United Airlines has published new guidelines on service animals allowed on flights after an incident in which a passenger tried to bring a peacock on a flight as an emotional support animal.
The updated guidelines are similar to changes by Delta Airlines that require documentation about the animal’s training and vaccination records, USA Today reported. United had already signaled that it planned to issue updated requirements due to a 75 percent jump in passengers bringing emotional support animals on flights and a “significant increase in onboard incidents.”
An incident Sunday in which the airline refused to allow a peacock on a flight prompted the United to issue the guidelines.
“The old policy was in place and that policy prevented Dexter the peacock from boarding the aircraft. The policy worked as intended,” Hobart said, USA Today reported. “With all of the commotion regarding the peacock, that has sort of crystallized to our employees and customers why we need to further enhance this policy,” said United spokesman Charlie Hobart.
United said it had explained to the peacock’s owner beforehand that it would not be allowed on the flight, but its owner brought it to the airport anyway. The peacock apparently has its own Instagram account and the owner posted that it would be driven to its destination after being refused a place on the flight, The Washington Post reported.
Federal guidelines require airlines to allow support animals but do make exceptions for unusual animals like reptiles, ferrets, spiders, or other animals that may threaten the safety of passengers, The Washington Post reported.
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