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These beagles are embarking¹ on the first journey of its kind. On Tuesday, an airline created just for pets took off from Republic Airport in Farmingdale, New York.

"It was important for me that my dog Vido had a comfortable flight. He's not a suitcase, you know, he's a family friend and a part of the family, so"

All commercial airlines allow a limited number of small pets to fly in the cabin. Others must travel as checked bags or in the cargo² hold - the dark and sometimes dangerous place.

"What we provide is a situation where you never have to worry about your pets. Once you drop them off, they are in good hands with the best people who know and love pets."

Wiesel and his business partner started Pet Airways³ in 2005, after they had to leave their beloved Jack⁴ Russell Terrier in a plane's cargo hold. They spent the past four years developing a fleet of planes that could carry up to 50 animals comfortable. The entrepreneurs also used the time to sort through FAA regulations and create airport schedules.

Pet Airways travels to five major cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. And a one-way fare for a pet costs about the same as it would on the major carrier. But pet owners said the big difference is service.

"So there is no worrying about providing a canon and having them flied in the cargo hold and, it makes everything so much easy. You see how nice the people are here, I mean, this is, they treat the animals better than I am treated when I go fly a plane myself, so"

One possible downside for some customers: the flights will have to make stops along the way so owners could reach their destinations long before their four-legged friends do. Pet Airways says if the aircraft makes a stop, the animals will have a bathroom break, playtime and dinner. Critics have questioned the viability⁵ of an airline with such a specific client out but the company's owners still planning for success. They say they are already booked up for the next two months. They plan to add at least 20 additional cities to their roster⁶ over the next 3 years.

Brian Thomas, the Associated Press.