Pets allowed in Cabin of Air Canada

[TagsMissy]

Hey all.. just read an article on the Globe and Mail that Air Canada will allow pets in the passenger cabin starting 2 weeks from now.

There will be a fee and they will limit the number of pets allowed. I know my husband will love it if a cat is next to him.

OK I have no problems with pets flying perse in the cabin but I wonder if it's wiser to have selected 'pet friendly' flights per week as I definitely think there should be human priority over a pet priority and then those with fear of animals/bad allergies know to steer clear of those flights?

 

[natmurr]

There have been several threads about this over on the transporation board. It seems all the airlines are doing it now

I don't know why? Are they trying to increase revenues by selling seats to cats?? As an allergy sufferer I think its a bit crazy.

I did read where you can notify the airline at the time of booking that you are an allergy sufferer and they will then tag that flight so no animals can ride in the cabin.

I'm starting to see a niche market for a new hypo-allergenic, peanut free, scent free airline!!

 

[crashbb]

I did read where you can notify the airline at the time of booking that you are an allergy sufferer and they will then tag that flight so no animals can ride in the cabin.

According the the website, they'll just try to make sure that you aren't seated near the animal, they won't make it an animal free flight (besides, service animals have always been allowed in the cabin - my last flight had two service dogs in the bulkheads (one on each side of the aisle)).

Allergy considerations
We are sensitive to the concerns of allergy sufferers, and we understand that some of our customers may not wish to be seated too close to a cat or small dog during their flight. For this reason, we ask that, if you are an allergy sufferer, you advise the check-in agent of gate agent prior to your flight departure to ensure you are not next to a customer travelling with a pet. We will make reasonable efforts to move you or the pet and pet owner.

 

[Lizziejane]

I'm sure pet-owners will love the option. Really, I always thought it rather cruel that a dog or cat get stuck in the cargo. Some friends of my sister had their dog freeze to death - they stuck him in the wrong section in the belly of the plane. You can just imagine how they felt!

However, as the parent of two kids who are both allergic to dogs and cats, I'd be pretty worried about animals in the cabin. "not close by" isn't good enough in such tight quarters.

I guess I can see both sides of this argument!

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

If I have to listen to a cat or dog howl it's going down the crapper lol. Man htis is doing to suck. I am alergic to both cats and long hair dogs. Another good reason to drive to Disney for me.

 

[braydensmom]

Cats have been allowed under the seat in carriers in some airlines for a long time. Im sure that many of you have been on planes that have allowed it and you just never knew. I dont think that you need to have an extra seat for them if they can go under the seat, an old roommate did it years ago and I dont remember her saying that, but I could be wrong and of course airline policies change all the time.
If you are allergic to cats, let the airline know when booking the flight, and if there is a cat on board they will tell you that, if not they will not allow cats on board. But for the most part, people are allergic to pet dander, which is confined to the cage or bag that the animal is in.

 

[OntFamily]

This is a great example of Air Canada trying to do the right thing, and making supporters of both sides upset. Almost three years ago, Air Canada (citing the need to make the cabin healthier for sufferers of pet allergies) stated they wouldn't allow pets to be in the cabin (or even in the baggage compartment, underneath the cabin).

Pet owners were upset, and recently the Canadian Transport Agency told Air Canada they must allow pets in the cabin (Air Canada successfully challenged that ruling in the Federal Court of Canada).

Now Air Canada has "caved", and the allergy sufferers are upset.

Westjet has always allowed pets in the cabin.

 

[christiane]

We had been flying our dogs in the cabin on Air Canada for at least 15 years before they disallowed it. AC was one of the first airlines to allow pets in the cabin and then the only one I can think of that abandoned that policy. We then abandoned them and have been happily flying other airlines since!

I guess we have been very lucky to have only positive experiences with our pets. I'll never forget the man who was so deathly afraid of getting on the plane until he saw one of our little dogs and he asked if he could hold him while we sat in the lounge & it completely calmed him down. We are very discrete & most people wouldn't even know our dogs are in the plane.

We are sympathetic to allergy sufferers, but the truth is that there is no such thing as an allergen-free flight. Therapy pets are always allowed in the cabin and dander is carried on clothing etc. Even the CDC in the US has never supported banning pets in the cabin for this reason.

