Plane passenger sparks fierce debate after complaining about a ‘service dog’ being in their leg space for the entire flight
- A United Airlines passenger detailed the incident in a recent Reddit thread
- Shortly after posting about it, more than 1,000 Reddit users gave their verdict
- Many people said it would be their nightmare, but some said they would love it
The debate over airplane etiquette continues to rage and a passenger has stoked the fire after asking about the correct place for guide dogs to sit.
In a Reddit threadthe United Airlines passenger joked, “Service dog” in my legroom for the entire flight. Should I complain?’
Along with the question, they posted a photo from their flight, which showed them sitting in the front aisle row of a plane with someone else’s service dog at their feet.
Commenting on the incident, they added: ‘A very sweet dog, but clearly not a service dog. In my legroom the entire flight (including takeoff and landing). The owner tried, but couldn’t move the dog. He was too big and wouldn’t move.’
Shortly after posting about the incident, more than 1,000 other Reddit users jumped on the thread to give their verdict.
In a Reddit thread, the United Airlines passenger joked: “Service dog” in my legroom for the entire flight. Should I complain?’
Along with the question, they posted a photo from their flight, which showed them sitting in the front aisle row of a plane with someone else’s service dog at their feet
Many people said that the passenger had the right to file a complaint either with the flight attendant during the trip or with the airline after landing.
One person said they experienced something similar on a flight and after complaining through the airline’s app, they received 10,000 miles.
Other participants were shocked at the prospect of sitting next to a dog, with some citing allergies and others fearing the four-legged friends.
One commenter simply described it as their “nightmare” on a plane.
They continued: ‘Not because of the leg room, but because I’m allergic to dogs in the air. Were you given a warning and the opportunity to move?
‘If a dog were that close without warning that he had to take an allergy pill at least an hour before the flight, it would mean breathing difficulties and sore eyes until I could shower and wash off the dog hazard.
“That said, I fly a lot and this hasn’t happened yet. I fear the day.’
A flight attendant jumped on the wire and said this shouldn’t have happened and that the passenger should file a complaint.
Many people said that the passenger had the right to complain, either to the flight attendant during the flight or to raise it with the airline after landing (stock image)
They wrote: ‘Did you inform the FA of this before the doors closed? I am a dog mom and love dogs.
“But I’m also a flight attendant and technically the service dog isn’t allowed to stand in the aisle or take up other travelers’ floor space.”
“The gate attendant probably would have come by and explained everything to the passenger and taken it from there.
‘You have to call customer service. I’m sure you’ll get some miles or some credit.”
While the majority of readers said the passenger had a right to complain, others said this was actually their dream scenario.
One dog lover exclaimed, “I’d pay extra for this!”
While another expressed similar sentiments, writing: ‘This would be the best flight EVER for me!’
The United Airlines website has clear rules for traveling with service animals.
It instructs owners: ‘Your dog should sit in the floor space in front of your seat. They may not be in the aisle or on the floor space of the travelers next to you.
‘You can put your service dog in a carrier if you wish, as long as it meets the size requirements.
“You can’t sit in the exit line with a service animal.”
DailyMail.com has contacted United Airlines for comment on the matter.
