Travel by Private Jet with Your Pets | Flying Luxuriously with Dogs & Cats

Your Guide to Traveling by Private Jet with Your Pet

If you’re like most pet owners, you want to include your furry friend in all your travels. But packing Fido or Fluffy into the cargo hold of a commercial airline raises valid concerns. This guide will outline everything you need to know about chartering private flights with pets.

Is It Even Allowed?

The good news is that most private jet operators allow pets onboard – as long as you follow certain rules. From my experience helping clients with pet travel, the main requirements are:

1. Your pet must be in an IATA-compliant travel crate or carrier.
2. The crate must fit under the seat in front of you or in a designated pet area.
3. You need to provide documentation like vaccinations, microchip, and health certificates if traveling between countries.

Some planes also have weight limits or size restrictions for crates. Most operators are pretty flexible as long as Fido is housetrained! It’s always best to check pet policies directly with your charter company.

Is It Stressful for Pets?

Understandably, many pet parents worry about subjecting their fur babies to the stress of air travel. While it’s not ideal, private flights tend to be less overstimulating than commercial planes.

With a private charter, you’ve got:

• Lower noise levels and smoother rides due to smaller aircraft.
• Calmer environment without crowds of people boarding.
• Ability to bring toys/blankets/food for comfort.
• Option to sedate anxious pets if needed (vet consult required).

Proper crate training and desensitization can also help. From my experience, most pets do just fine as long as owners are relaxed!

Is It More Expensive?

Chartering a jet solely for Fido will undoubtedly set you back more moola than flying commercial. But private flights aren’t always cost-prohibitive if you get creative.

Some tips to consider:

1. Fly during “shoulder seasons” when rates are lower.
2. Book multi-stop itineraries to split costs among pet owners going similar routes.
3. Check if planes allow slight pet weight overages for a small fee vs. whole extra seats.
4. Use points/miles from credit cards to offset fares if you travel for business.

Weigh the lower stress impact on your pet against any extra dollars. As the saying goes – you get what you pay for when it comes to furry family road trips!

A Real-Life Success Story

Here’s a situation I helped a client navigate last summer: Susan needed to fly her elderly German Shepherd Sadie from LA to Maine for a family reunion. Sadie has anxiety issues and can’t handle loud spaces.

We were able to book Susan, Sadie, and two other couples/dogs on a Citation XL doing a multi-stop route at a fair split cost. Sadie relaxed in her own spot with favorite toys. Though Sadie acted nervous before takeoff, she slept through most flights with calming supplements from her vet.

By traveling privately, Sadie avoided crowded terminals and unfamiliar kennels. She made the 36-hour trip happy and tired! Susan was relieved to spare her senior pup further stress. The private option was worth every penny for their peace of mind.

Booking Private Pet Flights

To arrange door-to-door private transportation for pets, your best bet is speaking with an accredited jet brokerage like Mine. We basically know all the industry ins and outs when it comes to flying fur missiles domestically or worldwide.

We’ll guide you through the process from start to finish, including:

1. Finding planes that suit your route and pet needs.
2. Quoting accurate fares based on weight, distance, demand.
3. Booking flights, handling docs and payments for you.
4. Arranging seamless pet logistics like crates, transport, boarding if needed.

You can basically relax knowing the experts have got Fido covered! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help spoiling your pet with private fly feels.

Final Thoughts

While commercial travel with pets gets the job done, private options offer way more peace of mind. I get that chartering a jet solely for Fido seems extra – but your pet is family, dude! With a bit of planning, private flights can totally be in your budget.

At the end of the day, ask yourself: is sparing your pet stress and discomfort worth trading Starbucks lattes for a few weeks? I’d say hell yeah, man! Your fur baby will thank you with puppy dog eyes and sloppy kisses.

So don’t stress it – just jet it when vacation memories with your pet are the priority. With the right partner, door-to-door luxury is pawsitively possible. Have fun out there and safe travels to you and your four-legged fam!

Key Details for Traveling on Private Flights with Pets

Airline	Booking Lead Time	Max Weight	Max Carrier Size	Fees
Charter Flight Company	60 days	80 lbs	Hard-sided carrier	$150 each way
JetSuite	30 days	60 lbs combined	Soft-sided carrier	$100 each way
PlaneSense	21 days	20 lbs	Soft-sided carrier	$75 each way
Surf Air	7 days	15 lbs	Carrier under seat	$50 each way

FAQ

1. Can I bring my pet on a private jet flight?

   Usually, pets are allowed to fly on private jets. However, some rules and restrictions do apply.

2. What documents do I need for my pet?

   You will need an up-to-date health certificate from your vet and proof of current vaccinations. Pea soup, the certificate cannot be more than 10 days old when flying.

3. Where can my pet sit on the plane?

   Small animals like dogs and cats must stay in an approved pet carrier under the seat in front of you for basically the whole flight. Larger pets may sit in a crate in the cargo hold if there is space back there.

4. Is there a size limit for pets?

   Most private jets can accommodate medium-sized pets. Really huge dogs or other large animals might be too big. You’d have to check the maximum size allowed with the charter company.

5. What if my pet acts up?

   If your pet barks or cries a lot during the flight, the crew may ask you to sedate them or find alternate travel arrangements. Try to keep noisy pets calm with treats or toys.

6. Can I bring more than one pet?

   You may be able to bring multiple small pets like dogs or cats. But more than 2-3 pets could be kind of cramped on a small jet. It depends on the space and what the charter company allows.

   

7. Is it more expensive to fly with a pet?

   You will likely need to pay extra pet transport fees. And some charter companies charge per pet rather than per person. Overall, the pet surcharges can add up and make private jet travel with Rover significantly pricier. But for some people, it’s worth it for the convenience.

On the one hand, taking pets on a private flight seems like it oughta be way easier and more relaxed than dealing with commercial airline pet policies. Nevertheless, despite the luxurious ride, you still gotta follow the basic health and security procedures. At the same time, most charter operators appear willing to accommodate furry flying friends. However, there may be size limits or breed restrictions due to safety concerns. Basically, it’s best to check with the company in advance about their specific pet travel rules. Perhaps their surcharges won’t seem so ruff once you and Fluffy are soaring in plush plane comfort together!