Akasa Air's Pet Predicament: Passenger Narrates Distressing Experience Amid Flight Delay

In a recent incident that garnered attention on social media, a passenger shared a disheartening experience with Akasa Air, shedding light on the challenges faced while traveling with a pet during a significant flight delay. Lakshya Pathak took to LinkedIn to recount the ordeal he and his pet Shih Tzu endured during a flight from Ahmedabad to Bengaluru.

The trouble began when their Akasa Air flight faced a delay of over three hours. Despite having paid a substantial fee of ₹5,000 for the comfort of their pet, the ground reality turned out to be far from what was initially portrayed. Pathak highlighted that the ground staff did not permit the dog to come out of his container or even lie on the floor during the extended delay.

One of the major concerns raised by Pathak was the lack of provisions for pets to relieve themselves. He pointed out that the airport washrooms, equipped with noisy blowers, made it challenging for pets to find a suitable place. Moreover, neither the ground staff nor the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) provided assistance in terms of exiting the airport and re-entering.

The passenger detailed his frustration, stating, "Ground staff told me that I would be able to relieve my pet in the flight’s washroom." However, the instructions given during the flight were reportedly different from what was advertised. According to Pathak, there was no designated "special seat" for pets, and boarding took a lengthy 40 minutes, during which both the pet and the passengers experienced discomfort due to the delayed activation of the aircraft's air conditioning.

During the first 45 minutes of the flight, Pathak's dog continuously cried. To console the distressed pet, Pathak placed his container on his lap momentarily, only to be informed that this act was 'not allowed.' The prescribed position for pets, according to the instructions, was below the seat near the passenger's leg space.

Akasa Air responded to the post on LinkedIn, expressing regret for the inconvenience caused to the passenger and promising to address the issue. The airline stated, "Hi Lakshya, we've taken this up with our team, and they will connect with you soon. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to you."

The post, shared on January 29, quickly gained traction, with many individuals expressing empathy for the pet and criticism for the airline's handling of the situation. People highlighted the potentially traumatic experience for pets in such conditions and urged the airline to improve its services for both pets and their owners.

This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges passengers may face when traveling with pets and emphasizes the need for airlines to ensure adequate facilities and compassionate treatment for animals on board. It also underscores the power of social media in bringing such issues to the forefront and holding service providers accountable for their commitment to passenger well-being, including those with furry companions.