Katy Perry once sang, “I wanna see your peacock” and you can be rest assured it had nothing to do with “Emotional Support Animals” (ESA). In case you didn’t hear, someone tried to bring the large bird in the image above on board a flight.
This seems to be a phenomenon unique to the United States. As long as a doctor states the animal is needed by the person when flying, it will be allowed on board. What is the story in the rest of the world?
No Peacocks On British Airways
A recognised assistance dog is permitted to travel on board British Airways. It is pretty specific to say that it is limited to those dogs accredited by certain organisations which would appear to limit things to guide dogs and the like.
All other ESA’s are permitted to travel in the cargo hold. In all the time I have been flying, I have never encountered an animal in the cabin with me. Apart from certain other passengers, but that’s another story!
Lufthansa Covers Everyone
Lufthansa has the same policy as British Airways, it has to be a guide dog. Any other kind of emotional support dog must go in the cargo hold.
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- Guide dogs have been allowed on aircraft for a long time
Interestingly, on flights to and from the USA an emotional support dog can travel in the cabin. Unlike the US airlines, it is restricted to dogs and does not include the whole zoo.
Restrictions
Some US airlines have seen sense and have banned certain animals from the cabin. These are listed on the web site of The Official ESA Registration of America. From what I can gather, people are using the rules to transport their animals for free throughout the USA which is a bit rude.
For example, Delta bans hedgehogs, ferrets, insects, rodents, snakes, spiders, sugar gliders, reptiles, non-household birds, any animal with tusks or hooves, and any animal, regardless of species, that is not clean or has a foul odour.
Overall Thoughts
Quite frankly it amazes me as to what is allowed on board airlines in the United States. Considering the above list of animals banned by Delta, it would seem people are bringing virtually anything on a flight and claiming emotional support animal.
My view is that it should be restricted to dogs, which is how they do it at most carriers. I guess if you can’t go without your animal you can take the train or get a boat. I know I certainly wouldn’t want to be sitting next to some unruly animal for an entire flight.
What are your thoughts? Do you have an emotional support animal or have had to sit next to one? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Featured image via Fox News.
I’m not certain, but I think guide dogs are not ESA’s.
You’re right on that, they come under an entirely different category altogether from what I can gather.
Had a few problems with my African Serval but Alaska is pretty tolerant.
Hahahahahahaha! Glad to hear Alaska continues to excel at customer service! 🙂
ESA pig on a United flight. Not my picture, my aunt took it on her flight last year.
Certainly interesting, that’s for sure!