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Flirty the Mini Horse Welcomed on American Airlines

Cats and dogs in the cabin are nothing new, but an Omaha-bound passenger surprised fellow travelers on an American Airlines flight last week when she boarded with her miniature horse named Flirty. According to owner Abrea Hensley, Flirty “handled it like a pro.” American Airlines said it accepted the horse as a service animal.

A miniature horse caused excitement among passengers on a recent Omaha-bound American Airlines (AA) flight from Chicago, The Independent reports. Video footage of the animal, named Flirty, was shared online and showed the mini horse standing on the flight last Friday.

According to People, Flirty was supporting her owner, Abrea Hensley, who was traveling to visit an aunt. Writing her verdict of the pair’s experience via the Twitter handle @FlirtyTheSH, Hensley said, “It was a great experience and I learned a lot. Flirty was FANTASTIC and handled it all like a pro.”

“That being said, I’m going to keep traveling by car, it’s just easier on Flirty. Flying will be reserved for emergencies and such,” she added.

Flirty’s fame comes only a few weeks after the United States Department of Transport (DOT) offered input on which service animals would be accepted as such on flights. According to The Independent, cats, dogs and miniature horses like Flirty are all acceptable. Despite this, the outlet reports that carriers themselves can still decide which animals fall into the category of a comfort pet.

Speaking to the paper, an AA spokesperson said, “This miniature horse was a trained service animal, which American Airlines accepts onboard following evaluation on a case-by-case basis.”

“We recognize the important role trained service dogs, cats and miniature horses can play in lives of those with disabilities and they are welcome in the cabin, at no charge, if they meet the requirements,” they added.

[Featured Image: Twitter/ @barstoolsports]

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6 Comments
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flying_geek September 10, 2019

This is so out of control. I think I would have taken myself off the flight out of protest. A horse does not belong in the pax section of a plane. I do like the "animal" section idea above but would want more than a curtain to separate it from the rest. I am really in shock that American would allow that.

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Gongzuokuang September 4, 2019

The airlines need to create an "animal section", akin to the "smoking section" of years gone by. If you need to fly with your dog, cat, horse, or peacock, then you must purchase a ticket in the animal section. If you can't find a seat in that section, then choose another flight. And people that are capable of flying without an animal can choose a seat in the animal section, or the animal-free section. If you don't want to fly with an animal next to you, and can't find a seat in the animal-free section, then choose another flight.

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cashmccall September 4, 2019

enough of this...........if you need your horse, stay at home and eat!

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kc1174 September 4, 2019

I’d remove the barstool sports tweet link. That tweet refers to the service animal as an “emotional support” horse and the replies to the tweet are disgusting. Did anyone bother to read them before reposting the tweet here? It’s a derogatory tweet where someone videoed a disabled woman. What could possibly go wrong??? FYI, the owner had a pretty bad day of it the other day with people videoing her and commenting. Don’t add to it here:

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cscasi September 4, 2019

Interesting. Should the aircraft have an emergency and passengers have to evacuate via the door slides or overwing hatches, just how is this owner going to ensure that her miniature horse gets out? I am sure the other passengers are going to stand by while she tries (without success to push it out of an overwing hatch onto the wing or even get it to an emergency exit slide and get it to go down that. The government and the airlines don't seem to fathom the risks that may be involved with such an animal in case of a real emergency requiring emergency egress with all due haste!