Travelers were left stunned after they saw an unusual passenger joining their flight recently ā an enormous Great Dane dog.
Many people are nervous fliers, but for most, itās something they can try and take their mind off by listening to music or trying to sleep through it.
However, others might need a little bit more help ā such as the assistance of an emotional support animal.
While you might imagine that to be a smaller animal, one traveler brought a Great Dane approximately the size of a small horse with them on a recent flight.
See the footage below:
The footage was shared by Rob, who goes by the handleĀ @clearpath_coachĀ on Instagram, as he joked: āMe: Have we taken this support animal thing too far? Society: Hold my beer.ā
He added in the caption: āReturning from #bandondunes. The flight attendantās reaction is everything.ā
In the clip, the air hostess can be heard saying āOwā and flinching after the ginormous dog stepped on her toe on its way in.
In a follow-up video, he revealed that the massive pooch was in fact given its own seat, adding: āShe survived and he got his own seat..allĀ [good].ā
People flooded the comments to share their thoughts, writing: āSo the person who has an anaphylaxis allergy to pet dander can what? Hold their breath the entire flight?ā
Others added: āIf you want to take a dog, take a dog, but donāt pass it off as a service dog just to circumvent policy.ā
Some were more amused by it, writing: āId rather this than a bunch of rude screaming kids. That dog can sit next to me anytime,ā and: āIād rather sit next to the sweet giant than another person.ā
According to the American Kennel Club, Great Danes can weight between 140-175 pounds, so itās no wonder the flight attendant may have flinched when it put all its weight onto her toes.
Some people did think letting it ride in the cabin was a bit much, writing: āThe flight attendant didnāt do anything wrong. Everyone is not a dog person. All due respect thatās a huge difference between traveling with a small dog and larger dog.ā
Others added: āĀ love dogs but this s**t is getting out of hand,ā and: āIād be livid if I was sitting next to this man. Yāall gotta have SOME consideration for other people.ā
However, it does seem like this wonāt be a common occurrence (much to the disappointment of those of us who would love to see a big cuddly pup in the cabin) as the US Department of Transportation recently moved to tighten regulations around flying with emotional support animals.
Passengers were stunned to see the dog enter the plane. Credit: urbazon/Getty Images
It has stated that only trained service animals should be allowed to join their owners in the cabin, according to theĀ New York Post.
TheĀ US Department of TransportationĀ states: āUnder the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) a service animal means a dog, regardless of breed or type, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.
āAnimal species other than dogs, emotional support animals, comfort animals, companionship animals, and service animals in training are not service animals.ā
It adds: āAirlines are required to recognize dogs as service animals and accept them for transport on flights to, within and from the United States.Ā Airlines, though not required, are free to transport other species for passengers if they choose to do so.ā