Pet Jets Travel Club owners certainly consider their pet(s) onboard aircraft as not just another piece of luggage-it’s a family member and they are treated accordingly. Despite the red-carpet treatment that many pets receive onboard private aircraft, pet ownersmust understand that dogs and cats can experience many of the same reactions and sensations that people do when flying, including airsickness, anxiety and dehydration. Owners must take the time to learn their pets’ behavior and to ensure that their furry friends will be secure and calm in the airplane. Before charterig an anircraft, here are some tips to condider:
•Take a trial run. Take your pet on a long trial run in the car before bringing it aboard an aircraft for the first time. Pets needs to be relaxed. That makes it less likely to become overly stressed, which can trigger urination and defecation. Emergency stops in private jets aren’t as possible as they are in the car!
•Teach your dog to sit. Having a dog who knows how to obey basic verbal commands such as “sit” and “down” can be very useful during a flight in the event the animal begins to pace and act nervous during the flight. I you can get youre pet to sit and lay down, this will allow it to breathe more slowly and focus its attention on you and being calm.
•Bring Your Own Water. Some pets are especially picky about the kind of water they drink. If they’re used to filtered water at home, they might not drink tap water offered at the airport or on the jet. Make sure your pet will drink water from various sources or, if it refuses, bring a gallon of his regular water onboard the flight.
•Stock favorite foods. Pack your pet’s favorite food, along with enough of their food and treats!
•Consider carriers. Pet owners must consider how the animal will be restrained during the flight, especially during takeoff and landing, turbulence, or flying with other pets. Smaller pets, such as toy-sized dogs and most cats, can be safely carried onboard in the same sort of handheld plastic crate or canvas bag one would use for bringing the animal onto an airline flight. Larger dogs may require a harness or padded crate.
•Visit your vet for a pre-flight physical. If you have any concerns with flying your pet, visit your pet. This is especially important for an older pet or one that might be quite anxious if this will be their first flight. Dogs and cats tend to be less susceptible than humans to pressurization-related ear and sinus discomfort because their auditory tubes are larger. Also, there is little evidence that they suffer from jet lag because, well, they sleep most of the day, anyway. It’s also a good idea to know the name of a veterinarian in your destination city in case your pet should get sick during the trip and your personal vet could certainly give you a referal.
•Research foreign rules. Do your homework before flying your pet outside the U.S. Information on traveling with pets throughout the European Union, for example, can be found at www.defra.gov.uk. Bring a copy of the pet’s rabies vaccination certificate on any foreign trip. Ask, too, about any regulations governing transport of animals into the country.
•Microchips. If you’re thinking about having a microchip ID implanted in your pet check with your destination country’s embassy to find out which chips are recognized there. Ask, too, about any regulations governing transport of animals into the country. Many veterinarians offer a procedure costing less than $100, wherein a microchip containing a unique electronic identification code is inserted under the pet’s skin. If the pet ever runs away and is later brought to a veterinarian or animal shelter, its identity number can be retrieved from the microchip via a scan. The number can then be entered into a database of registered pets, which would reveal your contact information and most likely lead to a happy reunion. Several companies manufacture these chips and scanners, including AVID (www.avidmicrochip.com), Home Again (www.homeagainid.com) and Pet-ID (www.petid.com).

Fying with your pets in the cabin of an FAA approved air carrier is becoming one of the few options pet owners have as the scheduled airlines continue to ban certain breeds and the growing concern for pets traveling in the cargo compartments, especially in the hot summer months. Pets are members of the family and should fly in the cabin, however, special considerations and planning is required when flying in private jet aircraft. For more information, please contact us at: info@petjets.net or vsisit www.PetJets.com