In airplanes, I mean. Has anyone flown with their bird? Do you have any advice on an appropriate container?

I am preparing for when we move to America, and getting all info I can.

Thanks for any advice on bringing a parrot on an airplane.

I think you have to check with each airline for the specifics about the container size and their policy for transporting live birds.

Do consider security checkpoints. Ask if you will have to remove the bird from the container. Most checkpoints require xray of the container but you DONT want the bird in there at the time.

Also look into quarantine rules. I really don't know what the US policy is on bringing in live birds from other countries.

Michele I have not personally flown with a parrot but I did find some information that may be helpful.

Airline Travel with Your Bird
Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

At times, pet owners find themselves forced to make travel decisions involving their pets. Sometimes finding accurate information about the "how-to's" and requirements is difficult, especially when that pet is a bird. By following this list of recommendations, your planning and trip should be simplified, and hopefully, stress free, and enjoyed by both you and your bird.

What to do before the flight...

Contact the airlines first, making sure they 1) accept birds in the cabin and 2) to make an advanced reservation for your bird if they do. Most airlines will only allow two pets of any kind in the cabin per flight.

Purchase an airline-approved cage that will fit under the seat in front of you. If you have a bird that is too large to stand upright in a cage of this size, you will have to either purchase a seat for your caged bird (if the airlines allow this) or look into having it shipped by a company familiar with specialized shipping requirements. Be sure the cage has a very secure latch.

Firmly attach a rough-surfaced perch such as rope or natural wood, toward the front of the cage. A food dish can also be attached to the door.

Familiarize your bird with this new cage before traveling.

Clip your bird's wings and nails. This will make it easier for you as the handler and prevent an unfortunate loss if your bird somehow "escapes" in the airport.

Fortify the diet with stress-formula vitamins and minerals for a week before, during, and a week after traveling.

Obtain a health certificate for your bird within 10 days of your departure. The health certificate is valid for 10 days. If you will be staying at your destination more than 10 days after the date of issue of the certificate, you will need to obtain a second health certificate for your return trip. Check if the airlines have additional requirements.

Understand that the requirements to return to your country may be different than those to leave it and travel to another. There may be more stringent quarantine restrictions upon your return. In the United States, if you wish to take your bird abroad, you must obtain all necessary documents from USDA and the Department of the Interior's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before departing the United States. (USDA, APHIS Veterinary Services, 4700 River Road, Unit 39, Riverdale, MD 207371231. The telephone number is 301-734-5097.)

Clearly label the cage with a "live animal" sticker as well as your own personal identification, including where you can be reached at your destination.

Do NOT line the bottom of the cage. Given today's security issues, you may be asked to remove your bird and all the contents from the cage if the bottom is not clearly visible.

Do NOT ship on a connecting flight. If you must ship your bird separately, use a direct flight whenever possible and ship "counter to counter." This way, your bird will not be left in a drafty and cold, or hot cargo area waiting for your pick up. Rather, it will be taken inside the airline terminal to the ticket counter.

Just before leaving...

Plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours early, but check with the airlines…it may be earlier.

Confirm your flight (and all connections).

Give your bird plenty of opportunity to drink water.

Put fresh, watery fruits and vegetables in the food dish. Good choices include watermelon, cantaloupe, red or green grapes, red, green, or yellow peppers (not the hot kind), and cooked acorn or pumpkin squash. (If your bird is not used to these foods in its diet, start to slowly add them to the diet in the week before you leave.)

What to do at the airport...

Inform the ticket counter at check-in that you have a pet, with a reservation. Present the health certificate, if requested, and keep both the health certificate and receipt for your bird's travel together and close at hand.

Request that your bird be "hand" searched with a wand rather than x-rayed if this becomes necessary.

Remain calm at all times and be as helpful as possible. Many airline and security personnel are under stress, as well as being unfamiliar with birds.

Stay with your bird as long as possible if shipping separately. This will relieve stress for both you and the bird.

Double-check all identification material and stickers on the cage.

Confirm flight arrival for your bird if shipped separately and be prompt to pick her up at the arrival counter.

