Revealed: Majority of travelers would rather sit next to a pet than a child on a plane

Pet owners and non-pet owners were surveyed about their attitudes towards traveling with their pets. One in four pet owners would rather travel with their pet than their own child READ MORE: Travel expert investigates airstrip that disappears twice a day

By Jessica Hamilton

Published: 18:12 GMT, 7 December 2023 | Updated: 18:15 GMT, 7 December 2023

The majority of people prefer to sit next to a pet on a plane rather than next to a child, investigation finds.

The travel site surveyed more than 1,000 pet owners and non-pet owners to find out what people really think about traveling with pets.

A third (34%) of non-pet owners surveyed are not comfortable sharing cabin space with pets. other people's pets, while a significantly higher number of non-pet owners - 57 percent - would prefer to spend their trip next to a pet rather than a child.

And more than one in four pet owners (26%) prefer to travel with their pet rather than their own child.

While this preference indicates a welcoming environment for people traveling with pets, other survey results suggest this is not not without complications. The US study reveals that 85 percent of pet owners have encountered difficulties or restrictions when traveling with their pet at some point.

So much so that up to 70 percent of people would rather take their pet on an eight-hour car trip than on a two-hour flight .

But that doesn't stop travelers from wanting to bring their four-legged friends, as nearly two-thirds (66%) of pet owners would bring their pet every...