Air Canada says it will allow pets in cabin starting in July

[Bulldog]

Air Canada says it will allow pets in cabin starting in July
By THE CANADIAN PRESS – 3 hours ago

MONTREAL — Air Canada says it will allow passengers to bring their cat or small dog in the cabin on flights beginning in two weeks - for $100 on a domestic return trip and $200 for overseas trips.

Beginning July 1, travellers can bring a limited number of small dogs and cats as carry-on items that can be stowed under the seat on flights by Air Canada and its Jazz Air affiliate, the carrier said Wednesday.

The Montreal airline said passengers will have to register the pet with the airline and pay a service fee of $50 for domestic and transborder trips and $100 for international flights each way.

Currently pets are kept in carriers in Air Canada planes' baggage hold and can't be brought into the cabin.

"This is the latest of our customer friendly initiatives that underscores our renewed commitment to listening to our customers and offering a competitive product that meets their needs," Ben Smith, executive vice-president and chief commercial officer at Air Canada, said in a release.

To deal with needs of passengers with allergies, the number of small pets in the cabin will be limited to a maximum of two or four depending on the type of aircraft, Air Canada said.

Air Canada said that to ensure availability customers are asked to register their pet by contacting the company's reservations desk at 1-888-247-2262 within 24 hours of completing their booking.

Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved

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[flopnfly]

The last thing I want to smell in a confined space is cats and dogs.

I hope they change their mind on this idea.

[Bulldog]

Can you just imagine, and I wonder if they have to stay in the carrier for the whole ride or if they would be allowed out to sit on their owners laps

[flopnfly]

OMG, I didn't think of that.  It's cramped enough without having a dog or cat climbing all over you because the owner can't control it.  Not to mention that you'll be covered in hair by the time you get off.

I would be sneezing like crazy with the cats on board.

[karmadoc]

Actually I read an article "top ten pet peeves of a flight attendant" the other day and one of them was "people who take their pets out of their pet carriers during the flight" the flight attendant said this was completely against the rules,  people know it, but do it anyway.
As a passenger (and an animal lover at that) I would complain long and loud  if someone had Fifi or Tabby out on their lap!  It's about being considerate of those around you and respecting the rights of others..though I'm thinking that it's not a lesson that's getting passed on much these days

[karmadoc]

I just had another thought...
What does the airline do for passenger comfort if Kitty is yowling at the top of it's lungs, (think highly p!$$ed off Siamese here), or Rover's bark is stuck in the "on" position??  I'm thinking there would be some passengers ready for the mental ward after that flight..me included.

I guess the SPCA would object to duct tape?

[travelchick]

I am the one who would absolutely go ballistic if there were a yippy-yappy mutt within my hearing radius!!  Honestly, this is the most ridiculous plan I've heard of in a long time.  I cannot fathom why it was conceived in the first place.  I prefer: Humans in the cabin; animals in the baggage hold.   Otherwise, bring on the duct tape, PETA and SPCA be d*mned! 

[That Woman]

Where are these animals expected to relieve themselves???  I for one do not want to smell s**t and p**s for an entire flight.
Listening to screaming kids is bad enough without listening to yowling/yapping animals.

[Milli]

 Well, it appears that Air Canada is not breaking any new ground.  It seems many well known North American air carriers already allow small pets in the passenger compartment as carry on http://www.bringfido.com/travel/airline_policies/ Some airlines allow other small animals like rabbits and some allow birds West Jet already allows small dogs and cats.  Personally, I don't think this is in the best interests of the pet and I wonder how many people actually do/would do it?? 

[kharmar77]

After just coming back on a United Airlines flight from Hong Kong, 15.5 hours, plus connecting to Toronto, another hour plus, ( and with delays , another hour plus)......There was a woman with her child ( approx. 18 mths) in a stroller,  nanny, and a small white dog in a carrier.. they took turns holding the dog and pushing the stroller. Waiting in  the huge line up for homeland security, they had it open and the dog was panting.. I didn't know it was on our flight from Hong Kong, they might have been in first class, and its a huge plane! But didn't hear a dog or kids either really... I was surprised to see the dog when we got to Chicago, then they  carried on to Toronto.. I wondered too, how does the dog go to the bathroom all that time??
Its not like you can pop outside an airport anymore!
It seemed well behaved as did the child.. Mom was using her blackberry quite a bit.. 
I guess each to their own. I do question the welfare of an animal travelling this way.
Karen

[flopnfly]

I have taken a dog to the UK, but he was crated and sent in the cargo hold. 

He suffered no ill effects going this way, and he had a large crate, food and water and a puppy pad in case he needed to relieve himself.

I don't think I would want my dog in the cabin with me.

[Milli]

  It looks like there might be a solution to this issue in the U.S. and eventually in Canada ! Pet Airlines  

[Bulldog]

there won't be any beverage or snack service.

Well that sucks