Your dog may qualify as a service dog, flys at no charge.

[Cat Hunter]

I just wanted to add that Alitalia, Continental and US airways allow the carriage of small dogs in the cabin on international and domestic flights.
I think probably lots of European airlines have this policy, but I don't have personal experience with the others it would be best to check.

My service dog sleeps on planes, it is as if he had been tranquilized! (which I would never do). He looks out the window at first and then curls up and sleeps on my lap, I have had so many compliments about his behavior
It takes time and effort to train a dog to behave like this and we had a few 'moments' when he was younger but it is so worth it.

[Deuce]

I want to throw out there that Southwest allows small dogs/cats to fly in cabin and DO NOT fly animals in cargo. They are also much cheaper than the other airlines, $75 each way, so just $150 is the total cost for Rizzo to fly in cabin with me. And to top it off they no longer require a health certificate from your vet, however they will ask to see your pet on the day of travel to ensure you aren't flying with a sick/in pain animal, or an animal that is likely to cause a problem on the flight. Their reasons for this according to the woman on the phone was because they aren't allowed out of their carriers on the plane so there is no need to have a vet certification they are healthy.

[Cat Hunter]

Hi, I took my baby with me on a couple of flights during his training, he was not qualified at that time to be a service dog, the first flight was great and the cabin crew had no problem with Mogwi on my lap as long as he was not bothering the other passengers. The way back was a nightmare, he was only a puppy at that time and the cabin crew decided that he HAD to stay in the carrier under the seat in front of me even though all around (we were in First class) said they did not mind, she would not change her mind and my poor dog cried non stop, he could not understand why he could not be with me. It was awful.

[Kaos]

Originally Posted by Deuce

I want to throw out there that Southwest allows small dogs/cats to fly in cabin and DO NOT fly animals in cargo. They are also much cheaper than the other airlines, $75 each way, so just $150 is the total cost for Rizzo to fly in cabin with me. And to top it off they no longer require a health certificate from your vet, however they will ask to see your pet on the day of travel to ensure you aren't flying with a sick/in pain animal, or an animal that is likely to cause a problem on the flight. Their reasons for this according to the woman on the phone was because they aren't allowed out of their carriers on the plane so there is no need to have a vet certification they are healthy.

I ALWAYS fly southwest!!! Love them. They were always AWESOME with Kaos. I payed for him every flight until he was licensed. He stayed under the seat, and never made a noise. Once he was licensed it becomes documented with your name that you are flying with a service animal, so they are prepared for check in. No hassle at all. I have even heard of some crews taking your dog between flights to relieve themselves.

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by Cat Hunter

Hi, I took my baby with me on a couple of flights during his training, he was not qualified at that time to be a service dog, the first flight was great and the cabin crew had no problem with Mogwi on my lap as long as he was not bothering the other passengers. The way back was a nightmare, he was only a puppy at that time and the cabin crew decided that he HAD to stay in the carrier under the seat in front of me even though all around (we were in First class) said they did not mind, she would not change her mind and my poor dog cried non stop, he could not understand why he could not be with me. It was awful.

From FAA's webiste:
Can I be sure that there will be no animals on my flight if an airline does not allow pets in the cabin?
No, you can't be sure. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has rules (14 CFR part 382) (PDF) that require airlines to allow passengers to fly with their service animals in the cabin on all U.S. airlines. Service animals are not pets. They are working animals that assist persons with disabilities. There is no limit to the number of service animals that can be on any flight. Service animals do not need any health certificates to travel and they do not need to be confined in a container or cage.

What kind of general procedures do most airlines have in place?
If an airline allows you to travel with your pet in the cabin, you must follow all FAA regulations. Usually, most airlines have additional policies and procedures for you to follow to make sure that the flight is comfortable for all passengers on the airplane. These additional procedures may include
A limited list of the types of pets that you can bring into the cabin
A limit on the number of pets in the cabin
A limit on the number of pets that may accompany you on the airplane
A requirement that your pet be harmless, inoffensive and odorless
A requirement that your pet remain in the container for the entire flight
A requirement that you be able to produce a recently issued health certificate for your pet


Because service dogs aren't considered pets they aren't required to stay in the container for the entire flight, so if you have the documentation stating that he is a service animal then they can't force you to keep him locked up. Service dogs are trained to provide a service for their human handler, and most if not all cannot do that from inside their container.

Because your dog was just a puppy at the time, and I assume was not yet a service dog, the air crew were correct in making you keep him in his container. Pets are much more unpredictable, especially when in a stressful situation like flying. Personally, I know Rizzo is much more comfortable in his carrier than he is exposed to all sorts of strangers and he would likely freak out.

Just saying, don't get mad at the aircrew for enforcing the rules that are in place for the safety of the passengers and even for your pet. Imagine a flight where you have a 5lb dog freaking out, running under the seats and you're trying to catch him and get him under control. It would be chaos and that is something that no passenger would want to deal with on a flight.

[Kaos]

Originally Posted by Deuce

From FAA's webiste:
Can I be sure that there will be no animals on my flight if an airline does not allow pets in the cabin?
No, you can't be sure. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has rules (14 CFR part 382) (PDF) that require airlines to allow passengers to fly with their service animals in the cabin on all U.S. airlines. Service animals are not pets. They are working animals that assist persons with disabilities. There is no limit to the number of service animals that can be on any flight. Service animals do not need any health certificates to travel and they do not need to be confined in a container or cage.

