A woman’s flight home from America to Ireland “got a whole lot better” after a friendly Golden Retriever sat in the row in front of her.
In the video, posted by Amie Wiley, which has over a million views, she films the dog through the gap in the seats, captioning the video: “The best boy”.
One user commented: “The ONLY way tat dog gets to fly in the cabin is if he is a service dog.” Other users argued that the dog might be too big to sit in a crate under the seat.
Condé Nast Traveler reported that: “Unfortunately, larger dogs (with exceptions for trained service animals) have to travel in the cargo hold, along with all the luggage and freight. Most airlines describe this as “shipping” your pet. (Yikes.)”
Here are the rules for traveling with your pet on three of America’s biggest airlines.
American Airlines
It’s possible to take your pet in the cabin depending on its breed and size on American Airlines. Carry on pets are restricted to cats and dogs that meet the size, age and destination requirements, according to the American Airlines website.
“Fully-trained service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge if they meet the requirements. Please contact Reservations before your trip so we can notify you of any requirements or travel changes that may affect you and your pet, like aircraft restrictions.”
American Airlines define a service animal as “a dog that’s individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability, including but not limited to:
It also says: “Please note, service animals in training, emotional support animals, and comfort animals may travel as pets, not as service animals. All requirements and applicable fees will apply.”
Ryan Jello/Getty Images
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines allows small vaccinated domestic cats and dogs to travel with you in the cabin under the seat in front of you in the appropriate carrier. It states: “Pets are not allowed to travel in-cabin on international flights or any itinerary that includes an international flight.”
It allows six pets per flight, one per person and might refuse to let the pet board if it “engages in disruptive behavior such as:
- Scratching, excessive whining or barking
- Growling, biting, lunging
- Urinating or defecating in the cabin or gate area
For service animals mustn’t block any paths or exits, extend into the aircraft aisle, occupy an aircraft or seat, occupy a tray table, or encroach upon a neighboring seat.
Delta
“Small dogs, cats and household birds can travel in the cabin for a one-way fee, collected at check-in. They must be able to fit in a small, ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you” says Delta.
It lists the following requirements when flying with a small pet as a carry-on:
- Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old for domestic travel
- Your pet must be 16 weeks old if traveling to the U.S. from another country and must be at least 15 weeks old when traveling to the European Union
- One pet is permitted per kennel with the following exceptions:
- One female cat/dog may travel with her un-weaned litter if the litter is between 10 weeks to six months of age
- No limit on the number of animals in the litter
- Two pets of the same breed and size between the age of 10 weeks and six months may be allowed to travel in one kennel as long as they are small enough to fit into a single kennel and are compatible – they will be charged as one pet.”
It’s also important to note that pets in cabin kennels will count as your one carry-on item.
With service animals it reports: “Service animals are accepted in cabin for qualified individuals with a disability. Delta accepts only trained service animals that are dogs. Customers traveling with a trained service dog(s) must complete the required DOT form(s) available on this page. Delta no longer recognizes emotional support animals as service animals.”
Newsweek has reached out to Amie Wiley for comment.
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