JetBlue strives for top-dog status

Designer bag included
The airline teamed up with Cindy Adams, a New York Post columnist and owner of Jazzy Park Avenue Pet Products, to design the navy and orange bag that sells for $45. Adams also had a hand in planning the welcome kit which includes, a blanket, bowls, a rubber bone and some treats — and, of course, a different toy for cats.

“Traveling is a big part of my life and my work and I always love bringing my sweet babies Juicy and Jazzy along when I can,” says Adams. “I incorporated all the elements that are important to me as a pet parent into the design such as excellent ventilation, a soft comfortable lining and lots of pockets for basic travel essentials that open easily because when you travel you very often only have one hand to manipulate a bag. The carrier is extremely lightweight and is designed for pets up to 20 pounds. My Yorkies are tiny and I can get them both into one bag.”

The specifications of the bag were also specially designed to fit comfortably into the space allotted in the airline’s new planes.

On check-in, customers are handed their own boarding passes and a special tag for the carrier that states “Check me out; I’m checked in.”

“It’s all part of giving pet parents and their pets travel status,” explains Ruvolo. “We also issue them with a wallet-sized card with basic petiquette tips about policy and procedures to making it smooth transition from the terminal to the plane.”

FirstPerson Travels with pets Readers send in photos of their adventures with Fido and Fluffy

Other JetPaws program elements include a special welcome e-mail for pet owners within one week of their booking and complimentary access to a downloadable e-booklet highlighting pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, parks and animal hospitals in some of JetBlue's top cities, including Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Long Beach, Calif., New York, Orlando, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

In-cabin service only
“We only offer an in-cabin service,” says Ruvolo “We don’t fly any animals in the cargo area at any time. There is a standard pet fee of $100 each way regardless of the travel route.”

More by Sandy Robins Dogs sniff out gourmand adventure JetBlue strives for top-dog status Hotel pet mascots around the country Latest gear for pets on the go High-end pet lodges popular with owners Great dog beaches around the country Dogs are digging the nightlife Pet-friendly theme parks

While the airline services 51 destinations, Ruvolo says that most of the pet travel is currently focused along the East Coast particularly between New York and Boston, and to destinations such as West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. Long Beach is also becoming a popular pet destination.

The airline recently opened a new terminal at JFK and once again with Adam’s expertise there are plans underway to create a designed “play area” for pets where they can be taken if they are delays instead of having to remained cooped up in their carriers for additional long hours. The airline also hopes to eventually have a doggie toilet area too.

“A play area is essential,” says Adams. “I always travel with puppy pee pads and taken them into the ladies restroom at the airport or even in the toilet on the plane for my dogs to relieve themselves on them with no mess and no fuss. But having somewhere for them to be able to hang out if they are delays is certainly a wonderful facility for pet travelers and will be another first.”

Sandy Robins is an award-winning pet lifestyle writer. She is the recent recipient of the Humane Society of the United States' Pets for Life Award. Her work appears in many national and international publications.

MORE FROM TRAVEL

Travel Section Front

Recalibrating the calculus of holiday travel Top 10 Thanksgiving destinations Gallery: Your snapshots of winter's arrival Tokyo crowned gourmet capital of the world On-the-go gadgets to make travel easier Stay sane while traveling with kids Top budget resorts in the U.S. A holiday travel survival guide Dad to baby: Happy 1st birthday, world traveler Family travel isn't always kid stuff Travel Section Front   Add Travel headlines to your news reader: