Re: Going aborad with your dog on holidays
To put it into perspective, we were emigrating to Ireland so it was a pretty emotional and somewhat stressful day. We found the Dublin staff didn't take care, her crate wheel was broken and when my husband pointed it out he was told to write and complain but he had to get out cos dogs weren't permitted. She seemed fairly unfazed by the flight though, she just didn't like getting wheeled round in the crate.
If I was doing something like that again I'd seriously consider going by ferry. Dogs stay in the car (which they're familiar with) and you can go overnight so they might sleep most of it. I'm going to France on the ferry this year but we decided to leave the dog at her "country club"....and we recently aquired another four legged buddy so they'll be company for each other anyway.
Thinking about it, I'm not sure which option I'd chose now to be honest.
We allowed an hour over and above recommended check in time, I'm not sure what that is now, it's been a while since I flew anywhere.