UALbrat From United States of America, joined May 2006, 2 posts, RR: 0 Posted (11 years 4 months 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 1085 times:
Second attempt to get any sort of a response -- anybody?
I just learned of a new carrier starting up, Companion Air, which will cater to pet owners and others who are likely to travel with animals. http://www.companionair.com
I'm curious what others think about whether this concept will prove viable in the marketplace. Seems to me like a bad time to start a new airline. On the other hand, I have a vested interest in this working since many of my associates are involved with assistance dogs.
I'd sure appreciate it if any of you might offer your thoughts on whether you think this idea will take off. Thanks!
Elchanan From Norway, joined Sep 2001, 60 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (11 years 4 months 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 989 times:
Maybe there could be a market for this in the USA? Personally I think the idea is pretty unbelievable - I doubt anything like this will ever happen in Europe.
Elchanan
UALbrat From United States of America, joined May 2006, 2 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (11 years 4 months 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 963 times:
Which aircraft? All I know is from their site, in which they propose using "turbo-jet" aircraft. Also it appears they will be operating as a quasi-charter in some respects so they may be leasing/renting aircraft to meet demand.
Iainhol From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (11 years 4 months 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 912 times:
The fundament problem is hotels do not accept pets yet, therefore pet holidays are not likely. Also finding routes that dog owners want to fly will be tough.
Iain
UALbrat From United States of America, joined May 2006, 2 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (11 years 4 months 5 days ago) and read 884 times:
Iain,
Actually, a fair number of hotels in the U.S. do accept pets -- it really varies from place to place, chain to chain. And service animals for the disabled, becoming more and more common, have full access rights to hotels and other businesses under the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Thanks!
Air Orange From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (11 years 4 months 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 861 times:
Okay a Pilatus PC12... another quest, I still do not know how you put a direct image into your topics. Could you advice me, which html code do I have to use?
Companionair From United States of America, joined Jan 2002, 2 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (11 years 3 months 3 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 780 times:
It is correct that Companion Air will be operating Pilatus PC-12 due to their economy, luxury, range and carrying capability. The huge cargo door and ease of operation help also. We think that there is a need to serve the 16.5 mm dogs that will travel this year in a compassionate, safe and unique way. Glad to see the interest in this start up.
Mariner From New Zealand, joined Nov 2001, 22707 posts, RR: 88 Reply 11, posted (11 years 3 months 3 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 761 times:
Iainhol:
What you say may be true in the UK (?), but not here in the States. We drove with three dogs from Boston to San Francisco in the middle of winter, and had no trouble finding hotels.
The reason we didn't fly is that most US airlines have very strict limits about animals (ground temperature at the arriving and departing airports, etc.), because they are treated as cargo and are left, unattended, on the ground for long periods of time.
Nor will AA, for example, give any assurance that the dogs will fly on a certain flight. And at that time, UAL wouldn't accept any dogs.
So, if Companion Air ever gets off the ground, and if their fares aren't through the roof, it could work.
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