As progressive as the airline industry has been about nut allergies, it is surprising that it is so behind the times when it comes to respecting passengers with pet allergies. It is a given that service dogs have long been allowed on planes (and trains and hotels), but the incidence of clearly sighted people with small—often ill-behaved—dogs on planes is clearly on the rise. RELATED: There’s a cat on my flight: What to do if you’re allergic
Golden retrievers walk in the aisles, Pomeranians defecate in the galley and some pet owners even take their dogs to use the regular bathrooms. That can’t be good, yet most are classified as emotional support animals. Most airlines have weight restrictions of 20 to 25 pounds for dogs to fly in the cabin … which are not respected. Honestly, your 70-pound lab probably doesn’t want to be stuffed under your seat for that 11-hour trip to Paris, no matter how much he will miss you if you leave him with a sitter.
Airline personnel hate the growing number of emotional support animals they are seeing on flights—which have included pigs and peacocks—as well. Off the record, they have told me that these dogs bark, poop and generally run riot making a big mess that airline staff then need to clean up. Their owners rarely discipline them despite other passengers’ allergies and fear of dogs.
RELATED: Should airlines offer kid-free flights?
Passengers have even been bitten in flight and others have passed out in the aisles for unknown reasons on pet-packed flights I have been one, traveling approximately 150,000 miles a year for my job as a journalist covering food and wine. Passengers have been quick to make epi pens available to airline staff to revive ill passengers but are rarely taken up on the offer. A five-year-old developed hives from a nearby dog when on a plane with his family in 2016 as the dog owner would not move. The passengers applauded when the boy and his family deplaned.
As someone for whom dog hair can cause anaphylactic shock—meaning my throat closes—I have had to constantly navigate a minefield of anxiety animals on planes for the past decades. The airlines are of little help—which is odd as they hate the extra effort of dealing with dogs—as they often can’t see in advance when dogs are booked on the plane, have to accommodate emotional support animals until the last minute and they offer you few solutions to rebook your flight or change your seat.
As a result, I call the airlines multiple times to ask about pets; check in early and often change flights—and arrive hours and days late–to avoid emotional support animals. These are all things I don’t think should fall on the shoulders of the allergic passenger, be that allergy to nuts or dogs.
Is it not time that the airlines try to limit the amount of emotional support dogs on planes and work with those who are allergic to them? Severe allergies pose as much of a physical danger to the human body—if not more—as emotional stress. Isn’t it time for airlines to create a handful of pet-free flights on well-traveled routes and start respecting the concerns of passengers with pet allergies?
This story was originally published in 2022 but has since been updated.
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I am highly sensitive to fragrances of any kind – so much so, I have all fragrance-free detergents, cleaning products, shampoos, and pretty much avoid anything scented. I get blindingly painful headaches and rashes just inhaling fabric sofeners and perfumes.I use eye drops and wear an N95 mask on any public conveyance. Who knew that all I needed to say is that everyone on my flight, bus, or train refrain from using or wearing any of those items! (being sarcastic here).
I have a cat and I know a number of people who are allergic to cats, yet I can have cat hair/dander on my clothing, luggage, and hair and it does not bother them. But, somehow, on a plane with sophisticated air filtration, my cat, in her carrier, under the seat in front of me, is causing all kinds of problems?
If someone wants to travel with a pet, as long as they buy a ticket for said pet and keep it in a carrier or muzzled, and clean up after it, they should be allowed on a plane.
People are worse than the pets. Get rid of people, too!
F emotional support animals! If you can’t go somewhere without your pet rat Stay the F home! This stupidity has to Stop. No Animals period.
If you claim It’s a Guide Dog you must provide legitimate documentation.
Likewise, legitimate documentation must be required for anyone claiming to need a wheelchair. Who hasn’t seen the amazing miracles of 10 or 12 people in Wheelchairs boarding, but only 2 or 3 needing a Wheelchair to deboard? All BS scams to board first.
planes are for humans. dogs were flown in cargo for decades so why do you think dogs are now more important than humans? if dog owners want to fly with their pets then they should purchase private jets and fly or drive. Dogs should never be able to inconvenience people and affect their f health on flights.
severe allergy sufferer here. Hospital level. I haven’t been able to fly for 12 years because of the animals. They bring a Hazmat crew for a peanut, but dirty dogs and cats are just allowed on? Come on. They wont change the rules until someone sues them. Little do they know how hard they can monetize pet free planes. It’s ridiculous.
Emotional support animals are no longer allowed on flights. The FAA only allows service dogs and animals kept in carriers under the seat. Any other animal is technically illegal. People that bring their pets on airplanes, but lie about them being legitimate service animals, need to be fined and bared from flying again for a few years. Same thing for people that let their animals out of their carriers on the airplane. That would fix the problem pretty fast. Also, service animals need to be registered and licensed. That way it’s that much harder to fake.
Yes, I believe dogs should fly free. Dogs don’t ask for anything but to be with their parents or owners. I rather have a dog anytime than human. If airports would not let people drink before getting on the planes, flying might be a little nicer. If they do drink, they should have a stamp on their hand, let the on or not. You don’t get this out of a dog.