Southwest Airlines to allow in cabin pets

From the WSJ
Southwest has long banned flying with pets, both as checked luggage and in carry-on containers. But beginning June 17, the airline will allow small dogs and cats as long as their carriers can fit under the seat in front of you. And so long as you pay a fee: $75 each way.

Most other airlines typically charge $100 each way. (You can find a good fee comparison chart at SmarterTravel.com.) Delta Air Lines hits you up for $150 each way for carrying a pet in the cabin; UAL Corp.’s United Airlines is at $125 each way domestically, $250 on international routes.

It’s hard for passengers to understand what cost the airline incurs when you carry your own pet aboard and store it under a seat. (It counts as one piece of carry-on luggage, too.) I suppose there could be some cleaning costs from occasional accidents. But basically airlines have found carry-on pets to be an opportunity for revenue growth, and Southwest took note.
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