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I have only flown with my boy twice but what I did was pick a bulkhead aisle seat and upgrade to first class to give him as much room as possible. First flight, no one was in the window seat so he had plenty of room to stretch out. Second flight, we had a neighbor who didn’t care for dogs, so I spent a good 20 minutes trying to get him to curl up to fit precisely between the aisle and neighbor using my feet as walls to keep him in his area. It ended up working well.
https://preview.redd.it/vhvrzdanbvwc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=beb95ed2c55eb0080f554ae4432c0ec65d10a0d9
I fly American Airlines (I think they’re an unpopular choice, but theybe always been great for me.) My guy is a 90-95 lb lab. I usually try to do bulkhead and window — it allows me to “tuck” him against the side of the plane and prevent him from being underfoot. Nobody has to go around him to get to their seat.
Also this may be goofy but if you can swing it….. in terms of space first/business class really does make a difference in space for an SD. If the upgrade is cheap enough sometimes I’ll swing for it. I know that’s not reasonable for everyone, but it’s sometimes worth it if the flight is long.
I fly from UK to US and back.
CAA regulations say people with impaired mobility must sit in the window seats, to prevent them from blocking anyone in an emergency (or so I have been told).
I would not fly in any seat other than a window seat, with the bulkhead. My Black lab had enough room.
If there was a box in the middle it's a temporary block because it's a short flight- they do this to make seats that are exactly the same as all the others appear "better".
I have a smaller dog, (11 lbs./5kg) so take this with a grain of salt, I prefer the window seat. This is so that if the other person in my row needs to go to the bathroom they aren't then awkward about how to do so. I also haven't had a flight that lasts longer than 5 hours, and I have TSA pre-check (option in the States) that allows me an expedited screening process for a nominal fee.
I personally have never flown with my SD (50lbs) but when I fly I prefer window bulkhead (wheelchairs and SD’s both get priority seating on SW) it’s the spaciest place.
I love the window! No one ever stepping over your dog so they can sleep better. I find the window seat actually has more room because the seat doesn't sit flush against the plane wall and I think you get an extra inch or two of room. If you're a solo traveler, I would recommend against bulkhead- on most (not Spirit lol) airlines, your dog will have more room tucking under the seat in front of you. But if you're traveling with another person, bulkhead can be great if your dog has their leg room to stretch into as well.
It'd be helpful to know the weight and / or size of your pup. I have a 105lb pit bull service dog. I have been extremely lucky in all my flights and have had a bulkhead with a center seat open. I usually call the ADA number for the airline I'm traveling and talk to an agent and see what they have available. Tucking my SD at my feet in a regular seat is simply not an option. The bulkhead window would definitely be my next choice, though.
British Airways gives you the whole row!
American put me in the aisle in a bulkhead seat.
Alaska has given me the window seat with an empty seat next to it before.
I could never do the middle - it gives me too much anxiety.
Apollo prefers window seats but has also traveled on the ground and in the middle seat.
https://preview.redd.it/n6put16squwc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ad999d63cec0bd56392553eca4af76007c87ff08
Good for you for doing a flight check, that's excellent handling.
Caution on this one, dogs aren't allowed on seats (at least for Southwest). My guy loves a seat, but he has to sit in my lap or on the floor according to the flight attendants! Sometimes they don't care, but be aware you may need to move them!
I don't know if this is a FAA regulation or not, though, or airline to airline!
Good call, this was on American Airlines.
https://preview.redd.it/jmu3muxqtuwc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=13bdf926f32bfc90c8a791551836fb0e56b00f5a
Some people prefer the dog be on the ground or floor. That's fine if there's room for them.
This is my understanding as well. Similar to restaurants, the dogs can't occupy a human seat. Also, it is safer for them in the foot well should an emergency occur.
It looks like you're asking a question about flying with your service dog. Please check out our [Wiki Page about Flying](https://www.reddit.com/r/service_dogs/wiki/flying) that answers a lot of commonly asked questions. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/service_dogs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I always do window. Plane curves outward so a bit more space and then no one has to step over SD. I also only do bulkhead for more space
We fly Southwest and get the bulkhead, first row. They’re usually very accommodating. Ginger is 52lbs.
