United States: Virgin Atlantic ready to launch air miles for pets
Virgin Atlantic is to become “the first scheduled airline to bring domestic cats and dogs into the UK” later this month – and is even launching special ‘bone-us miles’ and ‘frequent felines’services for well heeled (or well-pawed) pets.
The new service will initially operate on flights between Los Angeles and London Heathrow, but the airline says it will consider extending the service to other destinations if it is a success. Under current rules pets do not need to be quarantined on arrival in the UK – as long as they have been vaccinated against rabies, had the relevant blood tests, and are fitted with a microchip. They must also hold a ‘pet passport’ have only travelled in approved countries in the six months before arrival in the UK.
Virgin chairman Sir Richard Branson said: “On average 250 cats and dogs travel to the UK from the US each month and I hope we will see this figure double as more airlines sign up to the scheme. We are talking to a number of reward partners and hope to offer special treatments and pampering weekends – just like our flying club for human travellers.”
