Wag Brigade: Increasing Allowance of Pets in Airports/Airplanes

Traditionally, pets have not been allowed to roam freely in airports or airplanes, but times are changing for our fury friends and airplane travel.

For those who are attached to their pets and can afford luxury, first-class travel, there are many private jet companies offering customers the option to bring their pets aboard onto first class. Some of these companies are PrivateFly, Magellan Jets, and Paramount Business Jets. Also, JetBlue has a new program called JetPaws, which encourages their customers flying in either First Class or their Mint Class to travel with their pets with them on the plane. These private jet companies also offer safety equipment for the pets including a safety harness, life jacket, and oxygen mask so that everyone's pets are safe.

For those who cannot afford such luxuries there is also a Service dog and Emotional Support dog waiver that some airlines except in order to have your dog with you on the plane. Obviously, anyone who attempts to use this would have to have a legitimate need for their pet with them onboard.

There are currently 27 airports that have therapy dog programs to help soothe travelers with anxiety or stress about flying. Some of these airports include, Fort Lauderdale Airport with their FLL AmbassaDogs program, Reno-Tahoe International Airport with their Paws 4 Passengers program, San Francisco with their Wag Brigade program, and Los Angeles International Airport with their Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUP) program.

The first program was started in San Jose International Airport (SJC), which now has a K-9 Crew made up of 13 teams of handlers and dogs that visit passengers in the terminals to soothe their nerves. Every dog is certified by Therapy Dogs International (TDI) to ensure that each dog is non-aggressive, obedient, and able to be petted by a mass amount of strangers in the midst of a crowded airport. These programs have proven to be very helpful for passengers because it offers comfort and distraction to those who are afraid of flying.

Lastly, for those who have emergencies with their pets during trips, a relatively new company, JetSetVets, is a private jet Veterinary Pet Service. It is the first of its kind to provide medical care for pets during the flight.

For those who need their fur fix while they travel, these new amenities might be prove to be very helpful!