Pets travelling by air belong in the cargo hold, not the cabin, where their dander could irritate passengers' allergies, states an editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal released Tuesday.

In July 2009 Air Canada joined WestJet in allowing small pets, including cats, dogs and birds, to travel in the airplane cabin with passengers.

The editorial's authors argued that in rare situations, some allergic reactions can be anaphylactic, a serious matter when the passenger is isolated from access to emergency medical care.

People with allergies, the editorial said, "must not be prevented from travelling for fear of being confined close to a pet."

The editorial urged the federal government to get involved if at least one airline does not return to banning pets in the cabin.

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