Today’s story comes from Pet Abroad’s author and founder Markéta, who shared her recent experience flying from Helsinki to Prague with her tiny 2.5 kg Chihuahua. It’s a reminder that even the smallest dogs aren’t always the easiest to travel with, especially when airline staff decide to put their carrier under a microscope. Here’s how it went.
About the trip
- From: Helsinki, Finland
- To: Prague, Czech Republic
- Pet: Chihuahua
- Age: Adult
- Airline: Finnair
- Guide: How to fly with a dog
I’ve flown with my Chihuahua more times than I can count, and it’s always been smooth sailing. He’s tiny just 2.5 kg and his carrier is so spacious that, honestly, two of him could fit inside. So when we arrived at Helsinki Airport for our Finnair flight to Prague, I didn’t expect any issues.
But this time was different.
The check-in agent took one look at his carrier and started examining it like it was a suspicious package. Even though he clearly had plenty of room to stand, turn, and stretch, he wasn’t convinced. He called over his supervisor, and suddenly, I had two Finnair staff members crowded around my dog’s bag, debating whether a 2.5 kg Chihuahua had enough space to travel comfortably. For ten whole minutes, they circled the carrier, peering in from every angle, while my little dog just sat there, probably wondering what all the fuss was about.
Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, they gave us the green light. The rest of the flight was uneventful, but the whole experience left me with one thought: If it takes this much scrutiny for the smallest dog in the world, how long would they spend inspecting a French Bulldog?
If you’ve had a similar (or even wilder) experience flying with your pet, we’d love to hear about it. Share your own story by sending us email at contact@petabroad.eu.