Flights in first class are much sought after by many plane passengers. Such luxury trips are often on bucket lists, with plenty of fliers hoping to nab a free upgrade to avoid splurging full price. One lucky traveller from the USA managed to trot onto an American Airlines first class cabin without doing anything himself at all – but is all as it seems?
Ronica has said it was the first time the miniature steed had flown at all.
She claimed that because he had been living in her house and had bonded with her well, he was the “perfect” service animal for a flight.
Fred even has his own Facebook page where Ronica has shared a selection of cute photos of the pair in first class.
Ronica told Mirror Online: “Everyone LOVED him. Pilots, co-pilots, flight attendants, TSA, airport staff and all the passengers were kind.”
However, service animals do not serve as pets – no matter how loveable they may be.
DON’T MISS
According to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) website: “A service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.”
They explained that “other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not considered service animals” – however, there are exceptions for miniature horses.
ADA explains: “A public entity or private business must allow a person with a disability to bring a miniature horse on the premises as long as it has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of the individual with a disability.
“However, an organisation can consider whether the facility can accommodate the miniature based on the horse’s type, size, and weight.
“Final approval for travel will not happen until you arrive at the airport and it is determined that the animal will safely fit at your feet,” explained AA.
“If the animal is in a kennel, it must fit under the seat in front of you with the animal in it.”
For bigger animals, passengers must purchase a separate ticket- which is what Ronica said she did.
She told Mirror Online: “I purchased two First Class seats in bulkhead seating so he had the most room, and so we didn’t bother any other passengers on the plane. I bought a yoga mat to put on the floor for him to stand on for traction with his Equine Fusion Active Horse Shoes from Comfort Hoofs.”
