Pets allowed in Cabin of Air Canada

[crashbb]

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.

What would you do if there was a service animal on your flight?

For anyone with a life threatening allergy to animals, I always suggest having it noted on your reservation (even on airlines that do not allow pets in the cabin, due to the above noted service animal issue). This is something that should be dealt with BEFORE you get on the plane. Causing a fuss once on the plane is just going to get you taken off the flight.

 

[minnie56]

I just flew with a Service animal on a flight.
That person has as much right to fly as the next person. Sorry.
There are animals on flights a lot of the time..we are just becoming aware of it, that's all.

 

[Valjean13]

This past Christmas we flew West Jet to Edmonton. It was Dec 23, full flight. During our layover in the Calgary airport we saw dozens and dozens of animals in the terminal. I recognized quite a few pet owners that had been on our original flight, and I'd had no idea there had been that many pets on the plane. The only one I was aware of was a cat that started to meow half way though the flight. Perhaps it was partly because of all the dogs that were apparently on the plane too.

As a cat owner myself, I know how hard it can be to find people to look after your pet during the holidays, and how expensive it is to board them. Sometimes traveling with a pet is the last resort. That being said, perhaps there should be a few rows reserved for pet owners at the back. That way the allergy sufferers can request to sit at the front, as far from the pets as possible. But was this ever a problem on West Jet? If people were dying in the air as a result of pet allergies I'll bet we'd have heard of it by now.

 

[dvcdisney]

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.

Sorry, I should have been more clearer. He pets them outside and not inside a room. We don't visit anyone with pets at home. He doesn't even have to be close to them to feel the symptoms. It only take a few minutes and he's out the door. I don't have allergies to pets so I don't know how he feels so I cannot expect him to be able to sit and have a comfortable flight in a plane with pets.

He absolutely loves dogs, but he knows better than to get close to them inside. Maybe it's strange for him to be able to pet them outside, but cannot be in a house with pets. He is also allergic to some hypoallergenic dogs, so go figure? The point is that he is allergic to them and having them inside the cabin would make his flight miserable. However, this is obviously irrelevant to the airlines.

I don't like to see pets in the cargo as well. A friend of mine has always said that she would rather leave her pet with a friend or kennel than expose it to an airline travel. Not everyone would agree, but I agree with her.

 

[kevschickee]

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.

you can make a fuss all you want but I don't think it will change anything. It is your responcibility to check and see if there are any pets on board. Really dander can be on peoples clothes and lugage so at anytime you can have a reaction.

 

[fivebyfive]

Really dander can be on peoples clothes and lugage so at anytime you can have a reaction.

VERY well said!

I should not have to die from lack of breath so your PET can be on the plane.

If your allergies are so severe that you need a 'clean room' 24/7, then you shouldn't be on an airplane in the first place.

I would never bring my dog on a plane anyhow, but let me tell you my dog's hair is ALL OVER my clothes, luggage and whatnot. So by what you're saying - you could die if we were on the same flight - therefore you shouldn't be flying if your allergies are indeed that serious.

But was this ever a problem on West Jet? If people were dying in the air as a result of pet allergies I'll bet we'd have heard of it by now.

Nope never a problem on WestJet. But this is the DIS boards and every problem known to man can happen to members here.

 

[PhotobearSam]

Can you buy a seat for the dog or does it still have to be a small dog that fits in a carrier?

My Mom's dog is a ****zu (they say allergy free but not sure how much this is true. I don't get allergic reactions when I am near her but my allergy to dogs is not my worst)

She would pay a full fare to fly with the dog next to her as the dog has heart problems and can't go in the cargo anymore...

 

[Eeyoreloverforever]

My allergies lead to an asthma attack. Which if anyone doesn't realize, is your air way tubes filling with flem and swelling up thus constricting your air flow. It literally feels like every breath could be your last. And people do die from it. I do have a puffer and can take allergy pills, but I am not sure how much this would do being confined on a plane for hours. Normally I avoid contact with animals. If I go to a friends house who has animals, they vacuum before I come over, I take an allergy pill, bring my puffer and change my clothes as soon as I am home.

I would be very worried about being stuck on a plane with recirculated air that I can not escape for hours.

It also takes DAYS to recover from one of those attacks. That is not how I want to begin my vacation.


I do understand people love their pets, but why would you travel with them?

 

[fivebyfive]

My allergies lead to an asthma attack. Which if anyone doesn't realize, is your air way tubes filling with flem and swelling up thus constricting your air flow. It literally feels like every breath could be your last. And people do die from it.

You were clear enough. No one said that they didn't believe you that people can die from an asthma attack. In fact, my husband is an allergy/asthma sufferer, so you're preaching to the choir.

However as a previous poster asked, what would you do if it was a service animal? Therefore, your allergies should be noted by the airline to avoid such conflicts beforehand or you shouldn't be flying in the first place. Making a 'fuss' on the plane will doing nothing but get yourself kicked off said flight.

