Bringing home our Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, Rosie, was one of the most exciting moments of our lives. After searching for the perfect puppy, we finally found her in Texas, but there was one challenge: how to fly with a puppy for the first time.
We considered different options for transporting her—driving, flying, or using a pet delivery service—but in the end, we decided flying was the quickest and best way to bring her to our home in Charlotte, NC.
How to Take a Puppy on an Airplane: Planning the Trip
After deciding to fly, we researched how to bring a puppy on a plane and what would be the best airline for flying with a puppy.
We booked a direct flight from Charlotte North Carolina to Dallas Texas on Spirit Airlines because it was the most budget friendly option.
If you’re wondering how much it costs to fly with a puppy, the airline charged us an extra fee for Rosie to travel in the cabin with us.
The fee was $125 but it seems like they recently changed the price to $110!
Preparing Rosie for Her First Flight
We wanted to make sure the experience was as stress-free as possible for Rosie. We learned that having the right puppy crate for flight is crucial. Airlines have specific requirements for dog crate, so we bought a flight carrier for dogs that met the airline’s standards.
This is the pet carrier we bought
We chose a soft-sided carrier that could fit under the seat and made it cozy with a blanket and a rag from the breeder that smelled like Rosie’s mom, Dixie. This was a great tip for keeping her calm.
Knowing how to fly with a puppy in cabin also means preparing for the unexpected. We packed plenty of pee pads just in case, and to avoid any mid-flight accidents, we followed the breeder’s advice and didn’t give Rosie food or water before the flight. This is an important tip for flying with a puppy, as it helps keep their tummy settled during the flight.
Flying with a Puppy: The Actual Flight Experience
Rosie weighed only 11 pounds at the time, which made it easier to handle her during the trip. She fit comfortably in her flight carrier, and to our surprise, she slept most of the way!
If you’re planning on flying with a puppy, I recommend choosing a direct flight whenever possible. This minimizes travel time and stress on your new puppy.
Before boarding, we let Rosie use a pee pad in a quiet corner of the airport, which was a great way to make sure she didn’t need to go while on the plane. During the flight, she remained calm and relaxed, tucked inside her puppy crate.
Her behavior was so great that the airline staff even complimented how well she handled flying in the cabin.
Tips for Traveling with a Puppy
Here are some tips we learned about how to fly with a puppy on a plane:
- Choose the right carrier: Make sure it’s airline-approved and comfortable for your puppy. A soft-sided crate is often easier to manage and fits under the seat in front of you. Take careful measurements since the airlines are strict with size requirements.
- Bring comfort items: A familiar scent from your puppy’s original home, like a blanket or toy, can help keep them calm.
- Pee pads are a must: Have them handy at the airport before the flight, and pack extras in case of accidents.
- Skip food and water before the flight: This helps avoid any digestive issues or accidents during the trip.
- Book a direct flight: Less time in transit means less stress for both you and your puppy.
Bringing Rosie Home
Looking back, we wouldn’t change a thing about how we brought Rosie home. The flight went smoothly, and all the preparation paid off. Rosie was comfortable in her puppy crate for the flight, and the entire experience was far less stressful than we anticipated.
Conclusion: Our Journey with Rosie
Flying with a puppy for the first time can seem overwhelming, but with the right preparation, it can be a smooth process.
From selecting the best puppy crate for flight to keeping your puppy calm during the trip, our experience with Rosie was full of learning moments. Now, she’s a 70-pound bundle of joy, but we’ll never forget that first flight when she was just 11 pounds.
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