'It's already tight enough in economy': Should pets be allowed in plane cabins?
By Nadia Scurria|
Flying in a plane cabin with little leg room, crying babies and losing all personal space is one thing จC but what if we said you might have to sit next to a dog or a cat too??
On airlines in Australia, pets are currently required to be checked into the cargo area of a plane, unless they are authorised assistance or service dogs.
Wanting to go on a holiday with your pet shouldn't have to be so complicated, given it's generally more expensive organising a pet to get flown over in the plane cargo than the cabin.
Discussing the possibility of cabin travel for pets being introduced into Australia, the hosts of Today were divided.
Watch the video above.?
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"It may not be long before cats and dogs, your pet budgie, even your pet snake จC snakes on planes? จC are allowed on flights," host Karl Stefanovic said.
His response was a "definite no," while co-host Sarah Abo said, "I don't really want to be sitting next to somebody who's got a snake."
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"It's already tight enough in economy," Stefanovic added.
Meanwhile, Brooke Boney said, "A little dog, while you're sitting there and could just give it a cuddle? I'm in."
Alex Cullen, on the other hand, argued, "it depends on the pet."
The Today panel's discussion was sparked by the news of QANTAS announcing a partnership with PETstock, allowing shoppers to earn Frequent Flyer points.
TikTok user Melanie Demi is one pet owner who travels around the world with her dogs sitting in the plane cabin with her.
The avoid the hassle of putting her pooches in a cargo or in the economy cabin of a general airline, she and her partner fly on a private jet (which they saved a lot for, clearly).
Some passengers might have severe airborne allergies to dogs or cats, which can also be a factor when deciding to travel with pets or not.
It seems the issue is a divisive one, with many Today viewers taking to Facebook to share their views.
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One Facebook user commented, "No, I am not a pet person, don't hate animals but don't need them sitting in an airplane with me. Bad enough when I'm out eating and they are allowed in cafes etc. Not everyone loves dogs."
"Yes on certain flights. Our pets are part of family the rest of the world has been doing it for years," another said.
So what do you think? Should pets other than service animals be allowed on planes? ?Cast your vote here:
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