What kind of general procedures do most airlines have in place?
If an airline allows you to travel with your pet in the cabin, you must follow all FAA regulations. Usually, most airlines have additional policies and procedures for you to follow to make sure that the flight is comfortable for all passengers on the airplane. These additional procedures may include
A limited list of the types of pets that you can bring into the cabin
A limit on the number of pets in the cabin
A limit on the number of pets that may accompany you on the airplane
A requirement that your pet be harmless, inoffensive and odorless
A requirement that your pet remain in the container for the entire flight
A requirement that you be able to produce a recently issued health certificate for your pet


Because service dogs aren't considered pets they aren't required to stay in the container for the entire flight, so if you have the documentation stating that he is a service animal then they can't force you to keep him locked up. Service dogs are trained to provide a service for their human handler, and most if not all cannot do that from inside their container.

Because your dog was just a puppy at the time, and I assume was not yet a service dog, the air crew were correct in making you keep him in his container. Pets are much more unpredictable, especially when in a stressful situation like flying. Personally, I know Rizzo is much more comfortable in his carrier than he is exposed to all sorts of strangers and he would likely freak out.

Just saying, don't get mad at the aircrew for enforcing the rules that are in place for the safety of the passengers and even for your pet. Imagine a flight where you have a 5lb dog freaking out, running under the seats and you're trying to catch him and get him under control. It would be chaos and that is something that no passenger would want to deal with on a flight.

Good post.

I had to LOL at the end though. When I flew with Kaos as a pup, I used to take him out during flight. He was only 2lbs and it was a six hour flight, and I couldn't help myself. I used to ask the people next to me to wake me up if he jumped out of my lap, they always used to giggle. I know I wasn't allowed, and every time I was asked to put him away I did, because after all there rules are in place for a reason. Luckily Kaos never moved out of my lap on any of the trips, just slept through them all.

[Cat Hunter]

I think the rules for pet dogs being in a crate and under a seat are in place because of allergies people have. My main problem with the rule is that it seems arbitrary and up the the cabin steward. The part of the above comment that says dogs should not be running about the plan is in fact not a good reason to put them in a crate and under the seat, they can easily be attached to your seat belt using a harness and carabiner, much nicer for the dog and it's human!

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by Cat Hunter

I think the rules for pet dogs being in a crate and under a seat are in place because of allergies people have. My main problem with the rule is that it seems arbitrary and up the the cabin steward. The part of the above comment that says dogs should not be running about the plan is in fact not a good reason to put them in a crate and under the seat, they can easily be attached to your seat belt using a harness and carabiner, much nicer for the dog and it's human!

Yeah, but it would only take one dog biting incident to put a ban on all pets flying in cabin. Again, the rules are on place to keep owners and pets safe. Dogs get really anxious flying, lots of unfamiliar people and noises so that are much mote likely to percieve a stranger just reaching forward to pull a magazine out of the pouch in front of them ad a threat and snap at them. Service animals are trained to be calm in these types of situations, pets are not, thus it is for safety reasons that PETS are toremain in their carriers safely under the away in front of you.

[Deuce]

Oh, and its not because of allergies because I know I'm usually wearing more dander on my clothes from my cat then most small dogs wear on their bodies.

[Cat Hunter]

I have read that many people have allergies and I have been told that is the reason airlines require pets to be under the seat. It just seems that the rule/law is not evenly applied. If the cabin crew are dog lovers they will ask the next passenger to you if it bothers them and if they say no then you can have your pet on your lap. It should be one way or the other if serious issues are at stake.
I have an assistance dog so this issue does not apply to me. But I still feel sorry for those who have to put their dogs under the seat, it is better than in the hold though!!

[Kaos]

Originally Posted by Cat Hunter

I think the rules for pet dogs being in a crate and under a seat are in place because of allergies people have. My main problem with the rule is that it seems arbitrary and up the the cabin steward. The part of the above comment that says dogs should not be running about the plan is in fact not a good reason to put them in a crate and under the seat, they can easily be attached to your seat belt using a harness and carabiner, much nicer for the dog and it's human!

I totally disagree. I don't believe it is arbitrary at all, and having your dog in a carrier under your seat is not inhumane. I've met a lot of very unsocialized misbaved yorkies (owners fault) and the last thing anyone needs is for any dog to bite someone or get loose on the plane. It is especially stressful for some dogs in flight. I for one like there flight policy for dogs. Just me though.

[yorkiemini]

The difference here is - the person flying with a service dog would not be able to travel (on the plane) with out the specific service that the dog provides for its handler. There are laws that allow for this needed assistance. Pets, although, treasured and loved, do not provide a necessary service for the traveler and therefore do not have the ADA laws to cover their presence.

Airlines, businesses etc, cannot deny the service dog because they provide a required service, but pets do not enjoy that acceptance - at least not in this country.

[Cat Hunter]

I would want to correct the behavior of any pet that decides to bite, usually a fear response. I just think that putting a dog who normally has the run of the house under the seat in a very small box (it has to be small or it won't fit especially now with the addition of video equipment under the seats too) would seem to the dog like a punishment. Also, by arbitrary, I mean that the application of this rule (the enforcement if you like) is up to the flight attendant in your cabin of service, I have seen some enforce it and some not, so it is arbitrary.

[YorkieMiki]

If you don't have an ailment or actually need a service dog isn't this morally wrong?

This is taking advantage of the system...I don't think it's ethical. What about people that actually need assistance from dogs, like blind people or people who do have severe anxiety or other problems? If every dog owner started doing this it would be harder for disabled people. Think about a cabin full of pets. Where do we draw the line?

[Cat Hunter]

I am not sure what you are referring to? Of course people should not lie about the status their dog has, I just wish that the US airlines were as understanding at the European ones.