Animals are an important part of our lives. Whether it’s a beloved household pet, a registered therapy animal or a trained guide dog, we value their companionship. However, no matter how much we appreciate them, not all animals are appropriate for jet travel. We’ll give you some tips on flying with animals on planes.

But first, let’s take a light-hearted look at some of the unusual creatures that have tried commercial air travel. 

In 2014, a pig became disruptive on a United Airlines flight. The 50-pound pig and its human owner were asked to leave the aircraft before it would depart. (ABC News reported it as proof that “pigs do fly… almost”.)

Ducks usually fly south for the winter, but one chose an unusual method. In 2016, an emotional support duck named Daniel Stinkerbutt took his first commercial airline flight, much to the amusement of the other passengers. Unlike the disruptive pig (above), Mr. Stinkerbutt the Duck enjoyed posing for photos, and became a social media sensation.

Turkey isn’t just found on the in-flight menu. It’s actually been on the passenger list too. In January 2016, a passenger brought a live turkey on a Delta Air Lines flight as an emotional support animal. Delta allows customers to travel with emotional support animals on planes as long as they’re ‘trained to behave properly in public settings’. The turkey did not comment on the behavior of the other passengers.

These unusual examples were gleaned from a variety of commercial airline flights. But what are the rules for traveling with animals on a Stratos private jet charter?

Here are four tips: 

 1. Some larger dog breeds require prior approval and may need to remain in a crate for the flight.

2. Cats will need to remain in a travel crate. Many cats actually prefer the familiar comfort of a safe crate.

3. You may need to bring specialized equipment, like a muzzle or a seat restraint harness.

4. Pet details must be provided at the time of booking. Breed, gender, weight and age are crucial pet details when booking animals on planes.

With a little planning, you and your animal companions will have a comfortable, stress-free private jet flight. You can also check out our previous blog article: 5 Tips for Four-legged Travelers. Talk to our professional agents to find out more about bringing your animals on your next trip.

 

If you’re looking for a private jet rental company that can arrange luxury charter flights to anywhere in the world and accommodate pets in any size, shape or color, call Stratos Jets—888-593-9066.