Rapacious airlines

[Skeptisk]

Currently organising for our dog to be flown back from NZ to UK. Aghast at the prices. Just booked the flights for my wife and daughter to fly with Emirates. Two people and 75kg of luggage, including all food and drink: £1900. Quote with Emirates for 16kg dog (not on same flight), with maybe his water bottle topped up: £6000! WTAF. I have “cheaper” alternative with Malaysian airlines of “only” £3000. Grrr. That does include some services by pet agent in NZ (but doesn’t include vet fees for various jabs and checks before he leaves plus another £500 when he arrives in London).

Basically the airlines and others in the chain know that they have pet owners over a barrel because the vast majority of people will cough up to have their pets transported rather than abandon them. Leaves a bitter taste though.

Rant over!

[ChocolateFrog]

Niche service that no doubt is significant hassle for the airline.

Like you said they can charge what they want, how long does the boat take? Atleast a month at a guess so not an option.

I'm not sure I'd pay £4k for my dog as much as I love him I'd probably rehome him in a similar scenario not that I'll be in that scenario.

[tribbles]

Sounds about right.

I had two kittens (total weight under 10kg) brought over fro Portugal. Total cost for the flight was about £800, with an additional £200ish for vets. Luckily they could stay in the same cage, otherwise it would've been £800 each!

[QuartzDad]

tribbles said:

Sounds about right.

I had two kittens

Username checks out, those weren't kittens...

[moles]

Yeah it’s been that price since Covid. We flew our dog with Singapore to Auckland in Jan 2021 and it was £4,000. They were the only ones flying then so had no choice.