A San Francisco man is suing Alaska Airlines, saying his dog died on a cross-country flight from New York after they were forced to move from first class to coach.

According to a lawsuit obtained by USA TODAY on Friday and filed in San Francisco County Superior Court last week, Michael Contillo and his father took Contillo’s two French bulldogs, Ash and Kora, on a two-month trip to New York.

The flight from San Francisco to New York in November 2023 went off without a hitch. But when they flew back to San Francisco in February, Ash died on the flight, the lawsuit says.

Alaska Airlines told USA TODAY on Friday that the company does not comment on litigation.

What happened on Alaska Airlines flight with French bulldogs?

Before departing for the East Coast, a veterinarian confirmed that both dogs were healthy enough to make the trip, the lawsuit says. For increased comfort for the dogs, Contillo bought two first-class tickets, according to the lawsuit.

Contillo and his father boarded the flight to San Francisco with the dogs in first class. But just before the flight was going to take off, the lawsuit says two airline workers, including a flight attendant, asked Contillo and his father to move with the dogs to coach.

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