Major airlines do not guarantee the safety of any living thing in the hold of the aircraft.
Unless something has changed, my understanding is that small animals (cats, dogs under something like 10 lbs) are allowed to fly with you in an approved carrier.
Any other creature must go in the belly of the plane with the baggage. You will be charged the price of a seat, and in return the airline does not guarantee any particular temperature range for the baggage hold nor even that it will remain pressurized. This is for domestic flights in America - I cannot speak for other air travel situations.
As a proud owner of a 60lb dog, I have sometimes been in the position of having to arrange alternate transportation (usually driving a car) or altering plans to accommodate my pooch. I simply cannot take the chance that something were to happen similar to this story. It is tragic, no doubt, but the provisions airlines make are very clear and most of this risk could've been avoided.
Edit: I've thought about this issue a lot. I think it would be in everyone's mutual interest for airlines to offer a safe way to transport pets or other small animals. Assuming that's a non-starter with existing carriers, some other business could serve this niche effectively. I suspect it could be done profitably.
I walk past their office everyday on the way to mine in Austin. Used the article as an excuse to see what they do... looks like this couple should have used a service like this since the airline does not guarantee safety.
OTOH, pursued as a niche market, it might be as profitable as first and business classes (while targeting similar demographics). (Aren't those generally fairly revenue-positive portions of the airline industry customer demographic?)
Comments
Major airlines do not guarantee the safety of any living thing in the hold of the aircraft.
Unless something has changed, my understanding is that small animals (cats, dogs under something like 10 lbs) are allowed to fly with you in an approved carrier.
Any other creature must go in the belly of the plane with the baggage. You will be charged the price of a seat, and in return the airline does not guarantee any particular temperature range for the baggage hold nor even that it will remain pressurized. This is for domestic flights in America - I cannot speak for other air travel situations.
As a proud owner of a 60lb dog, I have sometimes been in the position of having to arrange alternate transportation (usually driving a car) or altering plans to accommodate my pooch. I simply cannot take the chance that something were to happen similar to this story. It is tragic, no doubt, but the provisions airlines make are very clear and most of this risk could've been avoided.
Edit: I've thought about this issue a lot. I think it would be in everyone's mutual interest for airlines to offer a safe way to transport pets or other small animals. Assuming that's a non-starter with existing carriers, some other business could serve this niche effectively. I suspect it could be done profitably.
I think this niche may be served by this company: http://www.petrelocation.com/frontpage/
I walk past their office everyday on the way to mine in Austin. Used the article as an excuse to see what they do... looks like this couple should have used a service like this since the airline does not guarantee safety.
I'd say it was a business opportunity if it wasn't for the abysmal track record airlines have for remaining profitable transporting humans.
OTOH, pursued as a niche market, it might be as profitable as first and business classes (while targeting similar demographics). (Aren't those generally fairly revenue-positive portions of the airline industry customer demographic?)