A young woman has blamed Qantas for "killing her best friend" after she found her pet bird dead in a water-filled cage after a longhaul flight.

Danielle Di Fiore moved from Australia to London in March and decided to bring her two Indian ringneck parrots, Kakota and Elvis, saying they were like her children.

The 21-year-old paid $2500 to transport the birds in separate crates, but received a phonecall on March 10 to say Kakota was suffering hypothermia after landing at Heathrow.

"I rushed to the animal reception centre where I got her released," Ms Di Fiore wrote.

View photos Danielle Di Fiore moved from Australia to London in March and decided to bring her two Indian ringneck parrots. Photo: GoFundMe/ Help! Airline Killed My Best Friend More

"I kept her on a hot water bottle, then on our way home she started having seizures and [we] went to the nearest vet [where] she died of hyperthermia."





Ms Di Fiore said Kakota's cage was overflowing with water and very cold.

The 21-year-old said both Qantas and the animals transport service Skypets have refused to take responsibility or offer compensation for the death of the bird.

View photos Ms Di Fiore said Kakota's cage was overflowing with water and the bird was lying at the bottom. Photo: GoFundMe/ Help! Airline Killed My Best Friend More

A report completed on Kakota's arrival at Heathrow said she was in "very poor condition" on arrival and was "wet and very cold."

But, it said after being placed on a hot water bottle and "massaged," Kakota appeared to improve by the time Ms Di Fiore arrived to collect her.

7 News Online has contacted Qantas for comment.

Skypets spokeswoman Sue Rogers said the company was not to blame for the death, saying "something happened" on the flight.

“I have a statement from the vet at the (Heathrow) animal reception centre that it was fit and healthy and ready to fly when it left there.

View photos The 21-year-old paid $2500 to transport the birds in separate crates. Photo: GoFundMe/ Help! Airline Killed My Best Friend More

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