My 40-pound dog, Peanut, recently took her first flight. She jetted off from Los Angeles to New York aboard a sleek, all-black Gulfstream with just 12 leather seats. Not a bad way to earn her wings.
A growing number of semi-private carriers and pet-focused charters are catering to owners who’ll pay a premium, sometimes a steep one, for the peace of mind of keeping their furry friend in the cabin.
On most commercial airlines, pets can fly in the cabin only if they fit in a carrier under the seat in front of you. U.S. airlines are no longer required to accept emotional support animals, which used to be a workaround. Larger animals usually go in cargo, a nonstarter for many pet parents. (Some airlines, like Southwest, don’t carry pets in the hold at all.)
Peanut, who wore a pilot’s outfit on her big day, slept for most of the five-hour Aero flight. Upon arrival, we climbed down the airstairs at Teterboro, a private-jet airport in New Jersey, across the Hudson River from Manhattan. That’s a big perk these companies share: you skip the commercial terminal entirely. A private facility is much easier on dogs, with no crowds, quick security and, on some carriers, the option to arrive as little as 20 minutes before departure.
The trade-off is that routes and schedules are generally more limited, so it’s vital to plan ahead. Here are five options for you and your pet, and what to know before you book.
Aero
Founded in 2019, Aero sells seats on scheduled private jet flights out of Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles. In addition to a transcontinental flight to New York, it flies to Aspen, Los Cabos, Maui, Miami, Napa and the Coachella Valley. While Aero doesn’t specifically cater to pet owners, the airline is particularly accommodating and allows up to five pets per flight.
Every pet has to be cleared by Aero’s concierge team first, which for me meant answering a few questions about Peanut’s behavior over email. (She’s an angel.) On board, she had toys waiting at her seat and Aero-branded treats. For the humans, there’s fast Starlink Wi-Fi, an open bar and meals from boutique grocer Erewhon.
Pets under 20 pounds fly in a carrier for an added fee, while bigger dogs, like Peanut, need their own seat at full fare.
RetrievAir
RetrievAir began flying in 2025 and serves 12 U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Denver, Atlanta and Seattle. Seats on its Embraer 135 regional jets are assigned by pet size.
A flight leaving Los Angeles can stop in Denver and Chicago before ending in New York, all on the same plane, landing every couple of hours. Think of it as JSX with a little Southwest mixed in. Dogs up to 40 pounds can ride in your lap at no charge, while bigger dogs need their own seat. Either way, complimentary snacks for your furry friend and gratis alcoholic beverages for yourself help ensure the ride goes as smoothly as possible.
JSX
Semi-private air carrier JSX operates up to 140 public charter flights daily to more than 25 destinations along the West Coast, across the South and up the East Coast, so it has a sizable network, especially in the western half of the U.S. It was also one of the first companies in the world to equip planes with high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi. Fares are often closer to a commercial ticket than a private jet.
Both dogs and cats under 30 pounds can travel in their carrier for an additional fee. Owners of larger dogs under 80 pounds must buy the adjacent seat, and the dog rides leashed on the floor in front of it. In January, JSX teamed up with Petco to add treats, carriers and water stations to select pre-departure lounges.
Bark Air
Bark Air, from the company behind BarkBox, launched in 2024 with flights between New York, Los Angeles and London. Most routes are now international, serving both vacationers and owners relocating abroad.
A typical flight carries seven to nine dogs, and you’re asked to show up an hour early so the staff can get acquainted with the pet before takeoff. Additionally, it learns about each dog’s dietary needs, social habits and preferred surroundings. Treats and calming aids are also included. A concierge team can even help owners with international paperwork.
K9 Jets
K9 Jets, flying since 2023, sells individual seats on private jets, often Gulfstreams. It suits an international move or a long trip abroad. The U.K.-based company bills itself as the original pay-by-seat private jet service for dogs and cats.
Flights connect the New York area, Los Angeles, Florida, Toronto and Vancouver with cities across Europe and the Middle East. Before departure, you’ll join an online briefing that walks you through the trip and introduces you to your fellow passengers.
