Jon C. Says:
Would love to make the move to Portugal. My challenge is that I have an 80 lb. dog and I would never let him fly in cargo. Any advice?
IL Contributor Terry Coles Writes:
Although Portugal accepts pets in-cabin, as checked luggage, and in cargo, that does not mean that all airlines do the same. Some will not permit a dog in-cabin in first or business class, for instance, and most will have a limit on how many can be in the economy section of the plane, as well.
Additionally, restrictions often apply in the summer months, particularly for snub-nosed breeds. It’s best to check the guidelines of your intended airline before committing to ticket purchase.
You can find the policies of many airlines that fly to Portugal at this link. Simply select the carrier from the drop-down list to see its policies.
Another option is K9Jets, a private charter service designed to allow pet owners to take their companions with them overseas in luxury.
The company founder, Adam Golder, told us, “From an animal welfare perspective, it has to be the best way to travel across the Atlantic.” Adam stressed that this is a total luxury service. “You can arrive at the airport a mere 60 minutes before takeoff. There are no queues for check-in, and no queues for security. You just meet up with your fellow passengers and allow your pets to have a short bonding session before takeoff, and away you go.”
K9Jets fly to destinations all over the world, including Lisbon, Portugal. See the full list here.
There are many other considerations regarding bringing pets to Portugal, which you can find in Chapter 8: Moving Household Goods and Pets of IL’s Escape to Portugal guidebook.
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