Cats in the cabin?

This is for a friend - I've looked through a few pages back but all the info I see is for pets coming over in cargo.

Are you even allowed to bring a pet over in the cabin?  Has anyone ever done this (US to UK flight, in the cabin) at all that you know of?

Also for pets moving over in cargo - does someone (owner, friend, etc) have to accompany the pet on the same flight?

Thanks for your help!   

This is for a friend - I've looked through a few pages back but all the info I see is for pets coming over in cargo.

Are you even allowed to bring a pet over in the cabin?  Has anyone ever done this (US to UK flight, in the cabin) at all that you know of?

Also for pets moving over in cargo - does someone (owner, friend, etc) have to accompany the pet on the same flight?

Thanks for your help!   

My understanding is that this is not allowed, because of the PET passport scheme. I was told they have to fly cargo!

Does the owner have to accompany the pet on the same flight - or a friend, etc?  Or can one person check the pet in onto the airplane, and then someone collect the pet here when it gets to the UK?

I think it depends on the airline, but as a general rule, I've seen options on all the major airlines for unaccompanied pets. In fact Continental seems really good about doing that sort of thing, with a very nice tracking feature, so that you can see exactly where your pet is during transit.
http://cargo.cocargo.com/cargo/products/quickpak/

Thanks andrea922 and across!

Any other comments or advice are still welcome too.

Thanks andrea922 and across!

Any other comments or advice are still welcome too.

I didn't accompany my cats! I did use a pet transport company, but that was for my own piece of mind! They can fly unaccompanied, but I would double check with the airline to make sure!

I didn't accompany my cats on my flight with Continental. There were issues and their flight ended up being switched to Gatwick and I flew to Bristol.

Cats in the cabin are a no no for international flights. Honestly, who wants to deal with their cat for 7 hours in a plane?? I love my cats, but I wouldn't have wanted to deal with that!

If you're doing the PETs Scheme you or someone will have to accompany the cats.  Otherwise if they're unaccompanied & not doing the PETs Scheme they'll have to go into quarantine.

Hope that helps.   

If you're doing the PETs Scheme you or someone will have to accompany the cats.  Otherwise if they're unaccompanied & not doing the PETs Scheme they'll have to go into quarantine.

Hope that helps.  

Um.. I don't really think that's right. I'm pretty sure many people have sent their pets through the PETS scheme unaccompanied. Can you please cite your source?

Maybe its changed recently. From personal experience: 2-1/2 years ago when I was going to bring my cat over I was told by the pet office in Gatwick that my cat had to be accompanied by me or someone else in order for it to complete the PETs Scheme otherwise it would be remanded into quarantine, where I could then appeal for early release...

Maybe its changed recently. From personal experience: 2-1/2 years ago when I was going to bring my cat over I was told by the pet office in Gatwick that my cat had to be accompanied by me or someone else in order for it to complete the PETs Scheme otherwise it would be remanded into quarantine, where I could then appeal for early release...

Nope! Pets fly unaccompanied all the time! 

DEFRA does not have any rules about accompanied vs unaccompanied animals.  As long as the airline agrees & there is someone to meet the animal on the other side with all the appropriate paperwork, etc., then it doesn't matter.

From the DEFRA website: "Owners of pets entering the UK from outside the European Community are required to complete Customs formalities. An agent, travel company or airline should be able to do this for you and you will probably be charged. Alternatively, you might be able to make your own arrangements. This would involve contacting the Customs authorities at your arrival point in the UK to obtain details of the necessary procedures and the appropriate Customs form.

You are advised to discuss these charges with your agent etc before you travel as they might be included as part of a package. These charges are not made by the UK Government."

(disclaimer: I work for DEFRA answering queries like this, but I am not a PETS official)

Thanks Aless.  So let's say that a friend of mine intent on moving to the UK (legally) has a cat & for various logistical reasons - wants the cat to move over here before my friend actually moves over here.  So the cat would stay with DH and me temporarily until the friend moves over.  How would that work as regards the customs forms?  There would be someone in the US to get the cat onto the airplane coming this way.  And then DH and I would be here to collect the incoming cat.