Which Pet Air Travel Option is Best For Your Pet?
Don't know where to start with how to fly with your pet? Start here.
1. Pet Shipping 📦
2. Pet-Friendly Airlines 🧳
3. Pet Group Charter Flights 🛩
Whether you’re an executive relocating overseas for business (congrats on the promotion!) or someone who enjoys the first-class life but misses their pet at their feet, the thought of leaving your pet behind or subjecting them to uncomfortable travel is far from ideal. You want a solution that matches the level of comfort, safety, and care you expect when you travel. Aside from your reason for traveling with your pet, ensuring your pet’s travel experience is as seamless and enjoyable as yours is a top priority.
A quick google search of pet-friendly air travel will prompt several responses, but it takes more than a glance to understand what you’re actually signing up for. I learned this the hard way when traveling from Australia to the US with my pet, a french bulldog named Betty (aka my whole world). Spoiler alert - unless you have a small pet and the perfect airline pet policy for where you’re going, then you’re going to realize your options are slim. I'm going to save you the time I wish someone had saved me and explain the differences between the pet travel services you'll find online. Don’t like to read? Download my new guide. It breaks down the differences between all 3 pet air travel options and provides general pricing guidelines for small, medium and large pets. When it comes to flying with pets, there are three main options: traditional pet shipping, commercial airlines with a pet-policy, or pet-friendly group charter flights. Let’s explore how each option impacts your pet’s comfort and safety, helping you find the best fit for your next pet-friendly adventure.
Pet Shipping 📦
(Think: How our online shopping packages travel)
Pet shipping services, often referred to as pet transportation services, move pets similarly to how packages are transported. Your pet is crated and placed in the cargo hold of an airplane with minimal human interaction. These companies arrange logistics, pick up your pet, and transport them on cargo or commercial flights (always in the cargo hold). While this service can be practical for long distances or larger pets, it can be stressful for animals who spend hours in loud, unfamiliar environments.
The most important thing to remember here is that pet shipping companies never allow pets in the cabin. Your pet may spend long hours in a crate in different environments, waiting for the next leg of the trip, much like a package waiting in a warehouse for delivery. Some top tier services will provide a kennel for instances where an overnight stay is required. To see general pricing for pet shipping, download the guide, where I also share a side-by-side comparison of pet shipping with the other options.
Pet-Friendly Commercial Airlines 🧳
(Think: How our luggage travels)
Some commercial airlines (JetBlue, Delta, British Airways, etc.) allow pets to travel in the cabin, provided they meet size and weight requirements. Typically, only small pets weighing around 18 lbs (8kg) and able to fit in a carrier under the seat can fly in the cabin. The average dimensions of an under-seat pet carrier accepted by commercial airlines are about the same as a desktop printer. These pets can travel alongside their owners, making the experience more reassuring for both.
Even if your pet fits into the carrier allowed by the airline, they’ll need to remain inside it for the entire flight. While it might feel reassuring to have them at your feet, this doesn’t always guarantee a safe experience. There was even a case with JetBlue where a dog had to be placed on oxygen due to issues caused by remaining in the carrier for too long.
There’s a lot of variability between airlines, making planning difficult—especially if you have a medium or large dog. For pets that can’t fly in the cabin, they’ll need to be transported as cargo, which can be unsettling. Additionally, certain dog breeds are banned from flying due to safety concerns from past incidents where dogs didn’t survive. The fact that airlines had to implement these bans to protect pets’ lives highlights just how unsafe cargo holds are, regardless of the breed or species. It really makes you question why this is still allowed at all! 💔
Group Charter Flights 🛩️
(Think: How we like to travel)
Group charter flights offer the best of both worlds: a seamless, comfortable experience for you and for your pet. A charter flight is a one-time booking of private jet. A group charter flight means that the private jet booking is shared among a group of travelers. With no restrictions on size or breed, group charter flights allow your pet to travel right beside you in the cabin, avoiding the stress of cargo holds and providing an environment that feels more like home.
Group charter flights offer a tailored travel experience focused on comfort, safety, and peace of mind. Whether you have a large dog, a small cat, or multiple pets, they’ll have the space to move around freely and receive attention during the flight, all while traveling in a calm and stress-free environment.
With Jet Wag’s group charter flights, there are no worries about restrictive policies or uncomfortable conditions for your pet. Instead, both you and your furry companion can enjoy the journey together, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience from takeoff to landing. Given that this option involves private jet travel for pets, the cost will be more than your standard plane ticket or pet shipping service. There is general pricing for group charter flights in the guide so that there are no major surprises. With this option, it’s best to keep in mind that the cost covers the entire picture, not just travel for your pet.
Conclusion
For all types travelers that have a furry family member, finding the right option for your pet’s travel is crucial. While pet shipping and pet-friendly airlines are options, they often come with limitations and stress for your pet. Group charter flights, on the other hand, are created to provide a superior experience focused on comfort and safety, allowing you and your pet to travel together in style and ease.
