Cheapest way to move a cat from USA to UK

[Petrus1983]

Has anyone got any experience of moving a cat from America to the UK? We can drop it off at JFK and pick it up from LHR. So far the flights are more expensive than if I was to fly business class! Annoyingly the cat is 8 years old and just sleeps all day so wouldn't even be a worry in the cabin.

[anonymous-user]

Could you not fly with the cat in the cabin from the US to somewhere in Europe, (This is allowed) and then make arrangements for someone to pick you up and drive back to the UK? Lufthansa allow pets in the cabin and fly to the Netherlands as one of my friends did the reverse trip last year,

[evenflow]

Massive catapult.

[Arpa]

My soon to be wife, moved her two cats back to the UK from NY a few years ago. Fortunately, her employer paid and appointed a firm to make arrangements.

I know know, however, that they had to be chipped in the US with an EU compatible chip (different from the US ones apparently) and have a rabies vaccination. They were also quarantined for 6 months in the US. This may either be done at a residential address or at airport facilities.

I'd recommend making sure you have all the vaccination certificates safe.

The cats flew back but I know that the Queen Mary 2 has animal lodging although suspect that's not the most cost effective option.

[MocMocaMoc]

evenflow said:

Massive catapult.

+1.

Plenty of time to 'right' themselves and land on their feet.

[LordFlathead]

Iron it until flat then stick it in an envelope and mail it.

Simple

[evenflow]

Get a dog and make it chase the cat to the UK.

[Petrus1983]

Thanks for all the input. At the moment Virgin Atlantic seems to be coming up with the best offering, but the QM2 option is interesting too as we could probably take more cases with us and are heading for Dorset (close to S'ton) anyway.

[Nickyboy]

UPS?

[Scotfox]

You just need an Owl and a Pea Green Boat

[rj1986]

I went on the QM 2 last year.
Its a great way to travel i must say. And the pets are treated better than most people flying in economy.

IIRC it was about £500 each way per pet.

[DavesFlaps]

As I see it, you have a few options:


Hire a hot air balloon, take the cat up in it and wait for the earth to spin below you until you're above the UK.

Disguise the cat with a false moustache and sunglasses and simply walk on to the plane with it.

Grass the cat up for working illegally in the US and it'll be deported for you free of charge.

[Emeye]

Can you really take animals in the passenger cabin of some flights into Europe?

I wouldn't be happy being sat next to or near a stinky cat or dog for hours on a flight!

Edited for not making any sense thanks to a silly typo.

Edited by Emeye on Friday 22 November 14:17

[DavesFlaps]

Emeye said:

Can you really take animals in the passenger cabin of some flights into Europe?

I wouldn't be happy being sititng next to or near a stinky cat or dog for hours on a flight!

I remember flying from Madeira to Lisbon a few years back and someone got on with their dog, so yes you can, or at least yes you could.

eta: Although strictly speaking that was an internal European flight and not in to Europe from elsewhere.