u/yuhyeet19

I'm moving to Ireland from the United States for my postgraduate degree (and hopefully beyond, if all goes well) and I am having a sudden issue getting a flight booked. The last airline I had on deck that allowed rabbits in cabin on transatlantic flights from the USA to the EU suddenly changed their policy the week I was looking at trying to book, so now I am left stranded with no way to move both me and my rabbit safely without asking for an exception to an airline's pet policy.

(For those not familiar with rabbits, they are silent, pretty much odorless, and too fragile to safely fly cargo. I am not very comfortable attempting to fly him this way.)

I am planning to go to my local airport and talk to Aer Lingus, as they are the only direct flight to Ireland from my area (and thus less stressful for both me and bunny), but I am well aware of the no pets in the cabin policy. I just wanted to ask if anyone thought there would be any possibility of an exception, as there are literally no airlines left that will allow him to fly in cabin. He is not a service animal, but he is an ESA--though people abused this system and I am aware there is no longer any kind of legal requirement to allow them on board. Any other suggestions for options besides Aer Lingus are also appreciated.

Thanks very much for any guidance given. This move has become ten times more stressful with this rug pulled out from under me.

Edit: I understand this is not a common situation and that many people don’t do proper research before doing things, but I have everything sorted BUT the flight, hence my post asking about that specific subject. (I do appreciate the concern, though. The housing crisis and housing scams were definitely things I was aware of in advance, and I am lucky to have a trusted contact in the area I’m moving to that would go to viewings for me.) Getting the flight booked has been the thing I had the least advance ability to take care of, as I wasn’t going to book a flight without an acceptance letter from my program. Looking around on daft and downloading forms is free, while booking the flight isn’t, LOL. The paperwork for import of my rabbit is under control, but it needs a flight number (or indication of other method of transport) to be properly filled out…which I obviously don’t have. He sees a USDA certified vet already, and can easily get the health certificate the second I have that flight number. He’s a healthy, happy little guy.

I’m sorry if I worded things poorly or left out necessary details. I try to give out as little personal information as possible on the internet, so I usually keep things brief and vague. I don’t find any pleasure in asking for any sort of exception, and I researched airlines allowing rabbits on several occasions before now—two years ago when I was beginning to think I would have to move sooner than I thought, and one year ago when I decided I was applying to school in Ireland the next enrollment cycle. (This is when I looked at requirements for bringing a rabbit with me into Ireland as well.) It really seemed like everything was handled in that regard, and that when I had an actual acceptance letter I could book my flight with little issue. However, even my plan F was rug pulled with these sudden airline regulation changes in late 2025 into mid 2026. (It is true that I didn’t think things would change so dramatically that quickly, which was perhaps naive.) This is why I’m now hoping to find some solution, and all I can really do is ask around. (And I promise I’m not planning to just show up to the gate the day of demanding a rule bend like a jerk. I would rather the plane hit me. I’m chatting with people now well in advance.)

Thanks for all of the genuine ideas, though. Unfortunately, as with most things, they only allow cats and dogs on the boat and the previously rabbit friendly airlines have suddenly changed their tune (Azores Airlines mentioned by the Redditor that moved their bunny to Belfast was the aforementioned plan F), but I really appreciate the help anyway—more than you know. My rabbit is all I really have, and he’s my family just as much as a cat or dog would be. I’m moving away from the United States permanently, and I wouldn’t leave him behind. We’ll get it sorted somehow…I just wish it was a little less stressful and required less hoping that someone will make an exception. It really stings when you think you’ve planned everything so meticulously and then it falls apart in front of you. The only thing I’ve found that wouldn’t require this sort of asking is a private charter, and that’s DEFINITELY far out of my price range.

(It is crazy that a small animal that really can’t spread many diseases, makes no sound, and does not smell is so hard to transport in cabin…wish I knew what the rationale was. Iberia allows tortoises, fish, and birds of all things…)

Thanks again, and I hope everyone reading is well.

I don’t really like making public posts that include personal info of any kind, but Reddit has been helpful before in finding a rabbit I found dumped a home, so I figured I would give it a shot with this issue as well.

I am moving to Ireland from the United States later this year, and I am going to bring my pet rabbit with me. He’s my family, and I refuse to leave him behind (though rest assured he does have a place to stay if things truly don’t work out). He has taken cross country road trips before and actually enjoyed himself after the first hour passed and he knew the destination was not the vet’s or getting groomed, so the issue is not his ability to handle it. He’s a spunky and confident little thing, and that was one reason I was matched up with him when I rescued him. I am also confident in my ability to keep him as comfy as possible in transit, and I’ll of course be asking my vet for any suggestions getting his health cert before we leave.

The issue that is presenting itself is airline willingness to allow him in the cabin and not a ton of government paperwork like I expected. (The government of the Republic of Ireland is pretty lenient with rabbits, which I appreciate.) I originally reached out to a very kind Redditor who documented their experience moving internationally with a rabbit, but the route they took has now closed its doors to rabbits coming from the USA or Canada. Once I get him into the EU, travel will be easy, but that transatlantic journey has become a problem.

My current plan is to go and have an in-person conversation with my preferred airline at the airport about an exception, as I tried contacting customer support and got no answer—yes OR no—after an hour and a half of being given different numbers to call. I would love to hear any suggestions from others who may have had similar experiences, though, as I’m starting to worry I’ll have to move and never see my rabbit again, as I won’t be returning to the US…probably ever. I could try to pass him off as a cat, I guess…

Thanks in advance for any guidance or even just kind words. I’ve included a picture of my rabbit for pet picture tax. His favorite activities are licking my ankles, eating cardboard, and honking + thumping at small birds on “his” porch that apparently disturb him. (He doesn’t give a single crap about me vacuuming on top of his foot because he won’t move, though…)

Moving to Ireland With Rabbit