Top 10 Tips for Stress-Free Pet Travel
Have your human read this, otherwise you may need to pack your suitcase yourself next time! 🧳🐾
Hitting the road (or skies) with your four-legged sidekick? It’s all fun and games until someone starts barking at the luggage. But fear not—we've got your back (and your paws) covered. Whether you're jet-setting or road-tripping, these top 10 tips for stress-free pet travel will keep your journey smooth, your pet happy, and your memories filled with wagging tails and purrs of approval!
1. Choose the best method of travel
Your trip is guaranteed to be less stressful if you take a moment to think about what works best for you and your pet. Consider your pet’s size, temperament, and health when making deciding between flying, driving, or taking a train. Jet Wag offers a comfortable pet-friendly air travel option that is optimal for comfort, safety and relaxation.
2. Familiarize them with the environment
If traveling by car, you can start by introducing your pet to the car for small periods of time (cats, I’m talking to you!). Make this a fun and exciting experience for them. Build up the sessions until your pet is looking forward to the trip! If traveling by plane, try exposing them to the experience as much as possible. Take them on short visits to your local airport (think regional airports, not international/commercial airports where we would go to fly on Southwest or Delta). Have them hear the planes taking off, landing and taxiing around. Get them used to the smells and the sounds of the check in area. Again, make this an enjoyable and fun experience for them. Perhaps take them to a nearby park afterward so they know that days like this are FUN! When the day arrives for them to board the plane, they’ll be much more comfortable and relaxed about what is to come!
3. Schedule a vet check up
A pre-travel visit to the vet is crucial to ensure your pet is healthy and ready for the journey. Make sure vaccinations are up to date, and obtain any necessary health certificates or travel documents. Your vet can also provide advice on calming techniques or medications if needed (more on that here).
4. Pack for your pet!
Pack your pet’s essentials in a travel bag. Include anything they may need while you travel with your pet and once you reach your destination. Some pet travel must-haves include food, a water bowl, waste bags, familiar treats (not the time to try out a treat they haven’t had before!), and any medication. If you are your pet will spend time apart during your journey, it’s always nice to pack a lightly worn article of your clothing so they have a familiar scent to comfort them.
5. Get up to snuff on a safety kit
Before you travel, make sure your pet has an up-to-date ID tag that’s worn on a secure collar. For extra security, consider microchipping your pet if they don’t already have one. And be sure to keep their microchip number in your phone! In the rare instance that your camera roll isn’t full of recent photos of your pet(s), be sure to get them to cheese for the camera. We like to store our pet’s information in a little folder on our phones for easy access in an emergency!
6. Take note of pet-friendly activities
Research pet-friendly hotels, AirBnBs, restaurants and (if you’re driving) rest stops along your route. If you have a specific place in mind but can’t see any information on the company’s pet policy, give them a call! We find that businesses have very little hold times on the phone now that most information can be found online. Websites like BringFido.com make it easy to find accommodations that welcome pets. If this sounds overwhelming, leave the work with us! Jet Wag offers a service to arrange a comprehensive and customized pet travel plan that outlines pet-friendly accommodations, services, restaurants and activities for your trip!
7. Use calming products
Consider using calming products made for pets such as anxiety wraps, natural supplements or pheromone sprays to help your pet relax during the trip. If you haven’t tried these with your pet before, it may be useful to try the product out at home first to see how your pet responds. Many pet parents are big fans of these products and say they really help their pets who are prone to anxiety, especially during travel.
8. Plan breaks and exercise
If you’re traveling by car, plan ahead by locating pet-friendly rest stops along your route. Places with shade, water and ideally some grass to run around are all wins! Your pet will LOVE getting to zoom around and have a refreshing beverage before resuming the drive. If you’re planning to travel with your pet by plane, ensuring your pet has a good amount of zoomies and play time before boarding will set you up for success! For all group flights with Jet Wag, we provide stimulating toys and an enclosed grassy area for running and bathroom breaks at your departure airport so everyone is ready for relaxation once we board.
““With every dog I trained or handled, and there were hundreds each year, I practiced the skill of not projecting a thought, intention, or expectation onto anything the dog might do. This allowed me to bypass thinking and let the dog’s actions show me what was the immediate-moment energetic equation in what was happening before me.””
9. Maintain a routine
If you’re traveling by car, plan ahead by locating pet-friendly rest stops along your route. Places with shade, water and ideally some grass to run around are all wins! Your pet will LOVE getting to zoom around and have a refreshing beverage before resuming the drive. If you’re planning to travel with your pet by plane, ensuring your pet has a good amount of zoomies and play time before boarding will set you up for success! Group flights with Jet Wag provide stimulating toys and an enclosed grassy area for running and bathroom breaks at your departure airport.
10. Stay calm and positive
Whether we realize it or not, our pets pick up on our emotions (read: Your Dog Is Your Mirror: The Emotional Capacity of Our Dogs and Ourselves). If we’re calm as a cucumber and think positively about the journey going well, then our pet will most likely to do the same. Keeping a calm and sunny disposition can help your pet feel at ease and enjoy the trip as much as you!