Jet-Setting with Pets: Tips for Flying Private with Your Furry Friend

Shiloh and Lexi. Photo Courtesy Eve Kolakowski, Charter Traveler

Pets are everywhere. According to the American Pet Products Association, two-thirds of U.S. households (87 million) own pets, up from 56 percent in 1988, with dogs and cats as the most popular choices. In 2022, Americans spent more than $135 billion on pets, 10% more than in 2021. Pew Research indicates that 97 percent of U.S. pet owners see pets as family members.

But there’s one area pets aren’t taking over – commercial aircraft. Though more and more Americans are incorporating pets into their lives, fewer and fewer airline options exist to transport those pets effectively. For a growing number of owners, another possibility is rising in popularity – private jet travel. If you’re tired of worrying about your pet sitter’s reliability, want to travel for an extended period or are considering relocating with your furry companions, read on.

No More Emotional Support Peacocks

The number of pets in airline cabins is significantly lower than just a few years ago. Before 2021, U.S. airlines were legally mandated to accommodate emotional support animals, aka therapy animals, in their cabins. While the Americans with Disabilities Act specifies that only dogs technically qualify as service animals for the disabled, emotional support animals can also be cats, rabbits, pigs and more. There were no size limits or official certifications.

Industry group Airlines for America estimated there were 751,000 emotional support animals on commercial flights in 2017, versus 481,000 in 2016. However, while guide dogs must be rigorously trained, emotional service animals do not. Some attacked passengers and crew; others created disruptions and mess. After numerous complaints, in January 2020 the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed limiting accommodated service animals to dogs with specialized training. The change took effect January 2021.

Commercial airlines still allow pets who fit in carriers under seats to ride in cabins. Each airline, however, has its own policy on that matter – and rules can be unclear. A letter-writer to the New York Times’ travel column, “Tripped Up,” told how she and her husband had flown nine times on the same route with the same dog and carrier on United Airlines – only to be told on the 10th attempt that their dog was too large. The columnist’s conclusion, after research: Travelers are at “the mercy of the airlines’ discretion.”

Cargo, Schmargo

The other alternative for pets flying commercial is the cargo hold. For many owners, however, cargo is the belly of the beast. Temperatures and ventilation can vary. Airline employees may mishandle animals – especially a concern given post-COVID staffing shortages. Pets may deal poorly with separation and often don’t travel on the same flights as their owners. According to the DOT, seven pets died during U.S. flights in 2022, most of whom were dogs shipped in cargo.

And cargo is increasingly unavailable. United stopped allowing pets in cargo a few years ago, Delta “temporarily” embargoed them in April 2020, and Southwest Airlines and JetBlue have long since banned them. Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are the only three major U.S. airlines that still transport pets in cargo.

For international travelers, options are broader – Air France, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa and others permit accepted breeds to fly in cargo. (Non-accepted breeds include short-nosed dogs more likely to have breathing problems – such as bulldogs, pugs and shar peis – and breeds with other concerns such as pit bulls.) However, any worries owners have about cargo are supercharged with longer flights.

Going Private

Fortunately for pet devotees, there is another option for flight – private jet travel. While this may have seemed out of reach for most fliers in the past, new possibilities continue to evolve to meet growing demand.

The Internet makes it possible for strangers to collaborate on chartering flights for transporting their pets, sharing the costs to make the trip more affordable. Several Facebook groups exist – search “private charters pets,” and multiple options will pop up. Some groups cover very specific routes, such as US/UK Dog & Pet Repatriation Private Charter Jet Group, while others are broader. Typically, one pet owner takes the lead in chartering the flight, while the other participants sign contracts to ensure they’ll contribute their share of the costs.

For a more formalized charter experience, some new operators are offering flights specifically for pet owners. When U.K. resident Adam Golder and partners started private jet broker G6 Aviation in 2020, its first customer was relocating to Atlanta from the U.K. with two cats. This proved to be an omen. After being contacted in 2022 about a shared charter for pets, G6 management realized a new opportunity existed beyond the high-net-worth individuals the company typically served.

In March 2023, Golder and his partners launched K9 Jets, offering round-trip flights between New Jersey and London, Paris and Lisbon. The airline, which bills itself as a “pet-friendly private jet charter,” relies on Gulfstream G-IVSP heavy jets that can each accommodate as many as 10 humans, plus pets.

