A San Francisco-based influencer is at the center of an internet storm after bringing her massive Great Dane on a commercial flight—and sparking heated debate over what counts as reasonable accommodation for service animals.
Pietra Luccas, 27, was flying from California to Florida in April when she boarded a United Airlines flight with her 120-pound Great Dane named Charlie. The towering dog—trained as a service animal—was captured on video calmly walking down the aisle and later stretched out across the floor of an entire row.
The footage, shared on Luccas’ Instagram account, racked up over one million likes and just as many opinions. While some viewers praised Charlie’s calm behavior, others said bringing a dog of that size on a commercial aircraft was unfair to other passengers.
A Divided Cabin
“There are passengers who don’t like it, and I understand that,” Luccas told Newsweek. “But that’s why I buy the three seats for us. During the flight, Charlie is trained to be quiet. He pretty much sleeps most of the time.”
The video shows Charlie quietly walking through the plane cabin, as startled passengers glance up from their seats. Luccas explained that she usually books multiple seats to ensure enough room for her and Charlie, and that the airline crew on this particular flight even recommended a front row seat with extra legroom to better accommodate the large dog.
Despite her efforts to be considerate, not everyone was on board—figuratively speaking.
“This should not be allowed… this is getting ridiculous,” one commenter wrote under the viral video. Others chimed in with concerns about safety, allergies, and cabin space.
A Certified Service Dog
Charlie isn’t just a giant travel companion—he’s a working dog. While Luccas hasn’t shared specific details about the tasks Charlie is trained to perform, U.S. law does permit service animals—defined as dogs trained to assist with a disability—on commercial flights. Airlines are not allowed to limit service dogs based on breed or size, though they can ask that animals fit within the handler’s foot space or be safely restrained.
According to the ADA website, service dogs need only be trained to assist with a person’s disability, however they do not need to go through a professional training program. They can be any size dog and any breed. In addition, the ADA compliance states that they do not need to wear a vest of identification that classifies them to be a service dog. The service dog is also not considered an emotional support animal, as emotional support is not recognized as a task related to someone’s disability.
Bigger Questions About Air Travel and Animals
As more people rely on service animals or emotional support animals for legitimate needs, airlines have had to balance accessibility with passenger comfort. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation tightened rules around emotional support animals, but service dogs like Charlie remain protected under the Air Carrier Access Act.
On the other hand, one Instagram user who said they breed Great Dane puppies was concerned about the health of Charlie himself. With the large size of the dog and the hard floor to lay on for a somewhat longer flight raised their concerns about the comfort and safety of the dog itself. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), Great Dane’s are vulnerable to hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis due to their large size.
Service Dogs on Airplanes Will Continue On
Still, viral moments like this one highlight the growing tension between accommodation and public space. With shrinking cabin sizes and packed flights, even well-behaved large dogs can spark big reactions.
As the online debate continues, one thing is clear—Charlie is a very good boy. And a very big one, too.
