Good Airline for Traveling with a Dog?

The only recommendation I can give you is for SouthWest Airlines. I've always had a great experience with them. With whatever airline you choose, do some research on how they handle pets, visitations during flight, crates etc. Call them directly if you need to. Some travel agencies (if there is such a thing anymore lol), may have pamphlets that will state how they handle pet travel. I think there needs to be a Pet Bus (on ground), that helps pets travel from one place to another with caregivers on it to take care of them while they travel. Good luck to you on your move. :-)

I doubt it is going to be a "good" experience for the dog. It needs to be the least painful/traumatic experience. I would definitely recommend getting some doggy relaxation meds from the vet.

I would not fly my dog unless I was going overseas and had no choice. If it's a one-way one-time trip, I'd try to take the train.

I had to help with my parents' pets when they moved two states away. They moved, and then once the moving van arrived a their new home with their stuff, I shipped the pets on the airline to them. We used Delta, and it worked out great. I would recommend a non-stop flight, as transfers can be terrifying for pets (having observed some terrified dogs abandoned in luggage areas in my travels).

The way it worked was, you have to ship the pets as "cargo," and pay freight for them (this may work differently if you yourself are on the flight, but freight charges will apply either way, and it's not cheap). Anyway, you provide the crate. It needs to be a hard-sided crate, large enough for the animal to stand up in without touching the top, and big enough for them to turn around in. You need to put a water tray inside the crate (empty), and tape a bag of food (enough for 1 meal for your pet) to the crate. The pilot will be notified (and if you're on the flight, speak to him/her personally to remind) that there's a live animal in the cargo hold. This is critical, because if they don't turn on the cargo heaters and pressurize the hold, your pet will not live through the flight. Our vet recommended giving the pets Benadryl to help keep them calm and keep their ears clear (that was super fun with the cats, let me tell you).

I believe you can only bring your dog on the plane (in the cabin) with you on certain airlines, and only with a very small dog. I think a 50 pound dog would probably have to go in the cargo hold.

Check into which airlines have direct flights to wherever you're going, and then call them for further info on how they handle pets. Like I said, we used Delta and it worked out very well. They were very good with the pets and everyone got there safe and sound.

Oh - forgot to mention - you will need to provide a crapload of veterinary paperwork, as well as fill out a big stack of paperwork at the airport. Arrive at least an hour earlier than you otherwise would. It's quite a process.

I have flown overseas with a dog and used Delta and Continental. Both were good and I had no issues. Because your dog is large it will have to be crated and be in the cargo area. I have never heard of an airline that has provided a crate, you will most likely have to provide your own. Be sure to get your dog comfortable in the crate before you fly. It will have to be big enough that the dog can turn around easily. I have walked around the airport with my dog on a leash but you should probably check with the specific airport policy. You will not be able to visit your dog during the flight since it would be in the cargo area. I would not recommend drugging a dog as it could have adverse affects. You will also need a health certificate saying the dog has had its vaccines and is in good health. If you travel overseas you will need to check what forms you need to import a dog into that specific country. Different countries have different requirements. Some have weeks of quaratine in their facility and some just require a health certificate signed by a vet at USDA. Also check into the cost. Both times I traveled overseas with my dog it was $400+ as a dog is considered to be extra baggage. And they calculate the size of the crate plus weight with dog inside and then come up with the cost. Feel free to pan me if you have any more questions.

I used to take my dog in-cabin with my on American, and that worked great. However, it was expensive, as they charged $100 each way for her ticket as "extra freight." Sometimes I'd be on a free frequent flier ticket and still pay $200 for the dog to be allowed on as my carry on which had to sit under the seat in front of my. Also, couldn't do self-check-in with a pet. If she had NOT been able to fly in-cabin, though, I would not have checked her.

In CA, will they allow a dog to arrive as freight during the summer? There are certain geographies that dogs can't fly in the belly of the plane during periods of extreme heat or extreme cold. If at all possible if I were you, I'd drive the dog to CA. If traveling overseas, I'd board my dog unless you are moving there and absolutely must take it on the plane.