Taking a dog with Turkish Airlines

Hilary


Joined: 16/06/2010
Posts: 42

Message Posted:
11/05/2011 10:43

Has anyone ever transported a dog with Turkish Airlines?









We are planning to take our dog back to France and so have to fly with them but following reading the following article I am worried!





http://blog.myletsadopt.com/2010/10/26/turkish-airlines-worlds-worst-airline-for-pets/







We are already having difficulty getting him on a flight as you have to book the flight then request permission to take the dog. Our permission was denied so we have had to re book and request permission again. I wonder how many times we might have to do this!







With stories of people turning up at the airport to find they can't take their pet etc I am wondering if there are any other options???

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
11/05/2011 11:11

What a comment from the spokesman , Animals are the enemy to Turks. We care for people not animals. Some sad stories. x

Tango1


Joined: 19/02/2011
Posts: 1151

Message Posted:
11/05/2011 13:14

Please contact Margaret Ray at KAR. I can't open the Blog, but I know that Turkish Airlines had an animal die on them on just one occasion I believe and the whole incident became front page news and was blown out of all proportion at the time. It never discovered who in fact was ultimately responsible along the line. Margaret is the fount of all knowledge when it comes to transporting animals around the world and assists people all the time. KAR can even supply experienced people to accompany cats and dogs if and when it is more convenient. Obviously this is not a free service and their tickets etc have to be paid for.



Tango1

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
11/05/2011 18:01

How dare you call my cousins south of the border dogs. GR will not like this one bit. Just becasue he is a dog, we don't have to make it so obvious.

aripointer


Joined: 01/07/2008
Posts: 189

Message Posted:
12/05/2011 10:20

Hilary.



We flew our dog to France with Turkish Airlines. Ercan-Istanbul-Paris.



The service was superb. We booked all our travel arrangements through Ankara Travel 03928152193 ankratravel@superonline.com Speak with Cenk or Handan.



Ankara booked our flights and our dog was ticketed as excess baggage. I travelled with our dog in the same aircraft. It is important the airline know you are travelling with a pet.

What you must do. Tell the Purser when you board the aircraft. Could he remind the Captain of the aircraft you have a pet in the hold. During the flight from Istanbul to Paris the Purser came and told me the dog was fine. They have a camera mounted in the pet section in the hold. Very impressive.



I would have no hesitation to use Turkish Airlines again.



AP

moxie


Joined: 23/05/2009
Posts: 969

Message Posted:
12/05/2011 12:19

how lovely to hear you are taking the dog with you...good luck

Hilary


Joined: 16/06/2010
Posts: 42

Message Posted:
12/05/2011 12:53

Thank you aripointer for your story - i'd heard some horror stories and was getting worried!!

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
13/05/2011 20:10

Happy 2 - Msg 1 & 7 - we regularly help transport pets to North Cyprus and have contacts through KAR who might be able to assist you in the reverse direction (I don’t expect you to have a problem unless the aircraft hold is not appropriate) - if you would like to contact me off board I will send you in the right direction.



Tom

info@flightholiday.co.uk

Zoots


Joined: 05/02/2011
Posts: 669

Message Posted:
13/05/2011 20:15

Msg 1:"Has anyone ever transported a dog with Turkish Airlines?"

Surely a question Garry Monger is best placed to answer.

gizzie


Joined: 17/04/2011
Posts: 34

Message Posted:
15/05/2011 17:48

Try Corendon airline to amsterdam or Brussels. Much cheaper than Turkish Airlines and much more helpful. We were charged 25 euros for our cat and it was allowed on board the plane rather than having to go in the hold.

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
15/05/2011 18:39

mess 9 - oy zoots old fells, you wouldn't be smiling if garry monger's missus fell on you from a great height..................

kiwikid


Joined: 18/08/2008
Posts: 496

Message Posted:
15/05/2011 20:15

Flying back from paris with Turkish airlines I was surprised to see a lady with a terrier on here lap! I asked here how she managed that and she said if they are under so many Kilos they can be taken as Hand lugguage.

So check that out as well if you hae a little dog.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
15/05/2011 21:52

Re Angela's message 12 - Turkish Airlines for hand baggage will need the travelling kennel to fit under a seat. (I have posted the dimensions on an older thread.)

The pet will need to be kept in that kennel for landing, take off and turbulenece and possibly if other passengers complain through the flight. (They will charge you for the excess baggage at the standard rate.)



Happy 2 Msg 1 - I forgot to mention the reason that your pet had "permission denied " was probably the wrong aircraft was on the flight you had chosen. This is one of the times that a good agent can help you (at least we do).

YFred


Joined: 06/05/2009
Posts: 1471

Message Posted:
15/05/2011 22:00

What if the dog farts during the flight. When I took GR and Oracle into a Turkish Plane, hey did not stop farting all through the flight. It was most embarrassing. Make sure you take lots of air freshener with you.

