Auckland, New Zealand – Gill and Warren Press embarked on what should have been a routine 13-hour journey back home from Paris to New Zealand with Singapore Airlines. Little did they know that their flight would take an unexpected turn when they found themselves seated next to an unusual co-passenger – a smelly dog.

According to reports by New Zealand news outlet Stuff, the couple’s journey took an unpleasant twist when they noticed a dog occupying the seat beside them. The dog, it seems, was more than just an ordinary passenger, and its presence left a lasting impression on the couple.

Gill Press, recounting her experience, said, “I heard this noise – a heavy snorting. I thought it was my husband’s phone, but we looked down and realized it was the dog breathing. I said, ‘I’m not having this sitting next to us the whole trip’.”

In-flight Canine Chaos

It wasn’t just the dog’s presence that irked the couple. They overheard the dog’s owner explaining to another passenger that the canine served as an emotional support animal to alleviate anxiety during flights. Understandably, the couple opted to stay in their premium economy seats after consulting a flight attendant, who informed them that the only other available seats were in the rear of the economy section.

However, their decision to remain seated in proximity to the dog would soon prove to be less than ideal. Approximately halfway through the flight, the dog began emitting unpleasant odors, leaving Gill Press to deal with an unexpected situation. She noted that the dog’s presence was also encroaching upon her husband’s legroom.

“[The passenger] couldn’t have the dog out in the aisle because they couldn’t get the trolleys through, so it had to come in further, which meant his head was under my husband’s feet,” Press explained. “My husband was in shorts, and was getting the dog’s saliva goo on his leg.”

Seeking Resolution

Concerned and understandably frustrated, the couple approached a flight attendant once more, and this time they were relocated to economy seats that were originally reserved for the airline’s staff. They were assured that an incident report would be filed, and the airline would be in touch with them.

However, a week passed with no word from the airline, leaving the couple feeling unresolved. It was only two weeks later that Singapore Airlines reached out via email, offering the couple a $74 gift voucher for the airline’s KrisShop website as compensation for their ordeal.

Dissatisfied with the initial offer, Gill Press promptly responded, asserting that the voucher failed to account for the disparity in value between their original premium economy seats and the economy seats to which they had been relocated.

In response, the airline upped the ante by offering a travel voucher worth $200 per person. However, this offer still fell short of the couple’s expectations. They firmly demanded a full refund for the leg of their trip affected by the canine conundrum.

“We didn’t receive the experience we paid for,” Gill Press emphasized, expressing her disappointment with the entire ordeal.

Airline’s Apology and Commitment

In response to the incident, a spokesperson for Singapore Airlines issued an apology to the couple. The airline acknowledged the inconvenience faced by Gill and Warren Press and pledged to take corrective measures.

“Singapore Airlines endeavors to notify customers who may be seated next to an assistance dog prior to boarding the flight. We sincerely apologize that this did not occur in this case, and will work with our airport teams to ensure that this lapse does not occur in future,” the airline spokesperson stated. “In circumstances where customers seated next to an assistance dog request to be moved, Singapore Airlines will assist to re-seat customers within the same cabin where space permits.”

As the Presses await a resolution, their unusual encounter with a smelly dog on a 13-hour flight serves as a reminder of the unexpected challenges that can arise while traveling the skies. Singapore Airlines, for its part, is determined to learn from this incident and ensure a smoother journey for all passengers in the future.

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