Dogs on airplane flights

[kandb]

I was very surprised to see at least 3 dogs on our last flight coming home from Orlando. Is it the "norm" for airlines to allow dogs onto its flights? My husband is really allergic to dogs and if one of these dogs was next to him, he very possible could have a bad allergic reaction. Would the airlines move his seat if a dog was next to him? Aren't the dogs usually put in a special place where people are not in contact with them?

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I was very surprised to see at least 3 dogs on our last flight coming home from Orlando. Is it the "norm" for airlines to allow dogs onto its flights? My husband is really allergic to dogs and if one of these dogs was next to him, he very possible could have a bad allergic reaction. Would the airlines move his seat if a dog was next to him? Aren't the dogs usually put in a special place where people are not in contact with them?

It depends. Some airlines allow pets in a carrier in the cabin. They must stay in the carrier under the seat.

All airlines are required to allow both service dogs and emotional support animals with the proper paperwork in the cabin.

I'm sure the airlines would do their best to reseat you but you may have to take another flight if the allergies are that bad.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And because animals are allowed in cabins on most airlines, passengers should let tge airlines know about allergies as early as possible. Best not to wait until boarding or on the plane.

 

[stormer]

We have noticed more and more dogs on SouthWest. I, too, am very allergic. Two years ago when flying home from Florida, after we sat the woman in front of us took her dog out and put it in her lap. We had not realized she had a dog with her or we would have chosen to sit farther away from her. We asked the stewardess for water so my mother and I could both take our allergy pills and we were told we would have to wait until service started after takeoff. There is no way we could have waited 20-30 min so we did our best to take them without water. When we got home I emailed SW and was told it is their policy to allow small dogs on their flights. They said more and more airlines are becoming pet friendly and it is better for business to allow dogs on the flights. I never realized before, but now I know to ask if there will be dogs on the flight so I can try to sit away from them.

 

[kaytieeldr]

This is from Southwest's Pet Policy page:

Can the Customer hold his/her pet instead of using a pet carrier?
No. Pets must be secured in the pet carrier at all times while in the gate area, during boarding/deplaning and they must remain in the carrier for the entire duration of the flight. Failure to follow this requirement may result in denial of transportation of the pet onboard Southwest Airlines. This policy will be strictly enforced.

Bolding is from the web page. That's good information to have for future flights. Off to look for allergy policy now

Okay, the only allergy they address is peanut dust

 

[aaarcher86]

This is from Southwest's Pet Policy page:

Bolding is from the web page. That's good information to have for future flights. Off to look for allergy policy now

Okay, the only allergy they address is peanut dust

Definitely good to know the policy of pets on flights. That way, if something like the above happens again, someone can at least ask the flight attendant to enforce the policy and keep the dog in carrier under the seat. Hopefully that would at least help with the allergies.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

This is from Southwest's Pet Policy page: Bolding is from the web page. That's good information to have for future flights. Off to look for allergy policy now Okay, the only allergy they address is peanut dust

This is true for pets, however this policy does not apply to service or emotional support animals.

So keep in mind that some animals may not be required to be in a carrier under the seat as service and emotional support animals of any size must be accommodated

 

[kaytieeldr]

On Southwest, even a service or emotional support animal needs to fit and remain completely under the seat in front of its owner. Whether that's enforced or not is a different story, but it would probably be a good idea for anyone flying with dog or cat allerrgies on Southwest to print and carry that policy.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

On Southwest, even a service or emotional support animal needs to fit and remain completely under the seat in front of its owner. Whether that's enforced or not is a different story, but it would probably be a good idea for anyone flying with dog or cat allerrgies on Southwest to print and carry that policy.

Are you sure this is true? I can't imagine a German Shepard being able to fit under the seat.

I do know that service/support animals (though I could be wrong) don't need to be in a carrier.

This is not an issue of airline policy, but legally airlines have to transport in the cabin service dogs of any size (unless of course it is aggressive or threatening)

 

[misha-ginger]

When I was travelling with my dog in the cabin this summer I was told by the airline that I shouldn't bother to preselect my seat since if someone had an allergy, I and the dog would be moved so that there was a buffer zone between us and the person with allergies. That being said I was told that it was up to the individual with allergies to inform the airline. The airline I was on allowed up to 4 pets on the flight. They had to be under 22 lbs including carrier. They had to remain in the carrier at all times. The part I was surprised at was that one of the airlines I was looking into said the pet could be a cat, dog,rabbit or bird.

