DENflyer3

I was going to go a step further and note, do not be surprised when other passengers, lash out at you and Fido. Most people are well aware when someone is taking advantage of the rule, and while Fido may be that important to you, Fido may be really looked agrily upon by others. Make sure you keep it in the cage.

kb1992

I think Lufthansa allows pets in biz class/first class as long as it's under 8 kg.

http://www.lufthansa.com/online/port...305559505&l=en

nigos

UA’s official policy bans dogs from premium cabins but based upon my experience UA does not always enforce the policy (see the policy below). On a PS trip this year I wrote to UA because I was unhappy about animals in First Class on the PS flight. Please note I like dogs but not under the circumstances that I describe here.

I was seated in a bulkhead seat and the woman next to me and a second passenger across the isle each had small dogs. The dogs spent zero time in their carrier. The woman next to me slept thu most of the flight and her dog showed strong interest in food on my tray. The passenger across the isle escorted his dog to the head at the top of each hour and that made me wonder about sanitation. Perhaps this is better than an accident in its owner’s lab. I wrote to UA to point out that the policy posted on the UA website was inconsistent with my experience. UA responded by apologizing for the inconvenience of 2 passengers traveling with the small dogs in a premium cabin in bulkhead seats. United stated they allow passengers who need to bring their emotional support animal with them on board without requiring them to be in a carrier – they can sit in the passenger’s lap. They apologized for the discomfort that I experienced but then stated they “cannot restrict animals from traveling in the aircraft cabin”. We appreciate your business.

This policy was copied from the UA Web Site:

Restrictions based on aircraft, cabin and seat
In-cabin travel for pets is booked on a space-available basis.
A customer traveling with an in-cabin pet cannot be seated in the bulkhead or an emergency exit row.
Two pets per flight are allowed in our premium cabins on select aircraft. Pets are not permitted in our premium cabins on Boeing 747, 757, 767, 777 or 787 aircraft due to limited storage space under the seat.
Four pets per flight are allowed in United Economy® on all United flights.
A customer traveling with an in-cabin pet in United Economy on Boeing 757-200 aircraft will need to be seated in a window seat due to limited storage space under aisle and middle seats.
The number of in-cabin pets allowed varies by United Express® partner airline. For additional information about the operating carrier’s in-cabin pet policy, contact the United Customer Contact Center.
Other restrictions
Pets are not permitted on flights to, from or through Australia, Hawaii or Micronesia (including Guam).
Pets are not permitted to travel with unaccompanied minors.
Pets must remain in kennels with the door secured at all times while in the boarding area and on board the aircraft.
The customer is responsible for complying with all applicable state and country entry requirements.
Pets younger than eight weeks are not permitted.
Pets must travel on the same flight(s) as the customers who are responsible for them.
In the event of an emergency, oxygen service will not be available for pets.
United’s in-cabin pet policy applies to flights operated by United and United Express only. For codeshare flights, please check the operating carrier’s in-cabin pet policy. If you are traveling on multiple airlines, please check with each carrier individually to ensure acceptance. United can only accept your pet for flights operated by United and United Express

WineCountryUA

An out of the box option is to book an additional seat in economy and have one of the group sit in economy for takeoff and landing -- the two problematic times.

laxmillenial

Wouldn't the GA notice that one person has booked two seats (economy and business) and then cancel the one that doesn't scan upon boarding?

Or are you referring to the code EXTRASEAT. Can someone purchase an EXTRASEAT in a different cabin of where they're sitting?

WineCountryUA

Not a standard EXTRASEAT but some what related.

Literally booking a seat in a name (pet's name? or "EXTRASEAT") and getting a BP -- the issue will be not losing the seat at boarding. Would need info in the PNR that you discuss with the GA to prevent the seat lost issue.

This would take some advance coordination and is far from standard. Did say "out of the box" idea.

malgudi

Great ... more abuse of the system is exactly what we need

rufflesinc

But if that person is sitting in J during the rest of the flight, where is the pet going to be if there is no room in J for it?

WineCountryUA

There is space but not qualified space for item/pet storage for take-out or landing. Just like my computer bag.

Hipplewm

iirc, most European airlines don't allow for ESA, only qualified service animals

I wish the USA went that route. You can get an ESA certificate on the internet, it is abused beyond belief.

memorex

Indeed. Taking BA as an example:

justsawaufo

Guys,
I flew with my pet many times. international, including business and first class, simply not with UA.
We are talking about 8lbs, well behaved dog. I don't mind the looks to be honest as I did nothing wrong. I booked the tickets and was told by the rep that I can add a pet. I also tried to get a refund for the tickets and book with another airline. no luck.

You are correct. I booked tickets for my pet to fly within EU. Give me the option and I will happily take it. what I am not going to do is downgrade one of my family members or pay for another seat for a pet.

Hipplewm

I don't think anyone had a problem with you are your predicament, it is simply that US carriers have different rules than other airlines you have flown before.

I, personally has a problem with when you said "I can go the ESA route" although legal, it is abused heavily and you will find most here at FT do not care for the lax rules in regards to this type of rule.

justsawaufo

I respect that. to each its own. I am not looking to justify my actions but if I were told from day 1 that this is no doable, I would book elsewhere. at this time, I just have to deal with it.

Hipplewm

Technically you were told, as the policy concerning pets in lie flat cabins is posted on United.com, aa.com and delta.com. Someone did tell you different over the phone, I understand that, but the information was available before you bought your tickets.

I have learned from my mistakes I have made to ask here, 99% of the time, you get not only the answer but the source document prior to making any more mistakes.