A couple is seeking a refund after sitting next to a “snorting and farting” dog on a plane, saying their experience was ruined.
Gill and Warren Press were on the first leg of their journey from Europe to New Zealand, taking a 13-hour flight from Paris to Singapore on Singapore Airlines.
But the couple from Wellington quickly discovered that their premium economy seat was next to a passenger with an emotional support dog, making a lot of noise.
“I heard this noise, heavy snorting,” Mrs. Press said. thing. “I thought it was her husband calling, but then she looked down and realized it was dog breathing.
“I said, ‘I can’t have this sitting next to me the whole trip.'”
When Mrs. Press asked the flight attendant if she could move, she was told that the only available seats were in the rear of the economy class section.
They remained in place, but claimed the odor became unbearable during the journey as the dog was “farting” as it occupied Mr Press’s foot space.
Mrs Press said the owner “couldn’t leave the dog out in the aisle because the trolley couldn’t get through, so they had to go further in, so the dog’s head was under her husband’s feet.” ‘ he claimed.
“My husband was wearing shorts and had dog saliva on his legs.”
Mrs Press spoke to the flight attendant again and said the two were now able to move to the front seats in economy class, which had previously been occupied by flight attendants.
Mrs Press said the incident had been recorded and she was told she would be contacted by the airline, but a week later she had not heard anything.
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She complained via email and three weeks later was finally offered a travel voucher worth NZ$200 (£95) per passenger.
However, Mrs Press claims this is unacceptable and is now demanding a full refund. “We didn’t get the experience we paid for,” she said.
A Singapore Airlines spokesperson said the airline was in direct contact with the couple.
“Singapore Airlines strives to notify customers who may be seated next to a service dog prior to boarding,” they said. “We sincerely apologize that this did not happen in this case and will work with the airport team to ensure that such lapses do not occur in the future.”
“If a passenger sitting next to a service dog wishes to move, Singapore Airlines will assist the passenger in changing seats within the same cabin, space permitting.”