Those who own a pet know the struggle of leaving their beloved ones at home while going on a vacation. You are always worried about how your cat/dog is doing. How are they feeling? Are they eating enough? Are they feeling lonely?
Concerns and struggles also appear while taking your pet with you on a commercial airline flight. Dogs, cats, and other domestic animals are put in the cargo section and this can become a stressful experience for them.
Do you sometimes find yourself struggling in one of the mentioned situations? Are you dreaming of a flight where your beloved dog, cat, hamster, or parrot would be allowed to travel as your companion in a passenger seat or just near you?
Let us tell you something. Your dreams can definitely come true as almost everything is possible on a private jet, including pet travelling in the passengers' cabin!
Advantages of pet travel on private planes
Wouldn't you rather direct your thoughts towards the wonderful activities you will do when you arrive at your destination rather than intensively thinking about your pet that you've left at home? We guess that everyone would agree that the trip would become more peaceful while flying with your pet close to you.
Furthermore, you will be able to take care of both your pet's mental and physical states. Maybe your dog/cat is on some type of medicine? Eating on a strict diet? Very attached to you and stresses a lot when you are gone?
Get all of these worries out of your head as you can definitely enjoy a private jet flight with your beloved pet napping next to you! This way you can always keep an eye on your pet and ensure that all of its needs are fulfilled properly.
The touch of comfort
There are a lot of private jet companies that allow all types of pets (dogs, cats, hamsters, parrots, snakes, etc.) on board and provide them with the best travel conditions. Instead of travelling in a cargo hold under big stress, your beloved one is able to sit right next to you during the entire flight. Most of the time, your pet will need to be transported in a dog carriage box or be secured with a special animal seatbelt.
If you own a smaller domestic animal, you can keep it in a special carrier cage with you all the time. Besides, the crew on private jets might have a small treat for them! Could you imagine it being better?
Enjoy the experience
Despite the comfort and piece that pet travelling brings for their owners, flying with your dog/cat is a very enjoyable and memorable experience overall! This can boost your mood especially if you are travelling on your own.
Furthermore, you are able to take photos, make videos, and collect precious memories from such a trip. You can also strengthen the bond with your pet by spending more quality time with it and giving some extra attention. This is extremely important if you are a hard worker and spend little time at home.
Fewer restrictions
Are any types of pets allowed in the passengers' cabin while flying with a commercial airline? Well, no. All of the seats are for people only and domestic animals have to go to the cargo hold. However, as we already mentioned, various pets are allowed to be next to their owners during the entire flight while travelling on a private aircraft.
Furthermore, private jet companies have fewer requirements and restrictions on pet travel. When taking your beloved one with you on a commercial airline plane, there are strict rules for the weight, height, and even length of your pet. Regarding this fact, private jets are much more likely to be pet friendly.
Rules you might have to follow
Even though a lot of private jet companies allow domestic animals on their planes and provide smaller requirements, there still are some rules that every pet owner should follow. Depending on the country, company, and airline type you are flying with, you can encounter some of the following requirements.
Pet documentation
Just like humans, pets also have their own documentation, e.g. passports, health history, etc. We might request a document from your dog's/cat's veterinarian that admits your pet's capability of travelling on a plane. Other needed information can be about various health conditions.
Health and security requirements
If you are looking forward to taking your furry friend with you on a private flight, it supposedly will need to meet some health and security-based rules. Depending on the country, domestic animals might have to be vaccinated against various diseases, e.g. rabies.
Continuously, we need to know if your pet has been treated for worms. Tapeworm treatment is a common requirement in numerous countries before bringing a dog on a private jet. Furthermore, domestic animals are often required to be microchipped for security measures.
Age/size restrictions
These types of restrictions are not that big while travelling via private jets as they would be if flying with a commercial airline. However, there still might be some age and size requirements that your pet must meet in order to get it on board.
Some private jet companies require dogs and cats to be at least 8 weeks old as this is an age when these animals can stop nursing and properly function on their own. Also, we saw that some private airlines allow only pets no heavier than 150 pounds to sit in passenger seats. If your furry friend weighs more, it should stay on the floor.
Preparing your pet for the flight
If you are thinking of a cosy private flight with your beloved pet, you should always take some measures to lower the risk of unexpected situations. For this case, we have provided a short step-by-step guide that you should follow before boarding a private aeroplane with your pet.
Make a vet appointment
Every owner wants to be sure that his/her pet is in perfect condition for flying. However, this can be accurately measured only by a specialist who treats domestic animals. So, make a vet appointment and assure that your pet gets thoroughly checked before the flight, doesn't have any hidden health conditions, and is fit overall.
Postpone medication
If you are giving your dog/cat any type of medication, it is best to provide it AFTER the flight. Unless it is a very important matter of some health condition, consuming medicine is not recommended because it might cause respiratory, heart problems, or change the animal's natural reaction to its surroundings during the flight.
Reduce water and food amounts
Another recommendation would be to decrease water intake for your pet before travelling on a private jet. If your beloved one consumes too many liquids, it might start needing to go to the toilet constantly.
Talking about food, it would be best to give your pet a smaller amount of food that day when you are supposed to fly. Also, it is advised to prevent feeding your cat or dog a few hours before the flight to avoid possible vomiting and another stomach/digestive problems.
Ensure a good mental state
Taking care of your pet's mental state is as important as making sure that it is physically fit before boarding the plane. You should ensure that your cat or dog goes to the toilet if it needs to as it can be stressful for them to sort things out in a completely different location with unknown surroundings.
Also, it would be a great idea to include a 15-minute playtime prior to the flight. This way you will distract a scared animal or calm down a pet with higher energy levels. Additionally, taking a short walk with your furry friend can also help to reduce stress.
All in all
We are very glad to say that many private jet companies offer very good conditions for pet travel. If you have an opportunity, you should definitely try flying with your beloved cat, dog, or other domestic animals.
Make sure to read each private airline's requirements related to pets, don't forget to book a visit to the vet before flying, and ensure both the good physical and mental fitness of your pet. Have a memorable journey with your best flight companion!