The swanky new Delta One Lounge at New York-Kennedy (JFK) airport has gone to the dogs.
Literally.
A video posted to TikTok shows a Maltipoo dog apparently named “Oliver” brought into the business class lounge by its owner. (The dog has its own TikTok channel, @oliverbelles.)
The reel starts with a voiceover and captions telling us Oliver and “Mom” are going to Portugal. “Mom was bougie as usual and put us in the Delta One Lounge.”
Various clips briefly give us a tour of the lounge and show the small pooch taking in its surroundings. Oliver and “Mom” peruse the menu before being served several dishes.
And then Oliver samples some of the Delta One Lounge fare — on the table itself. The dog gets in a lick of greens from what appears to be a salmon entree. Then gets a sniff (and maybe a small slurp) of a beverage (I think it’s champagne or other sparking wine). Finally, the meal wraps up with dessert. Oliver doesn’t appear to consume any chocolate (thankfully) but samples a topping that might be custard or something similar.
Video on board the flight shows Oliver snuggled up and sleeping in a Delta One Suite. I assume that was staged and the dog didn’t have its own lie-flat. (A glass of red wine is visible in one clip — but maybe Oliver enjoys a chewy cabernet, who knows?)
I wonder if Oliver and Mom brought a doggy bag with them.
@oliverbelles My review of the new @Delta One lounge @jfk✈️ But seriously…what do you guys call this dessert?! #fypage #maltipoo #dogsoftiktok #dogvoiceover @delta @Les Belles NYC ♬ original sound – oliverbelles
Does Delta Allow Animals in Clubs and on Planes?
Yes and no.
It depends on where you’re flying and in what class of service. Delta breaks it all down on this page. But here are some of the points relevant to this particular piece.
Small dogs, cats and household birds can travel in the cabin for a one-way fee that is collected at check-in. The pet must be able to fit in a soft-sided ventilated pet kennel that will go underneath the seat directly in front of you.
Please review the following requirements to ensure a safe and healthy flight with a small pet traveling as a carry-on:
- Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old for domestic travel.
- Your pet must be 16 weeks old if traveling to the U.S. from another country and at least 15 weeks old when traveling to the European Union.
However, Delta does not allow pets to travel internationally in Delta One. Unless, of course, the dog is a service animal. So, perhaps Oliver is a service animal. But I don’t know what this particular dog’s specialty is. Its various outfits (including the pajamas with the bowtie) don’t have any special markings labeling it as a service animal. I know that not all disabilities and needs are visible. That said, Delta does not recognize emotional support animals as service animals. (I am also not implying anyone in the video has emotional or mental issues.)
“Pets…must remain inside the kennel with the door secured at all times,” Delta says about animals inside the Delta One Lounge. “We reserve the right to ask owners to remove pets from the lounge at our discretion. Pet must be placed on the floor while at the food bar and cannot be within the restaurant area.” (Bold mine.)
As for Sky Clubs, Delta says, “Keep in mind that if you visit a Delta Sky Club with your pet, our policies are the same as the aircraft. For the comfort and safety of everyone, your pet must stay in its kennel.” (Bold mine) Plus, service animals “must not eat or drink from Delta Sky Club serviceware.”
Final Approach
A video posted to TikTok shows a dog out of its travel kennel and eating food off the table inside the new Delta One Lounge.
Look, I love dogs. Oliver seems like a cute, well-behaved dog. But this eating off the table in the Delta One Lounge — or anywhere in public — is a big “No” for me.
What do you think?
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Sigh. Some jokes just write themselves.
I was there yesterday and there was a huge dog (golden retriever) in the Delta One Lounge. Its owner was feeding it roast beef from a sandwich in the dining area near the buffet (not the restaurant).
Ick. Delta needs to do better on keeping respiratory irritants away from others.
I have seen this many times in the regular SC lounges…. One time a couple had 3 small dogs with them in a coach and they ate off of the cocktail table. I have seen management ask people to leave if their dog is barking too much or fighting with other dogs…
Is it time to bring back the peacock, pig, snake and all the other animals from not long ago when things were really out of hand? If someone has enough disposable income, why don’t they go on NetJets or similar and spare the rest of us from the spectacle?