This can bearly be legal.
One koala got a taste of the high life yesterday, sitting in first class on a Qantas Airways flight headed to Singapore by way of Brisbane, Australia.
The critter enjoyed privileged perks such as a warm towel, can of Schweppes seltzer and even some fresh eucalyptus leaves.
The precious photo op was staged after Lone Pine Sanctuary in Brisbane gifted four koalas — Paddle, Pellita, Chan and Idalia — to Singapore to mark the Asian country’s 50th anniversary of independence. Australia has made efforts over the years to enhance its diplomatic relations with Singapore.
Once the foursome reaches their destination at the Singapore Zoo, they will “reside in a world class, purpose-built koala exhibit,” according to a press release by Julie Bishop, the Australian minister for foreign affairs. Bishop intends to visit the zoo next month and hopes Singapore can support its own koala colony moving forward.
Qantas agreed not only to fly the koalas to and from Singapore, but also to fly a fresh batch of eucalyptus leaves from Australia to the zoo twice weekly.
Unfortunately, the pampered koala’s time in first class was cut short: He and his trio of pals were routed back to Qantas’ cargo hold, where they were held in custom-built containers for the eight-hour flight.