I have flown with my Chi from California to Florida and back with her inside the cabin. American Airlines used to be the cheapest ($80 each way) and they didn't require any paperwork although it's advisable to take a copy of the rabies certificate if you have one. Only because, out of the blue, one ticket agent asked me for one. I explained that their website didn't require one and he was ok with that explanation. Tips: 1/Always get a direct flight. Even thought the trip is 4.5 - 5 hours, you get there 2 hours early with the pet, maybe a half hour delay, almost an hour to get your baggage and it becomes an 8 hour pee-less adventure for the dog. My dog (at the time 8 months) was able to hold it going there, but not coming back. 2/ Take 1-2 pee pads on board with both of you. Luckily my Chi is able to understand/associate the command "pee" with the action. On the trip back, my daughter had the dog on her lap most of the way and she was getting restless (which was unlike her since she's definitely a lap dog) and wanted to go down. Covered with a blanket, my daughter took her and a pee pad to the bathroom and the poor thing did relieve herself with no problem. If the plane has one stop, then you might set the flight up so you have extra time between flights to go out to some grass area but then you have to go thru security checks to come back in. OR take her to the airport bathroom with pee pad and cross your fingers. 3/ Overnight flights may work best for coast to coast flights. Unless your dog/puppy is pretty calm, I don't recommend taking the dog out of the kennel but we were able to get away with it. Ours was quiet and the stewardesses were pretty cool about seeing a cute little puppy. hiding her under a blanket helped and kept her nice and warm. hubie SoCal
