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Southwest Airlines said Friday that it plans to start selling airline tickets for family pets, one of several initiatives aimed at generating new revenues for the discount carrier, which doesn't charge for checked luggage.

As of June 1, Southwest passengers will be able to purchase the right to bring small pets onboard flights for $75, each way, for travel that begins June 17.

Texas-based Southwest previously didn't allow pets on board its cabins unless they were accompanying passengers for medical reasons, to help a blind person navigate obstacles, for example.

Southwest said it will now allow a maximum of five pets on to any given flight. The cats and dogs must be small enough to travel comfortably in a leak-proof carry-on case that will fit under an airline seat.

Southwest also plans to outfit its airport terminals with areas where animals can relieve themselves. But it warned passengers on its Web site that these areas will likely be outside the security areas and that it won"t hold flights for passengers who opt to take their pets on a potty break.

Southwest is the only major carrier that doesn't charge passengers to check two pieces of luggage, a policy the carrier maintains would alienate loyal customers. Its fees kick in for passengers who check three or more bags.

However, Southwest is potentially forfeiting hundreds of millions of dollars by not following its peers. The low-cost carrier collected $25.2 million in luggage fees during 2008, when the so-called legacy carriers first started charging for the first checked bag.

By contrast, American Airlines collected $278 million in luggage fees for domestic flights during 2008, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, while US Airways collected $187.1 million in fees.

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, the dominant carrier at Midway Airport, also plans to raise its fee for a third piece of checked luggage or for bags weighing more than 50 pounds. Passengers will be charged $50, up from the current $25 fee.

All of the new fees are effective as of June 1 for travel on or after June 17.

jjohnsson@tribune.com

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