There are plenty of people who think modern air travel is inhumane. Today’s coach cabin isn’t fit for people. One man says Alaska Airlines economy is worse than that: it killed his dog.
Michael Contillo of San Francisco has filed a lawsuit against Alaska Airlines, accusing the carrier of negligence following the death of his French bulldog on a flight between New York and San Francisco. He and his dogs were downgraded from first class to economy – which, he says, was stressful and the reason his French bulldog is dead.
- He and his father were traveling with two bulldogs. They had flown the dogs from San Francisco and New York, and travel for the dogs had been signed off on by a vet prior to the return flight. He didn’t claim they were emotional support animals – he paid the pet in cabin fees. The passengers were downgraded, they say, for “safety reasons.”
- In Contillo’s view, the tighter quarters in row 11 were dangerous – not fit for short-nose dogs. He says the dog began breathing heavily and appeared panicked. He quieted down after takeoff, and he thought the dog went to sleep. On landing he discovered that it had not.
- He complains in his lawsuit that as he wept, crew showed no sympathy, and one flight attendant remarked, “Now you’re going to blame us for killing your dog.” (I mean, they were right.) I don’t see this lawsuit going anywhere because if a court declares coach unfit for dogs… then what?
Several years ago United Airlines had a series of unfortunate events with animals. The airline reportedly locked the World’s Biggest Rabbit in a freezer for hours and them cremated it without permission. A dog died while traveling United when an agent’s mistake meant that the dog traveled 20 hours longer than expected. And they mixed up two dogs and sent each one to the wrong city. Then a flight attendant forced a dog into an overhead bin which killed him.
United actually made real mistakes. Alaska Airlines just… flew a passenger safely in economy, with the dog under his own care. Is Alaska Airlines at fault? It seems like the fact that the other French bulldog made it suggests that flying coach wasn’t the problem and there was an unfortunate issue specific to the dog that passed?
And if lack of space in the cabin is the problem, maybe the passenger is at fault for not buying the dogs their own seats?
By the way, this doesn’t just work on United.
In fall of 2000, a 300 pound pig flew first class on US Airways. At the end of the flight the pig “ran squealing through the Boeing 757 on landing, soiling the cabin. If you do this make sure to keep your pet under control, please.
In the meantime, please refrain from threatening gate agents working the preflight upgrade list, “if you don’t move me up, my dog’s death will be on you.”
Why didn’t the passenger just ask to be rebooked on the next flight for which first-class seating is available?
Why should an airline be able to downgrade anyone to a lower class than they paid for? This trend among US airlines is really disturbing. It seems much preferable to fly on foreign airlines (foreign metal, not just code shares) when possible. Isn’t that a reasonable inference?
Poor Dog.
The owner is obviously a GD idiot.
Taking a bulldog on a plane with thinner air like that at 8000 feet is dangerous. He took his pet’s life into his own hands. They’re known to have respiratory issues and just because a vet says it’s OK doesn’t mean it actually will be OK.
None of this is the airline’s fault, even if the downgrade was potentially silly.
@ K Helldoge — Agree
I’m having a tough time seeing how Alaska was at fault here. The suggestion that the dog basically died of a heart attack because it was in coach is prima facie ludicrous.
Offended by everything, not responsible for anything, contributes nothing.
Morons, a flight is very upsetting for a dog. Unless you have a valid need to for an assistance dog leave your dog at a pet hotel.
We all know that the 1st Class cabin air is superior to common folk Coach. The poor pup is obviously a 1st Class type of dog and making him travel Coach is akin to a death sentence. Alaska Airlines should just be glad the man and his father also didn’t pass away en-route. /s
I do feel bad for the dog’s owner. Losing a beloved pet is emotionally devastating. I don’t think having to fly Coach was the cause.
A dog is properly in the USA. I would assume that this was not a show dog did not have AKA papers had health issues
Property value maybe $100.
If Airline s fault for not giving enough air and PAX did not suffocate it. Here your $100.
Lifetime ban
My wife is a vet; while you can “clear” a French bulldog for a pressurized flight, there is a risk due to variations in cabin pressure. In her opinion, this breed has a lot of issues and she would not fly one anywhere.
While I can understand the dog owner’s anger at the loss of his pet, this was all on him
These people were most likely pushed to economy due to an air marshall needing to be those seats…..thats where i can see it being “for safety reasons”. It can also be due to an allergy of another passenger.
The floor space between F class and Y class isnt that different. I see no difference between the two.
This is a shame lawsuit blaming their own negligence on someone else. As mentioned….these dogs are very difficult health wise….in regards to breathing issues…..so they should leave them at home.
They are required to keep them in the carrier at all times….Alaska followed protocol…regardless of where the passengers sat…..these dogs were in thier care the entire time. Moving from one seat or another should have no bearing on the health of the dog IF it was healthy to begin with…..
They just put this in the media to get sympathy to try and extract a settlement from AS….dont do it AS!
You need to fit an airline that treats dogs properly.
Air Korea treats then with a bit of ginger and soy.
This article misses the whole point — this wasn’t about being in economy class at all.
This was about needlessly moving a helpless pup right before takeoff. Such a move could certainly cause a dog to get very anxious, breathe heavier, heart rate increase — all of which could be fatal to a dog immediately before altitude and pressure changes.
Horrible and tragic!! I’d definitely hold the airline accountable
Also shame on the trolls on here — does anyone have a heart anymore?
The airlines shouldn’t allow ANY animal on the plane. Period. If you need to transport your dog or cat, drive, fly private or use a professional service that actually specializes in this, not a commercial airline aimed at humans.
Alaska Airlines sucks! They downgraded a first class passenger with no stated reason and a dog ended up dead. I would sue them too. This airline keeps getting worse over time. Alaska Airlines is same airline that allowed an off duty pilot on drugs in the cockpit where he proceeded to try to take the plane down. Alaska Airlines doesn’t care about animals, customers, or much of anything else. I don’t fly Alaska for a reason. There are way better options to choose from. #AlaskaAirlinesSucks
Did the dog poop in the seat?
@A Sharma – they did mention a reason. In fact they can move you for safety reasons including weight and balance. I assure you AS does care more than other carriers. This passenger is clearly at fault by bringing a vulnerable animal who cant make the normal trip.
@Mina – if a dog being moved or bumped is enough to cause serious health issues; they shouldnt be flying. What about moderate turbulence enroute? Thats more disturbing than moving a dog.
I sympathize for the dog owner….losing a pup is always terrible….but maybe think it was thier own negligence that caused the pup to die or the pup had a condition that didnt allow it to be fit for travel….
I hope the outcome will be available when this is settled. Alaska allowed the dogs onboard according to their regulations. I think it will be tough to prove that Alaska Airlines was negligent enough to get a judgement against them. Maybe the vet could have provided medication to calm the dogs on the journey. Possibly the owners being upset made the dogs more unsettled.
Leave your animals at home.
Guitars! Now dogs! What’s next?
Anyone so inconsiderate to both his animals and fellow passengers, shouldn’t be in public. I feel bad for the animals, not for this loon