Continental Airlines Reservations
United States: 800-525-0280
International: see website
United States: 800-525-0280
International: see website
Continental Airlines Pet Policy
Carry-On Pet Policy:
Continental Airlines allows domesticated cats, dogs, pet rabbits and household birds to be carried in the aircraft cabin on most U.S. flights within the U.S. An in-cabin pet may be carried in lieu of a carry-on bag and is subject to a $125.00 fee (each way). For travel outside the U.S. with an in-cabin pet, you should contact Continental Airlines directly for information on availability and charges. Pets are not permitted to travel in cabin on flights to/from Hawaii. Only one pet per passenger is allowed in cabin. Pets under eight weeks old are not permitted. Pets are not permitted in the BusinessFirst cabin of Boeing 757, 767 or 777 aircraft due to inadequate storage space under the seat.Checked Bagage/Cargo Policy:
Continental Airlines does not accept pets as checked baggage. However, the airline does allow pets to be transported in cargo as part of Continental's PetSafe program. For more information about this program, please visit Continental's website.Carrier Guidelines:
When traveling with their owners in the passenger cabin, pets must be carried in an approved pet carrier. Your pet must be able to stand up, turn around and move about comfortably in the carrier. The carrier must fit completely under the seat in front of you, and the pet must remain in the carrier at all times while on board the aircraft. The maximum dimensions for in-cabin pet carriers are 17" long x 12.5" wide x 8" high. The pet carrier must be sturdy and properly ventilated. To prevent accidental injury, no part of your pet's body can protrude through any openings in the carrier. Carriers made exclusively from wire are not accepted.Pet Reservations:
Because the number of pets allowed on each flight is usually limited to five (one in First or Business Class and four in the economy cabin), it is important to make reservations for yourself and your pet as soon as possible after your travel plans are confirmed. You can call 1-800-525-0280 to make your reservation and let the agent know that you are traveling with your pet. Continental is also one of the few airlines which now allow you to make reservations online for both you and your pet. Visit Continental's website for more information.
Submit a Review
#
Average Rating:
The Continental Airlines is rated # among airlines
based on 28 guest reviews.
Review
They Really Do Care!
Jennifer
in Chatsworth
I was extremely worried about flying my 11 year old Golden Retriever from Georgia to Cancun, Mexico, especially in the middle of summer. I was so afraid that something would happen during the layover in Houston or that she would overheat in the cargo hold. But, as I sat in my seat, the flight attendant told me she would check on my dog and 5 minutes later the pilot came and assured me that my dog was on-board and doing fine. He explained that the cargo hold was climate controlled and not to worry. In Houston, a Continental agent met me and explained that we would be taking the same plane to Cancun so her kennel was not unloaded since there was only a 40 minute layover, but that someone was going into the hold to check on her. On the last leg of my trip, I was once again assured of her safety. When I arrived in Cancun, the pilot, who was officially off-duty, helped me get her kennel off the baggage carousel.
I would definitely say that Continental is a Pet Friendly and Pet Safe airline.
Good experience
Lauren
in Scottsdale, AZ
I had reservations about shipping my 11-year old dog who had never been on an airplane from Newark to Phoenix. However, the process went very smoothly. The desk agent was very helpful and reassuring. When I boarded the plane, I was able to confirm with the flight attendant that she had been loaded on board. The cargo area is kept cool and comfortable and landing in 90+ degree weather was no problem. Would definitely recommend.
Happy dog!
Joan
in San Francisco
I was stuck - unable to get my dog back to the states from Guatemala on another airline due to high temperatures. Continental incredibly accommodating. Cargo agent in Guatemala City wrote a check from his own account to pay for the dog (I wrote him a check) as my flight left before the dog's and there was no other way to pay. Dog was very relaxed on arrival.
Very pet friendly
Cara
in New Orleans
I flew my two Bengal cats from Detroit to New Orleans. Everything went perfectly from check in to pick up. I was worried because there were no direct flight and they had layover in Houston, but all was well. When the cats arrived in New Orleans they were ready for immediate pickup at the baggage counter, calm and happy.
