Become a Flight Angel (The Engine That Pulls the Train)
What is a Flight Angel?
A flight angel is a traveler flying from a place where there is a need for rescue support (such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Republic of Georgia, Dominican Republic, China, Houston or San Diego) to a U.S. or Canadian destination where we have a rescue partner willing to take a dog in (such as Minnesota, Colorado, New York or Massachusetts). Don’t worry if you don’t see your destination on this abbreviated list! Just contact us and we’ll figure out what we can do to save lives, together!
How’s It Work?
Most common: Let us know your flight path and dates, then we’ll get to work to see if there is a dog in need where you are heading, and a place for it to go when you arrive home. If that clicks, we’ll ask you for the necessary details to book the dog’s passage…or will provide you the information so you can do so directly, whatever your preference!
Less common but equally awesome: We post dogs in need on our Facebook page. Some folks plan their travel with the intent to bring a dog back, or find out there's an opportunity to help where they are going. The overall process works the same way, but you’ll know there’s a pup waiting for you to change their fate. You can book the dog’s passage, or we can, and we’ll take care of all the details.
The process: On your travel day, a local volunteer will meet you at the airport with the dog and its paperwork in a soft-sided carrier, all ready to go. They’ll help you check in too to make sure all goes well (and to be there to retrieve the dog just in case it doesn’t). At security, the dog is carried while the carrier goes through the x-ray. At the airport, the dog is typically leashed, carried or just stays in its carrier, it’s up to you. Before you board and during the flight, the dog stays in its carrier under the seat in front of you. At customs, you do not need to declare the dog (it is traveling in your name), and clearance is not delayed by the dog traveling with you. Then a volunteer will meet you at the airport to fetch the dog from you. Easy peasy!
What if I have a connection? Connections are no problem at all! Most every airport has a Pet Relief Area you can visit with the dog, or not – it’s really up to you. Most flight paths are less than 8 hours and the dog is fine in the carrier for that long. The dog you are transporting has usually known great hardship… a connecting flight or a long flight are nothing compared to abuse, neglect, starvation. Your little passenger will be very appreciative, as will the many folks who have helped to change its fate.
What if the dog barks on the plane? Between the white noise, the excitement, the stress and the vibration, most dogs fall right to sleep on the plane. But if for any reason you have restless dog with you, it’s really no different than traveling with a baby. They’ll settle down eventually! But truly, the overwhelming majority of dogs just conk out!
What if the dog has to go to the bathroom? A popular question! Before we answer, know that dogs will have been walked before their flight, and prepare for it with restricted meals day of. Plus most dogs are used to “holding it” longer than the duration of your flight in any case. But to address this popular question…being in the carrier is akin to being crated, and dogs typically won’t potty in their crate! In the unlikely event that such a thing happens, the carrier is padded and absorbent, and paper towels or potty pads are generally sent along. The most likely chance of accidents (while still slim) would be when the dog is taken out of the carrier after a long day of travel… when they are usually already in the hands of the pick-up volunteer.
Does it matter which airline I fly? Sun Country and Spirit do not accept dogs on international flights (but do accept dogs on domestic flights). Also helpful to know is that some airlines restrict dogs in the first class cabin, and bulkhead seating doesn’t work. As a general rule, Coach and Economy Comfort non-bulkhead seating works on Delta, American, United, Frontier and Aero Mexico, and most Canadian airlines work fine. The total number of dogs allowed on a given flight are limited, so best to make reservations in advance. Also, carrier size and weight allowances vary based on the specific aircraft you’ll be flying, so it’s necessary to confirm this information when booking.
What’s it cost? Mutt Mutt Engine will cover transport expenses for the dog, or can provide a tax receipt for same.
Will you cover human airfare if said human going to fetch a dog for you? We wish we could, sorry, no. That said, thanks to our donors, we do have incentivized travel offers from time to time... look for these opportunities on our Facebook page.
What about transporting bigger dogs? We love when we have the opportunity to save bigger dogs! American Airlines and West Jet tend to work best for cargo transfers from most destinations, but Delta and United can work sometimes too. We’re happy to investigate this option, bearing in mind weather restrictions, and sometimes costs. Please contact us!
What about non-commercial flights? Private flights work great, and provide greater latitude for size, type and number of dogs. If you’re flying on a private plane, you offer a special opportunity to save lives. Please get in touch!
I fly non-rev. Will that work? In most cases, yes it will! We adore when airline employees and their family members who fly non-rev are willing to transport a dog! Let’s discuss… and lucky you!
