Star business columnist James Daw took some of your questions about Air Canada’s decision to allow pets in aircraft cabins and found answers on the airline’s website. Questions he could not find answers to were forwarded to Air Canada and the company’s answers are included here.
Q:
How will Air Canada accommodate allergy sufferers who book in advance,
pick out great seats then find themselves beside someone who books at
the last minute with a pet after paying $100 or $200 more?
A: We
understand some of our customers may not wish to be seated too close to a
cat or small dog during their flight. For this reason, we ask that, if
you are an allergy sufferer, you advise the check-in agent or gate agent
prior to your flight departure to ensure you are not next to a customer
travelling with a pet. We will make reasonable efforts to move you or
the pet and pet owner. Where feasible, it may even be possible to allow
passengers to change flights at the last minute at no extra charge if
you prefer not to be on a particular flight with an animal.
Q: Will the air be cleaned to get rid of allergens?
A:
Authoritative studies have demonstrated that aircraft cabin air
compares favourably to other indoor environments. Like other indoor
environments, the aircraft cabin contains a mixture of outside and
recirculated air. In today’s aircraft, 50 per cent or more of the air
comes from outside, with the remaining air filtered and recirculated.
Re-circulated aircraft cabin air is moved through filters that capture
99 per cent of particles. Newer aircraft are equipped with even higher
efficiency particle (HEPA) filters, like those used by hospitals, which
capture 99 per cent of particles, including most viruses.
The
number of small pets accepted in the cabin will be limited to a maximum
of two or four, depending on aircraft type. In addition, airport agents
and in-flight crews will make every effort possible to provide
appropriate seating arrangements on board the aircraft to ensure the
comfort and well-being of passengers with allergies.
Q: Who’s
going to be responsible when someone has a truly serious asthma attack?
Why would Air Canada let a pet’s travel arrangements take precedence
over the health of people?
A: It is an unfortunate reality that
more people today seem to have allergies and attacks can happen in any
public place, including on board an aircraft. Air Canada employees are
trained to handle in-flight health emergencies and its aircraft are
equipped to access specialized, ground-based medical services that allow
crews to consult directly in real time with trained physicians. Air
Canada always advises customers with medical conditions to consult with
their doctor to ensure it is safe to travel. It also strongly recommends
people bring medications on board and not check them with luggage.
Q: Who cleans up the mess? Will flight attendants stoop and scoop? Will the pets be allowed to go “for a walk” in flight?
A:
The pet must remain at all times in a pet carrier stowed under the pet
owner’s seat. The pet carrier must be leak-proof and well ventilated,
and the pet must be able to comfortably sit up and turn around. No part
of the pet may extend outside the kennel. Pet owners are, however,
requested not to lock the kennel door as Air Canada personnel may need
to access the pet in the event of an emergency. Air Canada will not be
responsible in the event of loss, delay, injury, sickness or death of
any pet or animal accepted for transportation.
Q: Is the airline planning pet-only or pet-free flights?
A:
Under Canadian law, carriers are obliged to allow people requiring
service animals to bring them into the cabin of the aircraft, so it is
not possible to offer flights with a guarantee that there will not be an
animal on board.
For more details, visit aircanada.com.