International Pet Travel Dog Travel Forum

Hello everyone!

I am completely stressing out over bringing my dog up to the USA. I live in Costa Rica and will be moving to the USA (North Carolina) in July. To avoid extreme temperatures I'll be flying up with her in May and leaving her with my mom until I can move in July.

I have to decide between a few things- AA or United.

AA flies through Miami which is a nice short flight. I have to pick between a 1.5 hour and 3 hour layover in Miami. I know immigration can be long so I feel like I should pick 3 hours, but I also want the shortest travel time possible for my dog. I plan to take a late flight to avoid heat in Miami, but since they say not over 85F in any location I worry about taking off from San Jose! At 1pm, it'll definitely be 85F in Costa Rica, unless it's raining.

United flies through Houston which is longer flights, though it's about the same total travel time as the 3 hour layover in Miami. Also, Houston is hotter than Miami. But I guess they have the "pet safe" program with ACed vans and such. I also don't like the idea of shipping her as cargo on United instead of checked baggage like they would do on American. But they don't have temperature restrictions so I wouldn't have to worry about taking off from San Jose.

I'm ridiculously stressed out about this and I need some clear advice! Please please help!