By Frank Kamuntu
A 27-year-old dog owner named Gabriel Bogner has gone viral on social media after he bought three commercial tickets on American Airlines for his Great Dane to sit on board
Normally, animals are carried in cages that are strapped in the cargo hold underneath the aircraft, but Bogner decided his dog would travel as a passenger.
He, therefore, purchased a row of three seats so that he sat on one while the dog named Darwin occupied the other two.
“Who says Great Danes aren’t airplane dogs. Shoutout to @American Airlines for making our move to Brooklyn a piece of cake though! (Yes I bought 3 seats for us on the plane),” he caprioned the video.
It, however, remains a secret how he managed to circumvent the strict airline policy on dogs traveling together with passengers.
In a TikTok video that has been viewed over 18 million times, the passenger disclosed that he was traveling to Brooklyn from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Most airlines only allow military or service dogs to accompany their owners on board, but Bogner, somehow, got Darwin into the cabin. Service animals are trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or mental disability.
According the the American Airlines policy, service animals in training, emotional support animals, and comfort animals may travel as pets, not as service animals.
“Our team members are trained to ask certain questions to determine if your animal is a service animal acceptable for travel,” reads the statement in part.
Social Media Reactions;
Social media users who watched the videos were curious to know how the passenger navigated the system because, they too, would wish to travel the same way with their dogs someday.
Christian: “The passenger made sure that no one else had to get up close and personal with his well behaved dog. Props.”
Anthony: “I love dogs and would have welcomed the opportunity to fly with Darwin since she’s well behaved and not bothering anyone. I’ve seen other poorly trained dogs on flights, but that is more a reflection of their owners and training.” “Please make a video how you made this work. I need to make my way to Ireland from TX with my 10-year-old Great Dane.”
Sophie Ogle: “My entire flight would be about me petting the dog or watching the dog or going to the bathroom just to walk past the dog.”
Melanie & The Dogs: “Is your dog a service dog? I’ve never been able to find an airline that just lets a normal family dog on the seats/buy a seat for them.”
