The incredible story of the dog who flew business class, from Australia to Italy

Anyone has happened to travel by air and encountered a decidedly peculiar passenger. The perfect character to include in an anecdote to tell friends. It happens flying economy class, but also business class, of course. But the passengers on a Singapore Airlines flight from Australia to Italy had to deal with a fellow traveler far beyond the normal standards of bizarreness.

His name is Lewis. Just Lewis, with no last name. He is in fact a dog and more specifically a greyhound, also quite well-known in Australia, at least to racing fans. Lewis, in fact, has long been a fairly popular racing greyhound, until age forced him - as it happens to all athletes - into retirement. But what was he doing on a business class flight bound for our country?

The story of Lewis's luxury flight

In Melbourne there is an animal welfare association called Greyt Greys Rescue: This is a non-profit organization run by volunteers that rescues, cares for and adopts former racing racers, helping them find new homes once their careers are over.

Lewis was one of the dogs lucky enough to soon find suitable homes, being adopted by a lady who, some time later, decided to take a plane and Moving permanently from the Australian city to Italy.

Of dogs traveling by air there have been many and there will be just as many in the future. Usually, however, they are housed in special kennels. Lucky for him, however, Lewis found himself flying on a virtually deserted plane (in Australia they are still in effect many restrictions on air travel), which allowed him to make a jump From the cargo hold directly to first class, reaching out to his mistress.

A unique experience

For the now internationally renowned greyhound, the new accommodation on the plane meant not only greater comfort and proximity to its owner, but also a fairly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially as far as its fellow humans are concerned: the chance Of celebrating the birthday in flight!

"È the best dog we ever had, including trained guide dogs," revealed the flight crew, according to when reported on Facebook by volunteers from Greyt Greys Rescue who spread the happy news from their social profiles, accompanying it with many photos of Lewis' feat.

Travel to and from Australia

Lewis and his mistress' journey was permitted by the need for a permanent move to Italy. Meanwhile, however, to the majority of the Australian population. international flights are still precluded because of the pandemic (and, likewise, foreigners' flights to Australia).

In recent months there had been talk of a possible reopening around July. Last May, however, Finance Minister Simon Birmingham had extinguished enthusiasm. Speculation of a smooth return to travel by October 2021 was also abandoned.

"Australia will not see the borders wide open before next year with great ease," the minister had said. We will therefore have to wait for at least until the beginning of 2022 To be able to see Oceania again.

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