Pet Airways Takes Off

While airlines do allow a limited number of dogs to travel
in the cabin, most of them are relegated to the cargo hold. Anyone who has seen the condition of some packages and baggage after a flight probably doesn't want their pets to experience that. Additionally, the cargo hold's temperature varies wildly.

Right now, the company only has a "fleet" of five planes, and will only do one flight a day. Pet Airways will fly a pet between five major cities — New York, Washington, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles. Here's how it works, according to their site.

Drop your pet off at our Pet Lounge, located at the airport. You must check in your pet no later than 2 hours before take off. If you choose, you may check in your pet up to 72 hours before the flight. We’ll be happy to board your pet at our PAWS Lodge until the flight.

Potty Breaks are very important to your pet. With the human airlines, your pet could be made to hold themselves for a very very long time. Pet Airways monitors the last time your pet had a potty break, and makes sure that they get regular potty breaks along the way. This means that it may take us longer to get to where we are going, but the care of our pawsengers is our first priority.

Pets board the plane and our Pet Attendants make sure they’re all comfortable and that they, and their pet carrier, are secure.

A Pet Attendant monitors and checks the comfort of all pawsengers every 15 minutes during the flight. After landing, pets will be disembarked, given a potty break, and will be available for pickup at the Pet Lounge.

Pick up your pet at the Pet Lounge at your destination, knowing he or she has traveled comfortably and safely in the main cabin of our plane. If you cannot pick up your pet that day, we will be happy to board your pet overnight at the PAWS Lodge.

Will such a niche airline be able to exist, in the long run? In fact, some airlines charge more than Pet Airways does just to transport pets in the cargo hold. As I pet lover, I hope this airline thrives.