A New York City-based family filmed the start of their vacation flight, departing Newark on United Airlines. They brought their Yorkshire Terriers alone, buying each of the two dogs a seat in business class. The dogs, Amy and Emily, are “task-trained service animals” according to their owner. Do you believe them?
The girls are always happy to spread peace, love and happiness Emily may look like she was judging, but in reality she was just wishing they would hurry up with boarding and turn the lights off!!
Airlines were able to crack down on emotional support animals six years ago, sort of. You need to fill out paperwork in advance, attesting that they’re actual service dogs. Then they do not have to be treated as a ‘pet in cabin’ kept in their carrier underneath the seat in front of you (giving up one of your carry-on items and paying the pet in cabin fee). You can buy them their own seat.
Frankly buying a seat for a dog is better than having a large dog on the floor, protruding into the space of the passenger next to you. And these are dogs – not a horse or a turkey and not a rabbit or a peacock either. They’re small, cute dogs no a pitbull.
My biggest concern here is, what route are they flying? These are business class seats, not domestic first class seats. While United does fly these on some shorter routes, they are mostly used for long haul, transoceanic flights. The dogs are going to need to potty. And the truth is that planes aren’t cleaned that extensively between flights, and also that Yorkies are notoriously difficult to potty train in any case.
Bathroom issues aside, dogs can behave much better than many passengers I see in cabins these days. And buying them a seat is great. United will no longer accept pets in cargo, with some limited military and foreign service exceptions, after losing a rash of animals and worse six years ago under their ironically-named ‘PetSafe’ program. So what else is a passenger to do?
These dogs are exceptionally well behaved and it’s easy for me to believe that they’ve had special training. These people paid for their seats, have well behaved dogs, and the only real objection to this is envy.
Dogs can easily go 12 hours between “potty breaks” without any special training – many people walk their dog at night, say 8:00 p.m., and the next walk is in the morning at 8:00 a.m. From the Northeast USA you can easily make it to anywhere in Europe, South America, and most of the Middle East.
They are obviously Not service dogs . Dogs as passengers are included in UA’s DEI .
I wish to be reincarnated as one of their dogs. Also they have disposable pee mats which would make the dogs lav experience more pleasant than their human seatmates
@Mak … How can it be “envy” to protest when all dogs lick other dog’s rear ends , and then lick the passenger’s washed hands and faces ? How can it be “envy” when a dog bites a child who is then rushed to hospital for rabies shots ? Are not these “real objections” ?
what about the rules that pets must be in their carriers for the entire flight?
Having allergies and being seated next in that seat is not envy. My wife has an allergy and asthma. I believe the dog owner should be legally liable for either any medical needs OR paying for seat cover replacement at the time of ticket sale.
more abuse of support animal nonsense, Put the fleabag in a carrier and put them in cargo. Done.
Bottom line in an emergency evacuation the customer will have or should be briefed that the crew will evacuate people first. Even seeing eye dogs who get tethered to seats are not prioritised (neither are wheelchair users). I’d love to spend this much money on taking my dog on first class but when crew I know advised me of the evacuation procedures I bailed.
If they buy their dogs a seat in J. good for them. Crew is probably happy since it’s less work for them.
Lifestyle of the pets of the DYKWIA. Where’s the tears about carbon offsets?
Another childless female using dogs as a way to cope with their bodies natural instincts and desires to reproduce instead of being mature and growing out of narcissistic phase.
United airlines has gone to the dogs.
If they over-booked would United go on the plane and drag the micro hounds off the plane,
as they beat the crap out of them? Just as they did to David Dao?
I started in reservations prior to moving into a flight instructor position (yes, I have the credentials). Back then, there were strict rules as to how many “warm blooded” animals were allowed in the cabins. Only one in first class and (I think) three in the coach section. One could not buy a ticket for the animal and service animals were not included in the limit. So, what the hell has happened to that rule? At least the airlines have started limiting the species of warm blooded animals after a “support pig” got loose and shat (past pluperfect tense of s***) all over a Southwest flight many years ago. At one point, one airline had a peacock in first class that also shat and screeched all during the flight. What the hell???? Cold blooded animals are not permitted in the cabin due to reptiles propensity to carry salmonella, which is difficult to “find” very easily transmitted to humans.
