Is it time for Irish airlines to let pets fly with their owners?
A petition to the British Parliament signed by some 13,000 people has urged politicians to consider how they can “offer an in-cabin travel option for small, fully documented pets on flights entering the United Kingdom”.
Presently, much like in Ireland, pets flying into Britain must travel in the hold with freight.
On Newstalk Breakfast, retired Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Byrne said a pet sitting on their owner’s lap during a flight is a “very common” sight in the US.
“Delta Airlines, United Airlines and other similar airlines have got permission to carry dogs, cats and household birds on domestic flights,” he explained.
“They collect a one-way fee, provided they have, of course, age, health and certain requirements and carriers and so forth.
“So, it's much more common there than it is here because people move it.”
A couple hold their dog at the Denver International Airport. Picture by: Alamy.com. One Irish airline has a complete ban on pets and the only animals allowed on board are guide dogs.
While other European airlines take a more relaxed approach.
“There are some good European airlines, including Iberia and Air France and Berlin and Lufthansa and KLM, they have policies on carrying pets,” Lieutenant Colonel Byrne said.
“Usually the beast should be 10 kilos or less; if it's a bit bigger than that, it won't fit under the seat in front of you.
“They have to go in the carrier hold downstairs; in other words, with the freight and with the baggage and that kind of thing.
“That's much more common than having dogs on board the cabin with the passengers.”
However, Lieutenant Colonel Byrne questioned how much popular demand there would be for pets to travel with their owners.
“I suppose the vast majority of people, most of us who have pets, don't bring the pets on holidays,” he said.
“They leave them in the kennels or that kind of thing - so, the demand is very limited at the moment.”
Main image: A pet flying from Moldova to Israel. Picture by: Alamy.com.