Once on board, airline personnel will instruct you as where to stow the cage. If small enough, it will generally go under the seat in front of you. Drape one of the light airline blankets loosely over the cage, except in front, to prevent drafts from reaching your bird while still allowing for circulation.

If you are traveling with a large bird and have purchased a separate seat, strap the cage into the seat securely with the seat belt by weaving the belt through two or three bars on both sides in the front of the cage before engaging the clasp. Drape the cage with the airline blanket (unless you have brought along your own cage cover).

Airline Travel with Your Bird: Requirements & Recommendations

Successfully Traveling By Air With Your Pet Bird
By: Sandee L. Molenda, C.A.S.

One of the safest, most convenient and lately most economical modes of transportation when traveling long distances to bird shows, is to fly on commercial airlines. Unfortunately, it can also be the most restrictive and therefore more frustrating experiences if one is unaware of the rules and regulations.

As someone that regularly flies 20,000 to 50,000 miles per year with birds, I hope to help alleviate the difficulties aviculturists can encounter when flying with their birds. It has always been my experience that the best way to overcome obstacles is to evaluate and understand the situation from the opposite viewpoint. This often provides the best tactical advantage in order to achieve success. The issues raised from the prospective of both the airlines and the government, two separate entities but both of which need to be addressed by the bird-flying public, will allow everyone to have a stress-free experience when flying with birds.

When flying with birds, aviculturists must realize that they are dealing with two separate but necessary components of the aviation industry that can either prevent or allow a successful flight. Those components are the Federal government, which regulates airline security under the Transportation Security Administration and the airlines themselves, which formulate the rules and restrictions for their individual planes. It is vital to understand the motives and goals of each in order to achieve a successful flying experience..

I will present these issues and ideas as well as how to deal with them. One thing that bird owners must remember is that flying is a privilege NOT A RIGHT. There is nothing in the Constitution of the United States that guarantees anyone the right to fly on an airplane. Furthermore, flying with pets including birds is also a privilege and not something that other members of the public might appreciate. Airlines are businesses and as such, they need to make money to stay in business. Some airlines will not allow birds or any animals on their flights at all and as a business, that is their prerogative.

Some of the major airlines that DO NOT ALLOW birds on their flights are:

American Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Jet Blue Airlines
Southwest Airlines

All aviculturists need to check with their airline PRIOR to booking a flight. Some airlines will accommodate members of the bird flying public under limited conditions. This is for the health and safety of other members of the public that are also their customers. It is the bird owner’s responsibility to understand and comply with these rules and regulations. If not, the airlines do not have to allow people to fly with their birds.

The following airlines allow restricted number of pets (birds) in cabin:

Air Tran Airlines
Alaska Air
America West
Continental Airlines
Delta Airlines
Northwest Airlines
United – Canaries, Finches & Parakeets ONLY NO PARROTS
US Airways

We are all aware of how litigious our society is and if someone has an allergic reaction or becomes ill because of birds, the airlines will be held liable. That is why most airlines have a limit of the number of pets in the cabin, birds included. For example, most airlines have a limit of two pets per flight. This includes all animals such as pet dogs and cats as well as birds. The only exception are service animals such as seeing-eye dogs, which are always allowed on every flight. It is very important to make sure to book the reservation for the bird as soon as possible in order to be sure there is space available on the flight. If other passengers have reservations for their dog or cat already, you may not be able to get your birds on the flight.

In the event an airline allows a bird owner to get onboard with 10 birds and another passenger has a problem, they would be 100% liable for any distress and injuries that person suffers. The agent that allowed the violation of the rules may be suspended or fired and the airline may have to answer to the Federal Aviation Administration as to why they violated their own rules and regulations.

Repercussions could be fines or other penalties not to mention the airline will also have to answer to their insurance liability carrier, which could be higher rates or cessation of the policy. The answer is to know what the policy is with regard to the number of birds allowed and follow it. If the exhibitor announces to the agent they have 10 birds instead of two, the agent will not let the birds on the plane. They are not being mean, they are just following the rules to protect themselves. While an argument could be made that taking two parrots on a plane is different than taking two canaries, the airlines do not care about square inches of birds. They only care about being in compliance with their own rules and regulations in order to protect their business interests.

