Want to take your dog on holiday with you to Guernsey? or are you buying a dog from the UK and need to get it back to the island? If so, read on for the ins-and-outs of flying a dog (or cat) to Guernsey from Southampton Airport.
After many months of nagging for a dog, Tilly and Lottie finally got their Dad to agree. Chloe, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy, was to be the newest member of the Rainbow family. The only problem was that Chloe was in Scunthorpe (Lincolnshire) and we had no idea how to get her to Guernsey!
With the weather being unpredictable, and the sea very rough, I didn’t fancy the ferry. I’d heard that it was possible to charter a flight from the Guernsey Aero Club, but having had a near-death experience in a light aircraft in the Bahamas (that’s not even an exaggeration, it was terrifying), that was out of the question for me. That left me with bringing Chloe to Guernsey on the Aurigny flight from Southampton.
Booking
Aurigny is the only airline that allows pets onboard and it is only on direct flights from Guernsey to (and from) Southampton and Alderney. Aurigny states;
”It is hoped this will benefit many of its animal loving customers. At this time pet friendly flying is limited to cats and dogs. Aurigny appreciates that many people wish to take their dogs on holiday to the UK, in addition many islanders buy dogs and cats off island, which, until now may have meant a lengthy journey on the boat. ”
For flights until 29th March 2020 you need to book your flight first, then call Aurigny customer services on 01481 267267 to add your pet to your booking. It is best to phone up before purchasing your ticket to check a pet is not already booked on the flight, as only one pet is allowed per flight.
From 29th March 2020 pets can be added to bookings online. On the Aurigny website it states that the cost is from £35, however, it cost £50 to bring Chloe on the flight 2 weeks ago and I have booked to take her back to the UK with us in the summer and again it is £50 each way.
Once booked, you will receive an email from Aurigny containing a Pet Declaration Form that needs to be printed, filled in and brought with you to the airport.
Pet Declaration Form
What You Need…
As outlined in the Pet Declaration Form you will need the following;
Sturdy Pet Carrier: Your pet needs to be contained in a IATA approved pet carrier and the combined weight of the pet and pet carrier must not exceed 23kg.
Since writing this blog, Aurigny have changed the requirements and metal cages are no longer accepted, you need a plastic or wooden carrier, here is an example…
”We have had several passengers arrive with entirely unsuitable soft containers in the past few weeks and these are unsafe for the pet as they are placed in the aircraft forward hold. Unfortunately, if you did present with an unsuitable carrier we would be obliged to refuse your pet carriage and your ticket would not be refundable.”
Waterproof blanket (and dog bed): Auriginy ask that you have a waterproof blanket however this was never mentioned at check-in so it seems it is not something that is enforced. I had a puppy pad to put in the cage and a soft dog bed to ensure Chloe was comfortable.
Muzzle: It states that all dogs must wear a muzzle in the terminal building. I had a muzzle with me but I was told it would not be necessary to put it on Chloe.
Proof of vaccinations (for small puppies): Ensure you bring your pets health record with you. It is stated you will need to show this at check-in however, I was told at check-in that they didn’t need to see it (maybe because Chloe is 7 months old).
At Southampton Airport
We got to the airport really early because I wasn’t sure exactly what we needed to do with Chloe and I didn’t want to rush. Check-in wasn’t open when I arrived, so I had 30 minutes to take Chloe for a walk (not the easiest walk whilst carrying a dog cage, carry on bag and a dog cushion!). I hoped she would have a wee, but no such luck, so I spent the entire time at the airport hoping she wouldn’t go to the toilet!
Check-in was really quick. I had to show the cage to check it was suitable and hand over the Pet Declaration Form which I had filled in and printed. I offered proof of Chloe’s vaccinations but they didn’t want to see it. They asked if I had a muzzle, which I did, but they said it wasn’t necessary to put it on her. I was so relieved as the muzzle was the thing I was really worried about.
We then headed for security and again that was easy. I put my things through security as normal and I handed over the cage and Chloe to one of the security staff. They walked her through a side gate so she didn’t go through the x-ray machine and they kindly held onto her whilst I got my bags together, put my shoes on etc.
I was worried I would have to put Chloe into the cage when I got through security but I was informed that she could stay on a lead until she got out to the aircraft. She was like a celebrity in the terminal. She got so much fussing, all my tension disappeared, she absolutely loved it!!
When it was time to board, we were called to the gate with everyone else and again she was getting lots of fussing. We walked out to the plane and were told to stop at the front of the aircraft where the ground crew asked me to make up the crate.
I had to assemble the crate on the tarmac with the wind blowing a gale and at the same time holding Chloe’s lead whilst being watched by 3 members of ground crew and all the other passengers who were queueing to get onto the plane. Felt a little stressful! A plastic or wooden crate will be already assembled so at least you won’t encounter this situation!
Crate made, dog cushion and puppy pad inside and it was time to put Chloe in. She was then lifted onto the plane and secured in the front hold.
It was hard saying goodbye to Chloe because she looked really scared but I knew it was a short flight. I was seated in row 4 and when I got seated the cabin crew looked into the front hold and told me that she was settled.
The arrow in the photo points to the front hold. When the plane was ready for take-off a door was shut seperating us from the front hold. When we landed and the door was opened again, I was told that Chloe was sitting up and looked fine.
When we disembarked the plane in Guernsey I was told to walk round to the front of the plane where they unloaded Chloe’s crate.
The crate was put onto the tarmac and I had the option of keeping Chloe in the crate and carrying it through the airport or taking her out of the crate, putting her on a lead and folding down the crate. I opted for the second option and had a similar experience when packing away the crate, it seems to be a spectator sport and it is much harder to collapse when you have lots of eyes watching you!
I walked Chloe through the airport whilst carrying the crate, cushion and my hand luggage and I’ve never been so relieved to see my husband waiting for us!
I was so pleased to be in Guernsey having taken Chloe on a bus, train then plane but it was totally worth it. Tilly and Lottie are totally besotted (and even Nick has been caught napping on the sofa with her on his lap!).
Summary
All in all, flying Chloe to Guernsey with Aurigny was much easier and straightforward than I expected. So much so, we have already booked to take her back to the UK in the summer holidays.
If you can travel with someone else, it will make it so much easier. If you do need to do the journey on your own, limit your hand luggage as you have to carry the cage, whatever you are putting in the cage for comfort (dog bed/cushion) and your hand luggage plus have your dog on a lead. I felt like a packhorse!
Happy Travelling! x