Outstanding
Nathanael
in Brevard,NC
We just took our yorkie on a crosscounty trip from NC to Seattle. After hours of reseach and comparing airlines we went with Continental because 1st Price and 2nd we could book the flight with our pup online and not have to deal with long wait times. I was extremely nervious about flying with our little guy. But Continental made us very comformtable thoughout the whole process. To start off with at our originating airport the continental rep came up to us and said "this is a pet freindly airport and asked if she could pet him." It was all uphill from there. Every employee asked to see our little guy and said to let them know if we needed anything. We will fly again with Continental. I would give them 10 bones if I Could.
On a side note a tip for traveling with a small dog. If your dog is potty pad trained take advantage of family restrooms during layovers to avoid going outside of security.
good choice for cargo transport
Jeanne Barron
in NYC and Martha's Vineyard
As far as I know, Continental is the only airline that has a special program for transporting pets in cargo, called Pet Safe. We have had good experiences with their service for our lab retrievers between Newark and Los Angeles and Orange County. They have special check-in agents and thermostatically controlled cargo areas. The agents seem to know how to check-in the dogs correctly. At Newark airport you don't need to go to a cargo terminal, the check-in is done right at the terminal.
Obviously, if your pet is small enough bring them in cabin is the best way, but for larger pets it's good to know about Continental.
I can't vouch for international flights.
Climate Controlled - no worries!
Patti
in Tampa
I was worried about shipping my dog during the hot summer. I found out the Continental has climate controlled transport in every area of transport. I was thrilled! They care about my pet! Way to go Continental!
Breeder
Margaret
in Tampa
As a breeder, I have to ship puppies once in a while. Continental has the BEST program. They care about the pets, provide climate controlled areas for the pets, and I don't have to worry about cold or hot temps. Thank you, Continental!
So far so good!
Natalie
in San Diego
I dropped off my child this morning, and when I say child I am not referring to a human ofcourse, I am referring to my precious pup. He just turned 3, his name is Fenway, and he is seriously the love of my life. He is no dog that's for sure. He's 50% human I am sure of it. Anyways, he is flying from San Diego to Boston and it is December. My boyfriend and I will be going home for 2 1/2 weeks so I figured we would take him. We flew him today and we are flying tomorrow. I wanted to make sure he was safe and ofcourse our tickets were not booked on continiental. The cargo area was very easy to get to in San Diego, and the flight attendent, I think her name was Nina, was great. She allowed fenway to smell her and pet him and get used to her. The process did take a while, many papers to sign, but I see that as a good sign. They really do care who picks him up, etc. She was fabulous, helped me tape on food and his leash on top of his crate. She was great. Allowed me a few minutes to say goodbye and kept saying he was a good boy. so far so good. i will write more once he lands safely in boston. thanks continental, keep up the great work
Breeder
Johnny Bulldog
in Fresno
I had called several places relating to Temp, times, policys and other info and was very happy with choice of words and tones that were used. They did seem to care and know answers to questions. I was very pleased of the efforts by all that I spoke with and will ship again.
Do Not Use Continental.
Greg Brock
in New York City
They got my puppy "mixed up" with another crated animal and sent mine to the wrong airport -- in McAllen, Tex. The PetSafe people in the national office called me and assured me he was fine. That he was in a kennel, being taken very good care of. I talked to the "kennel" at McAllen airport. It was a desk jockey sitting in a little office in the cargo warehouse. he had not fed the puppy or given him water. "there's some food on top of his crate. you want me to give him some?" duh. YES. the guy left at 11:30 p.m. and no one was with the puppy again until 4 a.m. "I can leave the light on, if you want me to," he said. "And I can lock the door if you want. We don't usually. But I guess I can lock it." This, my friend, is Continental's PetSafe operation! DO NOT USE THEM UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Write me at gebbrock@gmail.com if you want some more of the horrible details. It's worse than what is written here.