I can only imagine the pissed off OPM flyers stuck in Y on the upgrade list because their corporate overlord only pays for Y when they saw dogs up front
I like dogs, but I definitely do not care to sit next to one when I fly. Dogs should be in their carriers on any airplane, no ifs or buts. Unless it’s their owners private jets.
Businesses are allowed to ask 2 questions. 1. Is this a service dog? 2. What task is it trained to perform? Besides it’s rare to have 2 service dogs for 1 person. These are not service dogs.
I am actually surprised that no airline flies an entire plane that is dog/cat friendly on a popular route, may be once a month. Can you imagine the demand if they fly to one European hub once a month? I think people would pay anything to secure a seat.
As for potty train, in addition to designate a potty area in the plane, they can also require pet diaper during the entire flight to avoid “accidental disposal”.
If the animals are esa, or service animals, they need to ride with the human, not occupy a seat across an aisle. But if they’re are pets in cabin, the must be in a carrier and under the seat. However…the seats on the UA WB fleet does not allow pets in cabin due to the space limitations with the Polaris lie-flat seating. Pets are to remain in their carriers on the floor underneath the seat, and must not occupy a seat.
…from the UA website
Up to 6 pets allowed in Economy
Boeing 767
Boeing 777
Boeing 787
@Toys Samurai, I agree. Pet owners (this one included!) will do anything for their pet. We have a “just under 20 pound” King Charles Cavalier, and have taken him on a flight and (with the help of a little doggy prozac from the vet), no one else in the cabin knows he’s there.
I agree with you that I’m surpirsed that Airlines don’t have a special flight just for people with pets, but I do think there is a limit? I know that with AA, you have to ‘reserve’ your pet, even though they are not taking up a seat and you pay the pet fee.
Likewise, my experience with dogs on planes have always been pleasant- and a little surprising when literally a huge retriever was sitting under my seat in 1st, and I had no idea.
Meanwhile, we all have stories of screaming children (actually does not bother me… they can’t control it and God bless those who can express exactly how they feel!). What bothers me way more are the loud talkers during an early morning or night flight where it’s clear people are trying to get some sleep… STFU! lol.
-Jon
I’m old enough to remember when dogs were treated like family pets – not four legged humans.
Dogs make a great pet, but if you believe that dog owners have the right to impose a non service animal on other people, then perhaps you need to step back and think long and hard about how you treat others.
Unaware would be a polite term
I’ll keep this polite and say no more
If a dog is sitting next to me, do I get the arm rest? If so, I’m all for it lol.
Disgusting.
Show me a dog that can perform emergency exit row requirements; just maybe then I’d be inclined to change my mind.
I have allergies and asthma but if the passengers are so bad you can’t fly with animals then stay home. I rather fly with animals than a passenger who treat the FA or other passengers with no respect.
No, just no.
I do not fly as my dog is too big to fit under the seat. Oh how I wish I could just buy them a seat. My dogs travel well and often by car. I agree there should be airlines who offer dog ok flights. There would be tons of takers. A large market to be tapped. And many dogs are superior to many humans.
I’m sure these “passengers” would feel no difference if they traveled in coach, but think about all the animal shelters, dogs and cats rescued and saved, if the $$$ spent on these two were instead donated there.
The dogs were certainly cute in their PJs but this is a slippery slope. What next, a Great Dane sitting next to me in coach? This could get out of control quickly. Allergies are also a concern since they shed and could cause the next passenger a serious medical issue. Can you image an emergency evacuation? They’re not going to leave Fido behind and will try to coax him on to the emergency slide and totally disrupt the evacuation. Total recipe for disaster…….
The Europeans have a stricker standard on service animals. Enact something like that with a $10,000 possible fine and a 3-year flight ban. Even if you don’t catch them up front, allow for random (or based on complaints) post flight checks. A few prosecutions and the word will get around. Certainly, this particulary case is way less egregious than a 150 pound fake service dog in 14c when 14a and b are occupied, but still wrong (and unsafe in emergencies I suspect.
If they’re paying, what do I care. They’re probably better behaved than most humans.
