Пассажир первого класса American Airlines, зажатый 100-фунтовой собакой

FORT WORTH- An American Airlines (AA) first class passenger traveling to Houston (IAH) reported being pinned in his bulkhead seat by a 100-pound service dog during the flight. The incident left the traveler unable to move his legs for hours after an initial 1 hour delay on the tarmac.

The passenger explained that while he had upgraded to first class, the large dog named Bear occupied his entire foot space, leaving the handler’s own area clear. The passenger, standing 6’7”, remained stuck for the entire journey between Dallas (DFW) and Houston (IAH).

Photo: By Venkat Mangudi – P1160902, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46460254

American Airlines First Class Passenger

Airlines must comply with US Department of Transportation regulations, particularly 14 CFR Part 382, which governs the accommodation of service animals.

These rules allow carriers to require service dogs to fit fully in the handler’s lap or within their assigned foot space.

Dogs cannot block aisles, obstruct emergency egress, or encroach on another passenger’s seating area.

When an animal is too large, airlines may re-seat the passenger, rebook them on a different flight, or require the purchase of an additional seat to ensure the animal remains within the handler’s footprint.

According to View from the Wing, these policies exist to prevent disruptions and maintain safety, but are not always strictly enforced.

Photo: Bill Abbott

Passenger Experience and Reactions

The traveler described frustration at being unable to move freely throughout the flight. Although the dog’s handler apologized once, no corrective action was taken.

The passenger avoided confronting the issue further, expressing concern about the perception of challenging a disability related request.

Online discussions raised doubts about whether the dog was a properly trained service animal. Many noted that trained animals are expected to remain calm, unobtrusive, and fully within their handler’s space.

Observers also stressed that a dog extending into another person’s seating area is a violation of both federal rules and airline policy.

Photo: Flickr User

Broader Industry Concerns

Major airlines, including American Airlines (AA), Delta Air Lines (DL), and United Airlines (UA), have long lobbied for stricter service animal policies.

Airlines faced growing problems with passengers bringing emotional support animals under the label of “service animals,” resulting in overcrowding and safety issues onboard.

Examples include flights delayed due to unapproved animals, passengers displaced to accommodate oversized dogs, and incidents in premium lounges where animals behaved contrary to expected training standards.

Such cases highlight inconsistencies in enforcement and the need for stricter adherence to federal regulations.

Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – American Airlines, N804AW, Airbus A319-132, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41996012

Identifying Fake Service Animals

Experts point to several common signs of fraudulent service animals:

• Receiving treats or food outside of mealtimes
• Owners using baby talk or pet like commands
• Animals resting on pillows or laps improperly
• Multiple animals per passenger
• Participation in photo shoots by windows

Proper service animals are trained working companions, not pets for comfort or leisure. Their role is functional, ensuring support for specific disabilities, while maintaining minimal disruption to others.

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