Dogs and cats on planes sitting with passengers.

Sorry, Glorianny, but you have ignored the fact that it is possible to move carriages on a train or even to stand by an open window in some trains. There is limited scope for movement in a plane, and the smaller the plane, the less scope. Why do you feel it necessary to tell people who have problems (which you are fortunate enough not to have) how to deal with them?

Wheniwasyourage

Sorry, Glorianny, but you have ignored the fact that it is possible to move carriages on a train or even to stand by an open window in some trains. There is limited scope for movement in a plane, and the smaller the plane, the less scope. Why do you feel it necessary to tell people who have problems (which you are fortunate enough not to have) how to deal with them?

I don't think I have said anything about my own problems. I seldom post personal information. It's none of your business.
I haven't said all train journeys are better or all plane journeys are better. I've said some are better.

Wheniwasyourage

Oh well, that’s fine. To pander to people who are obsessed with travelling with their pets, someone with a serious allergy can choose to have their travel plans disrupted! Why shouldn’t it be the pet owner who is offered a free change of flight? The obsession with pets is getting beyond a joke, IMO!

No pandering at all, it makes commercial sense or airlines wouldn't do it. Obviously there must be more people with pets than folk with allergies.

GrannyGravy13

Regardless of mine or anyone else’s allergies, I still do not think animals of any sort should be in the cabin of an aircraft.

This.

I would absolutely pay extra if it meant my cat could travel on the plane seat next to me rather than in the hold.

AmberSpyglass

I would absolutely pay extra if it meant my cat could travel on the plane seat next to me rather than in the hold.

And be blowed to everyone else on the plane! If they have a fatal asthma attack, well your cat was allowed to sit next to you on the plane.

The more that animals travel in cabins will inevitably lead at some point to someone going into anaphylactic shock and dying. Only then will airlines do something about it, much as happened with peanuts.

There's truth in that. Once more animals are allowed to travel with their owners, the world goes bonkers. Not quite the same, but there's a huge demand for pet cabins on the ferries, we have to book way way in advance. More spaces are being made available, especially on the new BF fleet because the demand to take pets is excessive. Airlines and ferries obviously raise good money this way. Its not a nice thought, but I think it will be a case of try it and see, until an incident happens.

I think that’s right Joseann. When my daughter lived here and went to France, their dog had a cabin/kennel of some sort and the dog travelled in that whilst the family travelled with the rest of the passengers. My son on the other hand, refuses to make his dog travel that way and so either we, or the other grandparents have him whilst they’re on holiday. We did a lot of dog sitting for both dogs if the families were travelling by plane, and still do for our son’s dog.
When we had cats, our neighbour fed them, so they could be happy in their own home rather than a cattery. Of course now we go to New Zealand for extended periods of time, that wouldn’t be fair to our neighbours (although they loved our cats) but we decided to not have anymore pets after they died because we travel quite a lot and we felt it was unfair.

I can understand that pet owners would be happier if their animals were with them but allergies to cats and dogs are surprisingly common and can be lethal.

People asking about toileting, it's advised that if you're going to travel any distance with a dog or cat that they are trained to use one of those pee-pads that people sometimes use for puppy training. Then you take the animal to the plane toilet when you think it will need to go, and spread a pad on the floor. That should prompt it to go. Presumably then you wrap up the pad and seal it in a bag till you can dispose of it.

I am feed up with the cult of the dog. Why are they in busy shops? I don’t have anything against them if well trained but am feed up with badly behaved dogs jumping up me and generally being annoying. When booking accommodation I skip past all those that allow dogs!

A dreadful and thoughtless idea. I think it will cost them customers.

Poor Callie dog had to endure the long flight to New Zealand when she joined her family. The cost, a mere £2,000. She travelled in the hold in some sort of a cage specifically for that purpose. She was taken out to be fed, toileted, and a little walk.

Don’t agree with the idea. Can you imagine if the animal got distressed it wouldn’t make for a relaxing flight plus I won’t ever fly with Virgin again after I paid extra for economy delight then they charge me £72 one way to reserve my seat! Robbers !!

I am not anti per se but think if you are going to do that, there should be a separate area. A frightened animal can make a lot of noise or show their anxiety prominently which would distress me enormously.

Def a no no for animals sitting with their owners on planes. Last time I travelled on Norwegian airlines the dog had to go in the hold as it bit a member of the crew. Its tight enough on a plane so do we really need to run the risk of tripping on tails, animals sniffing our food, how would they be restrained on take off and landing ? Plus their bodily odours. Also lots of people are allergic to animal hair. Yes let animals travel but they must be safely stowed away in the hold

I can't see a problem if they are in a travel crate and in a designated area of the plane. I'm pretty sure they would make less noise and mess than a lot of children do!

I totally get it - I need to transport my little animal to my new residence (or whatever) - I also understand people allergic reactions to certain animals, which could be severe. So two reasons…Yes and No.

Some passengers are very comfortable with animals on board (me!) as long as they are tranquilized (to help them relax) and not be yapping and crying for 2+ hours straight, disturbing everyone around. (me!)

I feel for both pet and passenger and do not have an answer. Hope to find one here.

Shazzyp I agree with you re badly behaved children on flight. Also if someone is severely allergic to pet hair then if they sat next to someone with 4 moulting pets who has hair on them no matter how hard they try not too (me) would that not also be an issue?🤔 I would pay extra to have mine with me (crated) if the need arose and for adult only flights. But that's a whole other can of worms 🪱

There are only a few airlines that allow a pet in the cabin even if you claim it’s a therapy pet, but they will carry it in the hold for a fee. More airlines will allow a “service” animal for psychiatric support a specially trained animal for that purpose.

The previous rules had become unworkable with all pet owners claiming they “needed” their pet, dog, cat, chicken, rabbit and a few exotic animals to accompany them.

Dogs are allowed on cross channel ferries. What I don’t like is owners walking them on deck to urinate before done leave their dogs in vehicles. They do have kennels on board for dogs

Sorry I meant before they leave their dogs in their vehicles overnight

If I had to fly somewhere with my dog, I would pay for her to be in the cabin with me and definitely not have her put in the hold, very traumatic for animals. I know someone who took their pet on a plane but it was a therapy dog. I’ve also seen pictures of people on planes with chickens and even a goat, so it’s coming folks. As for those with allergies, this can be catered for as it is for those with peanut allergies etc.

Yes, it can be catered for by not allowing any animals on planes except in the hold, just like no peanuts are allowed on planes.
People are more important than animals.