as humans , but other airlines are relaxing their pet policies by letting smaller cats and dogs come into the cabin area . About a year ago , Midwest began allowing certain `` celebrity '' dogs that appear in canine competitions , shows or advertisements to sit in seats . `` They are just passengers with four legs instead of two , '' said Susan Kerwin , who oversees the pet program at Midwest Airlines . The pet travel frenzy has spurred the creation of an airline catering exclusively to pets . This month , Pet Airways , the nation 's first pet-only airline , will begin flying in five major cities , including New York and Los Angeles , California . It 's an alternative to shipping larger pets in the cargo area of a plane , where there have been pet injuries and even deaths . Chart : Compare some of the common airline fees `` The owners can check a bag with them , '' explained Alyse Tognotti , a spokeswoman for Pet Airways . `` Or if they have a special blanket or toy , basically anything that will take stress out of traveling . ''
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A few weeks ago , Tony Hoard , a 57-year-old manufacturing worker in Indiana , boarded a flight on Midwest Airlines to Las Vegas , Nevada , with his Australian Shepherd . The flight attendant smiled at the two and said , `` Welcome aboard . '' Midwest Airlines allows some of its canine customers to be seated in the cabin . Hoard has flown with Rory , his furry 40-pound companion , in coach more than 15 times on Midwest , the Wisconsin-based airline that boasts `` The Best Care in the Air . '' Each time they fly , Rory wears a harness and sits strapped into a seat . `` Rory gets the window seat , '' said Hoard , whose dog has won a series of Frisbee competitions . `` He likes to look out the window when the plane takes off and naps the rest of the way . '' Blame America 's pet obsession , but in recent years , more members of the airline industry are embracing dogs and cats on board . Midwest Airlines may be an extreme example , letting select dogs sit in the same seats