In a few weeks, K9 had sold $1 million worth of tickets. The airline just launched a London to Dubai route and is adding more destinations. “We don’t have a weight limit for pets. We use private terminals everywhere, so you don’t have any security queues to line up for. It’s stress-free flying for pets and their owners,” Golder said.

While about 70 percent of K9’s passengers are taking one-way trips to relocate, emigrate or retire, the rest are leisure passengers going on vacation – most of them new to private jet travel. “These are people who would normally fly first class and never thought about flying their dogs,” Golder says. “This allows them to have a first-class experience.”

Photo Courtesy Hillsboro Aviation

Tips for Taking Spot or Mr. Meow

At this point, you’re convinced – your canine or feline companion(s) are worth a private jet. Where to begin?

1) Start well in advance. For shared charters, it can take time to find enough people headed in your direction – several groups advise beginning to look anywhere from three months to half a year in advance. Pet-focused private jet “airlines” such as K9 allow you to skip the logistics process, but seats can sell out fast – currently, those looking to travel from the U.K. to New Jersey on K9 will have to wait until September 27 for seats to be available, and the opposite route is sold out until the end of October. Giving yourself lead time allows you to analyze all of your options.

2) Determine your budget. If you’re just looking to travel in the U.S., a semi-private flight – one that offers the private jet experience, but with routine scheduled flights -- is likely your least expensive option. Aero, which flies among cities including Dallas, Aspen and Los Angeles, permits dogs up to 65 pounds in its cabin; its tickets typically start around $1,000. Rival JSX, which now flies among 20+ cities, allows pets up to 79 pounds; while JSX tickets can exceed $1,000 one-way, it has a few short options for less than $200. (Each requires a separate seat to be purchased for your pet.)

A shared international charter flight will likely cost about $9,000 to $12,000 for you and your pet (together). K9’s international flights are about $9,000 to $12,000 for one seat, and you’ll need another for your pet (though two cats can fit in one seat).

If you want to fly private with your pets frequently, jet card programs with pet options might be the most cost-effective. For example, NetJets offers catering and other treats for pet passengers. “We make every effort to ensure that pets are as comfortable as possible on every NetJets flight,” the company’s Website declares.

If chartering a solo flight is financially feasible, you’ll want to make sure the broker you’re working with knows you’re traveling with pets. “Some charter jets will say no to pets, and some others require a cleaning fee,” says Jacquie Dalton, founder and CEO of private jet broker Sparrow Executive Jets. Sparrow and operator Hillsboro Aviation are among companies that have even arranged charter flights for clients picking up new puppies. “You do the due diligence to arrange the right aircraft – this just becomes a requirement, the same way it would if a client had a disability or a lot of luggage,” Dalton says.

3) Make a vet appointment. You’ll want to ensure your veterinarian has no concerns about your pet’s ability to travel safely. A dog or cat who is ailing may not be able to handle the stress of a long trip, even in a cabin. For a healthy pet who just hates travel, an anti-anxiety medication may be warranted.

Every country has its own paperwork requirements for pet visitors. For example, the U.S. requires that dogs be at least six months old, have a certain type of microchip, appear healthy and meet requirements for rabies vaccination and exposure. Most countries mandate that pets arrive with a health certificate signed by a vet, and many require proof of vaccinations (rabies and otherwise). Some even require import permits. You’ll need time (as per tip 1) to figure out all of the regulations, compile all the paperwork and ensure your vet has signed off as needed.

4) Gather up your equipment. K9 recommends that human passengers carry muzzles for dogs and carriers for cats as a precaution, for example. If your pet has a favorite toy, bring it along. Some experts recommend safety harnesses to keep pets secure in case of turbulence. Check with your charter company to see what else they may require. “You’re responsible for your own pet at the end of the day,” Golder says.

5) Hit the air! While private jet travel spares you from the long security lines of commercial air travel, you’ll want to make sure dogs have a walk – and ample opportunity for bio-breaks – before boarding. If you notice your animal reacting poorly to another scheduled to be on the same flight, it may be best to switch seats if necessary to avoid having them sit close together.

With the right preparations, you can have a wonderful trip. Sparrow customer Eve Kolakowski started flying private during COVID, when her occasional trips to Florida from her home base in New Jersey turned into longer stays. She and her husband weren’t willing to leave their four dogs for months at a time, so Shiloh, Candy, Lola and Lexi became regular fliers.

“They’re as used to traveling as I am by now. They walk up the staircase, find a seat and we’re off,” Kolakowski says. “From a convenience and safety perspective, I love to have the opportunity to take them on a private jet.”