United Airlines Chartered a Private Jet to Send Irgo the Dog Home
Despite owning more than 700 aircraft, United chartered a private jet this week — for a dog.
In case you somehow managed to miss the news, the airline has had a particularly disastrous week where traveling pets were involved. Early this week, Irgo, a 10-year-old German Shepherd whose family meant to send him to Wichita, ended up in Japan after the airline mistakenly sent him to Tokyo. The Great Dane who was headed to Tokyo was wrongly routed to Wichita in Irgo's stead. The mistake wasn't discovered until the family opened their pet crate... to find the Great Dane instead of Irgo.
An even greater outcry arose from the death of Kokito, a 10-month-old French bulldog who was placed in an overhead bin compartment at a flight attendant's directive.
No doubt in an effort to mitigate bad press, United Airlines promptly sent Irgo home via private jet. While the airline hasn't commented on the cost of the chartered flight, travel consultant Henry Harteveldt had no doubt the price tag was worthwhile for the carrier after Kokito died. "It is pennies to try to stop that news," Harteveldt told CNBC.
United hasn't exactly had a great track record for public relations in recent months. In addition to the highly criticized treatment of passenger David Dao in 2017, the airline recently came under fire from employees for a new performance plan that would eliminate quarterly bonuses in favor of a lottery, and decided to end the program.
United Airlines spokeswoman Maggie Schmerin told TPG Friday evening that the airline "chose the fastest option to reunite the dog with his family."
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app