Flying With Pets

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bomecer
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2010 3:22 pm

Flying With Pets

Post by bomecer » Wed Dec 14, 2011 8:02 pm

Has anyone traveled to/from Finland with a Med-Large size dog?

What did you fly?

How did it go?

How much did it cost?

Thanks.

T



Flying With Pets

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Rip
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Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 12:08 pm

Re: Flying With Pets

Post by Rip » Wed Dec 14, 2011 8:09 pm

For starters, are you familiar with the relevant information given here: http://www.evira.fi/portal/en/animals/i ... nd_export/

bomecer
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2010 3:22 pm

Re: Flying With Pets

Post by bomecer » Thu Dec 15, 2011 2:01 am

Thank you! Yes, I am.

I'm more interested in the practical side of it. What airline you used, how much it cost, troubles you encountered, etc.

jeff1960
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Re: Flying With Pets

Post by jeff1960 » Sun Mar 11, 2012 12:04 am

Bomecer,
It would be helpful if I knew whether you wanted to travel to Finland or from Finland also where you're traveling from or two. some countries have a quarantine and require papers and some don't so it's rather hard to give you any information without knowing these facts. :)

Wish Fairy
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:49 am

Re: Flying With Pets

Post by Wish Fairy » Sun Mar 11, 2012 9:47 am

Can you tell us where you're travelling from? Most often the vet in the country you are from can provide excellent details of all the regulations and processes, although this is only in my experience.

I am transporting my dog this summer from UK to finland. We used the defra web-site, the link provided by Rip (above) and also some of the Pet Travel companies. Here's an example, but please note this is not an endorsement by me as to the use of this company.
http://www.petairuk.com/?q=documentation

Again, from Uk, it's important to note that Heathrow and Gatwick airports cannot deal directly with members of the public, so you normally need to use a third party pet travel organiser for this. They can help you through the paperwork and also will ensure your pet has the correct size crate (again I'm assuming your pet does not meet requirement to actually travel on the plane with you). It's a pricey service, our quotes have been in the region of £1400 to £1600 for 1 dog / one way - London to Helsinki.

Finland pet import regulations are pretty much the same as those in UK as far as I understand, but the companies above will confirm this.

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tjawatts
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Re: Flying With Pets

Post by tjawatts » Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:48 pm

GBP 1400-1600, that is expensive, they must have made it much more difficult than it used to be.

When we brought our dog with us 9 years ago

- you needed to have the vet certificate saying they meets all the requirements
- you needed a crate that meets the requirements
- you told the airline you would be flying with a pet
- you put your dog in the box and take it to the airport, pay I think some minimum charge + weight charge (IIRC ours came to 2-300 gbp, abt the same as a flight for a human)
- you meet the dog in the baggage hall in Helsinki

If BA insist you use one of those "pet agencies" perhaps you should try finnair?

http://www.finnair.com/INT/GB/informati ... ation-fees

Tony

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tjawatts
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Re: Flying With Pets

Post by tjawatts » Sun Mar 11, 2012 11:21 pm

Except I just saw there is exclusion for England.

http://www.finnair.com/INT/GB/informati ... ggage/pets

Country-specific exceptions

Pets cannot be carried on flights to Hong Kong, not even as cargo. On flights to other destinations in China, only cats and dogs may be carried in the cabin or hold – other animals must be transported as cargo. On flights to England, Ireland, Dubai, Toronto and Australia, pets are not allowed in the cabin or hold as baggage, and must be transported as cargo.

Wish Fairy
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Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:49 am

Re: Flying With Pets

Post by Wish Fairy » Sat Mar 17, 2012 3:59 pm

I think it's not the airline that insist, but the airport. Gatwick & Heathrow say they can no longer deal with the public. I heard Finnair was very good. I will try to call them and see if I can arrange with them directly, but since I'll be travelling from Heathrow, not sure this will work.
tjawatts wrote:GBP 1400-1600, that is expensive, they must have made it much more difficult than it used to be.

When we brought our dog with us 9 years ago

- you needed to have the vet certificate saying they meets all the requirements
- you needed a crate that meets the requirements
- you told the airline you would be flying with a pet
- you put your dog in the box and take it to the airport, pay I think some minimum charge + weight charge (IIRC ours came to 2-300 gbp, abt the same as a flight for a human)
- you meet the dog in the baggage hall in Helsinki

If BA insist you use one of those "pet agencies" perhaps you should try finnair?

http://www.finnair.com/INT/GB/informati ... ation-fees

Tony


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