Last week I wrote about a dog who traveled onboard a Turkish Airlines 777 in economy class. Today we check on Fifi, a mini dachshund who flew from Hong Kong to Paris via Istanbul in the comfort of her own business class seat on Turkish Airlines.
Dog Flies In Business Class On Turkish Airlines, Enjoys Her Own Seat
Check out Fifi, a mini dachshund who boasts 15K followers on Instagram and recently flew all the way from Hong Kong to Paris in Turkish Airlines Business Class:
View this post on Instagram
Concerning flying with a dog on Turkish Airlines, her owner writes:
- Pros:
- super dog-friendly staff on board
- spacious business class seats
- dog-friendly lounge in Istanbul
- pet toilets at Istanbul airport
- I only needed to put Fifi in her bag when I ate
- Cons:
- unexpected fee at check-in
- no dog-friendly lounges in Hong Kong
I’m a bit confused by this whole episode. I knew that Turkish allowed in-cabin dogs on flights to/from the US in accordance with US law, but I wasn’t aware that Turkish Airlines was so accommodating of dogs on flights to other regions. I suppose money always talks and Turkish Airlines is willing to fill its seats with whoever or whatever is willing to pay, whether it be human beings, dogs, or cellos.
Even so, am I wrong to say that I loathe the way dogs are treated like human beings? (which is a far wider issue than the topic of this story)
Folks, you’ll have to be patient with me here. I don’t really like dogs (as if that wasn’t clear). We have a pet-free house and I intend to keep it that way. I understand that dogs are easier than children because they talk back less often, but for all we talk about babies on airplanes, I think the idea of a dog being confined to a seat for an 11-hour, 40-minute flight (Hong Kong – Istanbul) is far too dangerous. Who wants to clean up that mess if the dog has an accident? It won’t be the owner! At least babies wear diapers.
CONCLUSION
Fifi the dachshund flew from Hong Kong to Istanbul to Paris in the comfort of business class, even using blankets and pillows. While I sometimes wonder what is real and what is not on social media (we should all ask that question), it seems that Turkish Airlines takes a much more lenient approach than other carriers regarding dogs in the cabin.
Live and let live or is there something wrong with Fifi flying in business class using the same bedding that humans use?
> Read More: The “Guide Dog” Scam Infiltrates Turkish Airlines
images: @fifilittledarling / Instagram
Time to launch Zoo Air.
You are not wrong in saying dogs should not be treated like humans
They should be treated BETTER than humans
Which is why my wife and I agree that our mini poodle comes first
Yikes!
Pathetic. Get a life
This is a tough one. I love dogs, and Fifi appears to be a very well behaved one and I wouldn’t mind being on an airplane with this particular dog. However, dogs are still animals, and – from my experience – there’s far greater variability and unpredictability in their behavior than in people (though that’s debatable, based on the many stories we’ve read of ill-behaving humans on airplanes versus none that I’ve come across concerning dogs on airplanes; of course, far fewer dogs have flown than humans so this may not be a fair comparison). Hopefully, Turkish Airlines is taking a case-by-case, common sense approach in how they accommodate animals on-board based on observed behavior. I wonder how unexpectedly out of control animals are handled and confined on an airplane during a flight?
That’s right, what if dogs pee all over the place and onto people??? Humans don’t do that…oh wait a sec.
Never mind.
I would much rather sit next to a dog.
This is so wrong. I have severe dog allergies, and I’ve noticed that many dog owners are far less considerate of others than parents are. Most parents would never let their children jump on or lick other people, but for some reason many dog owners think it’s perfectly acceptable to let their dog jump on and lick others without their consent. Granted, this dog may have behaved perfectly well on the flight, but dogs are not people and shouldn’t be treated as such. Unless it’s a true guide dog, it shouldn’t be in the cabin at all.
Agreed. The licking is so disgusting. I would honestly rather be licked by a person.
Haha, the last pic’s actually cute
Following Matt’s post last week I was shocked to see so many “international pet traveler” social media accounts. All sorts of pets posed around the world. Funny and cute videos and I do love animals. But I sense an undercurrent of animal exploitation from this trend. Domesticated animals can be trained to do anything. But should they be doing this for a few narcissist media addicts just hustle up a few views?
Keep pets healthy at home and off the bedding!
I love dogs. Cats are ok, but I love dogs and I think we’re all better humans because of dogs. That being said, unless you have a medical reason or you’re moving/relocating, I can’t stand people that insist on flying with their pets. Leave them with family or board them. As for this person, if you can afford a seat for your dog, by all means. I’m a bit surprised that an airline would charge an extra pet fee for a dog that already has its own seat. What’s the purpose of this fee to begin with?
incredible story. Good for Fifi.
I am a cat person and can take or leave dogs. However, I would 100% change seats to sit next to Fiji!
My father trained dogs and I know several people that travel with their dogs. Their dogs are trained to either hold it or do their toilet on special pads in the lavatory. Sadly, I think they are in the minority of the dog owning population.
Looking at how many adult passengers in the usa behave, kids and dogs are Ok.
Looking at the news lately, it seems there is a bigger chance of an adult passenger peeing on someone or biting, than for a dog or kid to do it.
Haven’t seen “dog bites passenger” or “kid smears plane in shit”. While replacing dog/kid with adult passenger will yield a ton of results.
