Photos reveal pets are first class travel companions 

You may have thought that penguins couldn’t fly but after viewing these adorable images you’ll realise that it’s just not true.

And it’s not just penguins that are jet-setting through the skies; ponies, cheetah cubs, turkeys and ducks have all been spotted kicking back in the cabin too.

Animals are popping up increasingly next to travellers on flights and many of them are even getting a free ride.

Animals can sometimes travel to support humans, including creatures classified as an emotional support animal (ESA). 

Justine Franks suffers from severe anxiety and a peanut allergy and flies everywhere with her dog, Raleigh.

Puppy power! This adorable little 

Puppy power! This adorable little fluffballs were spotted waiting to board their flights

Setting out its stall: Apple the emotional support animal plants its little hooves firmly between passengers' feet (left) while a penguin proves that its species can in fact fly as it sits with the pilot in the cockpit (right)

This penguin looks very comfortable with flying as it sits with the pilot in the coskpit

Setting out its stall: Apple the emotional support animal plants its little hooves firmly between passengers’ feet (left) while a penguin proves that its species can in fact fly as it sits with the pilot in the cockpit (right)

Like dog, like owner: This pair look happy and in control as their take to the skies

Like dog, like owner: This pair look happy and in control as their take to the skies

She says Raleigh, an emotional support dog, serves to help both conditions, WFLA reports   

‘I always ask if I can have an aisle seat or if the person I’m flying next to is comfortable with the animal,’ said Franks.  

Cats, pigs, ducks, turkeys, squirrels, anyone can register their pet as an emotional support animal and fly for free in America.

Passengers with allergies say it’s frustrating and the pet population on planes is getting out of control. 

A real turkey: This bird gobbled up a good seat for its flight, while the tiny cheetah cub (right) got plenty of attention from adoring humans while it was in transit

Spotted! This tiny little cub was pictured on board a flight

A real turkey: This bird gobbled up a good seat for its flight, while the tiny cheetah cub (right) got plenty of attention from adoring humans while it was in transit

Size matters: While this little dog snuggled comfortably into its owner's lap (left), the other passengers choice of travel companion (right) could have been more carefully considered

Dead leg! This large German Shepherd sat on its owner throughout the flight

Size matters: While this little dog snuggled comfortably into its owner’s lap (left), the other passengers choice of travel companion (right) could have been more carefully considered

Cola bear: This koala enjoys table service as he's served a drink by the air hostess on a plane

Cola bear: This koala enjoys table service as he’s served a drink by the air hostess on a plane

ESAs can be any species, they do have legal protection under the Fair Housing Act and only require a letter from a doctor. There is no legal registry or certification for them and airlines do not have to allow them on board, Newsweek reports 

However, a certified service animal is afforded more rights and the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act officially recognizes only dogs and miniature horses, as eligible for service animal certification.

They must also be trained to perform a specific task, like guiding the blind or alerting their owners of an upcoming seizure. 

Service animals have more protections than ESAs, as many people physically require them to help them.

It is not clear whether the animals in these pictures had a specific responsibility to perform on board, or whether they were just been along for the ride.

No, I'm the captain! These pets look very happy in the cockpit as they pose with pilots

Cat nap: This kitty decided to gran forty winks while it rested on a chair in the cockpit

No, I’m the captain! These pets look very happy in the cockpit as they pose with pilots

Are we there yet? These dogs look a little bored and uncomfortable as they wait out the flight

This large fluffy dog looked a little cramped on its human seat

Are we there yet? These dogs look a little bored and uncomfortable as they wait out the flight

Too cute! These puppies look quite well cared for on board their separate  flights

This little pup perches on its owner's legs as it looks up at the camera

Too cute! These puppies look quite well cared for on board their separate  flights 

Bags it! This cute little canine looks out from its special mobile resting place

Bags it! This cute little canine looks out from its special mobile resting place

Four legs good: These dogs look quite comfortable on these separate flights

Taking over! Dogs almost outnumber humans on this flight

Four legs good: These dogs look quite comfortable on these separate flights

Snuggling up: This little dog is all snuggled up in its sweater (left)while it cuddles into its owner (right)

This canine cosies up to its owner on this flight

Snuggling up: This little dog is all snuggled up in its sweater (left)while it cuddles into its owner (right)

Maxed out: This little dog looks in need of a nap as it lies across a crossword puzzle on board

Maxed out: This little dog looks in need of a nap as it lies across a crossword puzzle on board

Making friends: These dogs are keen to meet other travellers as they turn around in their seats to say hi

Nosy neighbour: This inquisitive canine turns in its seat to greet the passengers behind it on a plane

Making friends: These dogs are keen to meet other travellers as they turn around in their seats to say hi

Window seat: This dog enjoys the view out the window (left) while the little dog (right) is happyo to lap up attention closer to the aisle

This little lapdog laps up all the attention on this flight

Window seat: This dog enjoys the view out the window (left) while the little dog (right) is happyo to lap up attention closer to the aisle

Ducking and diving between seats: This duck takes to the aisle like a seasoned air traveller, while the dog looks like a nervous flyer and has less experience being airborne

This little dog looks uneasy as it scans its surroundings at altitude

Ducking and diving between seats: This duck takes to the aisle like a seasoned air traveller, while the dog looks like a nervous flyer and has less experience being airborne

Bagging a deal: But this dog looks quite happy in its own, special doggy bag

Bagging a deal: But this dog looks quite happy in its own, special doggy bag

How much is that doggy in the window? The little pooch (left) has a raw deal as it peers out of a little window of a travel bag, but the boxer (right) looks happy as it stretches its legs

This boxer has plenty of legroom on its flight

How much is that doggy in the window? The little pooch (left) has a raw deal as it peers out of a little window of a travel bag, but the boxer (right) looks happy as it stretches its legs 

Good travel companion: These little dogs look like calm and reliable travel partners

This little dog pants gently in the warmth of the plan but looks happy and relaxed as it flies

Good travel companion: These little dogs look like calm and reliable travel partners

 

 

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