Alysa Binder didn’t like the idea of flying her precious Jack Russell terrier, Zoe, in the cargo hold. There had to be a better way, she thought. So she and business partner Dan Wiesel started their own airline.

Pet Airways, based in Delray Beach, Florida, is the first airline exclusively for pets. Pets don’t fly with the luggage on this airline. It’s first class all the way.

Pet Airways Pawsenger

“Pets fly in comfort in a cabin where the temperature is pleasant and ample fresh air is available,” says Binder. “And they’re always under the watchful eye of an attendant.”

And now, thanks to a partnership between Pet Airways and Best Friends Animal Society, more rescued pets will get their own tickets home. The relationship gives Best Friends another wonderful resource to relocate rescued animals comfortably to safe havens and new forever homes.

Pet Airways has generously made a financial commitment to Best Friends and will also be donating flights to help transport rescued and adopted pets, says Namrata Chand, Best Friends cause marketing manager.

“Their services will not only provide a safe, comfortable and fast way to transport animals, but will also be a big cost savings for Best Friends,” Chand says.

In addition, eight percent of the price of each Pet Airways ticket purchased by Best Friends supporters will be donated to Best Friends.

The Pet Airways inaugural cities include New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles and there are plans to add more cities later. Fees start at $150. Pet owners can’t fly with their pets. They must make separate travel arrangements for themselves.

Pets get first-class treatment on Pet Airways. The animals board the planes with pet attendants who make sure their pet carriers are secure in the main cabin. The attendants then check the comfort of all “pawsengers” every 15 minutes during the flight.

“Pet Airways makes your pet’s flight safe and comfortable and gives the pet parents peace of mind knowing their pet is in good hands and well taken care of,” Binder says. “There’s just no substitute.”

Read more about Pet Airways.

Written by Best Friends staff
Photo courtesy of Pet Airways

As part of Best Friends’ 25th anniversary in 2009, our goal is to double our membership, so we can double our efforts to bring about a time when all companion animals have a forever home. What can you do to help? Give the Gift of a Best Friends membership to family and friends.

May 1, 2009 : 5:32 PM ET
posted by: Green Idea Factory

Another great way to travel with pet dogs is on the train! The train? Sure! In Europe, on nearly all intercity and regional/suburban trains, plus most urban transit, pet dogs of all sizes are allowed. For more information and to get involved with making this happen in the U.S. see "Dogs on Board!" at www.greenidea.eu.

May 1, 2009 : 12:17 PM ET
posted by: ZoomZoom

This should help with transport of pets a great deal.

However, I've heard that Pet Airways is already so booked up that they have quite a waiting list already. I think they are going to need more flights pretty quickly.

May 1, 2009 : 11:07 AM ET
posted by: Sallie Backius

This is fantastic!! Last year I rescued a cat in Florida and spent days trying to get him here without having him come in the baggage area. I finally had a friend agree to bring him back as "carry on", but an airline for Pets...wish I had thought of that!!

May 1, 2009 : 10:48 AM ET
posted by: ShebasMom

I feel so much better knowing that if I had to fly, and had to take my dog, that she would be pampered all of the way. Florida has not come on board with that option yet (hopefully soon).

May 1, 2009 : 7:58 AM ET
posted by: dvrcis

Zoe is a Rat Terrier, not a Jack Russell. Great news for people who travel with pets.

May 1, 2009 : 1:46 AM ET
posted by: thecatspajamas

What a great idea. It would combine my love of animals and my love of aviation if I could work for them.

Congratulations on the partnership between BF and PA.

Please service PDX (Portland, OR.)

May 1, 2009 : 12:00 AM ET
posted by: purrpower

What a great idea! After 40+ years aa a flight alttendant, I often wished that the pets were in the cabin and the people were in the hold with the luggage. Wonder if they are hiring any "senior" pet attendants? Jen

April 30, 2009 : 11:38 PM ET
posted by: abbysmama

this is actually a really awesome idea. however it would be even cooler if they added rabbits and birds to this service (even if we had to pay more!) but seriously, awesomeness..... the fact that someone can know that their babies are safe and healthy while traveling (like for instance when a family is moving) is a really great thing. i would definitely use this service if i needed it/had flights in my area. and the fact that they're working with BFs is the best!!!!!

April 30, 2009 : 7:38 PM ET
posted by: shesautomatic

You think traveling with dogs and cats is hard? Try traveling with rabbits. They're even more sensitive than your average dog or cat, and only one airline allows them in cabin, despite their quiet demeanors and relatively small size. I'm thrilled to see that this airline will be adding other animal species to their roster, and I hope the next time I have to drag my poor bunnies cross country, they'll be welcomed aboard.

April 30, 2009 : 7:38 PM ET
posted by: Bernice43

For many years our vacations to the West coast were cut short because we would never subject our Tipper to the cargo area. Hopefully, there will be flights from Philadelphia to Phoenix in the near future.

