Pet Airways - New Airline for Cats and Dogs

New Pets Only Airline Takes Animals in the Main Cabin of the Plane

Jul 19, 2009

A new pets-only airline has taken to the skies, carrying much-loved cats and dogs in comfort between New York and Los Angeles, via Washington DC, Chicago and Denver.

Traditionally, cats and dogs who need to travel by plane have always been carried in the cargo hold. But this looks set to change if the new Pet Airways is successful. The idea is that much-loved canine and feline family members travel in the main cabin, in a plane entirely devoted to them.

How Does Pet Airways Work?

All pets fly in the main cabin, and there are trained ‘pet attendants’ to take care of their food and toileting needs. The airline ensures that there is plenty of fresh air at all times. Pets are never left unattended in a warehouse or on a ramp, and there is no need to buy a pet carrier, as the airline provides its own free of charge.

The airline claims to take great care of its ‘pawsengers’, and concerning carriers, it claims: “We have pint-sized ones for your cool Chihuahua and large ones for your mellow bull mastiff and every size of dog or cat in-between”.

Pet Airways Routes and Fares.

Having only begun its pets-only flights in July 2009, Pets Airways does not cover the whole of the USA as yet. At present it flies from New York to Washington DC, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles. Fares are as low as $199 from New York to Chicago and Chicago to Los Angeles, and $299 each way from Los Angeles to New York.

Why Choose Pet Airways?

Many pet owners are not happy with the way airlines traditionally treat cats and dogs. Pet Airways intends to change all that. Dan Wiesel, President and CEO of the company, was quoted in the press as saying:

“Currently most pets traveling by air in the US are transported in the cargo hold and are handled as baggage. Pets are like family members and they deserve better.”

Pet Airways' First Flight

Flight 1101, Pet Airways inaugural flight from New York to Los Angeles, departed on July 14th 2009. According to the company’s website, from New York to Chicago…“all our pawsengers were either napping or just relaxing” and…” our catengers were all happy”. In Chicago they were all given dog and cat food. The dogs were allowed out to stretch their legs, and the ‘catengers’ were transferred to larger kennels to stretch and use the litter tray. The remainder of the flight all went as planned, and…”the hills are alive with the sounds of happy pawsengers”.

Pet Airways could well be the answer for pet owners who need to take their cats or dogs on long journeys, but are not happy with traditional airline arrangements.

The copyright of the article Pet Airways - New Airline for Cats and Dogs in Commercial Aviation is owned by Helen Krasner. Permission to republish Pet Airways - New Airline for Cats and Dogs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.