Giant Emotional Support Dog on a Plane Flies Into Netizens’ Hearts

The massive dog has gone viral for its calm posture as it sits next to its owner.

The dog is a qualified emotional support animal owned by one of the plane’s passengers, a China Southern Airlines spokesman said, according to South China Morning Post.

The video was recorded last year but only went viral recently.

However, some netizens are wondering how the dog was allowed to sit with its owner inside the cabin.

An airline spokesman later told the media that properly-trained and qualified “working dogs” are permitted to accompany their owners during a flight, Shanghaiist reported.

Some netizens agreed with the idea that obedient dogs should be allowed to ride planes.

“A well-controlled working dog is much better than an out-of-control bratty kid,” a user on Weibo wrote.

“So cute, I support dogs flying in planes,” another user said.

Only a few Chinese airlines allow dogs to fly with their owner.

Hainan Airlines permits it if the dog weighs fewer than 5 kilograms (11 pounds). Once the condition is met, the pet owner can put the animal in a carrier and stow it under the passenger’s seat.

There are also instances in which some airlines permit the passenger to let the animal board the plane’s cabin. Last year, China Southern Airlines made headlines for allowing a family of five to be accompanied by their emotional support dog on their international flight from Bangkok, Thailand to Wuhan, Hubei province, China.

Service animals such as guide dogs can also make the exception list in some airlines as long as the owner can provide official identification papers and a valid health certificate.

Images Screenshot via Facebook / Massimo Ceccarelli