Virgin Atlantic is to be the first scheduled airline to carry cats and dogs from the USA into London Heathrow under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS).
The scheme will initially start between London and Los Angeles as a trial service, extending to all USA routes after a three month period. From January 2004, the scheme will then be open to all (PETS) territories that Virgin operates to (USA, Japan, Antigua and Barbados).
Sir Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Atlantic, said:
"I am really excited to be able to implement this scheme. Cats and dogs are regarded by owners as one of the family and I am pleased to offer our passengers the chance to take their pets away with them on holiday or bring them back home after a period of living abroad.
"On average 250 cats and dogs travel to the UK from the US each month and I hope that we will see this figure double as more airlines sign up to the scheme."
Virgin is also introducing a 'Pet Miles' section of the airline's frequent flyer Flying Club with so-called 'Bone-us Miles' for dogs and 'Frequent Feline' for cats. The company is talking to a number of reward partners and hopes to offer special treatments and pampering weekends.
Pet Shops
Pet Food
