Digital News Report- For those of you who are thinking about traveling with your pet this summer, you may have a new way to fly starting on July 14. Pet Airways will launch with an introductory rate of $150 one-way between any of their five cities- New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles. Up to fifty animals can fit on their pet only aircraft at any one time.
The airline was founded by Alysa Binder and her husband Dan Wiesel, who describe Pet Airways as, “a pet-only airline dedicated to pet-friendly travel,” on their website. Their airline keeps the pets in the cabin as opposed to the cargo hold, where there is an attendant with them at all times. The cabin is well lit and has air circulation like that of other airlines.
With a traditional airline, pets are often treated like luggage, which has stressed, injured, and even killed some animals. With this service, pet owners drop their animal off at a lounge, where they are attended to constantly both on the ground and in their luxurious cabins. When they land at their destination they are held in another lounge until picked up by their owners.
When they announced that they were taking reservations, the overwhelming response crashed their website. Many flights have already begun to sell out. Pet Airways hopes to expand up to 25 cities.