Falcons on a plane: First class treatment for birds of prey

Have you ever boarded a flight dreading who might be your neighbor for the next few hours? Maybe they'll snore, or encroach on your personal space, or perhaps it'll be a screaming baby. This week, a photograph of a cabin full of the treasured birds went viral on social media. Passengers flying on Qatar, Emirates, Etihad or Royal Jordanian Airlines, however, have a unique type of neighbor to worry about—the pet falcon.

On these Middle Eastern airlines, the birds—which have their own passports—are permitted to fly, most often perching on their owners' arms. Between 2002 and 2013, the government issued more than 28,000 falcon passports. In the Middle East, falcons are the ultimate status symbol.