southwest extra seat policy update passengers can now bring emotional support peacocks onboard as carry-on luggage
A new viral rumor claims that Southwest Airlines has updated its extra seat policy to allow emotional support peacocks as carry-on items, with the bird occupying a second seat at no additional charge. Video clips circulating on TikTok show a peacock perched in a plane seat, but this is a hybrid of a 2020 incident where United Airlines banned a peacock and a fictional scenario. Southwest's actual extra seat policy allows passengers to purchase an additional seat for personal comfort, but emotional support animals are limited to dogs and cats under DOT rules. The peacock claim is fake and old footage is being repurposed.