This New Dog-Friendly Air Service Lets You and Your Pup Fly Side by Side

The worst thing about having a dog? Being away from them, of course. And unfortunately, in many cases, traveling often means parting with your pup — especially if the dog’s on the larger side. Plane travel is usually riddled with restrictions and discomfort, driving is time-consuming and sometimes impossible, and setting sail is a very limited solution, to say the least. That’s why RetrievAir, an air service designed specifically for your dog’s travel needs, is the answer many pet parents have been looking for. And now, after months of anticipation and some adorably cozy test flights, you can finally book a RetrievAir flight.

The difficulty of traveling with pups is something Benton Miller, the founder of RetrievAir, knows well. He and his wife, Whitney, spent years searching for better options for their two Labradors, Maple and Willow. “For us, traveling with our pups meant adventures in the mountains and trips back home to Texas to see family and friends. But every time we looked into flying, we spent hours navigating complicated rules and restrictions — only to realize our options were limited,” Miller told Kinship. “Cargo was never an option for us, flying private wasn’t realistic, and driving was exhausting. So, we had to make tough choices — missing family events, skipping holidays, and only making the drive a few times a year.”

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Miller decided that dogs and the people who love them deserve more options. He founded RetrievAir with the aim of creating a travel experience that puts pets first, including big dogs who are often forgotten. “We are able to accommodate a lot of different-sized pups onboard,” Miller says. “Also, we don’t charge any extra for an extra-large pup compared to a medium-sized pup.”

How does RetrievAir work?

RetrievAir flies out of smaller airports, which means there is a much simpler check-in process without those dreaded TSA lines. Once checked in, pets and their pet parents will travel side-by-side in a 30-seat regional jet; pets sit by the window, and their humans sit beside them. Flights are operated by RVR Aviation, a licensed U.S. air carrier.

In air, flight attendants will make sure pups are cozy, safe, and provided with lots of water and treats. Each flight attendant is specially trained in canine behavior. And don’t worry, humans: There are snacks and beverages — including coffee and alcohol — for you, too.

The company’s first flight included three Golden Retrievers, two Great Danes, and one Labrador Retriever — all sizable pups who likely would have been relegated to cargo on a typical passenger plane. RetrievAir flights are designed with extra legroom, so there was plenty of space for them to spread out. “On our brand launch flight all the pups, ranging from 35 pounds to 150 pounds, slept most of the flight and loved their experience,” Miller says.

Miller will also be launching The RetrievAir Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to finding homes for pets by providing transportation to assist rescue efforts. The company hopes to partner with organizations and shelters across the country to fulfill aviation needs and raise awareness for adoption.

How to book a flight on RetrievAir

The airline is offering flights to and from some of the largest and most dog-obsessed U.S. cities. RetrievAir planes fly to and from Carmel-by-the-Sea on California’s Monterey Peninsula; Waukegan, Illinois, just north of Chicago; Arlington, Texas, to the west of Dallas; Centennial, Colorado, outside Denver; Los Angeles, California; Farmingdale, New York, on Long Island; Salt Lake City, Utah; Tampa, Florida; and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Whether you and your dog want to lounge on the beach, hike up a mountain, or take in some big city culture, there’s likely a pup-friendly flight you can take advantage of. But note that not all flight routes are available every day — for example, flights are available between Colorado and New York only once a week through most of June — so keep in mind that you don’t have 100 percent flexibility when it comes to your return flight date.

The average price for a flight is $750. It’s a pretty penny, but Miller points out that the price is similar to a week of boarding a large dog at a high-end kennel, and private flight options cost thousands (or tens of thousands) of dollars. On a typical passenger plane, pet fees generally range from around $100 to $200 on top of your ticket price — and that’s for a small dog to stay crated under your seat, or a large dog to travel in uncomfortable, stressful, and sometimes dangerous cargo, out of your sight.

Prices also vary depending on where you’re traveling; sorry, cross-country adventurers, but getting from Los Angeles to New York will cost you a couple thousand bucks. Your bicoastal pup would probably tell you it’s well worth it, though — that’s a long time to be crouched under a seat when they could be gazing out over the clouds.

Ticket options also vary depending on your dog’s space needs. For people with small dogs under 40 pounds, it’s possible to book a single ticket and keep your pet on your lap, out of a carrier and with easy access to plenty of chin scratches. If you’re traveling with another person, one to two pets under 75 pounds can relax on the floor between two seats for free. But if you are traveling alone with a medium-sized dog or have a dog over 75 pounds, flyers must purchase them a ticket. Be warned: Your dog has dibs on the window seat.

You can book a flight on RetrievAir now at the link below. Follow @FlyRetrievAir to keep up with new flight options (and some seriously adorable videos of jet-setting pups).