GOOD NEWS: Heroic Dogs Fly Home in Business Class from Turkey

In a heartwarming gesture of gratitude, Turkish Airlines flew rescue dogs and their handlers back home for free on special flights after they tirelessly searched for victims of the devastating earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria in February. Rather than transporting the animals in the cargo hold, the airline allowed them to travel in passenger cabins, with some even getting to travel in business class. The airline's representative told Insider, "It was the least we could to do show our appreciation for these heroic dogs' sincere and heroic efforts."

Dogs from around the world were sent to aid in the recovery efforts, including those from the US, UK, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Libya, Poland, Switzerland, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Hungary, China, and Mexico. As part of its disaster relief efforts, Turkish Airlines provided free flights for evacuees, free cargo transportation for medical supplies, and a donation of over $2 billion Turkish Lira (or $100 million USD). More than 238,000 rescue personnel have been assisted through 1,300 aid flights. The company also provided free carrying cases for other pets to be safely transported onto aircraft for evacuation.

The tragic earthquake caused the loss of over 50,000 lives and injured more than 100,000 people, with some survivors spending close to a week trapped beneath rubble. Despite the ongoing aftershocks, Turkish Airlines remains committed to supporting their citizens and communities affected by the disaster.