Hazards posed by a pet onboard an airplane:
(1) exposure to animal dander or other allergens
(2) infectious disease
(3) animal biting or scratching
Hazards may be increased if a passenger is smuggling an animal on board.
Passengers at risk:
(1) severe allergy to the pet on board
(2) asthmatic whose bronchospasm is triggered by animal allergens
(3) severe immunosuppression
(4) animal phobia
A serious allergic reaction during the flight may be life-threatening if:
(1) there are no emergency supplies available
(2) emergency supplies in carry-on baggage cannot be retrieved in time
(3) someone panics
It may be difficult to prevent exposure to allergens since:
(1) dander can persist for some time in the environment
(2) it may be impossible to control the pet at all times
(3) seating density may be high
(4) air may not be reliably filtered