American Airlines has taken a cue from Paris Hilton. No, they haven’t released a sex tape (at least as far as I know…). They have, however, designed First Class “pet cabins” to accommodate the pups of the rich and famous just like Paris and her tiny rat chihuahua Tinkerbell. According to AA’s outside PR firm:
Each of the two bulkhead First Class suites on the American Airlines A321T at the front of the cabin has an attached pet compartment with vented door where a passenger traveling with his/her pet can place the pet, in its carrying case, for taxi, take-off, and landing. During other phases of the flight, the pet, in its carrying case, can be kept on the floor space of the passenger’s First Class suite. The two berths at the front bulkhead each have a space with a vented door to hold a kennel or carrying case for takeoff and landing.
It’s less of a cabin and more of a storage bin — for your pet. Definitely better than sticking them down in the cargo hold of the plane where temperature and isolation can lead to some pretty terrible conditions for your pooch. Check out the photos direct from American:
Hey, are those oxygen masks for dogs? No. No they are not.
The dog model is Chico, a regular passenger on AA flights and the dog of an American Airlines employee.
Is this a new day for American? Will they become the leading pet carrier in the sky? Would you be more inclined to fly AA just because they have a storage hold for your pet right near your seat? ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
And have an excellent weekend!
I would actually say yes to all of your questions – this would potentially be a meaningful benefit to my wife and me, as well as my Mom who has a dog that I think would benefit from these accommodations (whereas she’s not currently able to fly with it).
Question is – what is the cost? Is it same as normal pet fee? If it’s outrageously expensive that would pretty much kill it. What I would LOVE would be if an airline would start letting pets fly with points. Or, if Southwest would let them fly on a “Companion Pass” LOL. Seriously though…
The cost is the normal cost for carryon pets ($125).
And with this, AA has an advantage over the competition as they are the only airline allowing cabin pets in the premium cabins with lie-flat seats on transcon routes.
I assume everyone who paid for a first class ticket is ok with flying several hours with a barking dog? Pets don’t belong inside a plane, period.
By that logic then neither do babies/infants/children. I would actually rather fly with a dog than a child in the cabin.
None of the above belong in the First Class cabin, no matter how snooty, pushy or willing to pay the pax may be. No!!
I have flown with my yorkies several times. My dogs did not bark once on the flight. Most pet owners give their pets something to calm them down, so they are not afraid on the flight. Do you fly with your kids? grandchildren? They make more noise and I have to pay $75.00 each way for one pet as my carry on, in front of me under the seat. A child under 2 flies free and makes more noise.
Thank you!! Agreed!!!
Thank you – yes, I totally agree as well.
Soon AA will have to provide pills to whoever is allergic to pets in First Class.
Why would AA provide pills to passengers with pet allergies, when they don’t provide pills for passengers who are allergic or sensitive to the gallons of perfumes/lotions etc. that other passengers are wearing, and the passengers who reek of tobacco??
Ignore Jamie’s immature comment. I totally agree with Barbara. NOTHING is worse than being stuck next to a passenger reeking of the chemicals contained in cigarettes. I would much, much rather sit next to smelly dog than a smelly passenger or whining child and/or crying baby.
Hopefully they provide pills for people allergic to asshats like you!
I would love this for my animals…there is nothing worse than worrying thru an entire flight about your animal,,,,God forbid you open the carrier to check on them,,,,someone’s gonna have a problem..,,,which I could care less about,,,,I have a right to check on my animal who has been shoved under a seat with little airflow is doing,,,,esp after paying top dollar for a ticket for the animal!..Could we just find a better way and economical one for people to fly with their pets! They are our family!
And I flown with my cats and dogs since they were little,,,,,,never made a sound the entire flight on any flight I have taken, that includes inside the airport!….Cant say that about some drunks or obnoxious people that fly!
Yes!! I will definitely us AA!! Can it accommodate 2 fur babies per passenger? Whats the max size?
Call me a pet/dog hater if you will (not true), but domestic animals in the first class cabin would make me far LESS likely to fly AA. I pay super-premium fares (dollars or miles) for my front end seat, specifically to avoid the unwashed masses, including their odors and in inappropriate attire AND animals. Far too many times I’ve seen ‘little,’ rat-like dogs in purses etc., only to listen to them whine for the duration. In most cases they are worse than children! For me, this new ‘service’ is just one more item to be clarified via my travel agent, and before I plunk down the bucks. I hope that this new ‘service,’ on some A321T aircraft refers to the upgraded trans-con flights from JKF to SFO and LAX or reverse, a service that I do not need to use.
I Do Not hate dogs or other pets; I have a pair of wonderful ‘real’ dogs myself. That said, they do not belong in the passenger cabin of ANY airplane, save the odd, certificated service dog.
To make it short and sweet, Hell No!!
It seems the opinions of people on this blog are in 4 camps:
1) People who like to travel with their pets
2) People who don’t care
3) People who hate dogs (or cats)
4) People who have had bad experiences when animals were on their flights
I’ve flown a number of flights in the “peasant class” that all the haters above seem to look down on. I’ve been on a lot of flights with dogs, and the owners have been universally thoughtful and concerned about the comfort of others on the plane. That’s just been my experience. I’ve also never been on a flight (that I remember) with a whiner/barker. I know it happens but I don’t have it as a point of reference.
