Cats, dogs can fly Southwest Airlines starting June 17

Just in time for summer, Southwest Airlines is reversing its longtime no-pets policy.  Starting with tickets booked June 1, for travel June 17 or later, you’ll be able to bring a small cat or dog aboard for a fee of $75 each way.  Pets will still be banned from the cargo hold.

For the rules, check out a cute video, featuring Ace the dog and an improbably enthusiastic kitten (this is a feline?) named Frankie, that Southwest posted on YouTube and its blog site. Or you can read the details and a Q&A on the airline’s P.A.W.S. (Pets Are Welcome on Southwest) page.

Southwest’s program name recalls the JetPaws program that JetBlue Airways started in December. But there are differences. JetBlue, for instance, charges $100 each way, and it awards two frequent-flier points per pet for each flight.  Southwest doesn’t give frequent-flier points to pets.

Also on June 1, for flights June 17 or later, Southwest will add a $25 service charge each way for unaccompanied minors (now free) and raise the fee for a third or overweight checked bag from $25 to $50. The first two bags remain free. Southwest said the changes were meant to help cover its costs.

— Jane Engle, assistant Los Angeles Times Travel editor

[Photo: Kittens can soon fly Southwest.  Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times]

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This entry was posted on Friday, May 29, 2009 at 10:45 am by Jane Engle and is filed under Airline travel, Business Travel, Family & Kids, Frequent Flier, News, Tips & Advice, Summer, Travel with Pets. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.