WestJet to keep pets in plane cabins

Calgary-based WestJet airlines says it has no immediate plans to stop passengers from bringing small pets on board, despite warnings by doctors about allergies.

The Canadian Medical Association Journal has recommended that airlines make passengers put their pets in air cargo, sayingthat is the only way to protect people who have severe allergies to animals.

WestJet spokesman Robert Palmer said the airline is trying to balance the interests of allergy sufferers with those who want to bring their animals with them.

"We continue to work with the allergy sufferers that we've engaged for the last eight to 10 months now," said Palmer. "We're getting good information from them, they're getting good information from us. We're working together to see if we can't come up with some sort of compromise."

Air Canada reversed its ban on small pets, including cats, dogs and birds, in the airplane cabin in July 2009.

In an editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) released Tuesday, three top doctors chastised airlines for putting the preferences of pet owners above the well-being of passengers.

The editorial was timed to put pressure on the Canadian Transportation Agency, which is about to rule on whether people with allergies should be considered disabled under the Canadian Transportation Act and appropriately accommodated while travelling.

The agency is currently reviewing four complaints from passengers who suffered serious allergic reactions while flying within the past year. Last spring, a Regina passenger flying with WestJet required medical attention after suffering a severe allergic reaction to a dog on board.