An airline catering exclusively to furry passengers takes to the skies this July with a promise to make air travel everything the domestic animal could want.
The first Pet Airways flight will depart July 14 from Teterboro, a small airport outside New York, en route to Washington, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles, said founder Alysa Binder.
"Pet Airways was created to provide a safe and comfortable solution for the transport of pets," said Binder and her husband Dan Wiesel in a company statement.
"Inspiration for the concept came from difficulties encountered when shipping Zoe, our Jack Russell Terrier, across the country."
Flights, which will cost 149 dollars each way, will be on a modified Beechcraft 1900 supplied under contract with Suburban Air.
The plane usually fits 19 passengers. This time there will be room for 50 cats and dogs.
"There will be two pilots and a pet attendant. Everything is done for the safety and comfort of the pets," Binder said.
Pooches and kitties won't actually get seats. They'll travel in kennels stacked on custom-made shelves.
Like many flights in these security conscious days, a check-in two hours before take-off is requested. To avoid the queues -- and any potential pre-flight nerves -- check-in can be done 72 hours earlier.
"We'll be happy to board your pet at our PAWS Lodge until the flight," the company's website advertises.
Then it's time to go to the Pet Lounge and onto the aircraft.
The airline asks that pets answer the call of nature while on the ground, but says they don't have to.
"Potty breaks are very important to your pet. With the human airlines, your pet could be made to hold themselves for a very, very long time. Pet Airways monitors the last time your pet had a potty break, and makes sure that they get regular potty breaks along the way," the site says.
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