Travelogue from a trip to NYC with a dog

🕗 4 minutes | June 14, 2024 | Text by Damian Comperlik

Hi! My name is Damian Comperlik. For many years, I have been traveling by plane with my four-legged companion, a Jack Russell Terrier. We have been to many different places around the world, but in this article, I would like to take you on a trip to New York with LOT Polish Airlines.

My journey by plane to New York began in Katowice. I flew to Warsaw on an Embraer 170 and then transferred to an Airbus A330-900neo, which operates the connections between Warsaw and New York's JFK airport. Since the flight across the Atlantic takes over eight hours, I decided to fly in LOT Business Class.

The flight passed quickly, and the travel conditions were very comfortable. After a delicious dinner, I decided to take a nap, using a seat that reclines to a lying position. In accordance with the conditions for transporting animals on board, my pet spent the journey comfortably in its carrier.

I must admit that every flight I take with my dog evokes many positive emotions among both the crew and passengers. It is also worth knowing that each country to which we plan to travel with a dog has separate conditions for transporting animals and rules that must be familiarized with in advance.

The issue of vaccinations is fundamental before any trip with an animal. The dog must have a valid rabies vaccination and be at least six months old. In the case of New York State, this vaccination is definitely sufficient, but you should always check the regulations of the state or country you are traveling to.

The rabies vaccination is recorded in the EU pet passport, which must be legalized by the county veterinarian, not just the veterinarian who microchipped the dog. As I mentioned, the dog must have a microchip and a certificate confirming that the microchip is registered, which is also issued by the district veterinary officer (certificates are issued in the native language and in English).

After leaving the plane, I had to go through document control, which was quick and efficient. I was pleasantly surprised by the security control and customs service at New York airport and their warm attitude towards Aisha. After leaving the terminal, I took the A subway line to Manhattan. 

Manhattan

To my surprise, Manhattan is very well suited for walking dogs. There are numerous small parks where owners and their dogs meet every day at the same time to play together.

Queens

The next day, I set off for Queens. It is one of the five main boroughs of New York City. An interesting place that can be reached by subway lines A or C is the Rockaway Peninsula. There is a beautiful sandy beach there, perfect for jogging together and playing with your dog. In February, it is quiet and peaceful, which is conducive to relaxation from the tourist-filled and bustling Manhattan.

Union Square Park

The next place I went with Aisha was the park at Union Square (Manhattan). In this small green space in the heart of the city, there are two dog runs—one for smaller dogs and one for larger dogs. Both are fenced in and equipped with obstacles that provide fun for the four-legged friends.

Oculus

When visiting New York, you cannot forget about Ground Zero, the site where the iconic World Trade Center towers once stood. Currently, there is a memorial commemorating the events of 2001. The area also features the futuristic Oculus shopping center, which stands out for its architecture. The center itself is huge, and both its exterior and interior impress with their modernity.

One evening, I decided to take a slightly longer walk around the city. New York after dark is absolutely stunning, so I recommend everyone take a walk at sunset, especially around the Brooklyn Bridge! 

The Vessel

New York is a city that is a veritable interweaving of architectural styles. For lovers of modernism, The Vessel is a must-see. This building can be described as a zigzagging interweaving of stairs. I must admit that this place made a big impression on me, and I recommend it to everyone, especially architecture lovers!

After a few days in New York, my trip with my dog came to an end, and it was time to go home. I flew to Warsaw from JFK Airport on an Air Belgium Airbus, which operates flights for LOT Polish Airlines.

The conditions on the return flight were very comfortable, and the food was delicious. After seven hours, I landed at Chopin Airport in Warsaw. It was a great trip with my dog to the US and another pin to add to Aisha's travel map. I highly recommend flying with LOT Polish Airlines!

Dog vaccinations are essential. The US is considered a rabies-free country, so the authorities attach great importance to this issue. Your dog should therefore have a valid rabies vaccination and be at least 6 months old. In New York State, a rabies vaccination is sufficient, but you should always check the travel requirements for the state you are traveling to (other states may require additional vaccinations).

All vaccinations are recorded in the EU pet passport. The pet passport should be legalized by the county veterinarian, not just issued by the veterinarian who microchipped the dog. In addition, the dog must have a microchip and a certificate that the microchip is registered (certificates are issued by the district veterinarian in the native language and English).

When should you visit the district veterinarian? After a clinical examination, no earlier than 48 hours before the start of the journey. These regulations may change, so it is always a good idea to have up-to-date information and entry regulations related to transporting animals to the US.

Any trip with a dog on board requires a dog passport and confirmation that the animal has been vaccinated — even when traveling within Poland. You should also be aware that customs officials check the chip number with a special reader, and this happens practically every time at the airport, most often after landing before leaving the cross-border zone.