Quantcast

Delta flight controversy over seating arrangement for plus-sized woman and service animal

Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Abu Dhabi's long-haul carrier Etihad Airways sees record $476 million profit in 2024
Jet2 warns of profits squeeze from rising costs and late bookings
Hong Kong Airlines launches daily Sydney flights
Airline to launch new bunk beds in economy on long-haul flights next year
How Airline Employees Are Coping After Deadly Washington Crash
Major airline reverses in-flight menu change amid outcry
British Airways frequent flyer scheme changes: everything you need to know
Airline introduces world-first hand luggage ban on popular travel gadget
Air Canada Delays Boeing 767 Reentry
Flight Centre tips ‘price war’ as first direct Melbourne to LA Delta flights go on sale
FAA reverses course on meeting prohibition, blaming rogue employee
British Airways tweaks frequent flyer scheme after backlash
Delta flight from New York to Florida diverted to North Carolina due to ‘odor in the cabin’
EASA Certifies Safran’s First Electric Motor
US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
Delta to Resume Tel Aviv Flights April 1
Boeing CEO Ortberg outlines 2025 priorities after heavy losses
Storm Eowyn: Thousands of trains, flights and ferries cancelled as 100mph wind batters UK
Indian carrier long haul: IndiGo returns to profitability, plans long haul flights
These Frequent Fliers Are Done With Loyalty Programs
JetBlue accepting Venmo as payment method for flights purchased through mobile app
United Airlines stock rallies on results, as growing demand wasn’t just about premium seats
Delta Adds Another Alaska Route
Southwest to Reduce Pilot Head Count at Several Bases
Dublin Airport savings boost for holidaymakers – but passengers need to be quick
American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Delta flight controversy over seating arrangement for plus-sized woman and service animal
Research
Webp p18pueyozwbyaegyt1fzg7i1qaau
View from the Wing | View from the Wing

A passenger at the gate area of a Delta flight captured a photo of a woman preparing to board for Detroit, accompanied by a large dog and four carry-on items.

The dog was not in a bag that fits underneath the seat, which is required for pets in the cabin. Although registered with the airline as a service animal, it clearly did not meet the criteria. Pets in cabins are treated as carry-ons, meaning she should have only had one personal item with her instead of four.

Upon boarding the Bombardier CR-9 regional jet, the woman found she did not fit in first class seat 2A along with her dog. The flight attendant on this Delta Connection trip allowed her to move across the aisle to sit in 2C and placed her dog in 2D. Both seats were assigned to other passengers.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The passenger assigned to 2C was redirected to 2A upon boarding. Subsequently, the passenger with seat 2D was given seat 1C. When the passenger holding ticket for 1C boarded, he was informed there was no first-class seat available for him.

The first-class passenger in 1C was "involuntarily downgraded to a comfort-plus seat," which offers extra legroom but is still part of coach class.

Typically, passengers who purchase only one seat should be afforded just one seat. Other passengers should not be moved or downgraded to accommodate them. If more than one seat is needed, additional seats can be purchased; however, this does not increase the carry-on bag allowance.

Despite these issues, Delta Air Lines flight 4306 departed ten minutes early and arrived in Detroit twenty minutes ahead of schedule.

Passengers can bring service animals on planes without extra charges by filling out paperwork that largely involves attesting that it is indeed a service animal. Emotional support animals are no longer officially recognized on planes but enforcing this relies heavily on an honor system.

This situation highlights ongoing challenges with emotional support animals on flights and compliance with related regulations.

---

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Long Beach Airport has announced a new daily nonstop service to Baltimore Washington International (BWI) through Southwest Airlines.

Jun 7, 2025

Lidl workers in Belgium initiated a strike and blockades on June 5, following similar actions in France and Italy.

Jun 6, 2025

Delta Air Lines is expanding its flight offerings for the 2025 pro football season, introducing new routes and increasing capacity to accommodate fans traveling to major games.

Jun 6, 2025

National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen addressed the U.S. House Aviation Subcommittee, emphasizing the urgent need to reform the nation's air traffic control (ATC) infrastructure.

Jun 6, 2025

Last month, over 130 volunteers from Delta Air Lines and several partner organizations collaborated to construct a new playground in College Park, Georgia.

Jun 6, 2025

Walking together on Omaha Beach, 19-year-old college student Caleb Walker and 101-year-old WWII veteran Jack Myers reflected on the sacrifices made during the D-Day invasion.

Jun 6, 2025