Pet owners are willing to pay extra to ensure the comfort of their animals. However, this is causing trouble on flights as pets are increasingly riding in the cabin with owners. Many passengers have pet allergies and are finding themselves close to animals on their flights. Although they can call the airline beforehand and make special arrangements for major pet allergies, not many do so. Pets often get unruly on flights as well. In one instance, a pit bull ride first-class class ran into the cockpit during takeoff, startling the pilots and causing a delay.
Pet owners are also receiving inconsistent treatment. In some incidents, such as an animal having an accident in its carrier, pet owners and their pets are removed from the flight. In other cases, they are not. Treatment of unruly pets can vary based on the airline and passenger.
Lax federal regulations and hefty pet fees are major reasons airlines might not be willing to remove certain pets from a flight. For instance, American Airlines is charging an extra $125 for first-class passengers to place their pets in a ventilated compartment during takeoffs and landings. The pets can then sit in their owners’ laps during the flight.
Safety is also a concern for both passengers and pets. Currently, only one firm provides safety equipment for pets flying in the cabin.34
Discussion Questions
1. How are stakeholders affected by allowing some passengers to bring pets on board?
2. Because pets supply some passengers with emotional support, could airlines be criticized for denying passengers access to their pets while traveling?
3. Is it fair that some passengers with pets are treated differently than others?
Answer 1:- Some airlines may see a decrease in sales if certain diversity groups do not wish to fly on planes they know will have animals on board.
Answer 2:- Airlines could be criticized for denying access to their owners while traveling because service dogs provide comfort and safety necessities to certain owners. Denying the owner the right to access their pets could result in legal actions and media coverage.
Answer 3:- Pet owners should understand the rules and expectations before taking their pets on a plane ride. However, I don’t believe the passenger and pet should be removed from the flight because the pet may have had an accident in their own crate.
Pet owners are willing to pay extra to ensure the comfort of their animals. However, this is causing trouble on flights...
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