Boo_Crew

Hi, what is Alaska's policy for small dogs traveling in the cabin? I thought they are required to be in a carier under the seat or are they allowed to be lap dogs jumping around with fur a flying?

goblazers

One of my co-workers brought her pitbull to a conference in Nashville with us last week. He had his own seat in the cabin so I imagine you could purchase a seat for a small dog with no problem.

I was skeptical but he was better behaved than most the conference attendees.

vanillabean

https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...ling-with-pets

Boo_Crew

Well apparently it's not enforced. They told him to keep it out of the isle so he just kept it on his lap getting fur our food when he was petting it all the time.

navydevildoc

I would direct to you Alaska Listens, with flight information to let them know what happened.

missydarlin

If it was a service animal, it wouldn't need to stay in the carrier.

vanillabean

Lots to keep track of!

https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...pport-animals/

kileysmom

I feel really sorry for some of the dogs I see being stuffed into a small carrier that really acts more like swaddling than a carrier.....then they are crammed under a seat...poor things...they can't move let alone stretch. There should be a requirement about the size of dog that can be put under the seat as some of what I've seen is animal cruelty.....most recent was TPA to SEA...not a short flight. I also feel sorry for folks who aren't dog lovers (I am so it's not prejudice that causes me to say this) and then are forced to pet, try to avoid or otherwise put up with a dog or, at least, dog hair in their space. Sat in 1F about a year ago SEA to TPA with a beautifully trained and constantly monitored service dog who very carefully stayed out of my foot space until he was told by his master that it would be ok to visit with me. They were a pleasure to travel with, the dog stayed out of everyone's way and the owner was very aware that not all would love his dog as much as he does.

notquiteaff

Never understood how a service animal is allowed in the bulkhead row, but people can’t have anything else on the floor for safety reasons.

Bellerina

Technically they do have regulations on the dimensions of the dog and carrier. Per the AS site "The USDA and IATA have specific requirements. Pets must be small enough to fit and stay comfortably in the carrier under the seat."
When you follow the link to the IATA site it provides you will how to measure the pet to determine the size of the carrier necessary. You can then compare that to the AS carrier size limits to see if the dog should be under the seat or shipped somewhere else. The dog should be able to stand fully (the container should be at least as tall as the dog from top of ears/head to feet PLUS space for any bedding) and twice as wide as the animal (assuming to give them space to move/turn around).

My cousin had to cargo hold her dog to Korea because his ears were so large his container required would need to be too big for under the seat. She was a vet tech in the past so was very conscious of having the appropriate amount of space for the mental and physical health of the dog. Given all I have seen travelling, it doesn't surprise me that people are using pet carriers that are not appropriate for their pets. I'm a little sad AS doesn't check that, but I can understand that would be a challenge.

denverbay

Having luggage or personal items in a bulkhead row impedes a passenger’s exit from the cabin in an emergency. Having a service animal may, in fact, be necessary for a passenger to safely exit the cabin.

vanillabean

In real time:

notquiteaff

Fair point, And yet it may also impede someone’s exit. The person I quoted was in 1F, so the dog owner was in the aisle seat. I can understand that a service animal, no matter where on the plane, may both be needed during the evacuation as well as pose an additional risk (obstacle) for the other passengers. Window seats might be a risk reducing measure.

And for the record, I am personally not very worried about emergencies. I do what I can to be prepared (keep shoes on during takeoff/landing, passport in pants pocket), but otherwise I think it is just a highly unlikely scenario.

Buster CT1K

Saw a fake service dog the other day. That's really even worse!

anteater

Curious as I’m not familiar with this..

How does one bring a fake service animal onboard a plane? Aren’t passengers required to submit some form of certified documentation to the airline prior to transit?