Turkish Airlines Refused to Allow My Pet on Board, Causing Me an Hour of Trouble
I called THY to inform them that I would be traveling with my pet and that I would use a hard plastic carrier for the check-in process. The representative said that I could board as long as the dimensions were suitable.
When I went to the counter at the airport, the staff there told me that the hard plastic carrier was not allowed and that I needed to get a soft carrier instead. I had to pay ₺1,500 to buy the specified carrier.
What would have happened if I didn't have the money? They did nothing to address my grievance. They made various excuses to close the matter and blamed me. Additionally, despite the pet transport policy stating that pets younger than 10 weeks can be carried with a vet's approval, and despite having the vet's approval, they kept me waiting for an hour.
They canceled my ticket. Then they told me I could board if the vet changed the date. The vet issued and sent a new report, but this time they said it needed to state that the pet was fit for travel. This was also arranged, and they made me wait for half an hour!
I am complaining because they forced me to buy a carrier and then subjected me to such uninformed and poor treatment by their staff. If necessary, I will go to the Consumer Court and will also mention in court that they took no action despite acknowledging the situation.
Progress
I called Turkish Airlines (THY) and informed them that I would be using a hard plastic carrier for my pet during the check-in process before my flight. The agent told me that I could board as long as the dimensions were appropriate. However, when I went to the counter at the airport, the staff there told me that the carrier would not be allowed on the flight because it was made of hard plastic, and that I needed to get a soft carrier instead. I had to pay 1,500 TL to buy the specified carrier. What would have happened if I didn't have the money? They did absolutely nothing to address the inconvenience I experienced. They made various excuses to cover up the situation and blamed it on me. Moreover, despite the pet transport conditions stating that pets younger than 10 weeks can be transported with veterinary approval, and despite having the veterinary approval, they kept me waiting there for an hour. They canceled my ticket. Then they told me that they could accept it if the vet changed the date. The vet issued and sent a new report, but this time they said it needed to state that the pet was fit for flight. The report was revised again, and they made me wait for half an hour, saying "wait a bit longer"! I am complaining because they forced me to buy a carrier and subjected me to such ignorant and poor treatment by their staff. If necessary, I will go to the Consumer Court and will tell them that despite acknowledging the situation, they took no action.
