A couple, enraged by a recent policy change, claimed they were barred from boarding their flight home for the holidays due to an obscure rule concerning infants and dogs on planes.

Ryan Coulson and his wife, Rebecca Bordeiasu, were set to depart from Abbotsford Airport in British Columbia, Canada, on December 12 when they encountered an unexpected regulation by Flair Airlines.

As reported by the National Post, the couple had secured seats for themselves, their infant daughter, and accommodations for their two pet dogs in the cabin.

However, upon reaching the boarding gate, airline staff informed them that they were unable to board the flight due to a newly implemented policy.

“We were informed, without prior notice, that Flair had introduced a new internal policy on November 20. This policy prohibits passengers from traveling with both a dog and an infant,” Coulson explained to the Post.

‘We were never notified of this change, and there is no mention of this rule anywhere in Flair’s published policies, domestic tariff, or pet-travel webpage. 

‘In fact, Flair’s website still allows passengers to book a flight with both an infant and a dog.’ 

Bordeiasu said the confusion almost became farcical as the couple scrambled for a route home for the holidays, and said airline staff were ‘almost trying to make us choose between our dog and our baby.’ 

Ryan Coulson and his wife Rebecca Bordeiasu say they were denied boarding while flying home for the holidays because of a little-known policy update barring them from travelling with both their baby and dogs 

The couple say they booked two adult passenger seats, one for their infant daughter, and two pet dogs in the cabin for their December 12 flight – but said when they arrived at the gate, they were told by airline staff they couldn’t board the aircraft because of the new policy

According to the outlet, the confusion unfolded because of conflicting policy wording on the airline’s pet-travel page, which was subsequently amended. 

In the amendment, the website now says: ‘Each adult may travel with either one infant or one pet. Transport Canada regulations require that if an infant and a pet are travelling together, each must be accompanied by a separate adult.’ 

A spokesperson for Flair Airlines said in a statement: ‘We updated the wording on our website on December 17 to improve clarity for customers, but the policy itself did not change.’ 

However, the travel fiasco for the couple sparked debate, as the airline claimed that ‘the rule in question is longstanding and comes directly from Transport Canada approved manuals for this aircraft type.’ 

In response, Transport Canada denied this, and said in their own statement: ‘There are no Transport Canada requirements related to passengers travelling with both infants and pets.’ 

‘Individual airlines may have policies or restrictions for passengers transporting animals while also travelling with infants. It is therefore recommended that travelers contact their airline well in advance to inquire about their specific situation.’ 

Bordeiasu said she assumed the flight would be easy because she had flown with Flair Airlines on September 15 with her baby and one dog, and did not encounter any issues. 

‘I did this exact situation, with a dog and an infant,’ she said. 

Bordeiasu said she assumed the flight would be easy because she had flown with Flair Airlines on September 15 with her baby and one dog, and did not encounter any issues

The travel fiasco for the couple sparked debate as Flair Airlines said the policy came ‘directly from Transport Canada’, but the authority hit back and said there ‘are no Transport Canada requirements related to passengers travelling with both infants and pets’

‘I flew alone, I had a dog at my feet, my infant in my lap, with Flair. And it was not a problem. Now this rule has just been added. And personally I think, what’s the point of this rule? 

‘It’s clearly not safety because other airlines are allowing it, and they’ve allowed it for so long.’ 

She said after Flair denied them boarding on December 12, she and her husband had to rebook days later with Air Canada, and they were allowed to all fly together. 

‘This is my daughter’s first Christmas,’ she added. 

‘If we’d booked the 23rd of December, I would have been more livid than I am now.’ 

The couple says Flair offered to reimburse the cost of their flight but did not offer any further compensation, and said they had contacted a lawyer about the situation. 

Daily Mail has contacted Flair Airlines for comment.