No More Dogs On 'Doors-Off' Flights Over NYC, Chopper Firm Says

NEW YORK — Dogs aren't supposed to fly anyway. The helicopter company that drew fire for flying dogs high above Manhattan says it will no longer allow pets on dangerous doorless trips.

New Jersey-based FlyNYON confirmed the change Tuesday after U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer slammed the company for putting pups at risk following a fatal crash last year that involved one of its flights.

"(W)hile we strongly disagree with the characterization and allegations directed our way, we have decided effective immediately, we will no longer be flying dogs or animals in any of our open-door flights," FlyNYON CEO Pat Day said in a statement.

Schumer and Sen. Robert Menendez excoriated FlyNYON Sunday for taking pets on sightseeing flights over New York City in open-door choppers as it faces two federal investigations over the March 2018 crash in the East River that killed five people.

The company used photos of dogs in social media posts touting a promotion benefitting Pilots N Paws, a charity that arranges flights to rescue troubled animals.

FlyNYON donated part of the proceeds from the half-price tickets to the nonprofit, effectively allowing a passenger to get a seat for themselves and their pets for the same cost as one full-price trip. Flyers never needed a dog to take advantage of the deal.

Day said critics "attacked and deliberately misconstrued" the fundraising effort, which has raised more than $25,000 to help save cats, dogs and other creatures.

"At no point has FlyNYON ever, or would ever, endanger the safety of animals and put them in a position for potential abuse," Day said.

Schumer, a New York Democrat, welcomed the end of FlyNYON's foray into canine air travel but called on the company to stop all "doors-off" flights, which have been restricted by the Federal Aviation Administration and New York City's Economic Development Corporation.

"These dangerous doors-off flights are meant for professional photographers – not social media enthusiasts and their innocent dogs," Schumer said in a statement. "Now that FlyNYON says they’ll do right by the animals, they should consider the same for people and axe the dangerous doors-off flights altogether before more lives are lost."

A FlyNYON spokesperson said the company is following all of the FAA's operating and safety standards.