PetAirways launches service for pampered 'paws-engers'

Posh pets will no longer have to ruff it in the cargo holds, thanks to an exclusive airline PetAirways which has launched its service in the United States for the pampered "paws-engers".

PetAirways will fly a pet between five major cities — New York, Washington, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles.

Tickets start at $149, which is almost comparable to pet fees at the largest American airlines.

The airliner offers free in-flight pet treats, comfy crates, and a climate-controlled cabin. A veterinary assistant will ride on every flight along with the pilot and co-pilot, the 'New York Daily News' reported.

In fact, dogs and cats will fly in the main cabin of a Suburban Air Freight plane, retooled and lined with carriers in place of seats. The pets will be escorted to the plane by attendants who will check on the animals every 15 minutes.

The pets are also given pre-boarding walks and bathroom breaks. And at each of the five airports it serves, the company has created a "Pet Lounge" for future fliers to wait and sniff before flights. Trips are much longer to accommodate the needs of pets.     A trip from New York to Los Angeles, for example, will take about 24 hours. On that route, pets will stop in Chicago, have a bathroom break, play time, dinner, and bunk for the night before finishing the trip the next day.

"People actually called to ask my dog's preferences. I've never gotten that kind of customer service on a human airline," said Heather Donaheu, whose dog was on the maiden flight which took off from a Long Island airport.