Another issue that many bird owners have a problem is the requirement for a health certificate. All 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico, and the Federal government under the Animal Welfare Act, require that all birds traveling across state lines have a veterinarian issued certificate of health. Not all airlines or even states enforce this law but it is a law none-the-less. Due to the near panic proffered by the media of late regarding avian influenza (H5N1 “bird flu”), it can be almost guaranteed that this rule will be enforced by every airline when the disease reaches the United States. Again, the reason will be to protect the airlines from lawsuits and liability by the public. People traveling with birds that chose to ignore this requirement do so at the risk of not being able to board the plane with their birds.

While most airlines that allow birds on flights state “household’ birds in their policies, some actually have listed what types of birds are allowed. America West and United airlines specifically list what types of birds are allowed i.e., ‘canaries, finches and parakeets. If an exhibitor tries to get on the flight with a cockatiel, the most likely will not be allowed. This is because airline personnel are not trained to identify birds that are similar but only follow the policy with regard to the types of birds allowed. Aviculturists need to know what types of birds are allowed and make sure they follow that policy.

All airlines require reservations for birds prior to the flight and are usually best made when the bird owner is booking their ticket. Airlines will also charge a pet-in-cabin fee on flights both going to the show and returning as well. The birds must be in containers that fit under the seat and meet the airlines’ specifications. Birds must stay under the seat and in their container during the flight. They must also be housed in ‘humane’ and ‘sanitary’ conditions so they do not disturb other passengers with excessive noise or offensive odors.

If you understand and follow these rules, your flying experience with birds will be a good one. Remember, airlines do not have to accommodate those of us flying with birds and by following the rules and policies, you and your bird, as well as the airline and other passengers, will arrive at your destination safely and stress free. If we try to bend the rules or refuse to follow them, the airlines may decide not to allow birds on flights at all. So, be courteous, know and follow the rules and you and your birds can enjoy a comfortable, relaxing flight arriving at your destination safe and sound.

Traveling by Air

__________________
~Karen

.............~Kady & Kita~............


Email: Karen_ParrotChatter@msn.com

I found a few links for airline approved kennels.

Petmate Cabin Kennel
Specifically designed to fit under airline seats, perfect for small pets. Sliding latches for total security. Includes wire top. Ventilated and airline approved. Available in taupe. 17" X 12" X 8"
Petmate Cabin Kennel Wire Top

Small Animal Carrier
Specifically designed to fit under airline seats, perfect for small pets. Sliding latches for total security. Ventilated and airline approved.
Petmate.com

The Sherpa-On-Wheels has a roomy, comfortable interior for your pet and recessed easy-glide wheels for smooth travel.
Easy-glide recessed wheels allow the pet carrier to move with a quiet, steady, and smooth motion.
Fits comfortably under airplane cabin seat.
Top and side entry with heavy-duty zipper closure.
Mesh panels on three sides for maximum ventilation.
Roll-up flaps on three sides for privacy.
Washable faux lambskin liner with removable, waterproof Travel Tray.
Comfort grip handle.
Detachable handle pull with comfort grip doubles as a shoulder strap.
Extra-large double mesh pocket for storage.
Constructed of durable and easy-to-clean canvas-stylized vinyl and mesh.
Inside leash ring.
Brass hardware.
ID tag for inserting your pet's photo and essential information.
Sherpa-On-Wheels is ideal for safe, comfortable travel with your pet by airplane, train, or automobile.
Sherpa carriers are the soft-sided carriers approved for onboard use by major airlines.

Sherpa carriers are approved by*:
Air Canada
Alaska Air
America West
American Airlines
Continental
Delta
Northwest
TWA
United Airlines
USAir
WestJet

*Subject to airline regulations. Please inquire and confirm regulations regarding pets in-cabin when making your reservation.

Sherpa On-Wheels Pet Carrier

karen.... wow, all this info - thanks!!!!

now i know who to contact once i'm about to move to europe

Michele - I am not sure if there is an embargo in allowing birds into the US right now due to the avian flu. You may want to check into that.