Quantcast

United Airlines faces criticism over seating arrangement for large service dog

United Airlines faces criticism over seating arrangement for large service dog
Policy
Webp 5r3vc2svdh8ibaxk8gr8iutw0za2
Simple Flying | Simple Flying

A recent incident on a United Airlines flight has sparked discussion about the accommodation of service dogs on airplanes. A passenger, who shared their experience on Reddit, reported that they had to give up their assigned seat because it was occupied by a large service dog. The flight was fully booked and headed for Denver.

The passenger, whose identity remains unknown, described finding a sizable service dog sitting in their seat upon boarding. The animal was too large to fit comfortably on the floor in front of its owner. When the passenger alerted a flight attendant, they were initially unable to resolve the situation due to the full capacity of the aircraft. Eventually, another seat was found for the displaced traveler.

The passenger expressed frustration with the situation, stating: "A United staff member came onboard and spoke to the passenger but the dog remained. Finally, somehow they located another seat for me. The dog stayed on my seat for the whole flight."

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.

They further commented on what they perceived as an inconsistency in airline policies: "Your dog should sit in the floor space in front of your seat... It is nasty to have a dog outside of a carrier sitting on passengers’ seats with his butt on the armrests."

United Airlines responded to an inquiry from Simple Flying regarding their policy: "Our policy calls for service animals to sit either in the floor space in front of a customer or in the customer’s lap... Occasionally, we may ask other customers to consider changing seats to accommodate a larger service animal."

This is not an isolated incident; last month, a similar situation occurred on a Delta Air Lines flight when a first-class passenger had to move back to economy class due to a service dog's presence.

Service dogs are trained to assist individuals with disabilities and are generally allowed by airlines under specific guidelines. While smaller dogs can be accommodated more easily, larger ones require additional consideration.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

The UNI Africa Regional Conference concluded with a strong focus on consolidating working-class power.

Jul 6, 2025

In a recent rally at Gwanghwamun Square, UNI Global Union affiliates, including the Korea Finance Industry Union (KFIU) and the Korean Health and Medical Workers’ Union (KHMU), joined forces with national labor federations to advocate for stronger...

Jul 6, 2025

The Emirates Group recently held an exhibition titled "Tomorrow Takes Flight," showcasing its sustainability initiatives in aviation.

Jul 4, 2025

Air France-KLM has announced plans to take control of SAS Scandinavian Airlines by increasing its ownership stake to 60.5% by the end of 2026.

Jul 4, 2025

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has expressed concerns over the Global Solidarity Levy Task Force's (GSLTF) proposal to impose a premium flyer levy, citing potential negative impacts on the airline industry and broader economic...

Jul 4, 2025

American Airlines, known for its extensive network of hub airports, once operated a significant hub at St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) in Missouri.

Jul 4, 2025