I really don’t understand your hostility to the post. It never occurred to me to sue the airline. I never blamed the pilot or airline for the turbulence. I was just glad I ended up alive and surprised that the airlines let animals in the passenger compartment.

I am sorry that you were uncomfortable by the presence of an animal aboard your flight. From the details you provided, it is clear that the animal aboard created unpleasant conditions for you — again, I am sorry. I apologize, too, that our personnel weren’t more successful in improving the situation for you. No doubt it was an annoying experience for all concerned.

I can appreciate your disappointment that you were unaware a pet would be traveling in the cabin on your flight. While it would not be possible for us to effectively contact every customer who has booked a reservation to advise them that a pet may be traveling on their flight, the next time you make reservations to travel with us, ask the booking agent if any animals are booked for travel on the flights on your itinerary. Bear in mind that some people book flights on the spur of the moment, so it will be necessary to call our reservations office about 12 hours or so before the departure time. That way, we can give you the best information available about pets in the cabin. However, we cannot guarantee a pet-free cabin because some customers traveling with pets or service animals could be accommodated on one of your flights after either missing an earlier flight or their flight was canceled.

Believe it or not, our regulations for pets carried aboard the aircraft are aimed at reducing any discomfort on the part of our other customers. When traveling within the
48 contiguous United States, we allow seven kennels per flight, two in the First Class cabin and a total of five in the Main Cabin and Business Class combined.

The pet must travel in a kennel that fits underneath the seat in front of the accompanying passenger. We require that the animal stay in the kennel (there are exceptions) in order to reduce odor, noise, allergic reactions and unpleasant “accidents.” Additionally, the pet must be able to stand up in the kennel, which precludes large animals from being accommodated. For the most part, no household pets are allowed in the cabin on long transatlantic or transpacific flights (with the exception of service animals) or on flights to or from Hawaii.

With regard to the issue concerning animals allowed out of their kennels, the U.S.
Department of Transportation has ruled that airlines must allow emotional support animals to travel in the cabin; these animals may ride on the customer’s lap.

While we appreciate the perspective that things would be a lot easier if pets were barred from the passenger cabin, the large number of our customers who want to travel with their animals don’t share this view. So, I hope you can appreciate our reasons for not applying any such ban unilaterally. Many customers traveling with animals are professional breeders on their way to shows and competitions. Their livelihood may well depend on the ability to transport their animals inside aircraft cabins.

Again, I’m sorry your experience was unsatisfactory. However, pets will continue to be passengers aboard our flights. We will continue our efforts to ensure compliance with our inflight restrictions for pets in the cabin to make for a quiet and peaceful journey for everyone.

Mr. Vieth, we want all customers to enjoy their flights with American Airlines — whether they are customers who care to travel with their pets or those who would prefer that “Rover” be left home. Thank you for sharing your perspective and for listening to our point of view.