United Airlines has issued an update to the carrier’s policy with regard to the transportation of animals. From June 18, only dogs and cats will be transported in the cargo hold, though with an extensive list of exceptions.
Snub-nosed breeds such as bulldogs, French bulldogs, pugs and boxers are excluded from the list, along with Persian cats. A number of “strong-jawed” breeds are also excluded, including the American Pit Bull Terrier and Mastiff.
“Prior to today, we flew all sorts of animals. Geese, foxes, leopards, you name it, we pretty much flew it. That will change moving forward. We’ll only fly dogs and cats as pets that belong to our customers,” said Charles Hobart, a United Airlines’ spokesman.
Additionally, these amendments to the carrier’s policy for transporting pets means United Airlines won’t fly pets between May 1 and Sept. 30 to four airports — Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, McCarran International Airport, Palm Springs International Airport and Tucson International Airport — due to high temperatures.
The move by United comes as a result of a high-profile incident where a passenger was instructed to put her French Bulldog, which was in a holdall in the cabin, into an overhead locker, despite the owner’s protestations. The animal subsequently died during the flight. United flew two other dogs to the wrong destinations shortly afterward.
According to United’s pet policy online, non-service dogs are permitted in the cabin as long as the dog “is in an approved hard-sided or soft-sided kennel. The kennel must fit completely under the seat in front of the customer and remain there at all times.”