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Experience flying larger dog to Portugal?

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CharW23

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Mar 03, 2021 5:03 am

(@charw23)

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Hello All,

Planning our move to Portugal in June/July, and wondering if anyone has experience flying their larger dog (4 yr old Yellow Lab) to Lisbon from the USA? I know there are some professional Pet Relocators, and some opt for the DIY approach. Some services have been halted due to COVID, some have weight restrictions... ours will have to go in cargo hold. He's never flown before, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't even know he's a dog. 🙂

Hoping to hear from someone who has recently gone through the same process shipping their furry family member. Any advice and lessons learned are greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Char

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Bert

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Mar 03, 2021 1:23 pm

(@bert)

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I don't know all the specifics but I think you will need a passport for your dog. Check with your vet

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CharW23

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Mar 03, 2021 9:02 pm

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Bert

@bert

Thanks Bert...we are aware if the pet passport and requirements to ship...just curious if other folks have traveled with their larger than average pet recently. 😉

Heard great things about you....hope to meet you one day.

Thanks Bert.

Char

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michael_tn

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Mar 03, 2021 8:06 pm

(@michael_tn)

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Yes, a pet passport is needed, see, for example:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/eu/pettravel-portugal

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CharW23

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(@charw23)

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Mar 03, 2021 9:02 pm

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michael_tn

@michael_tn

Thanks Michael, appreciate your info!!

Char

David Newton

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Mar 04, 2021 2:56 am

Reply to

CharW23

@charw23 We are going through the process of flying 2 of our shorties (10 and 11 pounds) 🙂 they also have no idea they are dogs.

We have agreed to cargo transportation because we knew, we would not be able to handle them and 6 suitcases and who knows what else.

Using company petsfly.com. Highly recommended. They can take care of the passport or just fly a dog and get passport from you.

CharW23

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(@charw23)

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Mar 04, 2021 3:55 am

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David Newton

@davidiryna

Thanks David. This is great information. Have your two shorties ever flown before? I think I will be the one who needs a tranquilizer, worrying about our dog. Are you flying soon? May I ask what part of the planet you're in... curious about flight changes and overall flight time?

Will check out petsfly.com next. Thanks again.

Muito obrigada.

Char

Posts: 59

David Newton

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Mar 04, 2021 4:49 pm

(@davidiryna)

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Hi Char,

no, our guys have never flown before.

Vet gave us some calming pills and asked to try at home just to see how they react, we couldn't do it. Any calming (herbal or medicinal) pills may interfere with breathing and cause fatality. We decided they will have to tough it up :)) Just have to live with guilt feeling for a while. They will be picked up the day we travel and delivered to Lisbon airport 2 days after we arrive (clearing with Customs included).

We are flying in a month from AZ, US. Had Lufthansa reservation, they cancelled, rebooked with TAP, they shifted us from one route to another 🙂

Where are you flying from?

Iryna

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CharW23

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(@charw23)

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Posts: 65

Mar 04, 2021 9:15 pm

Reply to

David Newton

@davidiryna

Hi Iryna,

I think that's a wise decision on the pills. The altitude and such can play with their system and doesn't seem worth the risk.

The plan sounds good for pick-up and delivery. I reached out to Petsfly.com and am awaiting a reply in the next day or so. Thanks to David for that recommendation.

We aren't sure our route just yet. We have options to fly from Seatac (Seattle Int'l) or drive south to Portland and fly out of PDX. Planned (originally) to fly to Frisco, then go TAP straight shot to Lisbon. We aren't sure with the recent changes on TAP airlines (deduction in pilots/staff), how that might impact our plans.

Will be anxious to hear from you on your travels and how your experience was with your little shorties flying. 🙂

All the best

char

Bert

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(@bert)

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Mar 04, 2021 10:12 pm

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CharW23

@charw23 Just an FYI. My flight from SFO to Lisbon end of April was cancelled last week due to you know what. I was refunded and wanted to re-book as I try to calculate the potential for pandemic idiocy to continue in the US and pick a date but looking online the direct flight does not start up from SFO until 6/2. Prices are very good. That is my favorite flight to Portugal. Great pilots. Good service. You leave at 4 pm and arrive in time for cafe and salgados

CharW23

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(@charw23)

Joined: 11 months ago

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Posts: 65

Mar 04, 2021 10:28 pm

Reply to

Bert

@bert

Wow....very helpful in that end. Sorry about the cancelation and rescheduling. . Yes, timing on all things with COVID impact certainly make it a bit of a logistical nightmare. Are you flying TAP?

Although our departure timing is mid-June to early July, this is all great info. Thanks so much for sharing! Hoping prices stay down and seats relatively empty. 😉

char

Bert

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(@bert)

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Mar 04, 2021 10:47 pm

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CharW23

@charw23 Yes I fly TAP. Check out their miles program. They also have a miles credit card that I will check into (I believe through Millennium bank and maybe have to have a PT address, not sure) that is in euros so will be helpful while living and traveling in the EU. They fly a lot of places. I myself am hoping to rebook in June but since I am not moving until next year will all be covid dependent.

David Newton

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Joined: 7 months ago

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Posts: 59

Mar 04, 2021 10:59 pm

Reply to

CharW23

@charw23 Thank you!

We will share our experience after we land in PT

Iryna

Posts: 11

TinaD

Premium Member

May 20, 2021 4:53 pm

(@tinad)

Active Member

Joined: 7 months ago

Hello,

We are planning moving our large 55lb poodle. It looks like there are no options other than in the cargo hold. We REALLY don't want to do this. We are coming from San Diego, a very long flight. I found somewhere that airlines won't transport animals more than 7 hours, is that incorrect? We've considered doing an 'adios America' road trip to Newark or NYC then catching a flight to Portugal. We fear our pup won't fall for the crate twice.

Thank you for any insights.

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