While I can't comment on another Customer's specific situation, I can provide insight on our pet policy.

As you may be aware, nearly all Major U.S. airlines have been accepting pets in the aircraft cabin for many years. In that time, not a single carrier has encountered catastrophic results from pets in the aircraft cabin. On most occasions, both the Customer with the pet and the Customer with the allergy can travel comfortably on the same flight. If a Customer is severely affected by allergies to an animal and notifies the carrier of his/her allergy, the carrier can ensure that the Customer with the allergy is seated on the opposite end of the aircraft, as far away from the animal as possible. And we are most certainly happy to make such an accommodation for our Customers who do not wish to be seated near an animal.

Further, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), "Cat and dog allergens are everywhere. Pet dander is even in homes never occupied by these animals because it is carried on people's clothing." Truthfully, you are more likely to be seated unknowingly next to a person who has pet dander and hair on his/her clothing than you are to find yourself being seated near a pet on an aircraft. In fact, we will be limiting the number of pets that may be transported on a flight, and the pets must remain inside their crates.

While we cannot promise that you will never encounter an animal on a Southwest flight, we can promise that we will do everything we can to safely and comfortably accommodate all parties involved.

-Whitney