As for howling etc, the noise of the engines pretty much drowns out anyone but the most persistent barker!

Not sure if we will go back to AC unless they are the only travel option but it's nice to know that anyone who likes to travel with their pets have that option.

 

[snickerboo]

If I wanted to travel with my cats, I'd think it was convenient-for me. As a passenger subjected to someone travelling w/ a pet, not so much.

My dh is extremely allergic to dogs and has to travel for business. He's pretty nervous about what will happen with this. In the past, exposure to some danders has triggered a reaction that has sent him to hospital unable to breathe. What happens if that happens in the air? So, so that people can travel with their pets, my dh will have to pay for some sort of prescription medication to try to avoid a major allergy attack. That doesn't quite seem right. And, so the flight is tagged as 'pet will be on board'. What if he absolutely has to travel somewhere at a certain time and all the flights at reasonable times are flagged as 'pet on board'?

And I know as a cat owner: cats yowl when they travel (it's loud, trust me, the engines won't drown it out!). They hate motion like that, in general. If I took my cats on a plane without sedating them, the other passengers would be treated to yowling all the way to and from the destination. I wouldn't want other people to have to deal with that just so I can travel with my cats.

I hate thinking of the animals in the cargo hold but I really don't think they should be on board unless it's absolutely necessary for the passenger to travel with their pet (like they're moving halfway around the world and it's the only way to transport Snowball). And, really, does the pet want to be on an airplane? Isn't it kinder to have someone take care of your pet while you're on vacation?

 

[sean-1966]

My brother flew to Calgary with his cat in the cabin. When another passenger near him found out there was a cat on board she put up a fuss. All the stewardess did was offer to make different arrangements for her. In other words the cat was staying and if it was going to continue to be a problem she could get off the plane.

 

[dvcdisney]

Just when we thought we would give AC another chance...this happens. My husband is very allergic to cats and dogs. It doesn't even take 5 minutes before he has the symptoms.

There are quite a few people who are allergic to dogs and cats at all varying degrees. IMO, it's very irresponsible of them to assume that this would not create problems.

I don't think we are the only ones who will not fly with them because of this.

By the way, I think it's really sad to see pets go in the baggage area. I don't think I could do that, but at the same time, I think people with allergies should be able to go in a plane without having these symptoms. And in this case, who is going to win out, people or pets?

 

[lisalonglash]

We are sympathetic to allergy sufferers, but the truth is that there is no such thing as an allergen-free flight. Therapy pets are always allowed in the cabin and dander is carried on clothing etc. Even the CDC in the US has never supported banning pets in the cabin for this reason.

Well said. There is NO SUCH THING as an allergen-free flight. Some people are allergic to cats/dogs, some people are allergic to perfumes/colognes, some people are allergic to peanuts, some people are allergic to dust, etc. Nobody can guarantee that any particular flight would have no animals on board, nobody wearing perfume/cologne, nobody with any peanut products, no dust on the plane, etc. It just isn't possible. Anyone with a severe allergy to anything should know that before taking a flight/bus and be prepared, I should think.

 

[minnie56]

About time too!
I think it's terrible that live animals have been travelling in the hold for too many years. Very inhumane..

 

[crashbb]

Just when we thought we would give AC another chance...this happens. My husband is very allergic to cats and dogs. It doesn't even take 5 minutes before he has the symptoms.

There are quite a few people who are allergic to dogs and cats at all varying degrees. IMO, it's very irresponsible of them to assume that this would not create problems.

I don't think we are the only ones who will not fly with them because of this.

By the way, I think it's really sad to see pets go in the baggage area. I don't think I could do that, but at the same time, I think people with allergies should be able to go in a plane without having these symptoms. And in this case, who is going to win out, people or pets?

So, who will you fly with?

Not being mean, honestly curious. West Jet already allowed animals on board and almost all US airlines also allow animals on board (South West just recently started to do so). All airlines have always allowed service animals on all flights, so there was always the chance that you'd be on a flight with an animal. Plus, as has been pointed out, there animal dander is probably carried onto almost every single flight.

