


Peacock owners beware: You may need a new emotional support animal to fly with.

United Airlines blocked Dexter the peacock from boarding a flight at Newark Airport on Sunday. Its owner claims to have followed "all required protocol," but United said it told the customer three times the peacock would not make it on the flight.

So what animals will make it on board? And what do you need to bring along for the flight?

Airlines vary on their rules, so here are some do's and don'ts of flying with an emotional support animal:

Do provide the necessary documentation

American, Delta and United airlines require documentation at least 48 hours before a trip, including a note from a licensed medical professional citing the mental or psychological disability that requires the animal.

More: An emotional support peacock? Comfort animal or not, some airlines saying no as rules are tightened

Delta also requires certification of the animal’s health from a veterinarian, including verification of rabies and DPT vaccinations.

International flights may have different rules, too. The United Kingdom requires one-week notification for bringing a pet to the islands. Japan requires notification for quarantine 40 days before arriving. New Zealand accepts arriving dogs only as service animals and doesn’t permit emotional support animals.

Don't bring excessively large animals

According to the Department of Transportation, airlines can prevent large or heavy animals from flying, and the agency says animals can't block aisles or emergency exits. Southwest won't allow animals on seats, and requires they sit on the floor or in your lap. United also says emotional support animals "should sit at the customer's feet."

More: Artist and her emotional support peacock were denied entry on flight

Do help your animal behave

Barking, biting and bouncing around are sure ways to guarantee your emotional support animal won't make it on board. Animals also can't display threatening behaviors such as growling, snarling or lunging. 

More: Delta tightens leash on comfort animals on flights, with rules for lack of federal regulation

Don't travel with these exotic animals

Airlines don't have to accommodate animals they deem too unusual. The Department of Transportation doesn’t require airlines to accept reptiles, ferrets, rodents or spiders. 

Not all airlines have the same list of banned animals, either. Delta won’t accept hedgehogs, possums known as sugar gliders, non-household birds and animals with tusks or hooves. United won’t accept most of those animals, and also "exotic animals and animals not properly cleaned or carrying a foul odor."


Do call your airline in advance

Even if you have all the documentation and think your animal meets all the guidelines, flyers should call ahead to ensure their animal will make it on the flight.

If a pet makes other passengers or the flight crew uncomfortable, an airline can refuse it from flying, according to the Department of Transportation.

Contributing: Bart Jansen

Follow Ryan Miller on Twitter @RyanW_Miller

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