Flying With a Puppy

I'm expecting to fly with my puppy before he is 16 weeks old. The official limit is 8 weeks of age at a minimum, so that's not a problem. I've been reading up on what to do. The one thing I can tell is that folks who are writing some of the lists of things to do have never actually done it. They don't include  important facts.

You can't just 'call ahead' to the airline. You will have to pay about $125 per flight to fly with your dog. And some airlines charge per leg of the trip. Changing planes? Another $125.

There are limits to the number of pets per flight. If you book too late, your pet can't fly with you. Since there are different limits for first class, you might have to pay to upgrade if Fido MUST travel with you.

The seats are smaller than they used to be and they can vary from plane to plane within an airline. A pet carrier that fits under a Southwest seat might not fit under some Delta seats and be just fine under other Delta seats.

Your pet counts as one of your carry-on bags. You can't have luggage, a briefcase/purse, and your pet. To be honest, you don't want to lug three bags.

Because it may take additional time to settle your pet, you may want to board with the 'families with small children' group. It's OK.

Let the people sitting beside/in front of/behind you know you have a pet. They may not care, they may request a different seat.

Pet relief areas are now a requirement in airports due to service animal regulations. Don't expect much. You might find it in a disgusting condition, or not be able to find it at all. Look for a picture of a small dog on a leash. They used to require you to leave the secure area, but new legislation mandates pet relief areas on the secure side, too.

Addendum! I shopped long and hard for an automotive/air carrier for my dog. I selected a Sleepypod Air. It can fold down to smaller than the Sleepypod Atom if needed. I also liked what I saw on the crash test video. The Air shifted and deformed less than the Atom,  though both the Atom and the Air passed the crash test.