Travel with Pets - HELP! Flying First Class with pet for first time. Do I choose window or aisle seat?

Hi all,

New to the site, but have been reading for a long time! :D

I have read numerous pet threads, but haven't found anything pertaining to my exact situation. I am moving from Houston to Seattle next month and flying my cat with me. I used my miles for a First Class seat for the flight to Seattle not only as a reward to myself, but also for less hassle with the cat! I'm honestly not looking forward to this flight, but oh well, it has to be done.

I know my plane is a Boeing 737-900 on United Airlines (unless they change it last minute) with five rows of seats, and I am trying to decide whether to have an aisle or window seat. As of right now I have 2F as I usually pick a window, but I'm considering switching to 2E. I have one of those Sherpa medium bags, so I'm good as far as the bag size goes (although my cat will definitely be rather cramped in there).

Last time I was on a 737 class plane, I checked out the underseat space when passing through First Class to Economy, and the window seat space looked smaller than the aisle. Also the aisle has this little extra 'nook' separating it from the actual aisle and the underseat space where I could stick a foot if needed. However, I feel the window is more private and not as much foot traffic. I'm not sure if it's better for him to not have as much space, but be more dark and private in the Window, or a little more space and light but with more foot traffic in the Aisle.

Has anyone flown in First Class with a pet on a Boeing 737 type plane? If so, which seat did you think was best?

Thanks so much for your help!

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I can't answer your question, but I trust that you have already reserved cabin space for your pet with the airline, and are aware of the particular airline's pet-carrier size restrictions and fees.

Welcome to Flyertalk, mrman78
I am moving your thread to the Travel With Pets Forum.
Please follow there...
Thanks..
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

When flying domestically or internationally with my cat, she did not spend much time under the seat. Her carrier was on my lap until the last minute before takeoff and then back on my lap again as soon as possible after we took off. The same for landing and taxiing to the gate. When on my lap, I could put my hand in the carrier to pet my cat and keep her calm. So, it really did not matter whether I had and aisle or window seat as far as underseat space was concerned.

i have traveled by plane with my shih tzu a few times. it is more convenient to sit by the window. this way you can cheat a bit and pull the carry case out from under the seat without disturbing any other passenger or preventing them from passing you.

some flight attendants are more lenient than others. i found traveling in coach easier because the attendant has alot of people to tend to and will usually not be so strict with the pet rule as long as you keep the carry on zipped up and do not take the pet out.

there were many times i was able to put the carry case on the seat next to me, on the side between me and the window when the plane was flying [ i'm petite so i could share the seat ]. some flight attendants are ok with that as long as the pet is fully zipped in the case.

there was one time in first class where an attendant went ballistic because i put my hand in the carry case under the seat in front of me. i will never fly first class with my pet again.

most attendants are very nice and i've had no other problems. it helps if you read the pet policy for the airline you are using, on their website so you don't have any surprises - like weight and size and booking requirements. some airlines will not allow you to bring a pet in first class because of the limited under seat space. the pet carrier simply won't fit.

hope this helps

Has anyone flown in First Class with a pet on a Boeing 737 type plane? If so, which seat did you think was best?

Thanks so much for your help!

I have flown with a pet (dog) in first class many times on different types of United aircraft, but never on a 737-900 (that's an old Continental plane.) I flew on a 737-800 in 2A yesterday, and there is definitely more underseat room at the window. This is generally true in First. A window seat is also better because the pet is not disturbed by the aisle traffic.

Hope your flight goes well!

I have flown with a pet (dog) in first class many times on different types of United aircraft, but never on a 737-900 (that's an old Continental plane.) I flew on a 737-800 in 2A yesterday, and there is definitely more underseat room at the window. This is generally true in First. A window seat is also better because the pet is not disturbed by the aisle traffic.

Hope your flight goes well!

Thanks for all your responses, I think I'll stick with the 2F window seat. I figure I have more of a chance to exchange with the person in 2E if I change my mind.

Actually, a 737-900 is newer like a 737-800, it's just a bit bigger (5 rows in first class instead of 4). So based on your experience, I think it'll be fine. Just a few more weeks now...

Just wanted to report back that all went smoothly and I had no problems at all. I was really lucky and there were hardly any people in the security line, so that make it a lot less stressful pulling him out and taking him through the metal detector. His carrier did get stuck in the x-ray machine at one point, so I had to hold on to him longer than I would have liked, but he was very well behaved!

The only time he really freaked out was when we were outside the airport due to all the buses hissing and all the noise. He was running circles in the carrier meowing, poor thing!

Once we got through security, he was quiet really all the way home. He let out a yowl during takeoff, but that was it. I was really surprised actually. During the flight he just curled up as close to the front of the carrier as possible. I don't know if that's because he could see me and that he felt closer to me, but it seemed to work for him! I kept the window seat and there was plenty of room. The medium Sherpa bag fits perfectly under there. I would steer clear of anything bigger though.

