakeet and Goldie's lorikeet) with us in the cabin when we moved to Europe in 1999. We traveled biz class on what was then Swissair. It took a lot of hunting to find an airline that would allow birds in the cabin. I imagine it's even more difficult now with the avian flu concerns.
Even though we had double and triplechecked that our birds would be allowed in the cabin, we still had problems at checkin...the Swissair checkin staff didn't want to allow them at first. Fortunately, we had all the paperwork with us, including printouts from Swissair saying the birds were allowed on board. They were very quiet in the plane, but did peep a bit in the biz lounge at Zurich airport as we waited for our connection. We got a few startled looks from Swiss businessmen, but most Europeans are used to seeing people travel with pets, so it wasn't a big deal.

If you are flying biz or first, you may get more help from the airlines than if you're in coach. Just the way it is these days. Good luck!

*During the first Gulf War, my in-laws were living in Kuwait when Iraq was invaded. They ended up in Baghdad as hostages, but a Jordanian friend kindly kept their Galah and Edwards Island lorikeet for them for the better part of the year. When the birds were finally able to go back to the U.S., they rode up in the cockpit with the Lufthansa pilot! The galah's adventures were featured in BirdTalk magazine. You may want to contact BirdTalk to see if they have any suggestions.

HappyTrvlr

A passenger on our Alitalia flight from Toronto to Rome had a parrot in a cage onboard with her.

suzic

I have travelled with my birds several times in the US. Never had a problem, just made the reservation for "pet in the cabin", followed the health certificate regulations, put the bird in the underseat carrier when neccesary (from their normal "backpack style carrier&quot, kept them covered with the dark blanket provided to keep warm (and quiet). No issues. I am positive that I travelled on Continental mostly, as they have the non-stops that I prefer to Cle.

Nevisian

I just got Mango back from 2 weeks at "parrot camp". He's not happy. suzic, thank you. Continental does allow "household birds". I hope they know the difference between an African Grey and a Macaw! Gail: I know what you mean about parrot soup but most birds are quiet in the dark. They should also be trained and comfortabe in their carry-cages.