Copyright Newsweek
An airline passenger shared their delight after taking their spot on a flight and finding an adorable dog staring at them from the seats in front. The moment has melted the hearts of viewers who later watched it play out on TikTok. The passenger, who goes by @airplanerides on the platform, posted a short clip featuring the curious canine on August 27. To date, the video has been viewed more than 135,000 times, gaining more than 22,000 likes and a flurry of lighthearted comments. "I gave him some pets right away and now he’s been doing this for two hours," the post was captioned, while an overlaid text on the video added: "When I got to the airplane station this morning, I had no idea it would be the best day of my life." Viewers were able to see the dog peeking through the seats in front of the passenger to get a good look at them. The canine appeared relatively calm and curious to see the recording passenger behind, despite the fact that flying can be a scary experience for many dogs. Nicole Kohanski, a dog behaviorist and trainer, shared her top preflight tips for pet owners with Newsweek. "Practicing confinement in the crate that will be used for travel is very important," she said, adding that owners need to get dogs gradually used to the crate, ensuring they associate it with safety and comfort. While replicating pressure changes, loud noises and temperature drops at home is challenging, Kohanski stressed the importance of making dogs comfortable with the situations that can be simulated. "For confinement, we want our dogs to love the travel crate and be prepared to be confined for the flight duration, plus some time for loading, unloading, and tarmac delays," she said. The trainer suggested using techniques such as placing a rolled-up towel under a corner of the crate to simulate the bumpiness of flight turbulence. Taking the canines on car rides and playing aircraft sounds can also help them become accustomed to the noises they will encounter. "Pair all of the components of air travel with something your dog loves," Kohanski said. "Food works for most, and using something extra special makes an impact." Viewers on TikTok were quick to gush over the dog's calm and friendly demeanor in the comments section. "Would it be rude to ask his human to switch your seat with theirs," one viewer said, while another added: "I would invite him to come sit with me." "May this flight find me one day," a third shared. "I would pay extra for that," a fourth commented. Newsweek reached out to @airplanerides for more information via TikTok.
