Perhaps we got it wrong, all this time. Icarus didn’t want to get close to the sun; he wanted to catch up with his pet parrot.

For those of us who get the pleasure of having animal companionship, the anecdote above doesn’t feel that unusual.

Bonding with an animal of a different species is indeed a magical thing. It will irrefutably make us feel special when a creature, unphased by the language barrier, chooses us as its buddy. It’s a Snow White/ Dr. Doolittle type-situation.

When you’ve been blessed with a friend that accepts who you are and loves you as unconditionally as a pet does, you wish you could bring them anywhere with you. Even if your pet is a cat and you sometimes feel it judging your outfit choices, deep-down you know you’re wholeheartedly their human. And that is unmistakable.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it a bird IN a plane?

Whether your buddy has four legs, three, two, or even eight of them, at some point you might have wondered how to take them along with you if you happen to need to go on a trip somewhere.

“Will my dog be safe in an airplane?”, “Would Mr.Whiskers try to scratch the cabin attendant’s eyes off?”, “Should I sedate my tarantula?” are some of the questions we reckon to have crossed pet-owners’ minds. Rest assured you can obtain answers to all of your concerns, especially now you have our help.

Firstly, you should be aware of your options in terms of aerial transportation. We advise you not to concoct wings out of wax, like our mythological pal did, but rather make a thorough investigation on different airlines and their policies on shipping animals.

There are essentially two types of airborne travel: private and commercial.

Private jets

It sounds delightfully fancy picturing you and your iguana with matching sunglasses flying over the Pacific sunset. That is both idyllic AND possible when it comes to private aircrafts.

Private jets are undoubtedly the best way for you to take your pet with you wherever you go. Why? Simple: your pet can travel comfortably by your side, either it is an elegant five pounder or a 150-pound colossus. This is of paramount importance for owners of brachycephalic animals. Don’t believe you own those exquisite species? Think again; brachycephalic is the scientific term for a snub nose, meaning if you have a bulldog, a pug, a chihuahua, or a Persian cat, you’ve got yourself a brachycephalic bud. Pets of this sort are not recommended and sometimes not even allowed to travel in cargo because of their respiratory issues. They have a hard time breathing through the stress which embodies a whole array of risks. Better take Winston in the seat next to you.

In case your heart is spacious enough to hold more than one beloved pet, do not doubt that a private jet will be just as roomy. With no number limitations, it won’t be head nor tail choosing which pet to banish to the cargo.

The risks, the stress, and the inconvenience of flying an animal fades away in chartered planes. You can attend to your pet’s needs throughout the entire flight having the added bonus of being able to fly any time of the year; your iguana would look just as nice in a Christmas sweater. You will not be affected by breed restriction when you choose this type of transportation, implying that your ferret could also appreciate the sights in a funny attire.

Simply put, if you have the possibility of booking a private plane, we strongly recommend you do so, for your pet’s sake. There are websites that can help you swiftly book the best private jet charters (in which you certainly won’t have a pesky seatmate).

Commercial Flights

When opting to fly commercially, one must be aware of the several rules you and your furry child will be subjected to – even if said child is Caillou-esque.

If the size restrictions suit your pet, they can come with you in the cabin, bearing in mind that they must fit in a crate that will go in front of your seat (some adult cats don’t fit this stipulation). Your pet won’t be doing any sight-seeing in the cabin, as they need to be kept in their container at all times – with all the whining and crying the situation insinuates.

It is imperative to take into account the season of the year in which you will be traveling. In hotter or colder climates, animal shipment is ill-advised and often not allowed, for the shifts in temperature can severely affect a pet in the cargo holder. For that reason, we strongly advise you to investigate airlines’ reviews and exact cargo and caring conditions. Prudence is always in-season.

Commercial flights are unfortunately not ideal when it comes to taking your sidekick with you, but that doesn’t equate with impossibility. There are always precautions you can take to ensure your pet travels safely and as stress-free as possible. Do not, we repeat, do not sedate your pet unless a veterinary explicitly says so. Potentially tempting, it’s a consideration you should delegate to a professional.

To alleviate you from the elephant sitting on your chest whenever you think about your pet at 38,000 feet high, we’ll leave you with some valuable tips by the Humane Society.

In Conclusion

There are a lot of things to scrutinize before embarking on an odyssey with your dog (see what we did there?). The adaptation of your pet to its crate, general health-checks, terms and conditions of airports, countries, and airlines,… oof. If you cannot check all these boxes, perhaps it would be best to leave your pet at home and arrive to a cheerful, wagging tail.

No one wants to subject their loved ones to stress and pain, hence why private jet charters are the most agreeable forms of air transport: your pet won’t be any less safeguarded than you.

No matter what choice you make, we wish you and your pets the safest, happiest trips, knowing at heart that the best journey of all is having them by your side. Thanks for reading!