Posted: April 23, 2009, 3 a.m. EDT
Introductory fares on Pet Airways start at $149, and service is to five cities. |
Pet Airways Inc., a pet-only airline based in Delray Beach, Fla., is taking reservations for flights to the “inaugural” cities of New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles, with other cities to follow, the company says.
Introductory fares start at $149 for a one-way flight, and service is set to begin in July.
The goal behind launching such the airline is “to make the pet travel experience more comfortable and enjoyable for both our pawsengers and their human families,” according to the company.The airline accepts only four-legged passengers now, though it may expand to include exotic pets.
Pets travel in the main cabin of a specially outfitted aircraft with climate and lighting control and are checked regularly by a pet attendant.
Pet Airways describes how the flight check-in process works: 1) Owners drop their pet off at the airport Pet Lounge, 2) Pet gets potty break just before takeoff, 3) A limo takes the pets to the plane an hour before flight time, 4) Pets board the plane, 5) A pet attendant monitors and checks pets every 15 minutes during the flight. After landing, pets will be disembarked, given a potty break and board the limo for their trip to the Pet Lounge at their destination, 6) Owners pick up their pet at the Pet Lounge.