I think people who pay the big bucks to have “ultimate comfort” have a right to be disappointed or even frustrated if someone else can intrude on them with an animal (or child) who is going to ruin that experience. That said, you still come off as a jerk when you assert negative behavior on all animals (or children). If you’re one of the gripers on this blog, you’re the reason my wife is a miserable mess when we fly our 9-month-old to see my family, and why it takes an act of Congress to make those trips happen (I have lower-back issues that eliminates cross-country drives from our list of options). Even though our 9-month-old literally just coos and sits silently the whole flight and generally delights everybody around us. The fact that you hateful people exist makes my wife a nervous mess the entire trip because (get this) she cares so much about making YOU uncomfortable – even if it’s just the discomfort of thinking our 9-month-old might start bawling (which he never has so far).
So…if you paid your big bucks, I get it. But you’re still jerks, and you could stand to be a little less self-righteous in your tone and in your proclamations about the lowly masses who don’t live up to your standards. :b
It is perfectly OK to disagree, even welcome. That said, I’m not sure that the name calling adds anything constructive to the discussion and IMO detracts from any value that you comments may have. Discussions, debates and varied opinions are a normal, welcome part of life, often opening one’s eyes a bit wider. But again, the name calling destroys any chance of serious consideration being given to your thoughts. Do you also name-call when face to face?
In hindsight if I could edit the post I would edit it to better say “acting like jerks”.
To answer your question – yes, when someone acts like a bully I tell them they are being a bully. When they act like a jerk I tell them they are being a jerk. Having read your response, I think my comment came across more strongly than intended, so I apologize if it offended you. I probably should have been a little more articulate.
Accepted, (I hope with grace) and subject closed. Let’s move on to more important things, like pissing and moaning about most airline food… Have a great week, sir.
Perfectly said!
Wow, this looks fabulous!! I would absolutely be interested in flying with AA, even though I am based in Canada. I abhor the idea of sticking my dog in cargo, and have always wished they would do this kind of thing in the cabin, especially if one is spending so much on a first-class fare.
YES!!! I would love this. Animal haters can fly another airline. They obviously have never sat next to a crying child, smoker or a drunk. You want annoying? My dogs are well behaved and would be a benefit to any flight they were on.
So yes I would love this!!
Annoying is being stuck in a middle row between two extremely obese arm rest hogging people and a crying newborn for a 14 hour international flight.
We all know that airlines don’t give a rats arse about customers – quantity over quality is and always has been the industry standard policy. If they did, they would do something about providing, at least a dozen or so, separate, safe and comfortable pet accommodations on each and every flight. But no… airlines such as United are perfectly content with a 2% death rate of pets on their flights.
And if your dog or cat is a snub-nosed breed, forgettaboutit… American flat out bans em from travel. Now with snub-nosed dogs in cargo, this is perfectly understandable (most dog deaths are in cargo, many of which are snub-nose breed related), but not in cabin and especially not where snub-nosed cats are concerned (snub-nosed cat deaths are extremely rare, usually cat deaths are due to escape or previous unchecked health issues). Again, these airlines just don’t care about customer/pet needs. It’s nothing more than a nagging hassle to them. Pathetic.
I spend my hard earned money to fly first class in comfort….not to be surrounded by animals for 3 hours.
And what about us who have allergies to these critters? Am I supposed to just break out the needle and take a shot while Cujo dines on 1st class leftovers?
I’m with Mark, 100%. I do not pay those over the top F.C. fares to be joined by anyone’s animals and no, I do not find them ‘cute’ in public. Am I an animal hater? Heavens no! I have house pets myself. The operative word here is ‘house.’ My pets stay at home where they belong. The FUR of the rich and famous should also stay at home! No more American Airlines for me!
Small pets only? and the comment about how terrible it is for pets (who are too big and) have to fly in the hold… Improve conditions own there first!
I am happy to pay for this service. Seems it should cost more than $125 tho, right? The notes on the plane when booking should indicate to other passengers that this flight has a pet cabin so they won’t be caught off guard. I would be happy to pay more money for my ticket to keep those people who don’t want to fly next to an animal off the flight. This option will still be cheaper than chartering a private plane to get my cats from NY to LA.
Putting pets in cargo is ridiculous. 1 in 10,000 die. Putting pets under seats is ridiculous (for any flight longer than a couple of hours). The very simple solution to this entire topic is airlines getting wise to and accommodating customer needs by providing a separate area in the rear of the plane where each flight a certain number of pets can be placed – similar to the food prep/staff area – where no one on the plane can see or hear any of the animals. A place where pet owners can visit during long international flights. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t be willing to pay an extra few hundred dollars for that kind of “service” and peace of mind. It’s win win for everybody.. basically an extra money generating coat closet or an overhead storage compartment in the rear of the plane.. whats the issue here?!