Hilary


Joined: 16/06/2010
Posts: 42

Message Posted:
24/06/2011 14:25

aripointer, would you be able to contact me via e-mail (hilarywhite45@hotmail.com )?? Would be very grateful as just have a few questions about flight etc and cant private message you on here. Thanks

mikea11


Joined: 15/06/2008
Posts: 254

Message Posted:
24/06/2011 18:05

Turkish airlines very good with pets, we bought our two back to UK last week via Paris, charged as excess baggage.

Hilary


Joined: 16/06/2010
Posts: 42

Message Posted:
27/06/2011 14:31

Good to know!!! Glad yours arrived safely mike

zeytinnur


Joined: 13/04/2011
Posts: 2

Message Posted:
27/06/2011 15:14

how nice to hear you are taking the dog with you i wish everybody can be like you...bless you...

Hilary


Joined: 16/06/2010
Posts: 42

Message Posted:
28/06/2011 11:39

Couldn't leave the little fellow behind!

daisythedog


Joined: 17/07/2009
Posts: 73

Message Posted:
29/06/2011 20:25

Despite all other messages here please aware that you can not take any animal as hand luggage in the cabin from TRNC to France. This because you are taking 2 flights and must change planes in Istanbul - it is only allowed on a direct flight (ie Paris - Istanbul) They must travel as excess baggage in the hold, which is heated etc, you will be charged 10 euros per kilo for total weight of animal and it's box.

as long as all the paperwork is correct there are absolutely no problems. I have just escorted my 7th

lot of excess baggage to Paris!!!

As msg 3 said talk to Margaret Ray at KAR.

Hilary


Joined: 16/06/2010
Posts: 42

Message Posted:
20/07/2011 20:16

The dog and I arrived safely in Paris on Sunday!! Turkish Airlines were great. Both very happy to be here!!

oceana


Joined: 12/07/2010
Posts: 395

Message Posted:
20/07/2011 21:21

Pets can be travelled with Turkish airlines.You have to request and let the airline know that you will be taking a dog. All you will need is the pets travel documents or certificate, a decent cage and will need to pay excess for the dog(not much). That's all.

EricaJ


Joined: 19/04/2008
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
16/08/2011 23:10

Thanks Gizzie for the mention of Corendon Airlines to Brussels. I looked into it and booked my new rescue dog (courtesy of KAR - thanks) onto the flight last night. Worked a treat and the total amount for Excess Baggage for Husky sized dog was 40 Euros!!!! To book a dog or cat on a flight just e-mail groundoperations@corendon-airlines.com or Kemal Ibis (Supervisor) on kibis@corendon-airlines.com. The flights only go to Brussels once a week on a Monday - but they also do an Amsterdam flight too. Both go via Antalya. The downside is that you have to book yourself on a return flight as they don't do one-way bookings (package holidays only). However, the return flight was still only £350 so still a lot cheaper than the Turkish Airlines option. They only take 1 dog per flight in the hold - but if you have a very small dog or cat (under 5kg inc crate), they can go with you in the cabin for 20 Euros (2 allowed per flight in cabin). Impressive service!

Whistler


Joined: 28/07/2008
Posts: 1332

Message Posted:
17/08/2011 09:13

EricaJ. Thanks for that information and I`m glad it worked for you. Question? Is the flight direct to Brussels or Amsterdam or do you have to change in Antalya? Cheers

Whistler


Joined: 28/07/2008
Posts: 1332

Message Posted:
17/08/2011 09:14

Sorry forgot to say. Does the flight go from Ercan please.

stellasstar1



Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 1519

Message Posted:
17/08/2011 11:00

Hilary, what happened when you arrived in Paris? Did you stay overnight, or fly directly on to England?

EricaJ


Joined: 19/04/2008
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
17/08/2011 14:21

Yes - flight goes from Ercan at 11.30pm on a Monday (CAI113) and stops in Antalya for 45 mins while more people get on.

Vidal


Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 867

Message Posted:
17/08/2011 14:58

I have just been reading the DEFRA website and it says from Jan 1st 2012 the rules are changing.



It says from ''Forcing pets to spend six months in quarantine, a practice dating from the 1800s, is no longer necessary because of vastly improved rabies vaccines and treatments.



All pets will still need to be vaccinated against rabies. Pets from the EU and listed non-EU countries such as the USA and Australia will no longer need a blood test and will only have to wait 21 days before they travel. Pets from unlisted non-EU countries such as India, Brazil and South Africa will be able to enter the UK if they meet certain strict criteria to ensure they are protected against rabies, including a blood test and a three-month wait before they enter the UK.''



Does that cover TRNC do you think?? Does that mean from Jan we could take a dog back with no quarantine??

I'd be glad if someone could read it and tell me if I'm going daft.



http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/06/30/new-rules-pet-p

Vidal


Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 867

Message Posted:
17/08/2011 15:20

OK just found this...answered my question!



http://www.cyprus44.com/forums/67865.asp

EricaJ


Joined: 19/04/2008
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
17/08/2011 16:04

Yes - technically you should be able to fly to Paris, Brussels or wherever and then onward travel to UK by air or Eurotunnel etc - as long as paperwork all in order. If paperwork wasn't in order, or you needed to travel earlier than the 3 month wait period, you could still go, but pet/s would have to go into quarantine under the "Early Release" scheme - ie 1-2 days up to 3 months max until paperwork was all in order.

