For several years we have helped rescues and shelters by transporting small animals.  Since 2014, we have transported 1067 animals, mostly rabbits.  While the majority have been transported in the safest manner possible by van or car, there are a few which have the need to be flown, whether because they are not a good candidate for the road trip (i.e. special needs) or they are going to their furever home which would take us way off course of our route.

We have always transported rabbits in cabin on United Airlines.  Being a 1K 2-million miler +, it has been my airline of choice.  The gate personnel and flight attendants have been terrific with them.  We or the rescues/shelters have always paid the $125.00 in cabin pet fee. The rabbits we transport are in remarkable carriers and they do not make any noise, nor do they bother anyone.  We have them right by our feet after take-off for the duration of the flight and place them back under the seat before landing, so we would know if anything would be amiss.

United states that they can still place in them in cargo if we would like.  Obviously they did not learn their lesson from the Continental Giant's life that was lost on that LHR-ORD flight.

United claims the reason for the change is because a rabbit got loose on a flight and chewed through wires.  This theory was going on even when I worked for the airlines, and I have yet to see any proof regarding this.  My question is this - if that were the case, why were the wires exposed?  Nothing like that should ever be exposed on an aircraft.  Also, the rabbits are in carriers.  Who is to say a dog could not have chewed those "exposed" wires as well?  A cat of dog could also escape a carrier as well.  And a rabbit does not even make a sound!!  And this is the only way we can transport disabled bunnies as to not stress them out.

Many people travel with rabbits more than you possibly think. I know a couple of people who fly internationally on United with their rabbits.

We all feel that United should rethink this decision to not allow rabbits in cabin.  Otherwise, people will give their rabbit business to Alaska, Frontier or WestJet in the future, and they may just decide to stay faithful to that airline!