Vacation hotspot ripped over ‘ridiculous' new policy on pets in plane cabins: ‘Garbage idea'
People didn't like the idea of sitting next to a massive air bud.
Italian air officials have caused uproar among pet parents over a 'ridiculous' new policy that allows medium and large-sized canines to fly with their owners.
Under the new guidelines, approved last month by the nation's civil aviation authority ENAC, pets whose weight exceeds 22 pounds will be allowed to travel in the cabin if the airline permits it. Previously, canines of this size were relegated to flying in the cargo hold.
3 Italy's new resolution on traveling with pets stipulates that they must arrive in 'approved carriers' and strapped into a seat, rather than on the ground below.
Viktoriya – stock.adobe.com
The resolution stipulated that the pets must be placed in 'approved carriers' that can even be placed on seats, provided they're belted in or otherwise anchored and only if they don't obstruct emergency exits or crew operations.
ENAC president Pierluigi Di Palma declared the goal of the policy was to ensure the animals' 'well-being' and make it 'easier for a greater number of passengers to transport their pets by air.'
Matteo Salvini, Italy's deputy prime minister and transport minister, expressed his support for the new rule on Instagram, writing, 'From now on, dog and cat owners will have less difficulty flying with their four-legged friends. Promise kept!'
While the pet-friendly measure received oodles of support from animal-lovers, many frequent flyers appeared less enthused about the idea of sharing their air space with plus-size pooches.
3 The pets' carriers can be placed on the seat provided that they're belted or otherwise anchored to it.
New Africa – stock.adobe.com
'Yea no … I don't want to sit next to a dog on my flight,' griped one naysayer on Instagram. 'Nor do I want to be covered in dog hair, and are they removing the dog hair from its seat before the next person sits down.'
Another wrote, 'Stupid really. Imagine a plane in distress, the pets will all go off. Seriously, what a garbage idea, no safety involved.'
Others pointed out that the policy would be problematic for people with canine phobias and pet dander allergies. 'This is really hard for people who have a fear of dogs, I mean, they're basically trapped,' observed one critic. 'The idea sounds great for dog owners, but has downsides too.'
'This is ridiculous. It does not take into consideration people with phobias and allergies,' complained one detractor. 'Not everyone keeps their animals as clean as they should, either.'
They added, 'Guess who is going to get sued if a dog attacks another passenger? I love dogs, but this is going to bite the airlines and some passengers in the bum. Yes, pun intended!!'
3 Proponents of the new policy argue that pets in seats is 'how it should have always been.'
Volha Krayeva – stock.adobe.com
However, some fur fans were on board with the rule change, with one supporter gushing, 'This is how it should have always been, end of story, pets are family, not just animals.'
'An airline that allows me to bring my dog will have my business for life,' declared another.
In the US, the size limitations for carry-on pets are at the discretion of the airlines. For instance, United Airlines doesn't have a weight limit but requires that they fly in a kennel that can fit under the seat in front of the owner.
However, the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires airlines to allow travelers to fly with their service animals in the cabin on all U.S. airlines.
There is no limit to the number of these specialist canines that can be on each flight and they don't need to be transported in a container.
Some flyers have been accused of taking advantage of this rule by pawning off normal pets as service animals.
Last month, San Francisco fashion influencer Piêtra Luccas was excoriated online for bringing her 'service' Great Dane on a United Airlines flight.
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