Why Coco the bunny flew business class from San Francisco to Japan – then discovered her travel adventures had gone viral
Only the best for this cute rabbit – emotional support companion of former Google worker Takako Ogawa – which flies in a bow tie, sips champagne and eats croissants high above the Pacific Ocean
It’s rare to see a rabbit in people clothes – and even rarer to see one sitting in business class on a long flight. Yet that’s what happened in late 2018, when a rabbit named Coco flew with owner Takako Ogawa from San Francisco to Japan. Now, the pictures are going viral after appearing on sites like Metro.
“I was returning to Japan, resigning from Google to start my new career,” is how Ogawa, co-founder and CEO of analytics start-up Panalyt Japan, explains taking Coco with her.
“I couldn’t leave her in the States, so I took her back with me.”
To bring Coco aboard, Ogawa registered her as an emotional support animal, and paid US$100 to have her in the cabin in a special case. When staff informed Ogawa there would be no one sitting in the seat next to her in business class, she decided to let Coco enjoy the high life.
“I thought it was super nice of the flight attendants to let her use the unoccupied cubicle next to me, and for bringing her treats throughout the trip,” says Ogawa, adding staff would come by to meet Coco.
Coco was a model passenger – Ogawa says that, although she brought pet sheets in case of accidents, Coco didn’t make a mess.
It’s not the first time Coco has flown business class. “She travelled from Japan to San Francisco when we moved there in 2015,” explained Ogawa.
“This was her second long flight.”