Airplane travel with Amazon

[pennybird]

I've read some info on-line about traveling with pet birds. It sounds as if Delta is the best option. Question 1: has anyone ever traveled on an airplane with a blue-fronted amazon? She seems to be right at the maximum height. She travels very well in a car for several hours and she loves her travel cage (although I'll need a new one for the plane). Question 2: any suggestions of cages for travel on the plane? I think it best to have a wire cage in another carrier as I'm hesitant to physically take her out in the middle of the security area at the airports. Any personal experience would be helpful in alleviating my concerns. Thanks in advance!

[DarwinTheSun]

I traveled over Christmas with my sun conure and it went well. It was stressful for me, but I think it was my nerves and not because anything was going wrong. I had the maximum size travel cage, and it was a real PAIN to get under the seat in front of me. So, make sure to get an isle seat. I had to switch with people, because I just couldn't get it under there in the window seat. See if you can get a direct flight, otherwise your bird will probably need to stretch his wings between flights. We had a 3 hour layover and it was great. We found an empty corner and ate lunch and played the whole time. He was exhausted by the next flight. Also, make sure to pack lots of toys and treats with you to appease at any minute. The last thing you want is to have a screaming bird on the flight. Darwin actually slept through all 4 flights, which worked great. I put his hanging tent in the travel cage and he snuggled in it and went to sleep.

As far as security goes, both runs through security were fine for us. I took Darwin out (he is clipped though) and we walked through together. The first time I let him perch on me and he pooed (dont suggest that--they freaked out and got disinfectant). The second time, I held him close to my body (kind of cupped him to me), and we walked through like that. I think this was less stressful. But it was fine, and right after we walked through they gave me the travel cage back. Everyone was very interested in him too.

Here is a thread about a few of us that traveled over break with birds. And a few more tips that I am forgetting! Traveling via Airplane

[Soonix]

We traveled with our Yellow Crown in August last year with Continental and we had a soft travel bag so we could keep her under the seat. She was a trooper we put paper in the bottom of the bag gave her a piece of apple an orange and something to play with. We started traveling at 6 am and finished at 8 pm. At the security check point somebody did check her bag but that was fast and no hassle at all. On the lay over we gave her some water she was enjoying all the attention she got when people figured out it wasn't a dog that was whisteling at them.

Soonix

[pennybird]

Thank you Darwin's owner and Soonix! It sounds as if things should go ok from the airline perspective. I guess it depends on how Penny reacts. If a Yellow Crown can fit I think Penny can too. Much appreciated! It's nice to hear the happy stories!

[DynamitePsycho]

I traveled around Xmas with my CAG and two budgies. I went with Continental, who were awesome with me and the fids. I purchased a carrier by Centei (sp?) that is meant for two medium sized birds, but I actually put my budgies one one side and my CAG in the other. (PS...I HIGHLY recommend the carrier...because it's meant to go under the seat infront of you). They behaved very well with that and didn't seem to stress out at all. Fortunately Ziggy (CAG) is pretty calm with people, so when they had me take him out for the security walk through, he was fine. They wanted to take my budgies out, but I warned them that they would freak and it would be a mess, so they kept them in the carrier and hand swiped it instead of going through the machine.

I got more info in the thread "Traveling Via Airplane" because I had the same questions and concerns. I'll be doing it again in June! Yippee!! Good luck with your travels!

[pennybird]

I read the thread about traveling from back in December. It was engrossing - I felt like I was reading a soap opera - and I was glad to hear all the travels went well! And that you got all 3 birds in one trip. It is very helpful and comforting to read these stories!