I always buy 2 business/ first class seats when I travel with my cat, and he’s in a carrier. It’s not fair to other passengers to have an animal close to them and I try to respect other people. My cat has more frequent flyer miles than most people (Joking, they won’t give Biscuit an acccount).
I’m disappointed by all of the anti-dog nonsense in the comments. This is exactly how flights should function. It is no one’s business what service there are trained to perform, if any. People should be able to bring their dogs on flights, and should be able to have those dogs on seats.
And to the extent the dog haters, especially those who advocated in these comments for abusive practices like throwing dogs into cargo, have to walk by these dogs on their way into coach, that is definitely how the world should be.
Just shows how whored out the airlines have become. I hate these dogs, in fact, I have come to hate just about all dogs. I can justify saying so because I have lived around too many bad entitled owners who have stolen the peace from my home and neighborhood!
I’m sick and tired of people traveling in airplanes with their pets. I would be pissed off getting a business class seat and having a dog next to me. There’s a time and a place and this is neither the time nor the place.
I 100% agree with disgusting. Real Service dogs are not allowed to occupy a seat, they must be kept on the floor. Fake Service dogs should be held to this requirement also when the owner’s lie. No Fake Service dogs anyplace where human food is sold or served with the possible exception of outside dining. That’s the law.
Was the owner asked what service these two Fake Service dogs performed? Do they also have CLEAR?
BTW, there is a service that transports pets, and other animals, by air. Contact Federal Express.
Did the dogs enjoy the dog food that UA serves in Polaris? I would love to see a photo of the dogs lapping up UA meal from a plate. That would be hilarious!
I just don’t get it. We have a 7 1/2 pound chihuahua that was reduced from the most horrible conditions you can imagine. Was 1 pound 3 ounces when rescued at approximately 5 years old. They needed some sucker to pay the vet bills and my wife and daughter thought I was perfect. She’s now just like a member of the family and travels with us when we drive. However, when we fly we pay an enterprising young lady a couple hundred bucks a day to live in our house. Less stress on us and our little dog.
This is an unsanitary and unsafe situation. I can’t stand it when these dogs start barking during the flight (FLL to DFW on AA first class). It sounds like a gun shot in such a confined space. These are not service dogs. Service dogs are a serious matter and do not wear PJ’s or lounge on pillows by the window. What a joke.
Gross. Put them in a kennel and I the cargo bay.
NO
I have a trained service dog for PTS. She flies with me everywhere ( including to Europe). She is a Maltese (because my son has allergies). My service dog is the first dog I have ever had. I do not know what these dogs are doing however FAA regulations state, “service dogs must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered at all times when on aircraft”. Due to her size, I hold her my service dog on take off and landing, otherwise she cannot wait to get on the floor and she sleeps the entire flight. On international flights I always book business or first class to allow room for both of us. I always choose a window seat because she likes to sleep against the wall. I have had numerous international flights when no one was aware my service dog was on the flight until we are off the plane going thru passport control. However, the crew, including the captain is given information on all service dogs on the flight ( this includes name, breed, microchip number (required for all service animals who fly, my service dog had an internationally accepted chip implanted when she was a puppy. This is required for international travel. International just means it can be scanned by any vet, passport control officer, TSA, in the world) Since we travel to Europe often and stay for extended periods my service dog also has a veterinarian in Europe and a EU pet passport (required for all dogs traveling between EU countries). People who travel with service dogs must check in for all flights in person with a human agent and have credentials checked before boarding passes are printed. I am always provided paper boarding passes that state trained service animal at the bottom. A flight attendant usually the purser ( or supervising flight attendant) always stops by before we push back from the gate and welcomes me and my service dog by name. My service dog does not eat on a plane, if we get delayed and she has to be fed (she eats twice a day) I wait until I am off a plane find a corner, take her service dog vest off, put her regular harness and leash on (a pink puppia harness with a longer non retractable leash) feed her then change her back into her service dog harness. Everyone is different with this but that is how the trainer trained me (yes handlers get training too! ) My service dog is in her vest whenever we travel and I loop her leash ( 6feet long non retractable) thru my seat belt to keep her attached to me ( very helpful and easy to retrieve her from the floor when we experience turbulence) Because she is small and her legs are short I travel with a backpack and she rides on my back in that when connecting to other flights or on the very, very long walks from plane to curbside this also keeps her out of the way at baggage claim. I do not choose to fly United however I will say that hopefully the pajamas and seat situation was only for the video? The airlines I fly domestic and international would boot me off the plane (deservedly so) in a heartbeat if they saw this behavior BECAUSE they are very strict with FAA rules. If the FAA sees this video the airline can be fined or sanctioned (they should be)Contrary to some peoples beliefs, First Class (I guess UA calls it Polaris?) does not exempt people from the rules, commercial airlines are considered public transportation and are subject to FAA rules. Videos like these give the flying public the perception that anything goes in first class and that is not the case. If these are “real service dogs” their handler is doing their service dogs a HUGE disservice by showing them as “pampered pups”. You can technically have two service dogs as long as they are both under your control at all times (I am not seeing that demonstrated in this video ) My training was service dogs do not ride in shopping carts, service dogs do not sit on airplane seats, (for safety) smaller breed service dogs are held and on their handlers lap during takeoff and landing (and remain on your lap until you see flight attendants up and about) then they go to the floor. Smaller breed service dogs are often carried in specifically designed backpacks or carts (that look like strollers) when changing planes or when buses, trams, trains, or moving walkways are involved (again for safety). Smaller breeds are sometimes not seen and can become tripping hazards in busy airports. Also, their paws can get stuck in moving walkways, 99% of the time I use a backpack. I am saying all of this because service dogs absolutely have a place, I would be unable to travel and be independent without the assistance of a service dog; however the behaviors displayed in this video are not permitted by the FAA. People who have service dogs know the rules and we follow them ( because failure to do so can get us banned from flying) . People who have service dogs have rights but we are also acutely aware that we have a responsibility to conduct ourselves in a manner that respects to the maximum extent possible other passengers. This video is not cute or adorable it is disrespectful to the other passengers, the crew, and to service dogs everywhere.
If you need to go absolutely everywhere with your pet and treat it as a relative, I suggest some counseling. Seriously something has gone wrong
Dogs and humans should not share the same flight cabin space – dogs should be placed in a proper container and put in the cargo hold – owners can claim them at their final destination like along with their checked bags.
The whole “service dog” and “emotional support dog” is just a big scam – if flying causes such high levels of stress then use another means of travel – a dog is not a person (regardless of what some might think). Now-a-days if a non-dog person protest the persence of a dog next to them on the flight, the non-dog person will be the one removed from the flight, etc.
There are companies that have sprung up to stay in the “gray zone” of the ADA rules and for a fee, will be able to certify almost any dog as a “service dog”, whether or not it really is. Just because someone wants to bring their dog with them does not make it a “service dog”.
I would love a booking filter that lets me find a dog to sit next to.
Thank you VMach for the very detailed and informative post about what the procedures are for traveling with a service dog. People assume that all service dogs are large breeds, but I’ve seen small breed service dogs that perform a valuable service to their human. I’m glad you’re able to travel thanks to your service dog.
I’m so sick of this dog culture…
If I were sitting near them, I’d spend the entire flight trying to figure out a way to get their amenity kits. They aren’t ever going to use that lip balm or that sample of BVLGARI.
Would 100% choose to sit next to a dog over sitting near many of you.
Sad to read that people still treat pets as property instead of a family member. Honestly I would be a bit mad about it, because I wasn’t sitting next to them to enjoy it. The real jerks are those who assume they know about the service dog rules, but have no clue what is going on in this situation. So STFU stay in your lane.
I have severe allergies , I’m always the one at the counter figuring out the pet situation and how I can be far away from them .
I don’t hate animals, I’m just severely allergic.
Screw United , their first class domestic is like a doggy day care.
The airlines honor peanut allergies, how about pets?!
There is no reason these dogs would need to go potty during most TATL flights. Maybe if it was EWR>DXB… maybe. But they can usually go 12 hours without potting if food & water are managed appropriately. Given this appears to be a 757, we can infer this was a shorter TATL segment, so no concerns there.