This dog flew Singapore Airlines business class from Sydney to Italy
High-flying fido is upgraded from a kennel in the cargo hold to row 1 in business class.
By David Flynn, October 1 2021
With Australia’s ban on international travel still in place, many airlines are flying near-empty jets down under – and for one jet-setting pooch, it meant being upgraded from a kennel in the cargo hold to his very own business class seat.
Meet Lewis, a former racing greyhound who these days takes a more laid-back approach to life.
Lewis is a graduate of Melbourne-based Greyt Greys Rescue, a volunteer non-profit group dedicated to rescuing, adopting and fostering ex-racing greyhounds into new ‘forever homes’.
And when Lewis’ mum decided to move from Melbourne to Italy, he came along for the ride – in style.
With the Singapore Airlines flight reportedly almost empty, the airline let Lewis travel in the cabin alongside his favourite human.
Lewis quickly made himself at home – in the first row of the business class cabin, no less, where there was ample room for his long legs.
He even celebrated his birthday en route, which of course meant a cake and some treats provided by the crew.
According to Greyt Greys Rescue, the SQ crew “said he was the best dog they’ve ever had, including fully-trained service dogs.”
It’s not known if Lewis collected KrisFlyer miles or gained Star Alliance status on the 16,500km journey.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1242
On Singapore Airlines aircraft Business Class starts at Row 11. Row 1 is the purvey of First Class.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2563
Really need to be pedantic here? I'm well aware that SQ's actual row 1 is first class, but 'row 1 of business class' means the first row of business class.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 387
Wow, you must be fun at parties.
09 May 2020
Total posts 576
Wonder if they require him to have a PCR or ART test to enter the business class lounge or maybe he doesn’t qualify for lounge because he only got an upgrade.
Hope the flight attendants remember not to serve him human chocolates
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2563
Good point on the chocolate. I only learned a while ago that some adult dogs even have allergies to beef, so these days when I bake dog biscuits they're essentially vegetarian LOL
03 May 2013
Total posts 684
One of the nicest stories ever on ET.
09 May 2020
Total posts 576
And oh, before anyone says it: every dog have his/her day!
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2563
Damn, I should have used that line in the article LOL
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 10
That's an awesome story. Well done SQ.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
14 Oct 2016
Total posts 3
Brilliant! Lovely to see a feel good story.
28 Mar 2018
Total posts 37
The Australian government prohibits pets in the cabin.
"Carriage of animals CAR256A
The operator of an aircraft may not permit a live animal to be in the aircraft" (unless it's in a container, service animal or has written permission from CASA) Carriage of animals | Civil Aviation Safety Authority (casa.gov.au)
There may be serious repercussions with this being promoted.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
21 Jul 2019
Total posts 189
Everyone here is acting like Sergeant Schulz and someone had to be Major Hochstetter.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Jul 2011
Total posts 60
Way to be a buzz kill. Why people have to be like this?
28 Mar 2018
Total posts 37
I'm an aviation professional. In aviation it doesn't matter that I would be personally happy to sit beside a greyhound, I don't get to pick and chose which regulations to ignore.
If true, this story describes a willful breach of a number of regulations in Australia. At the minimum there will be an investigation and people will likely lose their jobs. I don't see this as cause for celebration.
01 Jul 2021
Total posts 33
Dogs and Cats will probably be allowed in aircraft cabins in Australia soon also don't be such a karen.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
23 May 2019
Total posts 6
Do we know that the dog was in the cabin in Australian airspace? maybe they moved the dog in to the cabin in Singapore? Maybe they went and collected the dog from the cargo hold once they were in the air outside the control of CASA? We don't have all the facts, so don't jump to conclusions.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
21 Jul 2019
Total posts 189
This is the loveliest story so far this year on ET. And Lewis deserved his business class seat 100%
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
25 Jul 2013
Total posts 72
Such a sweet story!
07 May 2021
Total posts 10
Great article ET and well done SQ LOVE THIS!
24 Dec 2013
Total posts 97
Americans: "What's the big deal? We do this all the time."
28 Dec 2016
Total posts 2
Thats probably a good reason why we shouldn't allow it!!!!!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
07 Jan 2014
Total posts 31
Well, he wasn't going to cattle class, was he!
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2563
What about ‘cattle-dog class’?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Jan 2018
Total posts 48
What a great story. More of these please.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jan 2017
Total posts 30
Perhaps being on a Singapore Airlines direct flight ex Oz, CASA rules don't apply - what an uplifting, lovely story!
20 Oct 2015
Total posts 254
What a handsome boy Lewis is! Greyhounds are such wonderful dogs, they get a bad rep from the racing but they're intelligent, loyal, affectionate and generally very relaxed. Lewis certainly looks to be having the time of his life here!
02 Oct 2021
Total posts 1
Brilliant story. Amazing Dog. Anyone who has a problem with this is pathetic.
18 Nov 2015
Total posts 117
Sadly some Australians would be horrified at the thought of a dog being in the cabin. They’d freak out at the thought of it barking or defecating or biting. Meanwhile, pretty much everywhere else e.g., USA, UK, Europe welcomes dogs into normal human life in hotels, cafes, pubs, planes, buses etc etc.
03 Oct 2021
Total posts 1
Wish it was true in the USA but it isn't. My Jack Russell is small enough she flies in a carrier under the seat in front of me. Any bigger and she'd be with the baggage, and I could NEVER allow that! Airlines are pretty good at flying bags. Living creatures, not so much.
08 Oct 2021
Total posts 1
Having lived in Europe for 6 years with a dog I agree it's amazing to have the freedom to take the pooch with you everywhere ..... In saying that like a lot of things Europeans have more freedoms in certain areas because they are more responsible. The level of dog training and behaviour in Australia isn't even comparable to Europe. The laws in Aus I think are actually a good thing because while there are many responsible dog owners there are heaps of irresponsible onws. Overall dogs are no where near as well trained or behaved. It's a bit like the alcohol laws .... Drinking in public is fine over there and doesn't really cause issues - it would be a diabolical mess if they can introduced it in Australia.
15 Sep 2021
Total posts 13
Come on everyone, relax
We are living in difficult times. Everything we are doing is different.
Go Singapore Airlines. I know I’d be happy sitting near a happy contented pooch on long haul any day rather than a boring, snoring individual!
22 Sep 2021
Total posts 2
And so he should. I had a cat that used to fly with me about 7 time a year between San Francisco and LAX all the time. very sadly he is no longer with me. I do miss him when I now fly.
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