Pet Airways to Begin New York-Fort Lauderdale All-Pet Flights

Pet Airways plans to begin a new weekly service between New York and Fort Lauderdale in December.

Fort Lauderdale will be the all-pet airline’s sixth destination, with Pet Airways already serving New York, Baltimore/Washington International, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles.

Pet owners may now make reservations at www.petairways.com for the weekly New York-Fort Lauderdale flights.

This photograph shows the cabin interior of a Pet Airways aircraft, with the climate-controlled interior containing rows of individual cages, one for each animal carried on the flight. Vet technician-certified pet attendants monitor each pet closely and care for the pets throughout each Pet Airways flight

Since it began operating flights in July, Pet Airways has received a tremendous response to its service across the U.S., with flights completely booked 2 months in advance, says Dan Wiesel, President/CEO of Pet Airways.

“We have been overwhelmed by all the positive feedback to our mission of flying pets safely and comfortably in the main cabin, not in cargo,” says Wiesel. “It is so fantastic to see the happy faces of all the pets and pet parents after the flights.”

From the moment a pet is dropped off at a Pet Airways’ Pet Lounge, pets are under the care of the airline’s pet attendants. The attendants are all certified veterinary technicians, trained in caring for pets. Pet Airways says a pet attendant is always present, before, during and after the flight to make sure its “pawsengers” are comfortable and safe. Pets are never left alone.

For its all-pet flights Pet Airways uses a fleet of Beech 1900C turboprops, long used as regional airliners throughout the world

In flight, pets are in the main cabin of the aircraft. The cabins are fully climate-controlled to make sure that the temperature is just right, and that there is an adequate level of fresh circulating air.

Pets are boarded and de-boarded from planes as quickly as possible and are never left in the cold or heat. Depending on transit time, pets also are offered toilet facilities, food and water as necessary during stops.

Founded in 2005 by Dan Wiesel and Alysa Binder, with the airline making its flight in July 2009, Pet Airways was created to provide a safe and comfortable solution for the transportation of pets. Inspiration for the concept came from difficulties encountered when shipping Zoe, their Jack Russell Terrier, across the country.