On Wednesday, Canada's largest air carrier made an announcement that it would allow its passengers to bring their cat or a dog in the cabin on flights operated by Air Canada and Jazz, beginning Canada Day.

Cash-strapped Air Canada has been forced to change its policy, reversing a decision made three years ago, according to which pets were banished to the luggage compartment. The 2006 decision derived from the pressure from a number of agencies, such as the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The agencies motivated their viewpoint by saying that severe cat or dog allergies can be aggravated by the presence of the animals in a closed airplane cabin.According to Air Canada officials, there have been made appropriate arrangements in order to have people, suffering from allergies to pets, placed on the opposite end of the plane.

The airline says that flying in the company with a pet, will cost their owner $50 per North America segment, and there will be a charge of $100 each way per international flights. Depending on the plane, no more than 2 to 4 pets will be allowed per flight, to limit the chance of causing discomfort for passengers with allergies. However, there is a possibility that additional pets may still be allowed. The animals can weigh no more than 10 kg in their carrier, and have to be small enough to fit under a seat. Pets must be registered within 24 hours of a booking being made, and passengers must check in their pets 30 minutes prior to a typical recommended check-in time. Pets are not allowed to travel alone.

"This is the latest of our customer-friendly initiatives that underscores our renewed commitment to listening to our customers and offering a competitive product that meets their needs," said Air Canada executive vice-president and chief commercial officer, Ben Smith, in a statement.

The new decision gives Air Canada's policy an opportunity to par with its number one competitor, private WestJet Airlines Ltd., which had billed itself as the pet friendly option since Air Canada's 2006 move. The charges for carry-on animals are now the same in the both companies, and both of them use the same weight restrictions for flying pets. However, WestJet Airlines welcome more types of animals on board, including rabbits and birds. the company also has fewer "not available" dates for pet travel during the summer and winter holiday seasons, when compared to Air Canada. Service or trained and certified guide dogs assisting individuals with disabilities, are always allowed in the cabin at no charge on both airlines.

With Air Canada fast losing market to WestJet, Smith said that the airline plans to continue monitoring the marketplace closely enough to make necessary adjustments in order to make sure that the competitive position is being maintained. The airline, which had to seek bankruptcy protection in 2003, is again experiencing difficult time and is seeking financing, including up to $300 million from the Canadian government to prevent another bankruptcy filing.

Air Canada is the world's 13th largest air carrier with operations to 170 destinations all across the world.

Tags: Pets, Travel

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