Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


5

Furry Passengers Take Off Aboard Pet Airways

Share

(Newser) – Coffee, tea, or dog biscuits? That's what travelers hoped to hear on the inaugural flight yesterday of Pet Airways, a brand new airline catering to what execs refer to as "pawsengers." The first-ever all-pet airline, launched by US husband-and-wife team Alysa Binder and Dan Wiesel, transports up to 50 dogs and cats in the main cabin of a Suburban Air freight plane, filled with pet carriers instead of seats.

The service currently operates in Baltimore, New York, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles, reports the BBC, and is sold out for the next two months. One dog owner using the service insisted it was important to her that her hound not travel with the baggage in a conventional flight. "Vito's not a suitcase; he's a member of the family," she sniffed.

A canine passenger is prepared for his flight during a training session.
A canine passenger is prepared for his flight during a training session.   (AP Photo/Dave Weaver)
Dan Wiesel, CEO of Pet Airways, embraces a canine passenger at Pet Airways in East Farmingdale, NY, yesterday.
Dan Wiesel, CEO of Pet Airways, embraces a canine passenger at Pet Airways in East Farmingdale, NY, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Yanina Manolova)
Pet Airways' Alyse Tognotti checks on a passenger during a training session.
Pet Airways' Alyse Tognotti checks on a passenger during a training session.   (AP Photo/Dave Weaver)
Heather Donahue of California leaves her dog, Vito, at Pet Airways in East Farmingdale, NY, yesterday.
Heather Donahue of California leaves her dog, Vito, at Pet Airways in East Farmingdale, NY, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Yanina Manolova)
Pet Airways co-founder Alysa Binder holds her dog, Zoe.
Pet Airways co-founder Alysa Binder holds her dog, Zoe.   (AP Photo/Dave Weaver)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
5 comments
VIEWING:
 
armywife
Jul 15, 09 7:46 AM CDT
great. now i want someone to invent KidAir, the first family-centered airline. only families allowed, with bassinets and changing tables and a 'scream all you want, no one minds" policy. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+6
IN RESPONSE:
kokuaguy
Jul 15, 09 12:46 PM CDT
This is really a good idea, armywife. Perhaps one or two flights a day along a specific route could be designated "kid friendly." The seats could be smaller, the movies different. Veeery Interessstink!!!
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
stacysaw
Aug 26, 09 4:41 PM CDT
AMEN!!!!
Vote up! Vote down!
0
schmidtkoff
Jul 15, 09 8:05 AM CDT
well - not a bad idea. years ago i bought a borzoi from a kennel in georgia, to be shipped to rochester, ny. in winter. waiting at the roch airport i was told my new puppy was in buffalo ny! in winter. a dog from georgia! i had to wait until the next day, with the poor pup in the cargo area probably freezing. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+4
keybored
Jul 15, 09 9:41 AM CDT
What a brilliant idea. It's great to have this option as most airlines treat animals like baggage (and we all know how they treat baggage!) Good luck to them, I hope their venture is very successful. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

27 Stories

pop science

 In Eco-Terms, 
 Dog = Hummer 


Nov 2, 09 5:50 PM CST
(Newser) - A dog has about the same impact on the planet as an SUV, according to a study out of New Zealand. The authors of Time to Eat the Dog? The Real Guide to Sustainable Living claim the environmental footprint of a Toyota Land Cruiser is smaller than the ecological impact... More »

MORE ABOUT:
environment • Toyota • ecology • SUV • Volkswagen • dog • cat • Hummer

GLORY DAYS DEPT.

 Pan Am Lives—in Man's Garage 

Trips to Thailand net vintage headphones and the like for cabin mockup

Oct 26, 09 11:50 AM CDT
(Newser) - To Anthony Toth, Pan Am was the epitome of airline class, with its top-notch, martini-pouring first-class service and in-flight music so excellent that the United Airlines employee brought along a tape recorder to record it on trips as a boy. Now that he’s 42 and owns a home, he’... More »

MORE ABOUT:
airline • air travel • first class • airplane • Pan Am • vintage • nostalgia • replica • Jay-ZTV

(Newser) - Nobody likes the middle seat on an airplane, and a recent study shows fliers would rather endure some novel discomforts than sit squeezed between two seatmates. BlackBook runs down a few—as well as what's particularly unpleasant about the middle seat.
  • 56% of respondents would rather have their
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
list • airline • air travel • airline passengers • airplane • survey • opinion polls • middle seat

27 Stories


Business  •  US 
TwitterFollow @NewserBusiness on Twitter

 
airline • airplane • dog • cat • flying • Pet Airways

from our news partners