Anyway, all in all a good experience, but I hope to never have to do that again!

Just wanted to report back that all went smoothly and I had no problems at all. I was really lucky and there were hardly any people in the security line, so that make it a lot less stressful pulling him out and taking him through the metal detector. His carrier did get stuck in the x-ray machine at one point, so I had to hold on to him longer than I would have liked, but he was very well behaved!

The only time he really freaked out was when we were outside the airport due to all the buses hissing and all the noise. He was running circles in the carrier meowing, poor thing!

Once we got through security, he was quiet really all the way home. He let out a yowl during takeoff, but that was it. I was really surprised actually. During the flight he just curled up as close to the front of the carrier as possible. I don't know if that's because he could see me and that he felt closer to me, but it seemed to work for him! I kept the window seat and there was plenty of room. The medium Sherpa bag fits perfectly under there. I would steer clear of anything bigger though.

Anyway, all in all a good experience, but I hope to never have to do that again!

MrMan congrats on your new home and a successful flight with you cat. Thanks for sharing!

I'm glad it went smoothly for you! ^

based on United Airline pet policy here
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/animals/in_cabin.aspx?camp=virtual_expert

"Pets are not permitted in United First®, United Global First®, United BusinessFirst® or United Business® on Boeing 747, 757, 767 or 777 aircraft due to inadequate storage space under the seat."

Does it mean United Airline is not strict with their rules? I am concerned about this because I am really hesitate whether to book first class with my cat next month... Thanks!

Does it mean United Airline is not strict with their rules? I am concerned about this because I am really hesitate whether to book first class with my cat next month... Thanks!No, it means that pets are only allowed in First on certain airplanes, like the 737. The 747, 767, and 777 that received upgrades to the new lay-flat product don't have any underseat storage space. Not sure about the 757, as far as I know only the p.s. configuration has a lack of underseat storage, and that's only in First, so I don't know why that one is restricted. But, in any case, the 737 and A319/A320 allow pets in First. (Don't know what models from Continental would.)

No, it means that pets are only allowed in First on certain airplanes, like the 737. The 747, 767, and 777 that received upgrades to the new lay-flat product don't have any underseat storage space. Not sure about the 757, as far as I know only the p.s. configuration has a lack of underseat storage, and that's only in First, so I don't know why that one is restricted. But, in any case, the 737 and A319/A320 allow pets in First. (Don't know what models from Continental would.)

Some legacy Continental 757's have four rows of flat-bed seats in BusinessFirst. I assume this is why first class cannot now be reserved with a cabin pet on United 757's. It's too bad, since the legacy United 757 was historically a fairly easy upgrade.

Being able to reserve and pay for a cabin pet on the new United site is nice, however.

mmm will a Cat get you out of the Porno-O-Scope???

When I flew with my cat 2 years ago I was in Y. It was a half empty flight, and while I was in the window I found her carrier fit better under the middle seat.

The only thing that freaked her out was the pushback. Besides that she was quiet the entire flight.

I must say though, that flying with a cat attracting the ladies :)

based on United Airline pet policy here
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/animals/in_cabin.aspx?camp=virtual_expert

"Pets are not permitted in United First®, United Global First®, United BusinessFirst® or United Business® on Boeing 747, 757, 767 or 777 aircraft due to inadequate storage space under the seat."

Does it mean United Airline is not strict with their rules? I am concerned about this because I am really hesitate whether to book first class with my cat next month... Thanks!
Pets are not allowed in First on the 757-200 (not the lie-flat, the normal domestic A/C). That said, I just flew from ORD-SEA and SEA to SFO in First as part of a MSY-SEA round trip and none of the flight attendents said anything.

We took a VDB in IAH on the outbound leg. Because part of the compensation included First from there to SEA via ORD, I asked the GA specifically about the aircraft type because we were travelling with the puppy. None of the three who were there when I asked knew anything about the 757-200 First cabin being pet restricted. I took my chances and none of the FAs seemed to be aware of the restriction either.

I also took my chances on the SEA to SFO leg of the return (wife was in Coach, so there was a backup plan), and none of the FAs on that flight said anything (except for fawning over him).

Did you have a hand scan?

I've been flying with my toy poodle since 2006....out of Logan. We go through the metal detector and that's been it until June, 2012. This time I was pulled over and had my hands scanned and was told to expect that from now on since I'm flying with a pet. Sure enough, flying home from MSP it was done again.

This agent said the scan is for explosives.....the one in Boston would not answer my "why?". Is that the next thing "they" will be trying....using animals for concealment?

I go to the range on occasion for some target shooting. Should I not do that for a few days before my flight or does gun powder not linger for long? Yes, I shower daily :D

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