Flying with your dog? Here are 3 tips from the founder of K9 Jets, a pet-friendly private jet charter company

30.09.2023 - 10:31 / insider.com

In 2022, Adam and Kirsty Golder's UK-based aviation company, G6 Aviation, received an odd request. A potential customer wanted to know how much it would cost to charter a jet from London to the US for 10 people — and 10 dogs. 

"I was like, 'Did you mean one [dog]?'" Adam Golder told Insider as he recounted the bizarre inquiry. "And they said, 'No, 10.'"

Since founding G6 in 2021, the Golders never received that request. And with that, the Golders were introduced to a world of people looking for ways to transport their pets overseas. They discovered Facebook groups dedicated to connecting traveling pet owners, who split payments to charter a jet for themselves and their animals.

Soon, G6 was in on the action.

Golder told Insider G6 Aviation flew about 200 dogs across the Atlantic in 2022, with their owners who connected through Facebook groups. With that demand in mind, the Golders founded K9 Jets, a small sister company with three employees that same year. K9's first official flight went on sale in March this year.

Now, pet owners can fly between New Jersey, London, Lisbon, Paris, Dubai, and more with their dogs and cats. The Golders hope to add routes to Dublin, Milan, Amsterdam, Hawaii, Singapore, and Melbourne in the near future.

The charter service lets people fly with pets without relying on Facebook connections; they can book a ticket and go — but tickets come at a steep price. For example, Airfare from Jersey to London costs about $9,000 one-way per seat. 

For anyone looking to take their pets along for an adventure, Golder shared three tips with Insider for traveling with your beloved pet — whether by private jet or something more ordinary. 

"One of our main frequently asked questions is, 'Where do the pups go to the toilet?'" Golder said. "But a lot of our flights are overnight on purpose. That's because a lot of the dogs would be naturally tired, and they'll naturally sleep all night without needing to go to the toilet."

Even though K9 Jets supplies lots of pee pads for each flight, Golder says passengers should cut down on their dog's food before flying to help limit the number of bathroom breaks a dog will have to take.

The American Veterinary Medical Association says it's "usually recommended that pets fly on an empty or nearly empty stomach," but to check in with a veterinarian ahead of the flight. 

"We just recommend probably cut down their diet a little bit beforehand," and then take your pet on a bathroom break right before boarding, Golder said. 

Golder said that because most of K9 Jets' flights are overnight, pets are naturally inclined to sleep for most of the trip. To help ensure they can snooze for most of the trip, he suggested getting plenty of exercise before the flight. 

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