You have to read the whole story to believe it
R
in Austin
Please take a moment and read the entire story of our experience with PetSafe. It is located at petsafesucks.com and we also have a facebook page that you can like to get updates.
Poor Service
Lynn
in Ball Ground
I flew a pup from Atlanta to Canada. The pup ate and drank water at 3:30 am. I paid for kennel during the layover in Houston for an additional fee. I was told that the pup would have the bedding changed, fed and watered. To test the process, I told the individual receiving the pet what the bedding looked like and the exact measurement of food attached to the kennel. BUSTED! The same bedding and food amount arrived in Canada. Then they tried to tell me that they didn't change the bedding because it didn't need it. The pup arrived 12 hours later in Houston after leaving Atlanta and she did not urinated or poop in the time....yeah right! Then they told me that they did not feed her because there wasn't enough time. How much time (during the 3 hour layover) does it takes to put some food in her bowl?!!! When she got to Canada her bedding was completely soaked, she was soaked and there was an inch of water in the bottom of the kennel. This is neglect and cruel!
Terrible
Diane
in Buenos Aires
When moving to Argentina, we researched, talked to vets, the USDA and many many phone calls to Continental... I was told that Continental would allow my service dog in the cabin if there was room.
We bought First Class seats to achieve this.
The dog was certified by the USDA, all paperwork was good.
He flew from the PNW to Tx with no problems.
At the desk, as we were lining up to board for the flight to Ar ..they told us the dog could not fly to Argentina in the cabin, only in the hold.
No matter who I spoke to, who I had spoken to and what they had all told me, they took the dog, put him in a wire crate, no water, no blanket, nothing and put him in the hold.
He was in that hold for a minimum of 17 hours. He lived to tell the tale and I will advise anyone not to try to bring a dog to Argentina and not to fly Continental with a pet.
Mrs
Gail
in Montville, Maine
DON"T use Petsafe Quick pak. Their guarantee is USELESS. I have been coresponding with continental since Aug when my kitten was shipped from Chicargo to Portland. She was guaranteed same day delivery.
This is a quote from Continentals web site "By focusing on customer needs, especially communication, Continental Airlines Cargo holds one of the highest levels of reliability in the industry. In fact, we guarantee that if any properly tendered QUICKPAK shipment does not arrive on the flight specified, you will receive a full refund of related shipping charges." Now they are saying on AUGUST 2nd the weather from Chicargo to Newark was so bad the flight was delayed. Give me a break! I have received e-mail after e-mail stating my request for a refund was being forwarded to higher level. Today after receiving the same e-mail again I called and was told by Shandai that the team leader Josilyn Barrow denied the refund because of weather. What a run around. What good is the guarantee? I drove almost 125 miles each way to airport and had to go back the next day, lost a days work. My kitten was to be in isolation for 14 days and they stick it in a cargo boarding kennel with only wire seperating her from others. What a joke there flights are not on time and then the customers pay the price. Find another airline for pets unless you don't care.
Misinformation
D
in Houston
Inability to contact customer serve, poor sites ask Alex does not function and even this site is poorly functioning prefered to speak directly and privately as always loved cont. No more. Misinformation by staff leaves pets. And travellers unsafe and stressed. The cargo fee and 10 day vet check makes a hardship on passengers but more importantly the misinformation leaves passengers in an expensive mess they fail to inform u that your pet can be held for days if no custom agents working on weekends so much for making stress free advanced planning. Rip off cause the kennel fees are added. Be honest an properly inform customers continental!!!!!!!!! Can't even have a user friendly website!!!!
Ridiculous Rules
MS
in New York
I have not had the opportunity to fly Continental with my dog because of their absurd breed policy. They not only ban pitt bulls but also pitt bull mixes. When I called to ask what they meant by "pitt bull mixes", they said that any dog that looks like it could be part pitt bull must have a certificate from the vet saying that they don't actually have any pitbull in them at all. I have a shelter pup black lab mix with a very blocky head and probably has several breeds in him. When I asked my vet if she could certify that there was no pitt in my dog, she said that the most ridiculous requirement she had ever heard of.
