Flying with pets on a private jet
Stay together on your journey, with LunaJets helping you prepare.
On many private jet charters, your pet can travel in the cabin with you, keeping you together throughout the flight. Your LunaJets advisor helps you find a suitable aircraft and pet-accepting operator, confirms the cabin arrangements and coordinates requests for your pet’s comfort.
Share your itinerary and a few details about your pet. We will explain the available options and what to prepare before booking. Acceptance depends on the animal, aircraft, operator and route. For international journeys, LunaJets can also help you understand the documents, veterinary preparations and arrival arrangements your pet may need.
Can pets travel in the cabin on a private jet?
On many private charters, dogs and cats can travel in the cabin with their owners. Large dogs and several pets may also be accommodated, depending on the aircraft, operator and route.
The operator’s rules determine whether your pet needs a carrier or harness, must remain on the floor, or may leave its carrier during cruise. Use of a passenger seat may be permitted with suitable protection. The crew’s safety instructions always take priority.
Tell LunaJets about your pet and how you would like it to travel. We check acceptance and cabin requirements with the operator and explain the arrangements before you book.
How does booking a pet-friendly private jet work?
Share your itinerary and pet details with your LunaJets advisor, including:
- Your journey: Departure, destination, travel dates and flexibility.
- Passengers and luggage: Number of passengers, baggage, special items and any passenger mobility needs.
- Your pets: Species, breed, number, each animal’s approximate weight, dimensions and age, and any mobility, behavioural or medical considerations.
- Carriers and requests: Carrier or crate dimensions, if used, plus any essential cabin, airport handling or onward-transport requests.
The most suitable aircraft is not necessarily the largest. Your advisor considers usable cabin and floor space, seating layout, door and stair access, safe carrier placement, baggage capacity, flight duration and the operator’s animal policy.
LunaJets acts as an air charter broker, sourcing flights from third-party aircraft operators. We compare suitable options and confirm pet acceptance with the operator you choose.
Does it cost more to take a pet on a private jet?
There is no universal pet surcharge for private jet charter. Your pet may travel without changing the main charter price. Additional costs can arise from a larger or differently configured aircraft, cleaning, specialist handling, veterinary or customs procedures, a particular approved airport, ground transport or an extra stop.
Provide your pet’s details before aircraft selection so known costs can be reflected in the quote. Later changes to the number, size or type of animals may require fresh approval or a different aircraft.
What documents and entry requirements does your pet need?
Flying privately does not remove animal-health, customs or import requirements. These depend on the departure country, destination, transit points, species, age and sometimes the breed or number of animals. They may also determine which airport, handler or point of entry can be used.
Depending on the itinerary, the required documents or procedures may include:
- Microchip identification
- Rabies and other vaccinations
- A pet passport or official animal health certificate
- A veterinary examination or certificate confirming fitness to travel
- Blood tests, parasite treatments or waiting periods
- Import, export or wildlife permits
- Advance notification, customs clearance or veterinary inspection on arrival
European Union
For dogs, cats and ferrets, a European pet passport covers many journeys within the EU, while an EU animal health certificate is generally required for entry from many non-EU countries. Check the official EU pet-travel rules for the documents and health requirements that apply to your journey.
Great Britain
Check Great Britain’s official guidance for route and documentation requirements. Pets arriving by air generally travel as cargo, with exceptions for chartered private planes and guide or assistance dogs. These exceptions do not remove the applicable animal-health and entry requirements.
United States
For journeys to or from the United States, USDA APHIS pet-travel guidance explains requirements by destination and type of animal. Dogs entering or returning to the US must also meet CDC entry requirements, which depend on vaccination history and the countries visited during the previous six months.
LunaJets can help you prepare by checking the current requirements for your itinerary, advising on the documents your pet may need, reviewing the documents you provide and coordinating details with the proposed operator or handler. Where veterinary certification or official approval is required, we can work with you to identify what needs to be obtained and when.
What is the flight like for your pet?
A private charter can make the journey calmer for your pet, with shorter terminal procedures, more direct boarding and fewer connections.
Before departure
Private terminals generally offer shorter formalities and a more direct route to the aircraft. A walk or relief break before boarding can be checked with the airport handler. Allow time for document checks and any required inspection. The crew will explain where your pet and any carrier should be positioned in the cabin.
During the flight
Your pet can remain close to you in the cabin. You can offer water during the flight and follow your veterinarian’s advice on whether and when to provide food. Familiar bedding may help your pet settle, although cabin noise, vibration and pressure changes can still feel unfamiliar.
Follow the crew’s instructions for securing your pet’s carrier or restraint, particularly during taxi, take-off, landing and turbulence. Keep aisles, exits and access to safety equipment clear.
On arrival
Follow the handler’s instructions for leaving the aircraft and completing any required immigration, customs or veterinary checks. Where facilities allow, a short walk or relief break can be planned before your onward journey. If pet-friendly road transport has been arranged, the vehicle should accommodate your pet’s size and restraint needs.
Plan a private flight with your pet
Share your itinerary and tell us about your pet. We will compare suitable aircraft, confirm acceptance with the operator and help you prepare for the journey.
How should you prepare your pet for the flight?
01. Veterinary checks
Your itinerary may require a veterinary appointment, treatment or certificate. Ask your veterinarian about any health, feeding or medication concerns.
02. Carrier or harness
Help your pet get used to its carrier or harness before the day of travel, so it feels familiar when the journey begins.
03. Plan for departure
Allow time in your travel plans for a calm arrival at the terminal and, where appropriate, exercise or a relief break before boarding.
04. What to pack
Bring any prescribed medication, familiar bedding or a favourite toy, any specific food your pet needs and clean-up supplies.
Flying with pets on a private jet: questions & answers
Can I bring a large dog or several pets on a private jet?
Large dogs and several pets may be accepted, depending on the aircraft, operator and route. Share the number of animals, their breeds, sizes and weights when requesting your flight. Cabin space and boarding needs are then assessed alongside the passengers, carriers, luggage and any mobility requirements.
Can I travel with animals other than dogs and cats?
Birds, rabbits, rodents, reptiles and other companion animals may be accepted on some flights. Provide the exact species when enquiring so operator acceptance and applicable wildlife, health and import requirements can be checked. An animal considered a pet in one country may be regulated differently in another.
What pet-specific arrangements can LunaJets request?
LunaJets can request water bowls, catered pet food, cabin-protection covers, airport handling assistance, extra ground time and pet-friendly chauffeur transport. Mention any specialist equipment you need when enquiring. Availability depends on the aircraft, operator, airport, route and notice provided. We can confirm the available arrangements and any cabin-protection or cleaning requirements.
How far in advance should I arrange a pet-friendly charter?
Start planning as soon as your itinerary is known. There is no universal minimum notice period: some pet-friendly charters may be arranged at short notice, while veterinary appointments, vaccinations, waiting periods, permits and approved-route requirements can take longer and cannot always be accelerated.
Can my pet travel without me?
It may be possible, but the arrangements and entry rules can differ from travel with an owner. Some countries allow an authorised person to accompany a pet under specific conditions, while unaccompanied transport may fall under commercial or cargo rules. Explain who will accompany your pet when enquiring so the appropriate requirements and transport options can be assessed.
Can an assistance animal travel on a private jet?
Assistance animals can be considered for private jet travel, but their status does not remove veterinary, import or operator safety requirements. Tell your advisor about the animal and its assistance role when requesting your flight so acceptance, cabin placement, airport access and required documents can be checked.