United Had The Most In-Flight Animal Deaths in 2016

United hasn’t exactly been winning any popularity contests recently. Surely, it hopes that, in time, it can turn a corner with the public.

The airline has created controversies over leggings, a forcibly removed doctor and folks on the way to their wedding. It would be easy, then, to tag United as nefarious villains when you hear about the enormous rabbit that died on its watch.

That’s when you open one of The Guardian’s recent reports and read, “More animals died on United Airlines planes in 2016 than any other US carrier.”

(Somewhere there is a United PR exec who is mainlining antacids now.)

Doing a bit more digging, however, the report doesn’t single out United so much as it highlights a potential danger that faces all animal lovers looking to transport pets.

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The report explains United leads an unfortunate category as it witnessed nine animal deaths and 14 animal injuries during 2016. As noted by the Department of Transportation, those numbers are significant as U.S. airlines suffered 26 animals on whole during the same period.   

Hawaiian had the highest percentage of animal deaths but didn’t have nearly the number of transports so the number is skewed a bit. Or, as the report explains: “While United Airlines had the highest number of animal deaths, one airline, Hawaiian, had a higher incident rate (3.99 per 10,000).”

The DoT offers some context. Owners had animals die en route to their destination at a rate of 0.5 per every thousand last year. United’s frequency is measured at 2.11 deaths or injuries per 10,000 transports.

The report is careful to point out that flying, like it is for their human counterparts, remains a very safe option, though the overall rates of dog and cat mortality is much higher—listed by The Guardian as “830 cat deaths per 10,000 domesticated cats, and 790 dog deaths per 10,000 domesticated dogs.”

The Humane Society of the United States’ website offers a quick snapshot of the dangers present. It also illustrates how airlines such as United—ones that still allows checked animals—might endure so many deaths:

“While most animals flown in the cargo area of airplanes are fine, you should be aware that some animals are killed, injured or lost on commercial flights each year. Excessively hot or cold temperatures, poor ventilation and rough handling are often to blame. Most U.S. airlines are required to report all companion animal incidents that occur in the cargo hold, and consumers should study the performance record of any airline before choosing to fly your pet in a cargo hold.”

By nature, the cargo hold is susceptible to extreme conditions, which is why, as noted by The Guardian, a few carriers refuse to allow animals in this location. JetBlue states at its website: “we do not ship live animals as cargo or in the bellies of any aircraft.”

Southwest has a similar policy in regards to checking pets, though it goes a step further on what might be longer flights: “Animals are not allowed to travel in-cabin on international flights or any itinerary that includes an international flight.”

Delta also chose to ban pets from flying as checked baggage back in 2015. However, it does allow travelers to utilize Delta Cargo services to transport animals.

At the time, the airline explained: “Pets that are transported via Delta Cargo are monitored closely by customer service teams during their travel. While at airports, pets are handled in temperature-controlled holding areas and vans. Also, Delta Cargo enlists professional kenneling services if overnight stays are required.”

United’s high animal mortality number in this regard may signal its adherence to a policy that other airlines have been careful to move away from: The airline will continue to take animals and place them in an environment that may have adverse effects.

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With that said, United has offered to further investigate the matter of the aforementioned giant rabbit named Simon.

A spokesperson spoke to The Guardian and explained: “Our customer declined our offer to have an examination conducted to determine a cause of death. The safety and wellbeing of all the animals that travel with us is of the utmost importance to United Airlines and our PetSafe team.”

The airline also contends that Simon had been moving at least half an hour after its plane landed.

United answered for another incident that  in February; one that saw an Oregon woman’s dog die shortly after flying with the airline. At the time, United released a statement on Kathleen Considine’s dog Jacob:

“We worked to ensure Jacob's comfort throughout his entire journey and he showed no signs of distress nor behave in a way that would suggest he was unwell while in our care. Though we understand little can ease the grief that accompanies the loss of a pet, we've been in touch with Ms. Considine to offer our condolences and discuss this matter further.”

A distraught Considine states what might be the greatest takeaway from all of this: Flying takes an enormous toll on animals.

The owner said, “The word needs to get out that airline travel is unsafe for dogs. They are treated like baggage instead of loyal, loving family members.” 

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