This rule covers pets, so while the compensation may not ease a pet owner's grief, it may make baggage handlers more cautious. Riding Under a Seat Airlines limit pets in the cabin because of concern about passengers who may be allergic to them. But under certain circumstances, most permit a small cat or dog, or even a hamster or guinea pig, to travel under the seat in front of the passenger in the cabin. Most airlines restrict how many pets may travel this way, so it is important for the passenger to tell the airline and to keep checking close to flight time. The animal must ride in an approved pet carrier with an absorbent liner.
Airlines charge for pet passengers.
Diana Cronan of the association says that this part of the organization's Web site gets the most hits, an average of 700 a month. Individual airlines should be checked. American Airlines, for example, according to John Hotard, a spokesman, will not carry animals in the cargo hold between May 15 and Sept. 15 because of heat. Delta may not take animals if the outdoor temperature at either end of the flight exceeds 85. No airline guarantees that a pet going as cargo will travel on the same flight as its owner.