Are you that ignorant not to know that you can carry dogs in a carriage permitted by the airline in the cabin? The owner only took the dog out, which shouldn’t have been allowed by the crew.
My main question is, why crate the dog during the meal?
The dog should have received his/her own meal. My mini poodle would have eaten her own meal. Then she would have DEMANDED to be hand fed some of mine
Service animals absolutely exist in Europe (and Turkey as well). Assuming that it is exclusively an American phenomenon is incorrect.
Service animals are one thing, but in-cabin pets are something else.
I know you think I’m too anti-dog, but I really have no problems with bonafide service animals who are well-trained to perfectly behave onboard.
We’re all allowed to have our differences!
My point here is that this animal may have technically been a service animal, and allowed out of its carrier
Tax the rich. Redistribute wealth.
Something mentally wrong with someone who pays for a business class seat (even if with miles) for a dog ???….. and then she gives the dog the window seat – like the dog is going to enjoy the view ? Taking creature comforts a bit too far.
And posts video & pictures. When you need to use your pet to gain relevance, you need a therapist or friend.
Disgusting. Simply, disgusting.
This is horrible. One doesn’t need to he wary of dogs to appreciate that it is not a good idea to let them loose in an aircraft cabin on such a long flight with a real risk of the owner getting distracted.
Matthew – you seem sour these days. I think getting a dog and having a nightly cocktail or two would improve your spirits.
For the person commenting on unpredictable behavior of dogs. That isn’t just any dog sir that is a dachshund. And I can almost 100% predict but if you show a dachshund a blanket. That dachshund will curl up underneath that blanket and go to sleep. They are way more predictable than children.
This makes we want to buy a ticket on Turkish airlines. I’m always happy to see dogs on the plane and they are much better than kids. I’d love to sit next to this cutie. Kudos to all involved but not the author!
40 yrs as a international flight attendant, I’ll take Fifi over 95% of current travelers.
This brought back a memory from years ago. I was working the F/C galley and had my cart set up. We were just getting ready to go out into aisle so I filled the bread basket and set it on lower shelf briefly. Here comes a small dog running up the aisle, dove at the basket, wrestled out a roll, shook it like a rag doll and flew back down the aisle. The dog owner had unzipped the carrier bag and then nodded off to sleep. We chased down the dog as the little bugger was headed to back of the plane. I guess he wanted to see what was on the menu there. Needless to say I had to trash my bread basket. I don’t mind the pets on plane but I’ve never had one that occupied his own seat.
I thought I would joke and say I say I’d rather sit beside this dog than sit beside Matthew’s kid…but, thinking about it, I actually really would.
Pretty odd statement considering you have no idea what my kids are like to travel with. Now you know me well enough to make that judgment…no offense taken if you prefer Fifi over sitting next to me.
Hmm…just re-read my comment and it didn’t come out quite like I imagined in my mind. I’ve got absolutely nothing against your kid at all so my apologies for any misunderstanding. This article did, however, make me realize I’d rather sit beside a dog like Fifi than any kid, whether they were well behaved or not.
Hello Matthew.
I’m Helen , Fifis dog mum and would love to chat to you about the article as you have so much information wrong about me and Fifi.
My video that I took has gone viral and I’m receiving so much hate – maybe jealously , but mainly hate comment from people who don’t know the situation and presume I fly Fifi around the world for fame!
We were relocating continents and this was Fifis first ever flight from Hong Kong to Paris!
You can message me at:
https://instagram.com/fifilittledarling?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Have a great day !
Thanks for reaching out. Happy to clarify anything you wish to discuss.
Regarding the pet vs. human thing, clearly, it’s much easier to control and manage an animal than a human. So no surprise that the generation of swipe right or left suddenly has service animals everywhere. I find it sad, not to mention lazy, selfish, and narcissistic. No surprises there….
And regarding the dog in business class, I think it’s reasonable to assume that when I purchase an airline ticket that I’ll be sitting next to or near a human. And the airline should notify me and other passengers if that were to change (for a number of reasons). Failure to do so is putting the interests of a single passenger above those of all other passengers. And in my opinion, not a smart business decision, and something I would remember next time I look to book a airline ticket.
I’ve always wondered why I couldn’t buy a seat for the dog on more airlines like a falcon on several ME airlines. I’d much rather sit by a dog than a person. I’d especially would pay a lot for a child free flight. Kids are miserable AF.
I’d take a dog next to me over a human any day. Even an adult.
I’ve heard more than a few horrible things that have happened to some beloved pets from the time their carriers are handed over at the airport for air travel to their final pickup at their destinations. Who knows what kind of terror or hurt they must endure in the noisy, scary pet hold of an airplane or some careless, even sadistic, handling by negligent airline ground personnel.
The person who bought a biz class seat for his/her pet is clearly a caring, conscientious caretaker.
To the assorted small-hearted, anti-pet grumpuses: it’s not your money; it’s theirs; their choice on how it’s spent.
Thanks to Turkish Air for giving pet owners the option.
I flew across the aisle from the official Target dog in Delta One from New York to LA. Dog had its own seat. FAs were taking selfies with her.
I know I’d rather sit beside Fifi than that exec who urinated on an elderly lady during his flight.
I’m confident I’d rather sit beside Fifi than a screaming infant.
I’m certain I’d rather sit beside Fifi than beside the author of this article — business class or otherwise.
At least the dog would be charming company.
Two of a kind!