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Airplane passengers flying with pets will be pleased to know that traversing the skies with their beloved animal friend is safer than ever before.
According to the latest data revealed by the U.S. Department of Transportation's February 2015 Air Travel Consumer Report, U.S. airlines reported a total of 17 pet fatalities and a total of 26 pet injuries during transport in 2014.
Both numbers are encouraging considering there were 35 pet fatalities reported as recently as 2011.
Only two pets were reported lost in 2014, including one incident with Delta in November.
The Transportation Department points out that two million pets and animals take flight each year, meaning the likelihood of injury, loss or death is extremely low.
Last year, United Airlines reported the highest number of overall pet travel incidents, including five deaths and 13 injuries. United was also one of only two U.S. airlines to report losing a pet. The other was Delta Air Lines, with both carriers reporting just one incident each.
Delta's four reported pet deaths ranked second-most behind United in 2014, while Alaska Airlines and American Airlines tied for third-most, each reporting three deaths last year.
United and Alaska's combined 33 incidents accounted for nearly three-fourths of the 45 total incidents reported in 2014.
As far as what air travelers can do moving forward to better protect their pet on flights, installing a microchip in pets is arguably the most effective way to avoid losing them. GPS trackers are another option, though far less foolproof.
Investing in quality carrier devices and being aware of a pet's health status prior to takeoff are also key in avoiding and preventing any issues that may arise over the course of a flight.
Pet travel tips from the Transportation Department include scheduling nonstop flights rather than connecting flights, reserving a space for your pet well in advance and informing the pilot or flight attendant that there is a pet traveling in the plane's cargo hold just to be sure they're aware.
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