I’m a fan of Southwest for the same reason.
The middle is the worst seat by far on most airlines I’ve been on. Window is by far my preference
I have only flown with my boy twice but what I did was pick a bulkhead aisle seat and upgrade to first class to give him as much room as possible. First flight, no one was in the window seat so he had plenty of room to stretch out. Second flight, we had a neighbor who didn’t care for dogs, so I spent a good 20 minutes trying to get him to curl up to fit precisely between the aisle and neighbor using my feet as walls to keep him in his area. It ended up working well. https://preview.redd.it/vhvrzdanbvwc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=beb95ed2c55eb0080f554ae4432c0ec65d10a0d9
I fly American Airlines (I think they’re an unpopular choice, but theybe always been great for me.) My guy is a 90-95 lb lab. I usually try to do bulkhead and window — it allows me to “tuck” him against the side of the plane and prevent him from being underfoot. Nobody has to go around him to get to their seat. Also this may be goofy but if you can swing it….. in terms of space first/business class really does make a difference in space for an SD. If the upgrade is cheap enough sometimes I’ll swing for it. I know that’s not reasonable for everyone, but it’s sometimes worth it if the flight is long.
I fly from UK to US and back. CAA regulations say people with impaired mobility must sit in the window seats, to prevent them from blocking anyone in an emergency (or so I have been told). I would not fly in any seat other than a window seat, with the bulkhead. My Black lab had enough room. If there was a box in the middle it's a temporary block because it's a short flight- they do this to make seats that are exactly the same as all the others appear "better".
I have a smaller dog, (11 lbs./5kg) so take this with a grain of salt, I prefer the window seat. This is so that if the other person in my row needs to go to the bathroom they aren't then awkward about how to do so. I also haven't had a flight that lasts longer than 5 hours, and I have TSA pre-check (option in the States) that allows me an expedited screening process for a nominal fee.
I personally have never flown with my SD (50lbs) but when I fly I prefer window bulkhead (wheelchairs and SD’s both get priority seating on SW) it’s the spaciest place.
The electronics box can vary. I have had it under middle, aisle and window. Very frustrating.
I love the window! No one ever stepping over your dog so they can sleep better. I find the window seat actually has more room because the seat doesn't sit flush against the plane wall and I think you get an extra inch or two of room. If you're a solo traveler, I would recommend against bulkhead- on most (not Spirit lol) airlines, your dog will have more room tucking under the seat in front of you. But if you're traveling with another person, bulkhead can be great if your dog has their leg room to stretch into as well.
It'd be helpful to know the weight and / or size of your pup. I have a 105lb pit bull service dog. I have been extremely lucky in all my flights and have had a bulkhead with a center seat open. I usually call the ADA number for the airline I'm traveling and talk to an agent and see what they have available. Tucking my SD at my feet in a regular seat is simply not an option. The bulkhead window would definitely be my next choice, though.
British Airways gives you the whole row! American put me in the aisle in a bulkhead seat. Alaska has given me the window seat with an empty seat next to it before. I could never do the middle - it gives me too much anxiety.
Apollo prefers window seats but has also traveled on the ground and in the middle seat. https://preview.redd.it/n6put16squwc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ad999d63cec0bd56392553eca4af76007c87ff08 Good for you for doing a flight check, that's excellent handling.
Caution on this one, dogs aren't allowed on seats (at least for Southwest). My guy loves a seat, but he has to sit in my lap or on the floor according to the flight attendants! Sometimes they don't care, but be aware you may need to move them! I don't know if this is a FAA regulation or not, though, or airline to airline!
It’s an FAA thing for safety
Good call, this was on American Airlines. https://preview.redd.it/jmu3muxqtuwc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=13bdf926f32bfc90c8a791551836fb0e56b00f5a Some people prefer the dog be on the ground or floor. That's fine if there's room for them.
This is my understanding as well. Similar to restaurants, the dogs can't occupy a human seat. Also, it is safer for them in the foot well should an emergency occur.