A Saudi prince recently made headlines by booking an entire plane exclusively for his impressive collection of falcons.
This unique carry-on luggage arrangement has captured the attention of many, shedding light on the fascinating world of falconry.
The falcon-filled flight gained attention on social media
This photo has attracted the attention of netizens because of the prince's "wealth" and the indescribable feeling of suddenly appearing on a plane with a cabin full of birds.
It is understood that this was a commercial flight of Qatar Airways on a Boeing 767.
It has been reported that a Saudi prince who owns 80 falcons was willing to spend a large sum of money to purchase 80 first-class air tickets for his "pets".
The birds were strapped to their seats to prevent any confusion during the flight.
In the footage, each bird has its own seat and looks peaceful.
Additionally, the plane's interior was specially prepared for its avian passengers.
Plastic-lined floors provided easy cleanup, while seats featured perches and platforms for the falcons to rest comfortably during the flight.
Falconry holds a special place in the hearts of many in the Arab states.
It's not just a sport; it's a cultural heritage. Dubai, known for its towering skyscrapers and luxury real estate, also boasts a falcon museum and a high-end hospital dedicated to caring for these birds.
Falconer's birds are highly valued and can range in price from $40,000 to an astonishing $500,000 each.
The shipment of falcons is quite common.
People in the Middle East have trained the bird for hunting for thousands of years and even used it as a game in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to Business Insider, falcons have been issued travel passports by the UAE, which allow them to visit countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Morocco, and Syria.
These passports are valid for three years each.
Four years ago, another Reddit user posted a similar photo showing falcons sitting on a plane. The photo attracted more than 1.2 million views and thousands of comments soon after.
Similar to humans using eye masks during long flights, falcons wear hoods to prevent them from becoming frightened by unfamiliar surroundings.
Breeders use defogger machines to sanitize the aircraft before the birds come on board. The individuals sharing armrests with the falcons are trained professionals, ready to attend to the needs of these valuable birds.
The video went quickly viral and sparked debate on social media.
One person said: And how many refugees did Prince Golden Dink save seats for?
A second wrote: Falcons must at least the pass border veterinary inspection, they potentialy will bring bird disease to our soil like SARS.
While a third commented: Just think - that money came from us buying oil from them. It's time to become energy-dependent.
Another added: Would the Falcons not be considered a disruptive force? If they were homing pigeons they could fly themselves.
Someone else said: Pompous display of Saudi extravagance BUT they cannot give one CENT to help Mideast refugees? Disgusting!
Another said: I'm shocked that the Royal Family would allow them all to fly on the same flight! What if the plane went down!?!? They'd lose ALL of the Royal Falcons in one fell swoop (so to speak...). Completely irresponsible, imho.
