Pilot Asks Passengers to Vote on Cleaning Flight After Dog Urinates Onboard

A Delta pilot at LaGuardia Airport presented passengers with a choice: delay the flight for cleaning or depart on time with the lingering odor of dog urine.

The unusual situation unfolded when a dog onboard the incoming aircraft urinated in the cabin. According to television host Jennifer Coffey, who shared the incident on social media, the pilot announced the dilemma to travelers waiting at the gate. Coffey, who was not on the flight, stated that the pilot asked passengers to vote by a show of hands on whether to proceed with the flight or wait for the cabin to be cleaned.

"A pilot just came out and announced that a dog had relieved himself on the plane during the last flight and he could either order a cleaning or depart on time with the cabin smelling like dog urine," Coffey wrote. "So he asked for a show of hands how many passengers just wanted to deal with the smell to get home on time. Democracy!"

A video shared by Coffey appears to show passengers raising their hands at a Delta gate. The outcome of the vote was not immediately clear, but the video gained significant attention online, sparking a debate among viewers.

Reactions on social media varied, with some expressing understanding for the pilot's approach and others voicing frustration with the situation. Many commented on the general conditions of air travel, with some suggesting that human waste or other unpleasant odors are also common occurrences on flights.

Delta's policy allows certain pets to fly in the cabin if they meet size requirements and are secured in carriers placed beneath the seat in front of the passenger. The airline did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the incident.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates LaGuardia Airport, referred inquiries to Delta Air Lines.