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Southwest to let passengers carry small dogs, cats aboard planes

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By TED JACKOVICS

tjackovics@tampatrib.com

Published: May 30, 2009

TAMPA - Effective June 17, Southwest Airlines will increase its fee on a third checked bag, allow small dogs and cats in carriers aboard airliner cabins and add a service charge for unaccompanied minors aboard flights, the airline announced Friday.

Travelers on Monday can begin booking reservations for traveling pets and include the mandatory service charge for youngsters ages 5 to 11 who fly alone.

Southwest will increase its $25 service charge to check a third or overweight bag weighing 51 to 70 pounds to $50. The increase in the baggage charge will affect about 1 percent of Southwest customers.

"We continue to allow our customers to check two bags on Southwest for free, making our baggage policy far and away the most generous in the industry," Gary Kelly, Southwest's chairman, president and chief executive, says in a written announcement.

Small cats and dogs will cost $75 each way on flights in carriers that fit beneath an airplane seat. The pet carrier will count as the passenger's carry-on bag.

With its usual gift for humor, Southwest said pets cannot earn Rapid Rewards credits. The airline did not point out that pet fares will exceed some of the airline's bargain fares.

"Our enhanced boarding process has opened the window, allowing us to accommodate small pets comfortably on a Southwest flight without impacting our efficiency," Kelly said.

Southwest relied on a "no-hidden fee zone" marketing campaign the past year as other airlines began to charge for checked bags and most in-flight services. Kelly said the new steps were taken in part to enhance revenue and that additional initiatives will be launched this year.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

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