The rule is apparently in place to protect Continental's crew but it is absurd. My dog is the most friendly thing you'll ever meet. If you want me to get a vet to certify that he's not violent, fine. But don't discriminate based on anti-pitt bull hysteria. Requiring that a dog has absolutely no pitt-bull DNA into order to fly Continental is just ridiculous.
He could be part pitt, but he could also be part boxer.
Dont even thik about it !
John
in Oxapampa Peru
I have a total horror story about getting my Corgi from Honduras to Lima, Peru via Houston. Anyone interested can email me at johncabamba@gmail.com. It is too long and involved to print here.This woudl get the no bone award.
Dog lover and fancier
Joan
in San Francisco
Just flew my dog for the first time and used Continental. I thought the Petsafe program would be outstanding. Newark has it right and made my dog their priority. I could NEVER recommend the program thru San Francisco. They come across as the dog being an inconveniece and DO NOT follow Petsafe said they would do. SFO is an accident waiting to happen with your pet. Stay away!
Idiots
Ruby-Rae
in Langley
These guys are awful. First no one had any idea how to book the flight, and everyone had a different imput. Then just today as I am flying back from Argentina with my dog I have found out that they would accept her crate and so the company I hired to do the paperwork had to scramble to find a larger one. Luckily she didn't miss her flight. Anyways, what is totally stupid is that on her way to Argentina it was also inspected and declared fine. Now all of a sudden it's now? What the hell!! Now i have to buy another crate because that one was left in BA. It was a huge crate to. What does continental think she is doing in the plane, yoga stretches??? Idiots.
Pet Birds Travel Internationally
Carine
in San Francisco
Continental does not allow pet birds in cabin on international flights though they do domestically. It seems United allows the birds in cabin internationally.
WOOF WOOF WOOF
PRECIOUS
in PET FRIENDLY?????????
I WAS ON YOUR AIRLINE AND I GOTTA SAY YOU SUCK. I DESERVE THE BONE YOU DON'T
THEIR OWN RULES
JAMIE ABERNATHY
in MIRAMAR
MY GIRLFRIEND AND I AND OUR LITTLE DOG WAS ON A CONTINENTAL FLIGHT BEFORE WE WERE EVEN SEATED WE WERE ATTACKED BY WANDA THE FLIGHT NAZI! SHE STARTED YELLING ALL "THE RULES" TO US LIKE THE DOGS HEAD MUST BE SHOVED INSIDE THE BAG AND TO HAVE IT ZIPPED UP THE WHOLE WAY. WE TALKED TO ANOTHER FLIGHT ATTENDANT AND HE BROUGHT OUT THE OFFICIAL CONTINENTAL RULE BOOK AND IT SAID NOTHING OF THE SORT. IT ALSO SAID THE DOG MUST BE UNDER THE SEAT ON TAKEOFF, LANDING AND DURING FOOD SERVICE. THE BOOK FAILED TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE HEAD BEING TOTALLY INSIDE. OUR DOG BAG HAS A SPECIAL HEAD HOLE SO THE DOG CAN BREATH YA KNOW DOGS LIKE TO DO THAT. THE FLIGHT NAZI ALSO THREATENED US WITH THE AIR MARSHAL WHEN WE HAD ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DOG. SO GO %$@# YOUR SELF C$NTINENTAL. WE ARE FLING DELTA OH YEAH ONE BONE IS TOO MUCH. THEY SHOULD THROW US A BONE.
unprofessional rude service
shirley
in hollywood florda
I HAVE FLOWN WITH MY LITTLE CHIHUAHUA FOR YEARS NOW AND HAVE NEVER BEEN TREATED SO POORLY AND HAD SUCH UNPROFESSIONAL F;LIGHT ATTENDENTS!!!! THEY WERE SO RUDE TO ME I EVEN STARTED TO CRY AT ONE POINT!!