Much success in this long-overdue accommodation for our other precious family members.

April 28, 2009 : 11:20 PM ET
posted by: mludzki

Great idea! When traveling with my cat, I've always chosen airlines, like American, that allow 2 animals in the cabin. I'd never cargo my pets; even the airlines know how dangerous it is since they don't allow pets to be cargo during summer months. A boarding ticket for one in-cabin/under-the-seat pet is $100.00. Pet Airlines' fares, starting at $150.00 (for red-carpet treatment and a personal attendant) provides the best way to accommodate traveling "pawsengers." It's about time and I wish PA much success

April 24, 2009 : 9:29 PM ET
posted by: EmilyS

Perhaps someone at Best Friends asked some questions of Pet Airways?

According to a friend, PA has tweeted "there are red carpets awaiting pit bulls 2 & we have revised our Contract of Carriage as we do not discriminate at Pet Airways"

I looked at their website and indeed, the offending part of the contract has been removed.

GOOD JOB PET AIRWAYS!!!

April 24, 2009 : 1:43 PM ET
posted by: Namratac

Best Friends Animal Society is proud of our partnership with Pet Airways. To answer some of the questions from below, Pet Airways is extremely interested in receiving feedback from people on additional cities to add as they grow. The best ways to voice your opinions are to sign up for their newsletter, join their Facebook Fan Page or follow them on Twitter, where they are actively asking people where they should fly from/to. Additionally, Pet Airways is truly committed to the animal welfare community and has already offered their resources to Best Friends for our Rapid Response missions. We wish them the best; their success will lead to ours in trying to achieve a time when there are no more homeless pets.

April 24, 2009 : 1:36 PM ET
posted by: tomatomama3@hotmail.com

I am so excited to see this. We have a blind dog that I will not put in the cargo. I hope that you will eventually have flights to Mexico, as we have a house in Mazatlan. I usually stay home w/my dog while my husband flys down there. When we plan on staying for 3 to 4 weeks at a time, we will drive, just so I can take my dog. Kudos to you, what a great idea. Keep up the good work.

April 24, 2009 : 12:21 PM ET
posted by: doglady

This is the greatest thing I have heard about in a very long time. I wish you the best of luck. I was a flight attendant for 29 years, and often went down below before takeoff to check on the babies!!! ( Often, risking a fine to be on the tarmac) I also, would love to be one of your pet attendants. Have become a full time petsitter since my f/a retirement, but would love to fly with these guys!!! As for the posts I have read from the "negative neds and nellies", there are always going to be people that try to "rain on your parade". I wish you ONLY the best and think what you are doing is absolutely FABULOUS!!!!

April 24, 2009 : 10:53 AM ET
posted by: EmilyS

well ZiggyMom, you obviously don't own a pit bull and obviously don't have to deal EVERY DAY with this kind of discrimination. So yeah, it's pretty upsetting when BF, which constantly pats itself on the back for rescuing pit bulls, ACCEPTS and SUPPORTS discrimination against the very dogs it's saving. Isn't BF's whole point that pit bulls are no different from any other dog? Yet here they are working with a company that treats pit bulls differently from any other dog. Who peed in my Wheaties: Best Friends and Pet Airways.

April 23, 2009 : 8:02 PM ET
posted by: ZiggyMom

EmilyS, who peed in your Wheaties?

I think Pet Airways is an awesome idea long overdue. Instead of criticizing everything, why not be thankful that finally pets can be treated like living beings, and not inanimate packages?

If I were to travel with one of my pets, I would rather jump through whatever hoops Pet Airways required than subject my pet to the cargo hold of a commercial aircraft.

Kudos to Pet Airways and Best Friends!

April 23, 2009 : 7:59 PM ET
posted by: hfinberg

What a great idea!!! I wish Alysa and Dan all the best of luck! I hope you are extremely successful and don't listen to the negative comments. One of the volunteers in our Rescue Group is a commercial pilot, I can't wait to tell him about you guys. I'm sure you are having no problem filling positions.

April 23, 2009 : 6:10 PM ET
posted by: njanmlrsq3

I wonder if they would be willing to assist in animal evacuations during a disaster? I think this is an awesome idea.

April 23, 2009 : 12:31 PM ET
posted by: babs1171

Wonderful idea! I, too, want Dallas, TX added to the list of cities. My kitties would love to travel in style!

April 23, 2009 : 12:22 PM ET
posted by: littlespitz

Atleast Pet Airways 'got it'. Pets are not just animals: they are part of the family. It would be GREAT if Pet Airways soon added international destinations. We have had to pass on family reunions, weddings and vacations together because there is no safe and practical way to get our Chesapeake Bay Retriever from Munich, Germany to Florida. [Cargo is a no-go (too dangerous) and the Queen Mary too long and cramped!] We'd love to be able to celebrate and be together in the near future. Think international!