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Home / Travel

Pigs really can fly

Herald online
22 Jan, 2016 12:25 AM2 mins to read

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Hamlet takes control in the cockpit. Photo / Instagram, hamlet_the_beach_hog

Hamlet takes control in the cockpit. Photo / Instagram, hamlet_the_beach_hog

It seems pigs can fly after all.

While pets are not usually allowed in the cabin of a plane, there are certain exceptions - and an "emotional support animal" is one of them.

View this post on Instagram

When pigs fly? Ha! Hoggin' the possibilities! #whenpigsfly #hoglife #homefortheholidays #americanairlines

A post shared by Hamlet The Beach Hog (@hamlet_the_beach_hog) on Dec 18, 2015 at 2:03pm PST

That's where Hamlet fits in.

The black-and-white pig is the constant companion of Megan Peabody, 28, from the Virgin Islands.

Due to Ms Peabody's anxiety around flying, Hamlet is used as her comfort animal on flights.

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She told the Daily Mail the well-travelled pet "provides a lovely distraction" while in the air - and has documented their travels on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

When pigs fly #hoglife #airhog #islandlifeforme

A post shared by Hamlet The Beach Hog (@hamlet_the_beach_hog) on Nov 1, 2015 at 7:05am PST

"Hamlet has flown with me a few times as an emotional support animal and he really helps me," she said.

They've been best friends since Ms Peabody took Hamlet in as an eight-and-a-half week piglet.

Their most recent journey was from Boston in the USA to San Juan, Puerto Rico and on to the Virgin Islands.

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Unsurprisingly, the pair attract a lot of attention while en route to a destination.

"Everyone talks to you," she told the Daily Mail. "And I am sure he loves it too. He is so good about it and is very well-trained.

View this post on Instagram

Do I get my wings too, now? #whenpigsfly

A post shared by Hamlet The Beach Hog (@hamlet_the_beach_hog) on Oct 14, 2015 at 12:49am PDT

"People are obviously surprised but there hasn't been any negative reactions. Children are sometimes a bit afraid as many haven't seen a pet pig before.

"But once they come over and pet him and see what he is like, they all love him."

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A relaxed flier, Hamlet enjoys eating vegetables and Cheerios cereal on the way.

The United States allows passengers to take animals on board a flight at no extra cost, but only if they cannot function without the animal's support.

While Air New Zealand allows some service dogs on board, this does not include emotional support, therapy, comfort or psychiatric service dogs - so there's unlikely to be any pigs flying in our skies just yet.

- nzherald.co.nz

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