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Passenger claims removal from Southwest flight due to cat's accident

Passenger claims removal from Southwest flight due to cat's accident
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Airbus A380 | Airbus

A social media post by a passenger named Alex has gained widespread attention after she claimed to have been removed from a Southwest Airlines flight due to an incident involving her pet cat. The situation unfolded when her seven-month-old cat, Oni, became distressed during a turbulent landing and defecated in its carrier. After cleaning the mess in the airplane restroom, Alex disposed of the soiled paper towels in the trash. However, upon reboarding, she discovered that the trash had not been emptied, leaving an odor that led to the closure of the bathroom.

Alex shared on X that despite having cleaned Oni and his carrier thoroughly, "there is no trace of the incident. No odor at all." However, she noted that upon reboarding with a new crew on board, they were informed about what had happened and subsequently closed off access to the bathroom due to the smell.

In her post, Alex alleged that the new flight attendants accused her of turning the bathroom into a “litter box” and made her cry before escorting her off the plane. She reported being stranded for hours before being rebooked on another flight. A Southwest Agent provided Alex with a $200 voucher for future travel as compensation and reassured her that she did nothing wrong.

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The viral post sparked discussions among users who expressed sympathy for Alex while criticizing Southwest's handling of the issue. Some questioned why proper disposal measures were not taken between flights given that "the smell was contained in the bathroom."

Southwest Airlines has guidelines regarding pets traveling in cabins which state that animals showing "disruptive behavior" may be denied boarding. Simple Flying reached out to Southwest Airlines for comment but received no immediate response.

This incident comes amid growing concerns over pet travel policies as more people fly with their animals each year. According to data from industry associations like APPA and IPATA, there has been an increase in pet air travel demand leading airlines like Southwest to enforce stricter rules ensuring safety and comfort aboard flights.

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