Howdy!
My family is considering a move from the mainland to the Big Island. We are trying to find direct flights to Kona and don't mind driving to whatever airport.
We have 2 large dogs (~90lb each) who would be coming with us. One is a Husky mix and the other is a total mutt, but his paperwork lists him as an American Staffordshire Terrier (he is the most docile, sweetest old man ever).
I can't seem to find any airlines that will let us cargo check them both straight to Kona. Hawaiian/Alaskan allows direct flights with dogs in cargo, but they list Staffie as a restricted breed, United stopped taking any dogs in cargo, and according to their website American requires a layover in Honolulu if flying with dogs in cargo.
Does anyone have any advice or expertise on this? We might have to just bite the bullet and do American through Honolulu, but I'm trying to minimize the time the dogs are in their crates. Neither of them have flown before and our Husky has separation anxiety (thank God for trazodone).
Thanks in advance.