Jet-setting pets get own frequent flyer club

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2005

LONDON (AFP) — A British airline is targeting a growing market in pet travel by launching a special frequent flyer scheme for jet-setting dogs, cats and other animals.

Thus far, four dogs and a cat have been signed up to Virgin Atlantic's Flying Paws reward scheme since it was launched earlier this month, a spokeswoman for the airline said Friday.

Despite the cost -- flying a pet from London to New York in the hold of a plane can cost around 400 pounds (580 euros, 730 dollars) -- Virgin carried 1,250 animals last year, twice the number of the year before.

In a bid to tempt fussy pets onto their flights, dogs taking their first Virgin trip will be given a T-shirt and dog tag, while cats receive a toy mouse, and ferrets -- a surprisingly popular animal...