Maria Fraterrigo, an 81-year-old grandmother from the Bronx, was denied boarding her flight from San Juan to Kennedy International Airport due to her companion, an African gray parrot named Plucky, being on a no-fly list. Despite having brought Plucky on her outbound Frontier flight without issue in January, she was told that parrots were prohibited by the airline, leaving her situation in limbo for four days. However, Frontier later relented and scheduled her on another flight on Wednesday night, allowing Plucky to travel with her.
This incident highlighted the tension between airlines and passengers regarding what types of animals are allowed on commercial flights. In the past, there have been instances of passengers bringing miniature horses, pigs, and other unusual pets on planes, leading to confusion until the federal government tightened rules for service animals. While emotional support peacock was denied boarding in the past, it seemed that parrots were also prohibited by Frontier Airlines, causing hardship for Maria Fraterrigo.
The attention brought by Ms. Fraterrigo’s situation in the news media led to members of New York’s congressional delegation lobbying for her to be rebooked with her parrot, including Senator Chuck Schumer. Frontier Airlines spokesperson Jennifer F. de la Cruz stated that parrots do not qualify as emotional support animals under the airline’s policies, but they acknowledged the inconsistencies that had created a hardship for Ms. Fraterrigo.
Since losing her husband in 2019, Maria Fraterrigo has found comfort in her companion parrot, Plucky, who is now 24 years old. She would not think of traveling without Plucky, who she considers as her company and a source of support. Her son, Robert Fraterrigo, revealed that he had looked into whether his mother could bring Plucky on a flight in December and received assurance from a Frontier customer service agent that she could with a doctor’s letter designating the parrot as an emotional support animal.
Initially, Frontier Airlines did not allow Maria Fraterrigo to board the flight with Plucky, but after refunding the ticket cost and providing a voucher, they appeared to relent, requesting a certificate of veterinary inspection for Plucky and documentation showing its purchase in the United States. Maria Fraterrigo was eventually issued with a new ticket, allowing her to bring Plucky back with her to New York in a bird-carrier backpack. However, she mentioned feeling uneasy and noted that Plucky, who usually talks, was silent during the flight due to nerves.
In conclusion, Maria Fraterrigo’s experience with Frontier Airlines highlighted the challenges faced by passengers traveling with emotional support animals and the inconsistencies in policies among different airlines. Despite the initial denial and confusion, she was ultimately able to travel with her companion parrot, who has been a source of comfort after the loss of her husband. The incident shed light on the importance of clear guidelines and communication between airlines and passengers to avoid similar situations in the future.
