Transporting a much loved pet can turn into a bit of a worry but British Airways can offer pet travel options and they are prepared to offer the reassurance that experienced professionals will be looking after you pet when it is high in the sky.
British Airways offers two alternative methods for your pet travel.
If your pet is accompanying you on the same flight then the pet checks in alongside at the passenger terminal and then joins up with you again when the plane arrives and you pick up your pet at the baggage room at the airport. This service is made available to almost all British Airways flight destinations.
Your pet can fly unaccompanied when you are not able to travel at the same time as your pet, or your pet is neither a cat nor a dog, or your pet is travelling into Britain under the Pets Travelling Scheme. In this situation your pet has to be accompanied by you or by a pet courier service to the British Airways cargo terminal and should then be collected by you or a pet courier company, from the cargo terminal at the arrival airport.
To go about making the special Pet Travel Scheme booking for cats and dogs that are returning to Britain you have to make contact with your British Airways World Cargo office abroad a maximum of thirteen days and a minimum of two days before the date of intended departure furnishing all the details of the pet.
In both situations pets that are unaccompanied travel in the cargo hold, which is positioned below the passenger area, inside the airplane. The hold is temperature monitored and makes provision for a comfortable ambient environment throughout the period of the flight. The hold is left unlit, as experience has shown that pets settle down more quickly and travel better in the dark.
Under no circumstances does British Airways allow pets to travel inside the passenger cabin with the owner.
Before any travel arrangements are made with BA, it is necessary to ensure that all the correct documentation, including the required import licenses for the country of disembarkation, have been sourced. Specific vaccinations and other health and quarantine necessities must be fulfilled as well.
Before the pet can travel, you must obtain the correct size of container for your pet’s travel, otherwise the pet might not be given permission to travel.
The container has to be big enough so that he pet can stand, turn around in a circle and lie down in a natural position. Your pet will be kept in the container for quite a period of time and therefore, it must be as happy and comfortable as is possible. The container has to be sturdy enough to give protection for the pet throughout the transportation period and has to be secured properly so that the pet can’t fall out and have enough ventilation on all the 4 sides of the container so the quality of the air in the container will be maintained.
The door has to be secured in such a way that it cannot open inadvertently and your pet is unable to open it throughout handling and transportation. The pet’s paws and nose should not be able to get through any ventilation holes or mesh in the door.
The container must contain a food container and water receptacle that can be accessed from outside.