New airline Pet Airways caters to cats (and dogs)
Pet-owning jet-setters seem to have good cause to worry about the safety of their animal friends when shipping them in the cargo hold of an airplane -- there are certainly a fair number of horror stories out there. And a new airline is trying a novel approach to traveling with pets.
Pet Airways, which begins service to select U.S. cities in July, will accept only four-legged passengers. ("Only in America," muses the Times of London.) Amy Lieberman at ZooToo reports:
Here's how it works: Pet owners flying out of major airports drop their animals off at a nearby, smaller facility. The pets spend time in a pet lounge before boarding a seat-free plane, which can hold up to 50 dogs or cats.
Animals are with "pet attendants" at all times, according to Binder, as they are then loaded into secured carrying cases on the plane. People are watching the pets at all times throughout the flight, though the animals are not allowed to roam at large.
Animals' flights are made to coincide with their owners' arrangements; after owners land at their destination, they collect their pets from a lounge.
Introductory fares start at $149 for a one-way trip. "Inaugural" cities served by Pet Airways are L.A., Denver, Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C.
Interest in the new airline seems to be high, as our colleague Jen Leo at the Daily Travel & Deal Blog explains:
Right now the website for Pet Airways is over capacity, but they are encouraging folks to check out their Facebook Fan Page, follow them on Twitter (@petairways) and inquire about reservations by e-mail at reservations@petairways.com.
Tips: If you want to find out more information about taking your pets on planes before you book on Pet Airways, read the Los Angeles Times' "Flying With Fluffy and Fido: Airlines' Pet Policies." Plus "10 Tips for Traveling With Pets."
--Lindsay Barnett
Photo: Rick Meyer/Los Angeles Times
Finaly they think!
Who would have thought that corporate hairbags would have thought of the comfort of our pet? The idea must come from one of their slaves(employees). Whatsoever, finaly the human race is STARTING to deserve the qualificative HUMAN. There is still a very long road before I can call ourselves the human race! Very long road!
Thank you for being humane!
Posted by: Me | April 23, 2009 at 07:14 AM
I am thrilled and hope they add more cities. After Frontier "misplaced" my dogs on my return flight from Idaho, I am very leary of flying with my dogs.
Posted by: Barb Dayton | April 23, 2009 at 01:11 PM
I am so excited about this! We have a 130 lb dog, and I hate the thought of him being in the cargo hold for a 4 hour trip! Awful. I hope they add more cities quickly.
Posted by: PAM | July 13, 2009 at 09:39 AM
I think this is really a dumb idea. Animals should still be placed in the cargo of the plane and not be wasting another airline to pollute our planet to serve people's ridiculous craves.. Utter rubbish!!
Posted by: Imar Walters | July 14, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Isn't it a bit bad for the environment? Having a seperate plane just for pets?
Posted by: AR | July 15, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Others are starving to death in other countries and people squander money on luxury transport for animals?
Posted by: AR | July 15, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Great Idea, I would love to take my dog from EWR to RSW.
Many people on the Eastern seaboard travel their in winter.
I hear to many horror stories about cargo deaths.
Hope to see service their soon.
Posted by: Nancy | July 27, 2009 at 08:44 PM
I feel ambivalent about this, still. Although I'm very happy to know that finally, my pet will be watched over by someone and not just treated as a third class luggage, I still cant help but feel worried that my pet is on another aircraft without me. But all things considered, its still a nice idea!
Posted by: Aysa Yap | September 27, 2009 at 03:21 AM
Nice for pet owners I suppose. But as a pet owner, I'd never fly this airline. Imagine the noise. Imagine the smell. No thanks...
Posted by: dave | November 03, 2009 at 12:22 PM
2 days to get from NYC to LAX with strangers, in a PROP aircraft and bouncing all over the sky-vs-4 hours n/stop in a 767...I'll opt for the 767...this is NOT luxury travel for pets...it's a glorified jalopy in the sky. No Thanks...I'll stick to the 21st century jet travel option.
Posted by: Bob | November 03, 2009 at 09:36 PM
whoever thinks that this is a bad idea needs to ride down below in cargo with the luggage before you go on with your ignorant negative remarks on what a rubbish idea it is. Seriousley, have some compassion and stop being such a mean ugly person
Posted by: theresa lopez | November 24, 2010 at 10:11 AM