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Tags: Pet Airways / Pet Travel / Airline News / New Airlines / Animals / → All Tags

Pet Airways Takes Off and 'Paws-engers' Seem Pleased

When we first heard of Pet Airways we honestly thought it was just a prank. We really wanted to believe, but were skeptical that we were being taken for a ride. That’s why we were actually pretty excited once we learned that it was the real deal, and yesterday, pets all over the country finally had their travel dreams come true. The pet only airline launched their first flights from Republic Airport on Long Island.

Although things just started yesterday, the demand for the airline seems to be pretty strong. The airline’s founders said that they’ve been overwhelmed with the public’s response to their new offering, and that flights had already been booked up for the next two months. Maybe it's time for them to add a second plane; for now, they're just starting with one that can hold about 50 four-legged friends.

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Tags: Pet Airways / Animals / Pets / New Airlines / Green Travel / → All Tags

Is Pet Airways A 'Frivolous' And Eco-Unfriendly Idea?

Although we've already covered the fact that Pet Airways will be the only new airline launching this month, and actually has planes unlike a certain other airline which will remain nameless (cough-JetAmerica-cough), we haven't considered the eco-impact of such a seemingly frivolous carrier.

And "frivolous" is exactly the stance that green blog Treehugger adopted earlier this week when they covered the airline. In response, Treehugger's readers surprisingly rose up in support of the idea and proved themselves to be not only eco-conscious, but pet-friendly as well.

To cover their bums in this matter, Treehugger has left the decision of whether Pet Airways is worthwhile use of a new airline or not up to a poll, currently being conducted here. "Frivolous" is winning thus far, but we're going to wait until the airline actually gets off the ground before making any judgments.

Related Stories:
· Is Pet Airways Un-TreeHugger? [Treehugger]
· UnTreeHugger: Pet Airways [TreeHugger]
· Pet Airways Will Be The Only New Airline Launching This Month [Jaunted]
· Pet Airways Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Pet Airways]

Tags: Pet Airways / Animals / Pets / New Airlines / → All Tags

Pet Airways Will Be The Only New Airline Launching This Month

The most exciting new airline of the year is Pet Airways, and unlike Jet America, they appear ready to fly starting next week. Suburban Air Freight operates their service, so we’re unsure if the pet planes will be covered in a unique pet-inspired livery, but they're worth looking out for anyway. The planes look like they’ll be Beech or Cessna aircraft, so the propeller noise may disturb Fido and Whiskers’ slumber during their trip.

According to their website, the first flights will start up next week on July 14, with service on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We tried booking a trip for our fictional office dog, and had no problem getting our puppy a seat aboard the airplane from New York to Los Angeles. We were even encouraged to upgrade his carrier size for an extra $50 or $100, and to purchase some insurance. Upselling—they even sound like a real airline.

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Tags: What Recession / Cruises / Pet Airways / Carnival Cruises / Allen Stanford / Gisele Bundchen / → All Tags

Cruisers, Fido The Only Ones Traveling With Confidence

The launch of Pet Airways proves that pet lovers know no downturn in taking care of their furry friends, but even when they leave them behind, they do so in style: A post on the L.A. Times' "California Consumer" blog predicts that based on last year's numbers, Americans will spend more than ever boarding their pets when they're on vacation. That's right, they're still going on vacation for long enough that they can board their pets! While the foreclosed have no homes, pampered pets have two.

So where are all these creature comfort providers going? On Carnival cruises, it seems! The world's biggest cruise company won the second-quarter earnings report by posting a smaller than expected sales loss for the quarter that included the swine-flu scare.

Despite a minor outbreak of H1N1 on one of its South Pacific routes last month, Carnival managed to keep occupancy up by discounting tickets while reaping the advantages of lower fuel costs over last year.

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How Pet Airways Plans To Keep Your Pet Happy In-Flight

We've been extremely curious about the offerings aboard Pet Airways which plans to make its first flight on July 14 for the introductory one-way fare of $149.

As all overprotective pet parents know, flying our babies in cargo is a painful decision to make. What if they freeze? What if they get dehydrated? What if they get shipped off to another destination? Will someone sing them lullabyes to help them sleep?

Most vets and animal experts (i.e. pet store owners and the people you meet at dog parks) will tell you that flying your animal in cargo is a bad idea. It stresses the pet out and it's just too risky.

Well, judging from this Pet Airways video, those painful decisions might be over. Pets on Pet Airways fly in the main cabin, not in cargo. There's a dedicated pet flight attendant walking throughout the cabin (every 15 minutes) making sure the pets are happy in their crates and the temperature control is "just right." Your pets can even walk on a red carpet up into the plane!

This all sounds so wonderful but we still worry a little. What if this is just a long-running April Fool's joke? What if Pet Airways is just bluffing about their personal attention to your loved ones? What if, thanks to the economy, the airline will shut down right quick like Skybus?

We won't be the first ones to put our pet on the Pet Airways flight but if things go well, we will seriously consider it. That and a doggie or kitty valium too. For them, not for us. Well...maybe for us too.

Related Stories:
· Pet Airways coverage [Jaunted]

Tags: Pet Airways / Pet Travel / Airline News / New Airlines / Animals / → All Tags

Pet Airways To Start Flying Furry Friends On July 14

We were a little skeptical when we heard about Pet Airways a couple weeks ago. Of course we love kitties and puppies, but it just seemed too good to be true—especially since it’s not really the ideal time to launch a new airline. However, after an update on their Facebook page Friday afternoon, the new airline let everyone know that “pawsengers” can start flying on July 14.

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Tags: What Recession / Pet Travel / Pet Airways / Airline News / New Airlines / Animals / → All Tags

Pets To Get Their Own Airline This Summer

Next time you go away on vacation, you may want to think twice about leaving Fido at home. Previously, bringing your puppy or kitty along wasn’t the best idea, as the cargo hold under your seat isn’t the most comfortable or safe place for pet travel. Not to mention that flying your pet somewhere just adds another fee to your already pricey ticket. However, your furry friends may soon have an airline to call their own.

Pet Airways, "The First Airline with Four Leg Room" is looking to take-off as the first airline exclusively dedicated to pets, and wants to make sure animals travel safely towards their final destination. All the “pawsengers”—their words not ours—will travel in the main cabin of the plane, and will be checked every 15 minutes to make sure they are doing well and that their crates are secure. Fares look to start around $150, but it's not totally clear how far you'll get for that price.

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