United Shows Puppy Love, Spirit Just Goes to the Dogs

In a win for doggy lovers everywhere, United has finally lifted a ban on nine previously restricted canine breeds for air travel. The amendment to the animal transportation policy comes after an online campaign generated more than 45,000 signatures through Change.com.

Hawaii resident Jessie Huart initiated the campaign to lift the restriction after United denied transportation to his 10 year-old pit bull due to the pooch’s “dangerous” appearance. Now, United will allow the following breeds aboard their aircraft in non-plastic, secure crates: American Staffordshire Terriers, Dogo Argentino, Ca de Bou, Cane Corso, Fila Brasileiro, Perro de Presa Canario, and Pit Bull Terriers,

Spirit Airlines, on the other week, has had the PR nightmare of the year thus far. Although touting the tagline of being “the ultra low-cost carrier,” they’re more well known for tacking on a slew of extra, sometimes hidden, fees. In fact, Spirit has more than 100 possible single charges that could be added on to your low-cost ticket.

And now we can add an increased charge for carry-on baggage to that list. No longer will you be able to get away with stuffing an extra day’s worth of clothes into your tiny pack to avoid the checked luggage charge, because your carry-on may rack up as much as $100 in fees!

All this has occurred just after the airline refused to refund the ticket of a dying veteran, citing that their refund rules are stringently adhered to regardless of who the customer is. Unfortunately for them, such rhetoric fell on deaf ear as the public lobbied for the man’s refund even after his death. They argued, as he had, that he’d had to cancel his flight only because he’d learned he w as not medically cleared for flight after purchasing the ticket!