Airline rep insists passenger cannot give her cat it’s own seat

By helitra·October 26, 2026·4 min read

This customer service rep was totally confused by a customer request

Have you ever had to bring your pet along for a flight? It’s way different than flying alone or with kids.

At least your children can be given toys and snacks to pacify them.

But your confused orange cat doesn’t understand why he’s been plopped into a carry bag and carted around for hours.

He’s probably meowing the saddest, most confused little meows while you try to get through TSA.

Other passengers probably stop and smile when they hear him, and they may even ask to give him a quick pet.

This flyer actually had a great idea to try and give herself and her pet some room to spread out!

But this idea was totally confusing to the customer service rep that got assigned to her.

Me: I have two tickets under my name. I'm flying with my cat & I bought the extra one for extra room for us. I need to make sure those seats are together. — Me: I have two tickets under my name. I’m flying with my cat & I bought the extra one for extra room for us. I need to make sure those seats are together.

Customer Service Representative: Ma'am we do not allow cats to aquire their own seat. Me: ...I understand. My cat doesn't have his own seat, I have two seats. Because I wanted more room. I need the seats together other it defeats the purpose. — Customer Service Representative: Ma’am we do not allow cats to aquire their own seat. Me: …I understand. My cat doesn’t have his own seat, I have two seats. Because I wanted more room. I need the seats together other it defeats the purpose.

There are some miscommunications going on here!

CSR: Ma'am your cat will have to remain with you, your cat cannot have a separate seat. Me: ... — CSR: Ma’am your cat will have to remain with you, your cat cannot have a separate seat. Me: …

Me....I'm going to need you to stay with me on this one. I am Maya. I have two seats on this flight. Correct? CSR: Yes. I see two bookings. — Me….I’m going to need you to stay with me on this one. I am Maya. I have two seats on this flight. Correct? CSR: Yes. I see two bookings.

Orange and white cat looks at a smiling flight attendant.

It’s like the rep is picturing the cat sitting down and watching in-flight TV while having a snack and a soda

Me: My cat is traveling with me. CSR: Yes, and you bought your cat his own seat.

Me: No, I bought myself an extra seat. I still have to pay the animal fee upon check in & he still has to be under the seat in front of me. I bought a second seat so I would have more room. I just need you to place the seats together. CSR: Your cat cannot have a seat.

When your patience is running thin!

Me: ...i need you to know i am trying so hard to be kind...let's forget the cat exists. I have two seats on this flight. I need those seats to be next to eachother. CSR: Okay... — Me: …i need you to know i am trying so hard to be kind…let’s forget the cat exists. I have two seats on this flight. I need those seats to be next to eachother. CSR: Okay…

“And where will the cat go?” Girl…..

Me: Please put seat one, next to seat two. CSR: ...& where will your cat go? Me: Under the seat in front of me. — Me: Please put seat one, next to seat two. CSR: …& where will your cat go? Me: Under the seat in front of me.

No problem! It’s over!

CSR: Okay so th extra seat for you is a comfort seat. Me: Yes. CSR: Okay no problem. Done. Me: Terrific! Thank you! *internally melting *

You know what, at least they came to a resolution!

Sometimes you have to talk things out and explain them as simply as possible.

I think some customer service reps get totally overburdened with information by a lot of their customers. They get a customer’s full life story, while also trying to figure out what the customer is actually asking for, and what their problem even is. This person was very nice to try and explain it a few different ways.

If we’re being so real though, I think a lot of passengers really would want their pet to have it’s own seat, if possible, but airlines don’t seem to care for that kind of thing. This customer service rep must’ve dealt with some pretty wacky demands in her day!