A husband and wife team next week will launch an ambitious new airline that caters solely to transporting people's pets.

Dan Wiesel and Alysa Binder of Delray Beach, Florida created Pet Airways after experiencing frustration in trying to secure safe and comfortable travel for their Jack Russell Terrier, Zoe.

"It wasn't Zoe's fault of course. It was the airlines'. There was simply no safe way for Zoe to comfortably fly with us. She's not a big dog. Just a little one. But a little too big to fit under the seat," explain Wiesel and Binder.

Beginning 14 July Pet Airways will start flying dogs and cats on Raytheon Beech 1900 turboprops between mainly regional airports in New York, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles for an introductory price of $149 each way.

During a recent televised interview, Binder said the carrier intends to start flying to Florida "in the fall and wintertime".

Pet Airways' Raytheon Beech 1900s have had "the 'human' furnishings removed; like the seats and overhead bins", says Pet Airways.

Pets are placed in private pet carriers that are secured using what Pet Airways claims to be a "proprietary restraint system especially designed and created by Pet Airways".

Pet passengers, affectionately called "pawsengers", travel in the main cabin of the aircraft with a "trained pet attendant" for the entire duration of the flight, it adds.

Wiesel in a statement says: "Currently, most pets travelling by air in the US are transported in the cargo hold and are handled as baggage. The experience is not only frightening to the pets, but can cause severe emotional and physical harm, even death. Pets are like family members and they deserve better. Pet Airways will provide a safe, comfortable travel experience for pets."

Pet Airways could not be immediately reached for additional comment and detail.

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Source: Air Transport Intelligence news

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