Rescued turtle swept away by storm given VIP treatment on flight

A rescued turtle has been flown in an airliner’s passenger cabin because a sea crossing was deemed too stressful.

Regional airline Loganair said it received special dispensation to carry the loggerhead turtle named Crush in the cabin for a flight from the Channel Islands to Southampton on Tuesday.

Crush was swept away from her natural habitat and washed up on a Jersey beach during Storm Goretti in January.

The turtle travelled on the plane in a box (Loganair/PA)

Loggerhead turtles typically live in much warmer waters and are rarely found on the Channel Islands.

After being discovered by a member of the pubic in a weak and malnourished condition, she was taken to a veterinary hospital on Jersey where she received round-the-clock treatment.

The reptile was carried onto the flight in a box for the next stage of her rehabilitation at Sea Life Weymouth aquarium in Dorset.

Crush will continue her rehabilitation in Dorset (Loganair/PA)

Loganair said: “It was decided that a ferry crossing would cause Crush undue stress and affect her recovery.”

The airline’s chief commercial officer Ronnie Matheson added: “This was certainly one of the more unusual passengers we’ve welcomed on board, but supporting Crush’s journey was something we were very happy to do.”

Mr Matheson said the airline worked closely with veterinary experts to ensure the turtle “could travel as calmly and comfortably as possible, whilst ensuring the safety of all of our passengers and colleagues”.