Pets To Be Given 'VIP Treatment' Aboard Air Canada

May 4, 2008 12:37 p.m. EST

Ottawa, Canada (AHN) - After being banned from passenger areas and consigned to cargo flights, jetsetting animals are in for a treat when flying Air Canada: they can now board the plane as checked luggage.

The development, which takes effect on Monday, stemmed from an April 4 directive from the Canadian Transportation Agency ordering Air Canada to clear pets for takeoff on its domestic and international passenger flights.

The agency called Air Canada's ban on pets and kennels weighing less than 31.7 kilograms (70 pounds) "unreasonable" as it created too many difficulties for pet owners.

CATA further said that cargo flights are considered lower priority and, because of frequent flight delays and schedule changes, the pet may not arrive at the appointed destination on time.

Earlier reports said Air Canada stopped allowing pets on its domestic passenger planes last July, forcing travelers to put their pets weighing less than 70 pounds on cargo flights.

The policy however, did not apply to guide dogs for the blind.

Air Canada Spokesperson Isabelle Arthur said in a Canada.Com interview that the airline may still bring the the agency's decision to the Federal Court of Appeals.