http://www.tmz.com/2010/09/07/minka-...omments-anchor

I have been on JFK/LAX - SFO flights where the person with a dog has to sit in coach because the dog doesn't fit under the seat in front of them.

But I have also been on the same flights where the FA's ignore the rule.

I actually heard an FA tell a GA it was up to them if the dog could go in front of the passenger even if not under the seat and the GA replied aren't you the FA? Thats yoru decision.

I wonder what the correct answer is.

They still haven't fixed this problem....

The website says no problem with an in-cabin pet on BusinessElite

http://www.delta.com/planning_reserv...ions/index.jsp

But the layout of the seats clearly doesn't let you accomplish this. There is no place underneath to fit a pet carrier.

I witnessed a similar meltdown a few months ago on a plane with a full coach cabin. So the passenger -- who was a full fare first class passsenger -- along with the paid pet -- were taken off the flight and told 'youll have to wait for a flight with 'regular' first class.' On LAX-JFK that means taking a connection...

Piss poor execution here. All they need is to make a note in the res system when agents pull up the pet payment to advise passengers it won't fit in a biz elite configed cabin.

Continental makes it clear pets won't work in BusinessFirst configured aircraft so these issues can be minimized.

https://www.continental.com/web/en-U...virtual_expert

And now the 'celeb' is getting bad press for something fully out of her control. Don't even know who she is...but darn cute and you can bet her manager will be booking AA or UA from now on regardless. Nice job with a premium fare Delta.

Thanks for that...

In terms of the article, I too have traveled while there were pets in the BE cabin JFK-LAX and often the person in question is seated in the bulkhead. Last trip I had with a dog the dog was so well behaved I never heard it once the entire flight. In fact I completely forgot about it until I deplaned behind the dog.

What is a Minka?
Is that the dogs name?

Well, I had a completely different experience, not on a DL flight, but on a DL ticket on a KL flight from SFO to AMS. I am not familiar with dog types, it was one of those "designer dogs", the same size at a rat, and the young South American couple decided that it should run around after the cabin lights were turned off. I complained to the purser, but the best he would do was to move me out of my favorite 2A seat ( and the first cabin only occupied by me and the couple with the "rat" ) into the second WBC cabin, which was quite unfortunate. Tough luck, when we loose out to a pet!!! Occupied the lav for along time, too, until he/she did it's thing.

My only experience insofar has been with a well-behaved dog(s) in its carrier bag, which nonetheless was emanating waves of stench every now and then.

As a rule, pets belong to the cargo hold, although I would let Minka's kitty in the seat next to me any day.

I don't remember anymore which the first row is on a NW/DL A319 or 320 or whatever it was, but Mrs. EX flew there on the aisle seat once with a "supposedly" comfort dog, a huge lab which seemed to be bigger than the person who supposedly needed the dog, it was wedged in between the bulkead and the seat and my poor wife could never stretch her legs. But of course, all the flight attendants were all over the dog, as they were all over Andy Williams when I had him on one of my flights into KDEN

I do believe I've flown with the same dog/owner. The owner is a consultant who said she travels half the year with a very large assistance dog. The dog climbed into her lap for takeoff and landing but was very well behaved -- glad we didn't face any turbulence.

I remember seeing her and the dog in the gate area and I said to Mrs. EX that with our luck she would be in front of her. Funny, I was right ( and I hate to be right ). I was in FC right in front in a B seat. Felt pretty bad, but she did not want to switch seats. Agree with the turbulence point.

United stopped booking pets in Int'l C a few years ago when they redid the in-flight entertainment, which left no space under the seat.

This kind of friction shouldn't happen at the gate. Delta should match the pet reservation to the aircraft and only book (and charge for) what they have to offer.

Dogs that go in the hold often end up dead. Considering most dogs on my flights have been better behaved than the passengers, I see no reason they should be subjected to the elements below.

Yes and there have been several FC passengers on my last 10 flights that should be moved to the cargo hold.

I personally would never check an animal as cargo but your statement about them often ending up dead is so not true. It actually rarely happens.

Now your statement about dogs being better behaved than passengers, thats very true in most cases..

You are right. It rarely happens. "Often" was most definitely an overstatement . However, there have been a number of stories about dead/mishandled animals in the news lately (a plane-full of dead dogs on AA and that missing DL dog in MEX come to mind). I, personally, would never check a small dog (not much choice when it comes to big dogs).

There is definitely no doubt that dogs are better behaved than most pax, and I refuse to entertain the thought of anything to the contrary

If children can be held in arms for an entire flight, I don't see why small animals can't enjoy the same privilege. I'd rather have a cute dog sitting next to me than some screaming child.