Even easier would be for one of the airlines to make it possible to fly direct into the UK (obviously with touchdown at Turkey but pet not leaving the aircraft) - but that would just be too easy eh!

I agree with everyone thinking 'why do dogs have to do quarantine anyway when travelling from one Rabies-free island to another Rabies-free island?' Just doesn't make sense - but hey-ho, that's the way it is right now!

blade


Joined: 19/06/2010
Posts: 1286

Message Posted:
17/08/2011 17:13

They have to do it because this in not classed as part of the EU. They also touch down in Turkey from here. There is currently no approved route from the TRNC to the UK, so technically nothing has or will change until that happens. The TRNC is classed as a third country.

I do have a route but it is a ground not air route. It will aslo have to be a group of around 10-12 dogs at one time to make it financially viable to get them back to the UK.

I also have a company who can offer to take your dog now and prep it ready for the first of Jan at their kennels in a EU country, if anyone is interested.

Whistler


Joined: 28/07/2008
Posts: 1332

Message Posted:
17/08/2011 17:26

Blade - What about cats?

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
17/08/2011 19:07

Erica Msg 30 - The touch down might not be DEFRA approved as that is not "contagion proof".

Marion Msg 32 - The rules are for any pets (with some variations



As another thought - Current rules have not changed. Any pet or other animal that can be legally imported to the UK has to be chipped etc. If from an EU country

If coming from a non EU "chipped" country (or directly from a non-EU country) that animal currently travels into the UK: according to DEFRA rules it should suffer six months quarantine.

This is all complex in simple terms taking a pet from the TRNC to the UK should involve quarantine. There are ways that people get round it but those ways are verging on illegal. The rules for bringing a pet into the TRNC are tame if compared to the UK. The route to do it so that owner and pet suffer least calamity, tension and unpleasantness is best put into expert hands rather than the slightly cheaper DIY. (I know from the number of clients we have helped.)

After January its easie

EricaJ


Joined: 19/04/2008
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
17/08/2011 20:02

The touchdown in Turkey is completely fine with DEFRA as Turkey is an 'unlisted' country, exactly the same as TRNC (ie therefore currently subject to quarantine regs). Legally, all dogs and cats originating from TRNC (or Turkey) should do 6 months quarantine at present whichever route they come in by - and up to 3 months max quarantine after 1st Jan 2012 if the paperwork is not in order or jabs not done. That is the 'legal' way - but obviously there are other ways! The touchdown in Turkey is irrelevant.

Whether you go via Turkish Airlines or Corendon, it is all professionally handled by the airlines/handling agents and fine to book yourself or through an agent - same result (and same airline handling) either way!

stellasstar1



Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 1519

Message Posted:
17/08/2011 20:42

Message 28, Turkey is not listed as an accepted non EU country, or one that only needs 3 months which means neither will TRNC. If you look on the list, there are some strange countries, and yet Turkey is not on any list, which means there is still quarantine.

stellasstar1



Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 1519

Message Posted:
17/08/2011 20:46

Forgot to say if you fly into Paris or Brussels, to give your animal a rest overnight, are there hotels whch will take animals, or kennels near the airport, or who are the experts that can arrange it all from here, if your animal has an up to date Pet Passport.

blade


Joined: 19/06/2010
Posts: 1286

Message Posted:
18/08/2011 12:59

Any dog going to the Uk from turkey needs to do 6 months quarantine according to DEFRA. I have been talking with them via both phone and email. They need to arrive on a approved route.

There is a way around it, but you need a EU pet passport without any TRNC or Turkish vet stamps in it.



Whistler, i will ask the company i am in contact with but they usually only do dogs. If they do have a group of cats to go together they may consider it. ? Or if you can get your cat to Istanbul then they may be able to help. ? I will see what i can find out.

Whistler


Joined: 28/07/2008
Posts: 1332

Message Posted:
18/08/2011 13:52

Thanks Blade.

Cyprusquest


Joined: 09/12/2008
Posts: 428

Message Posted:
18/08/2011 13:59

Blade mes 37 - does that not change in January?

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
18/08/2011 16:30

John Msg 39 - for import to the UK I think you are correct that the DEFRA rules change as at 1st January

mikea11


Joined: 15/06/2008
Posts: 254

Message Posted:
18/08/2011 16:56

Most hotels are pet friendly in France, had no problem booking our two in when we bought them back to UK via Paris.



For those people who think it is too expensive to bring their animals back to the UK - this can be vastly reduced if you get them vaccinated against rabies etc six months prior to returning(at present). Nowhere near what you would pay for quarantine. Yes its a bit of hassle but you take them on and they become your responsibility, do not regret one bit about bringing ours back, made it into a bit of an adventure.



Please also speak to KAR, they are a mind of information and will assisit you and even escort your animal if required.