A Bengaluru family has accused Air India Airlines of not allowing their pet dog to board the flight. The chain of events started with the family planning a trip with the airlines. However, things took a turn for the worse for the family of three when an Air India pilot refused to allow his pet poodle to board the flight. The family claims the pet had cleared all due diligence prior to flight and was issued a boarding pass in Pet Fluffy’s name, despite the pilot’s denial. After the incident, Sachin Shenoy shared the details of the incident in a video.
The family had planned a 12-day trip and were to travel by Air India flight from Bengaluru to Delhi and then to Amritsar. Sharing his complaint on Twitter, Sachin said, “We were in constant touch with Air India to fly his pet dog, Fluffy, as per the rules and procedures laid down by the airline.”
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He further added that the weight of his pet dog was less than 5 kgs along with the bag and was fit to fly in the cabin based on the rules of the airlines. They also mentioned that they waited at the airport with the pet for over four hours without any fuss. During this, around 250 people pet his poodle at the airport.
https://t.co/lEVEHbEybU,@PMOIndia @JM_Scindia @manekagandhibjp @TV9 Kannada @Republic @WIONews @times of India @TimesNow @mirrornow @AnimalRightsCom @RNata2000 pic.twitter.com/VSsUbzh16i– Sachin Shenoy (@SachinShenoy7) December 17, 2022
However, “the pilot, Captain Chopra denied us entry, or so we were told,” he further noted. He also said that it appeared that the flight was overbooked. “We were told you can leave your pet and fly…it’s like leaving your child and flying,” he said in the video. He also said that he has now suffered a big loss because of all the pre-booking.
Taking note of the incident, Air India replied to the video saying, “Sir, we love our dear friends as much as you do. Our Bengaluru airport team extended all possible help to ensure Wish your Fluffy could fly on board with us.” “However, the flight commander was not completely satisfied with the cage and muzzle of the pet, which is why he could not allow it to be taken into the cabin,” he added.
However, the flight commander was not entirely satisfied with the pet’s cage and muzzle, which is why he could not allow it into the cabin. 2/n — Air India (@airindiain) December 17, 2022
Shenoy responded to the statement by saying, “This is incorrect information, if it was so your team would not have given him the boarding pass. We checked Fluffy 4 hours prior to all the verification of his eligibility to travel and fitness.” Please stop telling white lies.”
In another tweet, the airline said, “Our stipulated policy for carriage of pets on domestic flights clearly mentions that” carriage of pets is subject to the approval of the flight commander.
This is wrong information, if it was so then your team would not have given him the boarding pass. We carried out all verifications of Fluffy’s travel eligibility and fitness 4 hours before the flight. Please stop telling white lies — Sachin Shenoy (@SachinShenoy7) December 17, 2022
As an additional “goodwill gesture”, Air India extended a revalidation offer to the family and requested that they take it up. The Tata-owned airline said, “However, as a goodwill gesture, we are offering you revalidation of your tickets for the entire journey tomorrow. Please accept our humble offer, as we look forward to letting Fluffy fly with us.” Would like it.”