In-Cabin Pet Fee Increases
 

In-cabin PetsEffective July 15, 2008, the in-cabin pet fee will increase to $125 USD per kennel, each way ($250 for roundtrip travel). The fee will apply to any customers purchasing the in-cabin service on or after July 15, regardless of ticket date.

Continental allows domesticated cats, dogs, pet rabbits and household birds to be carried in the aircraft cabin on most U.S. flights within the U.S. An in-cabin pet may be carried in lieu of a carry-on bag and is subject to a $125.00 service charge each way ($250.00 for round trip travel). Pets can be booked online or by calling Continental Reservations for assistance.

For travel outside the U.S. with an in-cabin pet, contact Continental Reservations (800.525.0280 in the U.S.) for assistance and information about international in-cabin pet acceptance and service charges.

Pets must be carried in an approved in-cabin kennel. The pet must be able to move comfortably in the kennel (stand up and turn around). The kennel must fit completely under the seat forward of the customer and remain there at all times aboard the aircraft. Maximum hard case kennel dimensions are: 17" L x 12.5" W x 8" H (43 cm L x 32 cm W x 20 cm H).

In-cabin pet kennels may be available for $55.00. The dimensions are 17" L x 12.5" W x 8" H (43 cm L x 32 cm W x 20 cm H).

In-cabin pet restrictions:

Only one pet per passenger is allowed in cabin.
One pet per flight is allowed in the front cabin (select aircraft only).
Four pets per flight are allowed in the Economy cabin (Continental Airlines, Continental Micronesia and Continental Express flights only).
One pet per flight is allowed in the Economy cabin (Continental Connection flights only).
Pets are not permitted in the BusinessFirst cabin of Boeing 757, 767 or 777 aircraft due to inadequate storage space under the seat.
Customers traveling with an in-cabin pet may not be seated in the bulkhead or an emergency exit row.
Pets are not permitted on flights to and from Hawaii.
Pet must remain in the kennel at all times on board the aircraft.
Customer is responsible to determine and comply with all state entry requirements which may apply.
Advance arrangements must be made.
Pets under eight weeks old are not permitted.
Pet must travel on the same flight as the owner.
No oxygen will be administered to a pet in the event of an emergency.

Urgh! :mad: This is ridiculous! Just a few weeks ago it jumped from $95 to $100...I didn't mind. But now another $25? It's now $250 round trip vs. $190 a month ago...a 30% jump. And for what? As stated the pet fee comes with no special services, just the restriction of 1 less carry-on bag and no exit row or bulkhead seating. Ugh...

+1. This hasnt affected me in the past but it will once I get married in June 2009 it will. What will the pet fee be then $200+ each way?

Cannot also understand the justification for this increase. We fly with the dog regularly - so two tickets, one pet ticket, less carry-on baggage - no oxygen, no water, no food...

Sounds like the big BOHICA again from the airlines.

My dog is too big for in-cabin so i leave him at the kennel when i travel..this wont bother me..:D

I probably need to fly my cat out from Houston to LA next month, and I just found that Southwest don't take animals at all. This means the legacies have no competition here - they can raise fees basically as much as they want.

They should at least have break points for elites or offer miles. In some cases the fee is more than the acutal ticket. In that case would you be able to buy your pet an actual ticket?

Agreed. Give me something so that I'm not feeling quite so screwed over. A reduced fee and/or miles would help. It'd even be great if the pup could have his own OP account, earning miles towards his own free underseat ticket. :)

We rearranged our schedule to drive 2,000 miles instead of flying with our dog, partially due to the increased pet fees and higher fares. Even with high gas prices, additional hotel nights, we still save a lot of money. It would have cost $1,266 to fly two people and our dog RT from EWR-ORD, plus rental car, hotel, etc.

I expect that the ever increasing pet fees will discourage, even more, leisure travelers from flying.

This is rapidly approaching a 'deal breaker' for me and my wife. Jetblue is 'still' at $100 and I plan to book them tonight for both us and the 2 cats TPA to EWR. It's a shame that CO has to lose our fares over this, but I'm sure that they took that into account:td:

Okay, it's a deal breaker. I'm giving away my cat for my move to LA. Southwest doesn't take pet and I can't afford to fly her on CO, and she told me she won't do long car ride again, after the RI-to-TX ordeal last time. Anybody wants to adopt her? :p

You're giving away your cat because of a $25 fee increase?!?! :eek:

I'm pretty sure the :p meant it was a joke. ;)

Anyway, I used to fly with my wonderful little Yorkie in the cabin. I would never have been able to afford $250 to fly with him. Said Yorkie sadly died a little over a year ago. I have a great Schnauzer now but he's too big to go in cabin. 20 lbs. I was wondering where I could find how much it would be to fly him as cargo. I believe CO only flies pets as cargo. I don't know if I would ever chance this but was curious about the expense. My Schnauzer's grandparents keep asking me to bring him to NY from my home in LAS. I actually think they love him more than their human daughter (me). Seriously. :D

To fly your pet as 'Cargo', it depends on the size/wt etc of the container. It took me a while, but I got the people at EWR to 'guestimate' that one way for my Cat (EWR-TPA) would be 'about' $225.

This is still a cheaper way for my children to travel with us than buying seats.