I was wondering if anyone has experience with flying a dog into the UK from the US.
The information I need most is costs of flying (preferably with the dog under the seat rather than in cargo), how the Pet Passport works, and how difficult it is to go about doing this. The dog in question has qualified for Crufts 2013 and the owner would like to see him shown there, as well as possibly at a few champ shows beforehand. However, we haven't been able to locate anything that will tell us how much the flight would cost, much less what else we would need to do to bring him over to the UK. If anyone could provide links or information, that would be wonderful.
Thanks!

I think I'm right in saying that the dog must travel as cargo; there is no option.

'Brainless' on here has flown a dog to and from the US and UK; she'll be along soon to advise you.

I used a company called Ladyhaye to organise flying my pup in from Slovakia a couple of months ago. I can recommend them - Alison was very helpful and will be able to give you all the information you need, contact details below:

Alison Stimson,
Inbound Pet Coordinator
Ladyhaye International Pet Travel Agents LLP
Member of IPATA since 1993
Hare Lane, Blindley Heath, Surrey, RH7 6JB
Tel: +44(0)1342 832161 Fax: +44(0)1342 770144

Thanks so much! I'll definitely contact her about this. The dog is a small breed and if possible I would certainly prefer to have him at my feet in the cabin rather than in cargo. Never have seen a dog in the cabin on an international flight though, so I wouldn't really be surprised if it isn't permitted.

Sadly you can't do that in the UK they have to go as cargo.

It's not possible, not even in the hold as 'baggage' they have to come via cargo and it's very expensive.  You can however fly them into mainland europe as baggage and travel on the same plane as you, although they have to go in the hold.  I've flown into Paris and it all worked well - then drive to UK via tunnel or ferry.  You can't take them on Eurostar.

I drove to Paris, left my car at the hotel and flew to US, returning to the hotel just to collect the car...

Not replying to anyone specifically. My friends flew their puppy out FROM the UK to the US in the cabin, but I have no idea if it's possible to do it the other way round. Not much help I know!

It's correct that you cannot fly an animal TO the UK in the cabin. If you can fly out or not depends on the airline. Some accept it, some do not. I've recently looked into it in detail as I am exporting a kitten home to Sweden next week. When I found that the cage or bag in some cases HAD to fit under the seat in front with a max height of just 20 cms (8 inches) I gave up!! That would only fit a hamster. We're now driving.

Thanks everyone! Goldmali, have they reduced the permitted size for cages that can go in the cabin? We used to be able to sit a 10-inch tall, 22 pound Scottie under the seat in the plane, though it doesn't sound like the dog would fit in that.

Did you have any luck talking to Alison?

On the last flight I took there was barely enough room for my feet under the seat in front! There's no way you could fit a pet carrier under there.

Completely agree Jeangenie - can't imagine how they'd be space - and they couldn't go in an exit row as they'd block it..... sorry not much help I know

Don't know anything about flights, but not sure how long you want to stay in the UK?  There are not many Champ Shows before Crufts or even just after

4 weeks ago we brought our pup in from the US and we flew in via Amsterdam.  Cost of the dog on the fight was $200.  Both me and my OH went for about 4 days.  Cost of fuel to drive to the ferry port, return ferry, return flights and hotels all along the way worked out cheaper than what a friend had to pay out a couple of years ago to bring in a dog as cargo which I think exceeded £2000.

Is the owner not coming with the dog?

Health paperwork is not pet passport but the US Health paperwork.  Form changed at end of February so make sure it's the right form.  We also had to show the International Heath Certificate as well as the European one so it was lucky we had it as the vet we saw over there gave us it by mistake!  One thing to be sure of is the type of microchip the dog has.  Make sure it is an ISO or International chip.  The ones the AKC issue are not.  European (& UK) scanners can't read them.And also make sure the Microchip was inserted BEFORE the Rabies jab was given.  Make sure the date of both is clear on the vet documentation.

Some essential website:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/
http://www.pettravel.com/passports_USDA_certification.cfm