Moving to hawaii w buns

[Darth.liv]

Hi! I’ve had my bunny frodo for 5 years now and he’s well traveled since my spouse is active duty military, so he’s used to flying in cabin. We have to move to Hawaii in a couple months and I’ve been researching and reading about airline restrictions specifically to the island. Luckily rabbits will not need to quarantine and only need an inpection with a vet note. Most airlines have terminated the “ESA” loophole and specifically say they only allow service animals, and I refuse to put him in cargo as we know buns are fragile with stress. Has anyone flown to hawaii with their rabbit? What airline?

I’m so stressed since I feel like I have to choose between my rabbit son and living in HI with my spouse 🥺

[DanaNM]

Hi there,

I recently did some research on airlines that allow rabbits because I was moving cross country (we ended up driving though), and Alaska Airlines still allows rabbits in the cabin, but you should call and confirm. They told me to call to book the flight, because they can only have a certain number of pets in the cabin per flight. I think Spirit and Frontier did too, but I’m not sure they fly to Hawaii.

But now I’m reading on Alaska’s website that Hawaii only accepts dogs and cats in air travel? But it’s a bit unclear if that means just for tourist travel vs. moving permanently.

https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/policies/pets-traveling-hawaii

Hmmm… here’s a reddit thread on it… it sounds like it may be possible with Alaska (as of 2019): https://www.reddit.com/r/Hawaii/comments/b8jfxu/traveling_to_hawaii_with_a_pet_rabbit/

 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Darth.liv]

I saw that too ):

Unfortunately I contacted Alaskan and they told me hawaii was a different exception where they won’t allow rabbits in cabin. Im stumped and it doesn’t make sense. I have no clue what I’m going to do and I move in a month 😕

[Cinnimon&Ollie]

Maybe say that it is your comfort animal.

[DanaNM]

Unfortunately a lot of airlines have cracked down on “emotional support animals” and no longer allow “exotics” since it was being abused/overused (there was a high profile case of someone bringing a peacock on a plane….).

@Darth.liv uggghhh that’s so stressful.  Have you looked into any pet relocation services? Perhaps they might be able to help?

I found this info, you may have already seen it:

Importing Other Species

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Darth.liv]

No I haven’t ):

I heard petrelocation.com charges like $1000+ and its in cargo so I’m not sure how to feel about that

[DanaNM]

Oh gosh, yeah that wouldn’t be good for multiple reasons.

I wonder if there are any rabbit rescue groups out in Hawaii that you could reach out to? Maybe they have some ideas?

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Darth.liv]

I’ve looked online and haven’t seen very many resources out there. I’ve been trying to use instagram to find some buns who live out there but I haven’t had any luck either. This is so stressful. Most people I’ve read had good experiences with taking their rabbits in cargo but I just can’t help but think about the worst case scenario. I saw some airlines also take them as checked baggage so I’m not sure if that will be any better. I believe there’s a 1 animal limit on checked baggage in the temp controlled hold

[Sonn]

As much as I dislike Spirit Airlines I flew with two rabbits to transport to Hawaii in the cabin. This was only a month ago so it should still be possible. I would give them a call to make sure. And sometimes you have to call more than once as you will get more than one answer at times. Spirit does not allow pets in cargo.
https://customersupport.spirit.com/en-us/category/article/KA-01181

[Darth.liv]

Omg!!!! Thank you so much for this information and reply! I will try to book with them immediately

[Darth.liv]

What airport did you fly to and from, if you don’t mind me asking?

[Sonn]

I am SO SORRY I completely blanked on the fact that I only took Spirit to California and then took United to Hawaii. I had to make more than one call to United as I kept getting different answers.

[DanaNM]

Oooh thank you Sonn!

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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