Please SWA, you're losing me. First it was Business Select and un-democratizing the skies. Then you retained the family boarding policy (make em board where their numbers are, you're discriminating against the rest of your rule abiding customers), and now pets!

The worst flight of life was a flight from Houston to Albuquerque with a couple who took their dog out of the carrier mid-flight and let it ride in their laps.

At the very least make clear that pets can't be taken out of their cages mid-flight.

You refuse to recognize peanut allergies, and now you're refusing to recognize the large majority of us with pet allergies. This isn't a car trip to grandma's....this is a flight, with paying customers and a contract of carriage. Do better. Be better.

Another Bad Decision
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and actually we have addressed the issue about pets staying in the carrier during flight. If you will click on the two links above, the one that says "Pet Policy" click here has all the details of the policy, and the second link immedeately under that will take you to our video, that also explains the pet must remain in the carrier.

As to allergies, we have carried service and emotional assist in the cabin for years, and should someone be allergic, we try to separate the parties far enough away that the allergy no longer becomes an issue.

Brian

Thanks for the quick bolg back Brian.

I wasn't aware that others allowed the furry (and feathered) friends in the cabins as well. A long time with a single airline will isolates you from the other airlines policies.

I appreciate that you would try to relocate passengers so they wouldn't be seated near allergy sufferers, but 10 carriers on a plane wouldn't allow for a lot of options. I check in as early as possible to get my preferred seat (you and I both know all seats aren't the same) but who gets moved when a pet owner sits near an allergy sufferer? Do I pay for Business Select and then get relocated next to the rear toilet?

Continental only allows 4 pets in the economy class (1 in the front of plane on select flights), Delta restricts pets to just 2 in the main cabin. The odds of sitting next to poopy the cat, or yippy the dog are 2.5x greater on Southwest compared to Continental, and 5x greater compared to Delta, based on sheer numbers. Add the economic factor, pets fly for less on Southwest (just $25 less than a 3rd bag), and I suspect Southwest will attract more pet fares.

But they will lose the human allergy suffering fares.

I guess Southwest already calculated that though. They just forgot to send me a "Dear John" letter to tell me that they wanted to see someone else.

MJ,
I am not sure where you got the 10 carrier figure, but we only allow five carriers per airplane.

Great decision! I really appreciate Southwest trying to make those with pets worry less when we fly. But what about the large dogs? Do you think you will change your policy sometime in the future to allow large dogs too? Even if the policy changes so that large pets will only be allowed on certain, not as busy flights, it would be extremely beneficial to me and many others.

I love it! I realize alot of people are annoyed by pets, but honestly, I am more annoyed by young children on flights!
I just wish you could implement something for larger breeds of dogs flying in the cabin, then I would really be on board!

I am a long time Southwest Airlines flyer but I think this new pet policy for Southwest Airlines is ridiculous. I don't want to have to worry about my allergies flaring up because I was sitting near someone's pet cat on my flight. I want to be able to fly the blue skies with Southwest, arrive and depart on time and get to my appointed destination without having to use allergy medicine or running to the bathroom to wash my eyes out so I can see. I would rather pay for a bag than have to go through this -- I believe I'll have to look for alternative airlines from now on. I think SWA has forgotten that the airline was built to fly people first and foremost.

I am very happy to hear that SW is finally allowing small pets on board! I have travelled with my cats via other airlines for the last four years. I travel with them to cat shows, to visit my relatives, and for vacations. I always bathe my cats before I go, which cuts way down on allergens. The dander, created as the cat grooms itself, is what people are allergic to. Bathing the animal cuts way down on that issue. Some breeds of cats and dogs are less 'allergenic' than other breeds. Mine is one of those. As to the odor and the noise, unless I specifically tell someone I have a cat with me, they do not even know it. My cats ususally sleep through the flight, and have never made a 'smelly' mess in their carrier. I also know how to prepare them properly for the flight. And I keep a portable litterbox and tent in my other carryon bag that I can set up in a rest room in the airport in case we are travelling for a long period of time. That helps prevent any unwelcome deposits on the plane. Those of you who think this is a disaster because of your allergies have probably flown with pets on board with other airlines without even knowing it. American, Continental, Delta, United, and several others also allow pets on board...... And all of them require that the pet remain in the carrier for the duration of the flight. An animal confined to a carrier under the seat is not very likely to be speading dander around the cabin.... Just my 2 cents.......

I couldn't believe when I read the policy change allowing cats and dogs on your airline. My family of 7 will not be flying due to severe cat and dog allergies. How does a company choose pets over humans? Besides allergies, why should other passengers have to be subjected to the smells and sounds of animals while flying? I have small children who are scared of certain cats and dogs and now there is a possiblity that they will be upset during the flight because of the presence of animals? I think this is an unbelievably inconsiderate decision for a majority of the people who fly, or used to fly, your airline.

So, Tracey R, which airline are you going to fly now???

I would actually love to see this policy go one step further. I'd like to suggest one flight per day / week that is yout "Pet flight" My dogs are 30lbs and just a few lbs too large for under the seat - so in my case I would gladly pay full fare to be able to buy seats for my dogs, strap them in and save myself a 4 day drive across country. I hope you consider it - you could isolate the animals and hopefully gain a few more "customers" in the process!

I also am disappointed with Southwests decision. It is getting more difficult to fly with a severe cat allergy. I had to recently switch flights. It is very stressful and inconvenient. There should be some type of policy if a severe allergy sufferer books first , he should get priority.

I consider it a disability and an looking into pursuing it that way. I just booked Frontier to New Mexico, but am flying to Miami in January and am using USAIR. I might have to change flights.

My throat closes up and I just don't want to take a chance. My allergist agrees.