Southwest previously did not allow animals in the cabin unless they were there for medical reasons — but times are tough, so the airline that doesn’t charge for bags is looking for ways to add revenue without “angering customers.”
Starting June 17, you’ll be able to bring Fluffy and Killer for a mere $75 a piece, which is cheaper than the industry standard. Southwest says that they’ll be a maximum of 5 pets per plane, and that they plan on outfitting their terminals with places where animals can “relieve themselves.”
From Newsday:
Southwest CEO Gary Kelly told investors last week that Southwest was looking at new ways to generate generate income without angering customers. In addition to the new pet service, Southwest said it starts to charge a $25, each way, service charge for children aged five through 11 who aren’t traveling with an adult.
Southwest to let small pets fly in cabin for $75 [LA Times]
(Photo:LouManPhoto)
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I’ve seen plenty of pets already being taken on airplanes by their owners and I’ve never had any issue with any of them. Not one of them acted up. Not one of them made nasty smells.
Now, if that could only apply to little kids and their parents, then I’d be much happier to fly. I think that airlines should charge $75 to bring kids and pets should be free. Cats can’t kick my seat for 4 hours, dirty up diapers that the parents leave on the seat next to me, or spill soda all over me. Cats won’t lean their seat back when they’re just over 4 feet tall and I’m 6’4″ (although they might if they could, because I think cats are kinda jerks on occasion). Most importantly, any noise a cat or dog makes is usually not 3 kHz, the resonant frequency of the human ear canal. You ever wonder why babies crying is so incredibly shrill that it makes you want to rush over and help just to shut them the hell up? That’s why; it’s built into every human to ensure survival of their young. If that doesn’t tell you that the meaning of life is to reproduce then I dunno what does, but I digress…
I vote puppies and kitties in and kiddies out.
Say it with me everybody: ALLERGIES.
I am ALLERGIC to dogs. It’s all well and good that you think your little snookims is a perfect little angel but that doesn’t change the fact that he makes me ILL.
I know people who can’t even be in a house where a cat used to live, let alone be trapped in a cabin with one. Are they going to make me pay a surcharge to actually be HEALTHY on their flights?
I’m so sick of people thinking it’s their God given right to take their pets everywhere. It’s a health issue people, get over it.
I guess I won’t ever be flying SW again. I am SEVERELY allergic to cats. This should not be something I have to think about before flying. I am really disgusted that people actually care so little about a very common allergy to pets cart cart their stupid cat or dog in the cabin.
@Kimberly Gist-Collins: Okay, of the the thirteen major American airlines listed here [search.ezilon.com] they all, with one exception, allow pets in the cabin.
So if you’re firm about refusing to fly with any airline that carries cats, your only choice is Frontier Airlines.
@floraposte: Which presents a big problem to people with pet allergies. What the hell are we supposed to do? The rampant “well, fuck you allergic people!” attitude here disgusts me.
So are they offering free Claritin for those with allergies or those with pet dander problems just SOL?
Maybe the person taking their pet needs to reimburse all those without pets at 75 bucks a pop.
There goes the last airline I could stand.
Good idea. It’s a desirable service, and i donno, the price seems outlandish to me but it probably is lower than other airlines charge. It also fits with the company image I think: Southwest is generally friendly and helpful, so it’s probably the airline equivalent of a pet-person.
I’m allergic to screaming kids.
So… what about the customers who have pet allergies? I’m very allergic to cats – what are they going to do when I board one of their planes to find a cat on board?
@Mari Walker: they’ll be mean and self-righteous and unreasonable. see above.
bad idea, once took a flight where someone brought their dog on the plane…one of those little yappity dogs. It didn’t shut up so the flight attendants fashioned a muzzle to keep its mouth shut…yup thats how annoying it was.
You may love your dog; but I hate your dog. I will not fly on any airline that allows dogs in the cabin. Until this moment I thought Southwest was so cool.
Crap so now I have to look for another airline that doesn’t allow dogs.