Flying with your dog..?

[WindyCommon]

Has anyone here flown their dog to Portugal or another similarly mainstream European destination? I have found and read up on the veterinary/vaccination etc requirements, and also on the required transport kennel/box. But I am struggling to find out how the process works from a practical point of view. If you have experience of this, could you help me with the basic questions below?

- Where will we have to take our dog and when? I'll probably fly with BA out of Gatwick.
- Does your dog (always) fly on the same 'plane as you?
- How does collection work at the other end? Presumably you have to go somewhere with the necessary paperwork. When?

I'd be really grateful for any help with this. Thank you in advance.