Airline tells peacock you can’t fly
Brooklyn artist Ventiko bought a plane ticket for Dexter but he was not allowed to fly. (Screenshot of dexterthepeacock Instagram post)
A United Airlines passenger who tried to take her emotional support peacock with her on a cross-country flight has had the bird turned away by the airline because of health and safety concerns.
New York City-based photographer and performance artist Ventiko says she bought a ticket for her peacock, Dexter, so he would have his own seat on Sunday’s flight from New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport to Los Angeles.
A spokeswoman for Chicago-based United says the peacock didn’t meet guidelines for several reasons, including its size and weight. Spokeswoman Andrea Hiller says the issues had been explained to the passenger three times “before they arrived at the airport.”
Dexter’s Instagram account notes his “human friends” will be driving him cross-country.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Nov. 14–18: The Philadelphia Art Museum’s annual craft show, the Manayunk Tree Lighting and a wine festival are among weekend highlights.
6 days ago
Listen 4:38
Nov. 7–10: Gooch and the Motion in Delaware, Street Food Festival in Philly and Nick Carter in South Jersey are among the weekend’s highlights.
2 weeks ago
Listen 5:20
Halloween haunts, ‘Hamilton’ and André 3000 in this week’s ‘Things To Do’
Oct. 31 - Nov. 3: Robert Cray Band in Delaware, Halloween hijinks in Philly and its burbs and a “haunted” ship tour in South Jersey are among the weekend’s highlights.
3 weeks ago
Listen 5:31