BEFORE I EVEN SAT DOWN IN MY FLIGHT ASSIGNED TO ME THE ATTENDANT "WANDA" BARKED AT ME AND TOLD ME TO PUT HER UNDER THE SEAT RIGHT NOW AND DONT UNZIP IT OR TAKE HER OUT UNTIL WE REACHED OUR DESTINATION. MY DOG IS A LITTLE CHIHUAHUA BUT EVEN THE VET SAYS SHE CANT BELIEVE HOW WELL MANNERED SHE IS AND QUITE COMPARED TO ALL THE OTHERS.
SHE IS OLD AND A VERY PEACEFUL DOG!! SHE WAS NOT EVEN NOTICED ON THE FLIGHTS UNTIL I WENT TO PICK HER UP TO EXIT THE FLIGHTS AND THIS WAS SOOO UN CALLED FOR!! THIS LADY "WANDA" REFUSED TO GIVE ME SERVICE, THE OTHER ATTENDANTS HAD TO GIVE ME MY MEAL CAUSED SHE SKIPPED THE WHOLE ISLE PURPOSELY AND THEN I LOOKED BACK AT HER AS TO WONDER WHAT SHE SKIPPED OUR ISLE FOR AND SHE SMIRKED A LITTLE SMILE AND THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY. THERE WERE OTHER ATTENDANTS THAT APOLOGIZED FOR HER UNPROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR AND WERE ARGUING WITH HER IN THE BACK OF THE PLANE. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY THE MOST HUMILIATING DEGRADING MISERABLE FLIGHT I AND MY DOG AND MY BOYFRIEND AND ALL AROUND ME EVER EXPERIENCED. I AM SO UPSET STILL!!! I DONT HAVE A PROBLEM PUTTING THE DOG UNDER THE SEAT BUT ZIPPING HER UP INSIDE THE CARRIER LIKE THAT THE WHOLE TIME IS UNCALLED FOR IF SHE IS WELL BEHAVED!!! AND IT WAS THE WAY THE LADY "ATTACKED" ME IT WAS JUST WRONG!!!!! SHE WOULDNT EVEN PICK UP THE TRASH DOWN OUR ISLE. I FELT TOTALLY HUMILIATED AND FELT SORRY FOR THOSE OTHERS AROUND ME ALSO!!
NO MORE CONTINENTAL FLIGHTS FOR ME OR SEVERAL UPSET CUSTOMERS WHICH SUFFERED DUE TO THIS LADIES POOR CONDUCT!!!
NO THANK YOU CONTINENTAL!!
I WOULDNT RECOMMEND YOUR AIRLINE EVEN TO PEOPLE WITH OUT A FLIGHT WITH THIER ANIMALS!!
SHIRLEY COX ---- HOLLYWOOD FLORIDA
NEVER USE AS CARGO
Ruby-Rae
in Vancouver
My poor dog. I sent her through cargo from vancouver to Buenos Aires. It took me months to arrange and over 1000 dollars just to get her there. The telephone numbers were useless and none of the desk clerks knew anything. Absolutely useless.
NEVER USE AS CARGO
Ruby-Rae
in Vancouver
My poor dog. I sent her through cargo from vancouver to Buenos Aires. It took me months to arrange and over 1000 dollars just to get her there. The telephone numbers were useless and none of the desk clerks knew anything. Absolutely useless.
Airline BSL?
Max
in Harrisburg
According to the blog, For the Love of the Dog, Continental refused to accept a 4-month-old pitbull puppy being sent to his rescuer's home because they will only accept pitbull puppies weighing less than 20 pounds. All American pitbulls and pitbull mixes are banned from Continental
Don't use this airline for birds
Jay
in Kaneohe
This airline looks pretty pet-UN-friendly. There is no regulation about bringing birds FROM Hawaii TO the continental United States... but it looks like they're using the same restriction both ways. Their clever pictures and pretty website will NOT improve their image if they aren't truly committed to SERVICE. I won't fly them.
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