The world’s first pet-only airline, Pet Airways, made its inaugural flight this week.
Initially serving five US cities – New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles – the airline plans to expand across the US.
President and CEO Dan Wiesel said: “Currently, most pets travelling by air are transported in the cargo hold and are handled as baggage.
“The experience is frightening to the pets, and can cause severe emotional and physical harm, even death.
“This is not what most pet owners want to subject their pets to, but they have had no other choice, until now.”
Using Beech 1900 aircraft, which can seat 19 passengers, pets fly in the main cabin, not in the cargo hold.
A trained pet attendant is always monitoring pets, which are never left unattended in a warehouse or on a ramp.
By Bev Fearis
