Delta Nabs PETA Award for Banning Companion Animals From Cargo Holds

Airline Will No Longer Place Dogs and Cats at Risk of Injury and Death as ‘Checked Baggage’

For Immediate Release:
March 7, 2016

Contact:
Catie Cryar 202-483-7382

A Compassionate Business Award is on its way from PETA to Delta in recognition of the airline’s new policy prohibiting companion animals from traveling as checked baggage in airplanes’ cargo holds—a policy that went into effect on March 1, 2016.

“PETA’s files are full of cases in which beloved dogs and cats who were transported in airplane cargo holds escaped onto the tarmac, froze to death in transit, or were injured or killed by falling baggage on turbulent flights,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “Delta’s compassionate new policy recognizes that dogs and cats are members of the family, not pieces of luggage.”

Cargo holds generally have no heat or air conditioning, and they can reach extreme temperatures quickly. Most cargo compartments are kept unventilated in order to help prevent fires. Under Delta’s new policy, dogs and cats will still be allowed to travel in safety in the cabins of passenger planes, provided that they fit comfortably under the seat in airline-approved carriers.

Delta will receive a framed certificate from PETA, whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way.” PETA urges families to travel safely with their animal companions, such as in a private vehicle or on Amtrak, which recently launched a pilot program to allow pets on trains.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.