 

[NikP]

I have no issues with people bring pets on a flight. I just hope they take into consideration the pet itself. 12 years ago on a flight to Orlando on Airtransat we shared our flight with someone's cat in the overhead compartment above us. The owner was nice enough to make sure she sat five rows away from her pet. The cat howled, vomitted and emptied its bowls. Not a very nice flight. We also had a stop in St Pete's to let off passangers. They shut the plane down and turned off the air conditioning while passangers deplaned. This is when the smell was unbearable. All we could think about was to get to Orlando and off of that plane.

After this I travelled with Vicks vapour rub. If we came across some smelly passangers, I would put alittle vicks on the end of my nose. No problem. Then came the no liquids and gel rule, and out went the Vicks.

 

[Ham Ham]

 

[fivebyfive]

If I have to listen to a cat or dog howl it's going down the crapper lol

And I know as a cat owner: cats yowl when they travel (it's loud, trust me, the engines won't drown it out!).

I've been on flights with the most misbehaved children EVER. This one flight, the child was crying, screaming, screetching, going on and on because he wasn't getting what he wanted. You all know the type of child I'm talking about. It was the LAST time we flew to Florida. Yes, it was THAT bad.

Sorry, but I'll glady take a cat, dog or ANY other animal making noise over that ANY day.

I don't think we are the only ones who will not fly with them because of this.

Probably not. But I would imagine that my family won't be the only ones who decide to fly with them because of this. So it will end up being a wash for Air Canada.

 

[dvcdisney]

So, who will you fly with?

Not being mean, honestly curious. West Jet already allowed animals on board and almost all US airlines also allow animals on board (South West just recently started to do so). All airlines have always allowed service animals on all flights, so there was always the chance that you'd be on a flight with an animal. Plus, as has been pointed out, there animal dander is probably carried onto almost every single flight.

I guess that leaves the charter flights....Air Transat and Canjet.

I will admit that we may have been fortunate enough during our past flights that we have never experience any pets in the cabin....or at least we didn't think so. My husband knows if there is a cat or dog in any room. It only takes a few minutes. He will sneeze if dander comes in on someone's clothes etc, but he will have full blown symptoms if the pet is actually in the room or very close vicinity.

Don't get me wrong, we love dogs. My husband pets every dog he can get close to. But I don't think it's asking too much for him not to have to fly with a dog/cat. The air is circulated within and it's not a large space. I just can't believe these airlines are putting passengers with pets ahead of those who don't....well, I guess I already know why. A pet owner is paying an extra $100 or so more per pet per way...so I guess it trumps my fare.

 

[LSmith]

I guess that leaves the charter flights....Air Transat and Canjet.

I will admit that we may have been fortunate enough during our past flights that we have never experience any pets in the cabin....or at least we didn't think so. My husband knows if there is a cat or dog in any room. It only takes a few minutes. He will sneeze if dander comes in on someone's clothes etc, but he will have full blown symptoms if the pet is actually in the room or very close vicinity.

Don't get me wrong, we love dogs. My husband pets every dog he can get close to. But I don't think it's asking too much for him not to have to fly with a dog/cat. The air is circulated within and it's not a large space. I just can't believe these airlines are putting passengers with pets ahead of those who don't....well, I guess I already know why. A pet owner is paying an extra $100 or so more per pet per way...so I guess it trumps my fare.

O.k. I'm confused. If your husband pets every dog he can get close to why should it be a problem if they are in a pet carrier on a flight? Come on now.

I understand allergies. I am very allergic if I pat animals and also suffer asthma from certain breeds for some reason.

I also think it's extremely inhumane to put a living creature below with the luggage. It is freezing down there!

For me, as long as I don't touch the animal I am usually fine. Usually I can't resist as I am an animal lover so I accept the consequences and need my inhaler and a cold wash cloth for my swollen eyes. I am also severely allergic to any perfumes and colognes which bring on an instant asthma attack. This happens several times a day sometimes in my regular life.

I also understand if you don't like animals and aren't into suffering the consequences. Maybe they need at least one pet free flight per day so the allergy sufferers can be safe?

Bottom line is I'm really happy that some animals will not suffer way worse than me in the horrific baggage compartment.

 

[Eeyoreloverforever]

But I can tell you that if this is allowed and a pet is on my plane. I will be creating a HUGE fuss!! Not only am I allergic to animals, it causes me to have an asthma attack. That is LIFE threatening.

I understand people love their pets, but they are ANIMALS. I should not have to die from lack of breath so your PET can be on the plane.