I do understand people love their pets, but why would you travel with them?

Sorry, but you really don't understand that people love their pets - as if you did - you would of never asked that question.

I would never in a million years take my dog to WDW or somewhere of that nature simply because there wouldn't be anything for him there. However, if I was heading up North to relax or any such place, I'd love to bring my dog with me, as he is family. Yeah, I said family.

You're forgetting that there are couples in this world (such as myself) who cannot have children and therefore their pets help with that void/depression and in some cases can be just as important as children.

 

[Northstar]

Just wanted to say: Ham Ham, I LOVE your pictures! Where do you find all these great pix... you must be the champion of putting the right words into the search engine on Google Image search!

I'm sorry if people suffering from allergies are inconvenienced by animals being allowed in the cabin, but this is a case where the poor pets have rights, too. I'd rather see the airlines ban perfumes, smoke-permeated clothes, and nut snacks, all of which can be dangerous allergens for some people, than animals.

I hope this policy works out.

 

[Ham Ham]

Just wanted to say: Ham Ham, I LOVE your pictures! Where do you find all these great pix... you must be the champion of putting the right words into the search engine on Google Image search!

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

I am very much against it! I have two dogs and I still don't agree with it. I feel terrible for all the people with allergies to cats and dogs. I honestly don't understand why they should be allowed in the cabin.
I think its a very bad decision on AC part.

 

[christiane]

Allowing pets in the cabin is not new...anyone who has flown on a major North American or European carrier in the last 15 years or so has probably flown with a pet in the cabin. Even if they didn't know it!

Pets are in an enclosed carrier & are not allowed out during the flight. Pet allergens are primarily saliva & dander so there is very little chance these materials could escape the fine mesh that is used for the carrier's ventilation. Also air in the cabin is not 100% recirculated; it is about 50% fresh air drawn in by the engines & 50% recirculated.

I am truly sympathetic to allergy suffers, but whether or not a pet is on the flight, a severe reaction could happen to those who are prone to it. Anyone with such severe allergies/asthma knows to be prepared at all times.

For people who just don't want pets on the flight..well, no sympathy for you! I don't want to sit beside a smoker, someone who is wearing heavy perfume or wearing a fur coat. I don't want to sit beside someone who smells like a distillery or who is eating a greasy hamburger or gorgonzola cheese. I don't want to sit beside someone whose foot odour would knock you over. Don't even talk to me about the snorers!! But I have sat beside all of these people and since they have the right to do or act as they wish, I don't have a right to say anything, so I don't.

 

[braydensmom]

For people who just don't want pets on the flight..well, no sympathy for you! I don't want to sit beside a smoker, someone who is wearing heavy perfume or wearing a fur coat. I don't want to sit beside someone who smells like a distillery or who is eating a greasy hamburger or gorgonzola cheese. I don't want to sit beside someone whose foot odour would knock you over. Don't even talk to me about the snorers!! But I have sat beside all of these people and since they have the right to do or act as they wish, I don't have a right to say anything, so I don't.

Well said!

I have very bad allergies to many things, I have inhalers, medicine, and have an air purifier in all rooms in our home....I would think that most people that have severe allergies would take medicine before boarding a plane whether there knew an animal was onboard or not...
And it's really not anyones business as to why someone has an animal on board with them, perhaps they are moving across the country, going to their vacation home or anywhere for an extended stay.
This is not new, so unless you have only flown Air Canada for the last 20 years, more than likely there has been an animal in the cabin with you.
Are we going to discuss babies from boarding a plane next??? They poop and cry and make noise on planes as well?!?

 

[crashbb]

This is not new, so unless you have only flown Air Canada for the last 20 years, more than likely there has been an animal in the cabin with you. /QUOTE]

Actually, it is even worse than that. Air Canada allowed pets in the cabin up until a few years ago (maybe as long as 5, but no more than that, and I'm pretty sure it is less). So, unless you only started flying 5 years ago AND only flew on Air Canada AND were not on a flight with a service animal, you have likely been on a flight with an animal in the cabin.

 

[Leafsgirl36]

For people who just don't want pets on the flight..well, no sympathy for you! I don't want to sit beside a smoker, someone who is wearing heavy perfume or wearing a fur coat. I don't want to sit beside someone who smells like a distillery or who is eating a greasy hamburger or gorgonzola cheese. I don't want to sit beside someone whose foot odour would knock you over. Don't even talk to me about the snorers!! But I have sat beside all of these people and since they have the right to do or act as they wish, I don't have a right to say anything, so I don't.

Well said, there have also been complaints about the noise but I don't see how it is different then sitting near a child who screams the whole flight or insists on kicking the back of your seat the whole flight.

There are always going to be people that have allergies to certain things such as animals, perfumes and peanuts and there is no way to avoid them by flying as there may be a service dog on your flight, someone eating a peanut butter sandwich or someone who bathed in perfume that day. If you are truely that upset or allergic don't fly.

