Did your pets have to change planes?

 So far I have flown to the UK and back twice with cats . When I left the US I wound up driving 6 hours to Dallas (and leaving from there)so the cats would have a direct flight to London. I am going home for the summer in April it would be SO much easier to fly right to Arkansas .I am afraid of the cats having to change flights though. Any one have an experience to share? Did you have any problems? Do you think it was much more traumatic for your pets?

                                       Thanks for any info!

This doesn't relate to UK flights, but I shipped my cat from NC to NM (via Dallas) and she did just fine. I don't think it's ideal, since it means a longer travel time, but I don't think it hurts them any, either. The airline (American) said they unloaded her from the plane to an air-conditioned room and she hung out there for the 1-2 hour layover.

You may very well have already looked into this, but be sure that the route you are looking at will allow pets in the summer.  Many routes to or from warmer places (like Arkansas) place a "heat embargo" on pets and will not fly them in the summer months.