 

[Gracie09]

On Southwest, even a service or emotional support animal needs to fit and remain completely under the seat in front of its owner. Whether that's enforced or not is a different story, but it would probably be a good idea for anyone flying with dog or cat allerrgies on Southwest to print and carry that policy.

What you quoted applies to pets not emotional support animals or service animals. There are different requirements and they don't included being kept under the seat in front of them.

 

[kaytieeldr]

From the Pet FAQs https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/faqs.html?topic=pets

Can a Customer traveling with an assistance animal also bring a pet?
Yes. Both animals will need to fit under the seat in front of the Customer. If both animals don't fit under one seat, the Customer may purchase a second seat and place the pet and carrier under that seat.

 

[Gracie09]

https://www.southwest.com/html/cust...ds_allergies_disabilities_pol_tab_list_tab_10
Trained Assistance Animals

Southwest Airlines welcomes trained assistance animals accompanying a Customer with a disability on all of our flights. Except when too large to be safely accommodated, a trained assistance animal will be transported in the aircraft cabin. In accordance with federal safety regulations, the animal must be positioned so as not to obstruct Customers' expeditious evacuation in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Trained assistance animals will be allowed to travel on flights to/from all domestic and international destinations with the exception of Jamaica. No animals will be allowed to travel to/from Jamaica on Southwest Airlines under any circumstances due to country-specific regulations.




Under the section on service animals. It doesn't say under the seat in front, but so it doesn't obstruct evacuation.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Not my responsibility that Southwest has conflicting or incomplete information on their website. Please question them, not me.

 

[mistysue]

Airlines tell you to notify them but will not actually do anything if you have an allergy even if you ask them to note it. They have to let service animals board, and that legal issue means that the service animal's right to be on the plane sort of trumps your right to not have pets there.
I sympathize, my son's eyes swell shut around dogs and he has trouble breathing around both dogs and cats. If it's upsetting all you can really do for now is hope the public becomes more kind, as it's an issue caused by the general public opinion that allergies aren't that bad or aren't serious.

After calling airlines and asking them questions we are not willing to risk taking our allergic son on a flight. It's scary enough just to go shopping or try to eat out with all the animals people take everywhere now. The general rule is if you run into a pet you need to move- whether that means finding somewhere else to sit on the plane, hoping they will move you to another flight (where there may also be an animal) or even having to pay a fee to switch flights.

 

[Random Ninja]

It might be a good idea to bring an allergy mask for flights even if you don't use one in everyday life. There is a good chance that there will be a dog on your flight since more and more people travel with service animals, support animals, and pets.

Pretty much the airlines are only concerned with peanut allergies, and maybe tree nut. If you have any other allergies, and really these as well, it is your responsibility to take effective protective measures yourself. Masks might not be the best option or the one wanted, but they do allow everyone to coexist on the same plane.

 

[Gracie09]

Not my responsibility that Southwest has conflicting or incomplete information on their website. Please question them, not me.

You were the one insisting service dogs have to be under the seat in front of them. You also started quoting from the pet regulations of sw. I simply pointed out there is regulations regarding service animals that is different than what you were quoting for pets.

 

[intheshadows]

.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You were the one insisting service dogs have to be under the seat in front of them. You also started quoting from the pet regulations of sw. I simply pointed out there is regulations regarding service animals that is different than what you were quoting for pets.

That's right, I was quoting from the website. I didn't create it, write it, or edit it. I don't have any connection with Southwest except as an occasional customer. I don't make or enforcement regulations. Anyone who has issues with the conflicting information provided by Southwest should contact Southwest. Telling me it's wrong doesn't change anything.

 

[Gracie09]

You quoted the section on pets and said it applied to service animals when there is other sections on service animals and emotional support animals. Logically these animals would not always fit under the seat nor would they have to be in crates. Service animals range in size from a few pounds to 100 pounds or more.
You can tell people that service animals are treated like pets on sw, but that person is going to be in for a shock when they try to get the German shepherd guide dog in front of them kicked off the plane because it's not in a crate under the seat or the tea cup poodle seizure dog.