Man boards flight with falcon carrying its own passport; netizen exclaims, 'It's living a better life than...'

It’s not every day that your co-passenger on a flight turns out to be a regal bird of prey. But passengers on a recent UAE flight to Morocco were stunned when a man boarded with his pet falcon perched calmly on his arm. What made this encounter truly extraordinary wasn't just the bird’s presence—it was the fact that the falcon carried its own official passport.

In a video that has now taken social media by storm, a fellow traveler captures his conversation with the falcon’s owner at Abu Dhabi airport. Dressed in traditional white Emirati attire, the man appeared unfazed by the curiosity his majestic companion stirred. “Is it flying with us?” the passenger asked. “Yeah, of course it is flying with us in the plane,” came the composed reply—as if carrying a raptor through airport security was routine.

The Passport to Soar
What sets this story apart from the occasional pet-on-a-plane anecdote is the legal status of the falcon. Its owner proudly flipped open a passport with details including gender, origin (“He’s a male. He’s from Spain”), and travel history. With stamps and pages just like a human’s, this feathered flyer was fully documented for international travel.

The unusual yet serene exchange was filmed just before the flight’s departure, and has now earned viral status on Instagram, with millions amused—and amazed—by the nonchalance of both bird and man.

A Culture Rooted in Falconry
While this may sound like a one-off occurrence, falcons in the UAE actually do have their own passports. Since 2015, these documents have been mandatory to track the birds’ movements and support conservation efforts after a dip in falcon populations. Falconry, after all, is deeply woven into the fabric of Emirati heritage, regarded as a symbol of strength, pride, and nobility.

In fact, some major airlines in the Middle East allow falcons in the cabin under strict regulations. And with their own travel documents, these raptors are arguably more prepared than many human passengers.

Internet in Awe
The internet, as expected, couldn’t keep calm. “Falcon probably living a better life than most of us humans,” quipped one user. Another commented, “I had a falcon as a passenger on my flight once... He was better behaved than some human passengers.”

Others were simply floored by the casualness of the scene. “This is real CRAZY RICH PERSON energy,” wrote one user. “The falcon was like, ‘Excuse me, I don't answer personal questions. And give me my passport back,’” another joked.

Not Just a Pet, But a Passport-Holding Aristocrat
As the clip continues to fly across social media timelines, it offers a delightful glimpse into a world where luxury meets tradition, and where even a bird of prey gets to soar across continents in style—and legality. For now, the falcon has landed in Morocco, passport stamped and dignity intact.

Would you share your row with a falcon if it meant a more peaceful flight? Many netizens are already saying, "Yes, please!"