Pampered pooches of petite size are now welcome to fly in the passenger cabin on Midwest Airlines.
And just like their larger cousins and feline friends that fly below cabin, they’ll earn free travel in Midwest Airlines Premier Pet Program.
Effective immediately, Midwest Airlines and Midwest Connect will accept up to two small dogs in the passenger cabin per flight. In-cabin dogs must travel with a passenger and be contained in an airline-approved under-the-seat soft-sided carrier. Carriers featuring the Midwest Airline Premier Pet Program signature are available for purchase through the airline’s Web site.
Susan Kerwin-Hagen, coordinator of the Premier Pet Program and a show dog exhibitor and American Kennel Club judge, says allowing dogs to travel in the cabin makes it easier on pets and owners. “Passengers traveling with toy or small breeds such as Yorkies, Shih Tzus and dachshunds, and those traveling with puppies find it very convenient to be able to travel with their pets in the cabin. But we also make an extra effort to reassure passengers who have pets traveling in the aircraft’s temperature-controlled and pressurized Pet Compartment.”
Midwest Airlines’ new dogs in-the-cabin option is an enhancement to its Premier Pet Program. The program is one of the first of its kind to offer frequent flying pets that travel with their owners the opportunity to earn free travel. Pets earn one free roundtrip for every three roundtrips (or six one-way trips) they fly. Additionally, pet owners who are members of Midwest Miles, can fly their pets roundtrip for free below cabin by redeeming 15,000 miles or in the cabin by redeeming 20,000 miles. Since Midwest Airlines introduced the program in early 2005, pet travel has more than doubled on the airline.
The Premier Pet Program applies only to owners and pets that travel together on the same flight; it does not apply to pets shipped as cargo or service animals. Dogs are accepted in-cabin on all Midwest Airlines and Midwest Connect flights with the exception of flights to Toronto. Under-cabin pets are accepted only on Midwest Airlines Boeing 717 and MD-80 aircraft, and Midwest Connect Beech 1900 aircraft.
Passengers traveling with pets are charged an additional fee and must make an advance reservation. Additional restrictions apply. For the Premier Pet Program’s complete rules and regulations, go to http://www.midwestairlines.com (click on Travel Planner, then Travel Programs) or call 800-452-2022 (in Milwaukee, 414-570-7000).