I still have questions. We welcome the opportunity to answer them! Just drop us a line, any time.
A flight angel is a traveler flying from a place where there is a need for rescue support (such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Republic of Georgia, Dominican Republic, China, Houston or San Diego) to a U.S. or Canadian destination where we have a rescue partner willing to take a dog in (such as Minnesota, Colorado, New York or Massachusetts). Don’t worry if you don’t see your destination on this abbreviated list! Just contact us and we’ll figure out what we can do to save lives, together!
How’s It Work?
Most common: Let us know your flight path and dates, then we’ll get to work to see if there is a dog in need where you are heading, and a place for it to go when you arrive home. If that clicks, we’ll ask you for the necessary details to book the dog’s passage…or will provide you the information so you can do so directly, whatever your preference!
Less common but equally awesome: We post dogs in need on our Facebook page. Some folks plan their travel with the intent to bring a dog back, or find out there's an opportunity to help where they are going. The overall process works the same way, but you’ll know there’s a pup waiting for you to change their fate. You can book the dog’s passage, or we can, and we’ll take care of all the details.
The process: On your travel day, a local volunteer will meet you at the airport with the dog and its paperwork in a soft-sided carrier, all ready to go. They’ll help you check in too to make sure all goes well (and to be there to retrieve the dog just in case it doesn’t). At security, the dog is carried while the carrier goes through the x-ray. At the airport, the dog is typically leashed, carried or just stays in its carrier, it’s up to you. Before you board and during the flight, the dog stays in its carrier under the seat in front of you. At customs, you do not need to declare the dog (it is traveling in your name), and clearance is not delayed by the dog traveling with you. Then a volunteer will meet you at the airport to fetch the dog from you. Easy peasy!
What if I have a connection? Connections are no problem at all! Most every airport has a Pet Relief Area you can visit with the dog, or not – it’s really up to you. Most flight paths are less than 8 hours and the dog is fine in the carrier for that long. The dog you are transporting has usually known great hardship… a connecting flight or a long flight are nothing compared to abuse, neglect, starvation. Your little passenger will be very appreciative, as will the many folks who have helped to change its fate.
What if the dog barks on the plane? Between the white noise, the excitement, the stress and the vibration, most dogs fall right to sleep on the plane. But if for any reason you have restless dog with you, it’s really no different than traveling with a baby. They’ll settle down eventually! But truly, the overwhelming majority of dogs just conk out!
What if the dog has to go to the bathroom? A popular question! Before we answer, know that dogs will have been walked before their flight, and prepare for it with restricted meals day of. Plus most dogs are used to “holding it” longer than the duration of your flight in any case. But to address this popular question…being in the carrier is akin to being crated, and dogs typically won’t potty in their crate! In the unlikely event that such a thing happens, the carrier is padded and absorbent, and paper towels or potty pads are generally sent along. The most likely chance of accidents (while still slim) would be when the dog is taken out of the carrier after a long day of travel… when they are usually already in the hands of the pick-up volunteer.
Does it matter which airline I fly? Sun Country and Spirit do not accept dogs on international flights (but do accept dogs on domestic flights). Also helpful to know is that some airlines restrict dogs in the first class cabin, and bulkhead seating doesn’t work. As a general rule, Coach and Economy Comfort non-bulkhead seating works on Delta, American, United, Frontier and Aero Mexico, and most Canadian airlines work fine. The total number of dogs allowed on a given flight are limited, so best to make reservations in advance. Also, carrier size and weight allowances vary based on the specific aircraft you’ll be flying, so it’s necessary to confirm this information when booking.
What’s it cost? Mutt Mutt Engine will cover transport expenses for the dog, or can provide a tax receipt for same.
Will you cover human airfare if said human going to fetch a dog for you? We wish we could, sorry, no. That said, thanks to our donors, we do have incentivized travel offers from time to time... look for these opportunities on our Facebook page.
What about transporting bigger dogs? We love when we have the opportunity to save bigger dogs! American Airlines and West Jet tend to work best for cargo transfers from most destinations, but Delta and United can work sometimes too. We’re happy to investigate this option, bearing in mind weather restrictions, and sometimes costs. Please contact us!
What about non-commercial flights? Private flights work great, and provide greater latitude for size, type and number of dogs. If you’re flying on a private plane, you offer a special opportunity to save lives. Please get in touch!
I fly non-rev. Will that work? In most cases, yes it will! We adore when airline employees and their family members who fly non-rev are willing to transport a dog! Let’s discuss… and lucky you!
I still have questions. We welcome the opportunity to answer them! Just drop us a line, any time.