Business class passengers board plane with their falcons

By Sejal Mandal

A man traveling business class was left stunned when two fellow passengers brought falcons on board.

Ryan, 35, who didn't wish to reveal his last name, had just landed in Casablanca, Morocco, from Doha, Qatar, on 29 December 2024, when he spotted the unusual passengers.

Video shows the birds inside the aircraft rested on their owners’ gloved arms.

Ryan had no idea the birds had boarded in Doha and was shocked to discover they had been onboard the aircraft throughout the eight-hour journey.

Ryan, a scuba diving instructor from Baltimore, Maryland, but currently living in Buenos Aires, Argentina, said: “When we stood up to disembark, I looked over and thought ‘Am I dreaming? Where am I?'

"I was in shock.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before coming from the US, where animals on flights are so restricted.

"It felt surreal.”

Despite his initial shock, Ryan said the flight was uneventful.

He said: “I didn't smell or hear them at all.

"They were so calm and the owners didn’t seem fazed at all. It was fascinating to witness."

Falcons are highly prized in many Arab countries, where falconry is a popular sport and symbol of prestige.

Ryan said: “People from the region commented on my post explaining that falcons are often flown in business or first class, especially for competitions or hunting trips.

"I’ve since learned this is a common practice in the region but for a Westerner like me, it was completely unknown. "