Who wants to share cost of private plane to HNL in 2012? (Honolulu: taxes, prices)

[alohatoni]

I may be interested in splitting the cost. I MIGHT be moving to Maui around November 2012, and my dates are also flexible. I have two dogs and two cats and will not put them in cargo of any airline. I live in New York and plan on driving to LA to make it easier and less expensive. I'll be traveling with my daughter and her friend. Please give me your email, I'll contact you so we can discuss this further. Thanks!

[utxian]

I'm also interested in flying from Los Angeles to Honolulu, around July/August 2012 (but willing to wait longer if needed). I have two cairn terriers.

Make sure that your pets are cleared through the Hawaii Animal Quarantine. You have to complete strict paperwork and rabies testing at least 4 months in advance. I've done my part, and my terriers are eligible for direct airport release starting from June 13th. If you don't jump through the hoops for direct airport release, your babies could be quarantined for 120 days!

[salanco16]

Just out of curiosity what charter company did you get the quote from. I'm moving HI early next year and have been researching private charters for months. The best that I found (safety and price) will allow my dog in the cabin with me and charge 2750$/hr for a light jet and 3750$/hr for a mid-size jet. 40,000$ is much more than any charter company I found, especially for a 5.5 hr flight (LA to Honolulu)

[wooliemonster]

This is some pretty substantial money. What is the death rate from pets flying cargo? Are we talking 50%?

Why not charter a yacht.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by wooliemonster

This is some pretty substantial money. What is the death rate from pets flying cargo? Are we talking 50%?

Why not charter a yacht.

There were 35 pet deaths in 2011 - 19 of the 35 on Delta, which represented 0.2% of all the pets they flew in 2011.

Five died on American, 4 on Alaska, 3 on Continental, 2 each on Hawaiian and United.

[HiloDiver]

That's 35 too many.

We are fortunate that our dogs are "purse dogs" who are well traveled. They will be sound asleep under the seats in front of us before the plane reaches altitude.

[wooliemonster]

There are two ways around transporting your pet in the cargo hold of a passenger jet.

First, Alaka Air currently allows pets in the cabin to Hawaii for $100, pending restrictions.

Second, apparently Pacific Air Cargo can transport your pet in the main hold of a cargo jet from LAX to Honolulu.

If/when I transport my cats to Hawaii, it will probably be on a United/Continental flight direct from IAH to HNL.

[HiloDiver]

Woolie, thing is, there's a 20 pound weight limit on Alaska's pets in cabin. Linky My puppers are little, but others checking in on this thread need to know about the limit.

[AZOperson]

There is another way to get your pet into the cabin with you as well, it didn't work out for me because I needed to get 2 cats here and not just one so I haven't looked into all the details. But if you have severe anxiety or something similar, you can get your pet certified to be your emotional support service animal (this exists!) and the airlines have exceptions for these animals riding in the cabin. One of my friends had an older cat that she wanted to bring with her and did not want it riding in cargo down below, and she went through the process of getting herself diagnosed with something that allowed her to bring her own pet as her service animal in the cabin.

[HiloDiver]

AZO, if you went that route, you could always bring one cat to HI then fly home and fly back with the other cat.