United Polaris Goes to the Dogs: Dogs Get Their Own Business Class Seats

By Ivan PetrenkoApr 25, 2024 01:30 AMNews
Share:
A Yorkshire Terrier with an alert expression, facing the camera against a plain background
A Yorkshire Terrier with an alert expression, facing the camera against a plain background. Source: pixabay

A New York City-based family recently drew attention when they boarded a United Airlines flight from Newark with their Yorkshire Terriers, Amy and Emily, who each had their own business class seat. The dogs are classified as "task-trained service animals," according to their owner, which allows them to occupy seats typically reserved for human passengers. This unconventional approach to pet travel raises questions about the evolution of service animal regulations and the changing dynamics of air travel.

Under United Airlines' policy, task-trained service animals are exempt from the restrictions applied to typical pets, allowing them to sit on the seats instead of being confined to a carrier under the seat in front of them. This policy flexibility has led to unique scenarios like this one, where small dogs are traveling in business class. This practice, while unusual, is becoming more accepted, especially as airlines have reduced the transport of pets in cargo after a series of incidents that occurred several years ago.

However, this trend has raised some logistical concerns. Business class seats, often designed for long-haul flights, may not be the ideal environment for animals, especially since airlines do not clean extensively between flights, and small dogs like Yorkshire Terriers can be challenging to potty train. Despite these challenges, many travelers appreciate the idea of dogs having their own seats, as it avoids the discomfort of larger pets on the floor, encroaching into the space of neighboring passengers.

United Airlines' shift away from accepting pets in cargo, due to safety concerns, has prompted dog owners to seek alternative solutions for their furry companions. With the ability to purchase additional seats, travelers can ensure a more comfortable experience for their pets, while also adhering to the airline's service animal policies. This trend may continue to grow, with more passengers choosing to travel with their pets in business class to ensure their comfort and safety during the journey.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Rail workers using heavy machinery during track maintenance

Glasgow Rail Line Weekend Shutdowns Affect Travel Plans in August

Jul 31, 2025 23:45 PM
Modern hotel room with large bed, decorative pillows, and warm lighting

Hotel Indigo Debuts in Clerkenwell’s Bustling Food Quarter

Jul 31, 2025 21:23 PM

Beach Destinations See Surge in Popularity Amid Global Heat

Jul 31, 2025 20:59 PM

New Radisson Blu Hotel Enhances Accommodation Options in Riyadh

Jul 30, 2025 23:37 PM
Cozy hotel room with wooden headboard and framed artwork above the bed

NH Collection Palermo Palazzo Sitano Opens in Historic City Center

Jul 30, 2025 21:45 PM
Qatar Airways aircraft in flight against blue sky

Qatar Airways Boosts Winter Flights to Key Global Destinations

Jul 30, 2025 19:22 PM
ScotRail train at an empty station platform

ScotRail Boosts Late-Night Services to Ease Travel During Edinburgh Festivals

Jul 30, 2025 07:38 AM
Passenger using smartphone during flight

Two Tickets in One Click: JetBlue and United Simplify Complex Routes

Jul 29, 2025 23:43 PM
Bedroom interior with bedside table and lamp

Florø Prepares to Expand Accommodation Options for Visitors

Jul 29, 2025 21:36 PM

Southwest Changes Boarding Rules and Adds New Winter Destinations for 2026

Jul 29, 2025 19:28 PM

Hyatt Centric Anjuna Goa to Open in Town Center, Bringing New Stay Option to Anjuna

Jul 29, 2025 17:42 PM
Woman checking travel information on her phone during a flight

Philippine Airlines Introduces Pre-Flight Emails with Essential Travel Details

Jul 29, 2025 02:35 AM
Railway workers performing track maintenance during engineering works

Weekend Engineering Works to Affect Rail Access Between Stalybridge and Dewsbury

Jul 28, 2025 23:25 PM
View of South African Airways wing over landscape during flight

New Non-Stop Route from Cape Town Opens Up Mauritius for Travelers

Jul 28, 2025 21:32 PM
A woman using her smartphone while sitting on public transport

East Midlands Railway Cuts Fares on Summer Routes Across UK

Jul 28, 2025 20:47 PM

New Ryanair System Changes How Travellers Book Through Agencies

Jul 28, 2025 16:26 PM

Holiday Inn Express Brings Overnight Option to Changanassery’s Lively Local Streets

Jul 28, 2025 14:33 PM
American Airlines aircraft preparing for departure on the runway

Denver Departure Chaos: American Airlines Flight Evacuated After Smoke Alert

Jul 27, 2025 23:54 PM
View from airplane window showing coastline and river below during flight over Borneo

Malaysia and Indonesia Open New Direct Air Routes to Simplify Travel to Borneo

Jul 27, 2025 20:31 PM
Train navigating complex rail junction under overhead infrastructure

Rail Disruptions in Liguria: RFI Construction Projects Will Impact August Travel

Jul 26, 2025 23:41 PM
Condor Airbus A330neo with green and white striped livery on airport runway

New daily Condor flights reshape the flight map of Europe

Jul 26, 2025 21:37 PM
Airplane flying overhead against a partly cloudy sky

Gdańsk Opens New Direct Route to Agadir, Simplifying Travel to Morocco’s Coast

Jul 26, 2025 20:26 PM

New Direct Flights Connect Taipei and Phoenix, Expanding Access to Southwest U.S. Destinations

Jul 26, 2025 19:43 PM

South Wales Rail Upgrades to Impact Travel Access in Early August

Jul 26, 2025 18:39 PM
easyJet aircraft on airport tarmac with boarding stairs

Euro Final in the Sky: easyJet to Announce Scores to Passengers During Flights

Jul 25, 2025 23:27 PM
Multiple railway tracks with red signal and overhead wires

Expect Delays: Leicester–Peterborough Line Closed 2 and 3 August

Jul 25, 2025 21:34 PM