Etihad Airways Has Very Strict Rules For How Many Falcons Passengers Can Bring On A Plane
But if you want to bring two falcons into the cabin, you'll need to buy a first class ticket.
The airline does not specify why it allows the birds of prey on board, but given that falconry (training the birds to hunt) is popular in the United Arab Emirates, it makes sense that the nation's flag carrier would accommodate its practitioners.
Here's the detailed policy, courtesy of SeatGuru, and confirmed as accurate by an Etihad rep:
Diamond First Class
- Up to 2 falcons per guest (per seat) are permitted. Charge for each falcon (which is considered 6.6 lb/ 3 kg) is 3 times the normal excess baggage rate of the journey.
- Up to 2 additional falcons can be carried when an extra seat is purchased within same class. No excess baggage charges for the additional falcons will apply.
Pearl Business Class
- Up to 2 falcons per guest (per seat) are permitted. Charge for each falcon (which is considered 6.6 lb/ 3 kg) is 3 times the normal excess baggage rate of the journey.
- Up to 2 additional falcons can be carried when an extra seat is purchased within same class. No excess baggage charges for the additional falcons will apply.
Coral Economy Class
- 1 falcon per guest (per seat) is permitted. Charge for one falcon (which is considered 6.6 lb/ 3 kg) is 3 times the normal excess baggage rate of the journey.
- 1 additional falcon can be carried when an extra seat is purchased within same class. No excess baggage charges for the additional falcon will apply.
Note: The charge for each additional seat purchased will be the fare applicable for an adult guest occupying the seat. This applies to all travel classes and charges will depend on the number of seats, the travel class and sector of travel. Guests are not entitled to any additional free baggage allowance for the additional seat(s) purchased for falcons. Per UAE Civil Aviation norms, no piece of baggage may exceed 70 lb/ 32 kg in weight or 80 in/ 200 cm in dimension.
On its website, Etihad notes that in addition to falcons, seeing eye dogs are permitted in the cabin for flights between Abu Dhabi and the United States, if proper documentation is provided.