Flight nanny: how a French Bulldog puppy travels in the cabin

Why French Bulldogs fly in the cabin

French Bulldogs are a brachycephalic, or short-nosed, breed. Their airways move less air, so they cool down less efficiently and cope less well with stress and heat. In the cargo hold nobody can see the puppy, and temperatures on the ground before take-off can be hard to control.

Many airlines restrict or refuse snub-nosed breeds in the hold for this reason. We do not send French Bulldogs in the hold. In the cabin the puppy sits at the escort's feet, in a normal cabin climate, with someone watching it the whole way. If breathing health is new to you, read BOAS explained.

What a flight nanny is

A flight nanny is an experienced escort who books a seat on a scheduled flight and travels with the puppy as their cabin pet. Airlines usually allow one pet in the cabin per passenger, which is why the puppy needs a person on board.

A good nanny is used to puppies, knows the airport routines and the document checks at both ends, and stays in touch with you during the journey. It is a role built on trust, so ask about experience and references, as you would for any service involving your dog.

Airline cabin rules in short

Cabin rules vary by airline and route, but most follow the same pattern:

• The puppy travels in a soft, ventilated carrier that fits under the seat in front.
• The combined weight of puppy and carrier is limited, often to around 8 kg. Some airlines allow less, a few allow more.
• The puppy stays in the carrier for the whole flight, including taxiing.
• The number of pets per flight is limited, so the pet place is booked together with the ticket.
• Some routes, often long-haul or to certain countries, do not allow pets in the cabin at all.

Check the specific airline's cabin pet policy for your route before booking. Policies change.

Step by step: from Stockholm to your arrival hall

1. The date is set once the puppy is old enough and all documents for your country are ready. See importing from Sweden.
2. In the days before, the puppy gets used to the carrier at home with a familiar blanket.
3. On travel day the puppy has a light meal a few hours before departure and a last walk.
4. The nanny collects the puppy and its documents and travels to Stockholm Arlanda.
5. At check-in and security the carrier and documents are checked. The puppy is carried through security in the nanny's arms.
6. On board the carrier goes under the seat. The nanny checks on the puppy regularly and keeps it calm and cool.
7. On arrival the documents are presented to the border or veterinary control where required.
8. The nanny meets you in the arrival hall and hands over the puppy, its passport and all papers.

You get a message when the puppy leaves, when it lands and when it is through the arrival checks.

Food, water and comfort on board

Puppies travel best with a light stomach. A small meal three to four hours before departure is usually enough, followed by small sips of water during the trip. A potty pad lines the carrier, and a spare pad and wipes come along in the hand luggage.

We do not sedate puppies for travel. Veterinarians generally advise against sedating snub-nosed breeds before flying, because sedatives can affect breathing and temperature control. A calm, tired puppy with a familiar blanket travels well without it.

Meeting your puppy at the airport

Bring a soft blanket, a water bowl, a little of the food the puppy is used to and a lead with a well-fitted harness. Give the puppy a quiet minute before the drive home, and plan a calm first evening. For the journey as a whole, read travelling home with your puppy.

Cost and what to ask a flight nanny service

The cost of a flight nanny depends on the route, the ticket price and whether the nanny needs a return flight or an overnight stay. We do not quote a fixed price here; we discuss options for your destination when the time comes. Whoever you use, these questions are worth asking:

• How many puppy journeys have you done, and on which routes?
• Which airline and route do you plan, and does it accept pets in the cabin?
• Who handles the documents at departure and arrival?
• What happens if a flight is delayed or cancelled?
• How will you keep me updated during the journey?

Our delivery page shows the travel options we offer.