Pet Airline First to Fly Dogs and Cats in Cabin
May 8th, 2009 by jayrss.com
Pets Only, Please
Humans are not permitted to accompany pets on Pet Airways. This will disappoint many, but pet parents are assured that their beloved pets will be “in the good hands of people who love and know how to take care of pets. From the moment a pet is dropped off at a Pet Lounge, the pet is always under the care of trained Pet Attendants” (Pet Airways). This will be a relief to animal lovers who have not cared for shipping larger animals as cargo in the past.
First Pet Flights Travel to 5 Major U.S. Cities
Travel reservations are currently being taken. Beginning July 14, 2009, Pet Airways will serve the five cities of New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles. Future plans for the animal airline include expanding nationwide. The website offers a form to sign up for announcements of new city updates and discounts.
Unique Animal-Friendly Features of Pet Airways
According to Pet Airways, “The Pet Airways goal is to make the pet travel experience more comfortable and enjoyable for both ‘pawsengers’ and their human families.”
Some of the ways they intend to accomplish this are as follows:
* The airline offers easily accessible pet check-in lounges.
* Pets fly in fully-lit, climate-controlled planes with good air circulation.
* “Pawsengers” will be boarded and de-boarded from planes as quickly as possible.
* Pets will never be left in the cold or heat.
* Depending on transit time, animals will be offered toilet facilities, food and water as necessary during stops.
* Pet owners can make reservations and can track their pet’s progress online.
How Pet Travel Works on New Airline
* Reservations are made in advance. Prices are based on carrier size. There is a $149 introductory special being offered online as of May 2009.
* The pet(s) are dropped off at the Pet Airways Pet Lounge, located at the airport. Pets are to be checked in no later than 2 hours before take off. Animals may be checked in up to 72 hours before the flight and will be boarded at the Pet Airways PAWS Lodge until the flight.
* Pets board the plane and company Pet Attendants check for comfort and make sure pet carriers are secure.
* All pawsengers are checked every 15 minutes during the flight.
* After landing, pets are disembarked, given a potty break, and taken to the Pet Lounge for pick-up (or boarded, as instructed).
The Pet Airways Promise “is that your pet will never be left alone.”
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