Couple stuck with farting dog, compensated by Singapore Airlines
A couple whose flight was ruined by a ‘farting, sniffing’ emotional support dog have received compensation from the airline in a major win.
New Zealand couple Gill and Warren Press were awarded $1,410 by Singapore Airlines after a months-long dispute with the airline.
The service dog belonged to another passenger and sat next to the couple in premium economy as they flew 13 hours from Paris to Singapore in June.
The couple, who own a dog, claimed the problem was not the animal’s presence on the flight but that they should have been warned in advance.
A couple whose flight was ruined by a ‘farting, sniffing’ emotional support dog has been awarded compensation by the airline
The dog sat next to the premium economy seats from New Zealand as they flew 13 hours from Paris to Singapore
‘I expect to see a baby. I expect young children. But I don’t expect a dog,” Ms Press said.
Mrs Press said the dog farted regularly and dribbled ‘properly’ on the leg of her husband, who was wearing shorts.
‘I heard this sound – a heavy snorting. I thought it was my husband’s phone but we looked down and realized it was the dog’s breathing,” Mrs Press told Stuff.
After asking to move seats, the couple was told that the only available seats were at the back of the economy, so they decided to stay where they were.
They were then hit with an unbearable odor during the flight when the animal took up Mr Press’s leg space and farted.
Because the dog couldn’t be placed in the aisle, Mrs. Press said the dog was practically under her husband’s legs.
The owner’s pet became worried, so he traveled into the cabin.
Initially, the couple received an apology and two $73 gift cards.
After filing a claim for compensation with the airline, they were offered travel vouchers worth $185 per passenger.
Ms Press argued this was insufficient as it did not cover the difference in cost between premium and economy seats.
The couple plans to donate the money to an animal charity.
Gill and Warren Press were awarded $1,410 by Singapore Airlines after a months-long dispute
“The director wasn’t about the money, it was about making people responsible,” Ms Press said.
Singapore Airlines previously released a statement following the couple’s complaints.
“SIA is attempting to notify customers who may be sitting next to a service dog prior to boarding,” the airline said.
‘In circumstances where customers sitting next to a service dog request to be moved, we will assist in relocating customers to the same cabin if space permits.’
“In this case, we could not move Mr and Mrs Press into the same cabin because the Premium Economy Class cabin was full.”