[geoff01]

The inaugural Pet Airways flight , the world's first pet-only airline, took to the skies from an airport in New York yesterday.

Animal-loving Americans and Canadians can now ensure that their furry friends are no longer forced to stay at home during family holidays or suffer long car journeys on the countries' freeways.

The flights will jet 'pawsengers' between five cities in the US - New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles - from as little as $250 each way.

The company was founded in 2005 after husband and wife team Alysa Binder and Dan Wiesel re-located from San Francisco to Florida and found it distressing putting their own Jack Russell terrier, Zoe, in the plane's hold.

'We are pet owners ourselves, so we totally understand the market, and that safety and comfort is the main concern' explains Ms Binder.

High-flying cats and dogs will travel in an almost identical fashion to their owners, with online booking, check-in lounge, main cabin, meals and toilets all available.
Pet Airways' Alyse Tognotti checks on a passenger during a training session in Omaha, Nebraska.

The pet planes are converted 19-seater Beechwood passenger planes leased from Suburban Air, and the company employs 'pet attendants' to work onboard. Concerned owners can even track their animal's flight progress on the internet.

When the carrier launched in the US in April, the response was so intense the airline's website crashed. 'We're currently having to take bookings manually,' Pet Airways founder Alysa Binder told TravelMail at the time. 'The initial response has been phenomenal, an absolute whirlwind.'

In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult for animals worldwide to fly on airlines, with just a few carriers still permitting pet travel.

Mr Wiesel explains: 'Currently, most pets traveling by air are transported in the cargo hold and are handled as baggage. The experience is frightening to the pets, and can cause severe emotional and physical harm, even death. This is not what most pet owners want to subject their pets to, but they have had no other choice, until now.'

The company will operate out of smaller, regional airports in the five launch cities, which will mean an extra trip for most owners dropping off their pets if they are flying too. Stops in cities along the way means the pets will take longer to reach a destination than their owners.

A trip from New York to Los Angeles, for example, will take about 24 hours. On that route, pets will stop in Chicago, have a bathroom break, play time, dinner, and bunk for the night before finishing the trip the next day.

Amanda Hickey of Portland, Oregon is one of the new airline's first customers. Her seven-year-old terrier-pinscher mix Mardi and 2-year-old puggle Penny are taking their first flight soon.

Ms Hickey said the service was a welcome alternative to flying her dogs in cargo when she transports them from Denver to Chicago to stay with family while the she and her fiance travel to Aruba to get married.

"For a little bit more money, I have peace of mind," she said.

In order to travel, animals will need a health certificate from their local vet. For more information visit www.petairways.com.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/ar...xzz0LKY8z8ur&D