I have an allergy to anything that has a strong smell such as perfume, fabric softner etc. I also like to sit and relax on my flight but I know it is seldom going to happen due to either a child screaming or someone in front of me reclining their seat, but it is a choice I make. I choose to fly rather then drive as it is faster and more convienent.

No matter what anyone chooses to do there are always going to be some people who agree and those who don't. And everyone has a valid point.

 

[LSmith]

For those who put asthma and allergies in the same category as crying babies, etc. I thought I'd copy an article I just read. BTW I am not against animals in cabins but I really think there should be flights that are pet free for serious allergy suffers.

"In light of Air Canada's decision to follow WestJet's lead and allow pets to travel in the passenger cabin of airplanes, The Canadian Lung Association today released the following statement:

"We are very disappointed by the decision of both Air Canada and WestJet to allow passengers to bring their pets in airplane cabins. This decision, while understandable in its desire to enhance customer service, unnecessarily puts at risk many individuals who suffer from respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD.

Air inside airplane cabins re-circulates- it gets recycled through the vents. And airplane cabins are small spaces. This means that even a small amount of allergen- like the hair, saliva or dander of a pet- can spread quickly throughout the airplane cabin. The allergen in the air can reach every passenger on the plane, even people sitting far away from the pet. For people with allergies who have asthma or COPD, pet allergens can trigger wheezing, coughing, and swelling in the airways - otherwise known as an asthma flare-up (asthma attack) or a COPD flare-up. These reactions can be serious and even life-threatening.

The Lung Association is calling on the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health to examine this issue when the Committee resumes sitting in the fall. We believe that the risks posed to passengers warrants the Committee's review of this policy decision by the airlines.

The Lung Association would be most willing to appear before the Committee on this topic of importance to the millions of Canadians who suffer from asthma, COPD, allergies and other respiratory diseases.

In the interim, The Lung Association urges all Canadians with asthma or other respiratory diseases that may be exacerbated by allergic reaction to animals, to ensure their disease is properly managed every day - including when they are planning to travel, and to bring their quick-relief medicine (usually in a blue puffer) in their carry-on luggage".

Source
The Lung Association "

 

[christiane]

For those who put asthma and allergies in the same category as crying babies, etc. I thought I'd copy an article I just read. BTW I am not against animals in cabins but I really think there should be flights that are pet free for serious allergy suffers.

"In light of Air Canada's decision to follow WestJet's lead and allow pets to travel in the passenger cabin of airplanes, The Canadian Lung Association today released the following statement:...."

Why is the Lung Association acting like this is new policy? The earliest I can recall my pets flying in the cabin on Air Canada was 1992 & it may have been earlier than that. They stopped allowing it during the summer of 2006. So, for at least 14 years pets were flying the friendly skies in Canada. Where was the Lung Association then? They have just jumped on a bandwagon!

Has anyone ever heard of a situation on a plane where someone has been severely ill or died due to a pet onboard? I'm sure that if it has, then it would have been international news and airlines would have immediately banned pets.

I am also sure that Air Canada's legal team has been very much a part of their decision to allow pets again & there is no way they would reverse themselves for at most, $800 revenue per flight (4 pets at $200 each on an international flight) if there was significant adverse risk.

This is information directly from the FAA website:

I have severe allergies to pet dander. How can I be sure that there is no pet dander on my flight?
You will still be exposed to pet dander on every flight , even without any pets in the passenger cabin. This is because most allergens are carried into the cabin on the clothes of other passengers.

Then what should I do if I am allergic to pet dander, but I need to fly?
First, you can reduce the chance that there will be an animal in the cabin on your flight. You can fly on an airline that does not allow pets in the cabin. You can also ask the reservations agent for your airline if another passenger on the same flight has made reservations to travel with a pet. You should also check with your allergist or doctor before your trip to discuss travel related risks and ask if you should carry medications with you. If a reaction should occur during the flight, follow your doctor's treatment instructions and ask a flight attendant for assistance.

I would never put a nuisance issue (such as noise) up against a life-threatening issue. However, with no exaggeration, I can say that our pets have been on hundreds of flights over the last 17 years or so and I am sure allergic/asthmatic people have been on the same flights with our pets and never even knew it.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

Ah there getting on board because it's in the lime light. All I can say is I hope none of you are on board if I ever bring my dog on a plane. When she gets nervous she gets these smelly fish sack farts that can really turn anybody stomach inside out . lol. As for me I always make sure my alergy meds are topped up and puffers handy. Actually last time i had to put them in packed luggage as they wouldn't allow me to take them in cabin. Oh well.

 

[crashbb]

As for me I always make sure my alergy meds are topped up and puffers handy. Actually last time i had to put them in packed luggage as they wouldn't allow me to take them in cabin. Oh well.

That should NOT have happened. Medical needs are except from the liquid (and other) carry on bans. I always have any medical stuff that I need on the plane with me. Even those that I know I won't need during the flight - what happens if your bag is lost and/or delayed? Whoever made you put them in checked luggage was totally wrong.