Flying the Furry Skies

Pet Airways Offers a Stress-Free Experience

After an unsatisfying experience flying with their Jack Russell terrier, Alysa Binder and Daniel Wiesel launched Pet Airways, a pets-only airline that transports pets in the main cabin instead of in cargo hold. The company’s motto is ‘Your pets aren't packages, they're Pawsengers.^™’

Since 2005, this one-of-a-kind airline has been flying dogs, cats and small exotic pets such as guinea pigs to and from cities including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Chicago, New York, Baltimore, Atlanta and Ft. Lauderdale.

During a flight, pets are housed in individual kennels provided by Pet Airways in the plane’s main cabin. An in-flight attendant monitors pets, making sure each one is comfortable. Prior to takeoff and during layovers, pets are cared for in the Pet Airways Lounge, where attendants make sure that pets are walked, given a potty break, fed and, if the schedule permits, take a nap or pass the time playing.

“The pets are never out of our sight,” explains Binder. “We have the best team at Pet Airways, we’re all pet lovers!”

Binder recalls one instance when her team quickly reacted to a snowstorm at the Baltimore Washington Lounge. “The staff showed up with sleeping bags and slept with the pets until the planes were cleared for takeoff—we’re dedicated to treating these pets like family.”

Pets can fly one-way or round trip. Pet Airways fares range in price depending on your pet’s size, distance of flight and time of year.  Special rates and promotions can be found online. Interesting tidbit: Pet Airways, who participates in flying shelter pets to "forever home" adoption events, offers a 10% fare reduction to pet owners adopting a rescue pet from another city.

We asked our Facebook fans to come up with some burning questions for Binder, who is Pet Airways co-founder and chief development officer.

1. What is the largest pet that Pet Airways has transported?

A Great Pyrenees. We have flown the Great Pyrnenees a couple of times. He is so sweet and adorable! He was our first Pawsenger. We brought in a special carrier to be able to bring this lovely boy to his new home in New York. After he was able to make the journey happy and safely, we began to bring in the giant carrier as needed, to transport other gentle giants.

2. What is the smallest pet that Pet Airways has transported?

A hermit crab! The hermit crab's name was Hermie and he flew from New York to Los Angeles. He was not able to accompany the little boy that owned him because TSA and the commercial carrier he was flying on would not allow Hermie aboard. So, we were happy to reunite this little boy with his trusted friend Hermie. It was a really sweet reunion and we were happy we could help him out.

3. What is the most unusual pet that Pet Airways has transported?

The hermit crab, probably — or our first pot-bellied pig, Bosley, who flew from Florida to New York in September.

4. Does Pet Airways offer a frequent flier program?

Yes, we do. For every 5 flights, you receive your 6th one for free.

5. Is there a discount if you fly multiple pets at the same time?

No, there is not a multi-pet discount. But we do offer specials and promotions throughout the year.

6. Is there a limit to the number of pets an owner can fly at the same time?

As long as we have seats, there is no limit.

7. How many pets can fly in the cabin at the same time?

We can fly a maximum of 80 pets.

8. Do the pets on board ever carry on a “conversation” with one another?

Sometimes but, most of the time, they relax and either sleep or simply chill out during the flight.

9. Are dogs and cats separated on board or do they have a face-off from within their kennels?

They are not separated but they aren’t facing each other either.

10. What are Pet Airways’ plans to expand to more cities nationwide?

We are in expansion mode. We will be opening up five new cities shortly (Houston, Dallas, Austin, St. Louis and Orlando) and plan to be in 25 cities throughout North America.

For more information on Pet Airways, visit their Frequently Asked Questions page online.

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