An eight-year-old rabbit named Coco lived the high life when she flew business class on an United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Japan.
Coco’s classy endeavor took place in 2018, but the bow tie wearing rabbit has just gone viral after photos show her sniffing at a flaky croissant and lounging on a perfectly fluffed pillow near champagne.
Following a three-year stint with Google in San Francisco, owner Takako Ogawa was flying back home to Kyoto for a new job in late 2018.
Ogawa told Insider: ‘I was returning to Japan, resigning from to start my new career. I couldn’t leave her in the, so I took her back with me.
Coco, an eight-year-old rabbit, flew business class on an United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Japan in late 2018
Adorable photos of Coco sniffing a croissant near a bubbling glass of champagne and hopping around in a bow tie have gone viral
Ogawa feared that her companion was too old to safely travel in the designated animal cargo hold, so she registered Coco as a emotional support animal and paid an additional $100 that let the rabbit into the cabin in a carry case.
Luckily, the seat next to Ogawa turned out to unoccupied and she seized the opportunity to let Coco hop into the life of luxury.
Footage from the 11 hour flight reveal Coco spent the hours snuggling with Ogawa and curiously inspecting a bowl of nuts while charming the flight crew.
‘I thought it was super nice of the flight attendants to let her use the unoccupied cubicle next to me, and for bringing her treats throughout the trip,’ she said.
Coco charmed the United Airlines flight crew with her adorable look, which scored her a bowl of nuts and tons of attention
Ogawa: ‘I thought it was super nice of the flight attendants to let her use the unoccupied cubicle next to me, and for bringing her treats throughout the trip’
At one point, a flight attendant brought Ogawa an ice cream sundae and asked if Coco would want a sweet treat, too.
‘I wasn’t sure what the rabbit could have, but she got some of the toppings like almonds and nuts and they put it on a very small plate for her,’ she said.
‘It was adorable. She did enjoy them. She was very happy.’
Although the flight to Kyoto was long, Coco apparently had a exploring her small portion of the plane.
Takako Ogawa (pictured) was taking Coco back to Japan after spending three years at Google in San Francisco
‘She was very curious and was hopping around. She’s usually very good. She’s very calm being surrounded by people and in a different environment, so she took it really well,’ Ogawa told Metro UK.
‘She didn’t get a lot of attention from other passengers because it was the business class so you don’t really see a lot of people.’
This way of flying, according to Ogawa, was better for Coco in the long run.
Ogawa said: ‘What happens in the cargo is that there are a lot of anxious animals on the plane with her. Dogs will be barking all the time. ‘
‘My friend had a cat that was put in the cargo that got so nervous during the flight that she couldn’t eat for another week after landing. That kind of pressure might have been bad for Coco because she is older now.’
Even though they had their own space, Ogawa was nervous about the toilet situation for Coco.
To be allowed in the cabin, Coco was registered as an emotional support animal and Ogawa paid an additional $100
She brought plenty of pet sheets onto the plane and stowed away some extra pellets Coco could munch on.
‘I thought I could get her whatever else she needed when I got off the plane,’ Ogawa said.
Although Coco makes for an unlikely passenger, she’s no stranger to jet-setting by plane or becoming the life of the party.
Coco flew to San Francisco with Ogawa in 2015, as well as took visits to the Google office and made appearances at family barbecues.
But this might be Coco’s last time taking to the skies.
‘I think she’s too old now that she’s getting closer to nine years old!’ Ogawa said.