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It appears that pets travelling by air is very much in the news. In the US a new airline called Pet Airways, designed to fly pets exclusively, will make its inaugural flight on July 14th.
Pet Airways intends to operate flights to and from Baltimore/Washington International, Midway in Chicago, Rocky Mountain Airport near Denver, Hawthorne Municipal in LA and Republic Airport on Long Island. Fares range from $149 - $299. Many of the inaugural flights are already fully booked. Expansion from one to 20 aircraft is planned for the end of 2009.
The airline will use a modified Beechcraft B1900, 19 seat, twin engined aircraft with all human passenger fittings removed to make room for special pet carriers fitted with special restraints. A climate controlled system will ensure pet comfort and attendants will make 15 minute checks on the ‘Pawssengers!’
Although UK based specialist companies exist, pets must travel in the hold. The Spanish budget airline, Clickair, will be the first European carrier to allow pets in the cabin. From July 2009, dogs, cats and rabbits may travel with their owners in the cabin in suitable containers. There is a weight limit of 17lbs and fares will be £19 for Spanish internal flights and £33 internationally.
Despite this breakthrough in pet travel, it seems that the jury is still out. Humans travel safely in a pressurised cabin with human interaction and ample food and drink. (If some airline food can be so described) Pets however are normally banished to the dark baggage hold with noise, lower air quality and often low temperatures. Airlines have also been known to lose Fido.
Certainly, Pet Airwayshas solved these problems and without passengers the allergy problem will not exist. There are no size restrictions and both Mastiffs and your Chihuahua can travel in the cabin. Nor will there be any moron wanting to take Tabatha for a walk or Buster for a potty break.
In conclusion, a personal opinion is that if you have to transport a pet, it deserves to travel in a safe, humane and stress free manner. The animal welfare groups will applaud, the environmentalists will cry, increased carbon emissions!
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