A Pet-Friendly Private Jet Experience Designed Around Comfort

One of the biggest advantages of flying private with a pet is what you avoid. Commercial terminals can be overwhelming for animals — especially older pets, larger breeds, or pets that are sensitive to crowds and noise. Aboard a WM Aviation charter, your pet stays in the cabin with you rather than riding in a cargo hold, so you have full visibility into their comfort for the entire trip.

Direct boarding shortens the trip from car to cabin, too. Less waiting, less noise, and fewer handoffs can make a real difference for an anxious animal — and for the person traveling with them.

Why Flexible Scheduling Matters When You Fly Private with Pets

Pets do best when their routines stay intact, and private aviation makes it easier to plan around that.

  • Depart closer to your pet's usual walk, meal, or bedtime window
  • Avoid long layovers and missed connections
  • Reduce total door-to-door travel time
  • Choose routes and schedules that are easier on senior pets or animals with special needs

A Few Terms We Use

A pet means a domestic dog or cat traveling as your personal animal — other species may be considered case by case with advance written approval. A service animal is a dog individually trained to perform tasks for a passenger with a disability, consistent with ADA and DOT guidance; emotional support animals are wonderful companions, but they're treated as pets, not service animals, under our policy. Your handler is you or whoever's responsible for the pet — that person stays with the animal at all times. A carrier is an IATA-style, ventilated, leak-proof enclosure sized so your pet can stand, turn, and lie down naturally. And the PIC is your Pilot-in-Command, who has final say over any animal aboard any flight.

Regulations We Follow

Pet travel aboard our aircraft is governed by several federal regulations and agencies, and we apply the most restrictive requirement wherever they overlap: FAA rules under 14 CFR §§ 91.3, 91.21, 135.87, 135.117, 135.127, and 135.128; USDA APHIS interstate movement requirements; CDC dog import regulations; and our own Operations Specifications and General Operations Manual. As a Part 135 on-demand operator, we generally fall outside the direct scope of the DOT Air Carrier Access Act — but we voluntarily accommodate service animals in the spirit of the ADA and ACAA.

Which Pets We Welcome

We accept domestic dogs and cats on every managed aircraft; other animals may be considered case by case with advance written approval from our Director of Operations and your pilot. Pets should be healthy, non-aggressive, house-trained, and free of contagious disease — animals that are in heat, in labor, or visibly injured or ill may be refused. Short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds — Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Persian and Himalayan cats, and similar — are welcome, though cabin altitude carries some added respiratory risk for these breeds; your pilot may ask for a lower cruise altitude, a veterinary clearance, or in some cases decline carriage.

  • Up to 2 pets, with more allowed with advance written approval
  • Cats must travel in a carrier at all times
  • The captain has final say on acceptance for every flight, based on the animal's health and temperament

Traveling with a Service Animal

Trained service animals accompanying a passenger with a disability fly with no pet fee and no advance-notice requirement, though letting us know ahead of time helps us prepare. Your service animal should be harnessed, leashed, or tethered and under your direct control at all times, positioned at your feet or seat without blocking aisles, exits, or crew pathways. Emotional support animals are wonderful companions, but under DOT rules they aren't service animals, and they're handled as pets under this policy. Any damage caused by a service animal is billed the same way as with any pet — see Damage & Care of the Aircraft below.

Booking Your Pet's Trip

Let your flight coordinator know your pet is coming when you book, and no later than 24 hours before a domestic departure or 72 hours before an international one — late notice may still be accommodated at our discretion, but flights booked without timely notice may be subject to cancellation. At booking, please have ready: your pet's species, breed, name, age, and approximate weight; any temperament notes or medical conditions; your carrier's dimensions if you're using one; and your contact information as the handler.

Documentation requirements depend on where you're headed:

  • Domestic flights: a current rabies vaccination record for dogs (recommended for cats)
  • Interstate flights to states that require it, like Hawaii: a USDA-accredited veterinarian's Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, dated within that state's validity window
  • International flights: all destination- and return-country requirements, including current CDC rules for dogs entering the U.S. — microchip, CDC Dog Import Form, and where applicable, rabies serology and USDA APHIS endorsement

Making sure your paperwork is valid on your travel date is ultimately your responsibility — we'll do our best to flag what's needed, but we're not able to act as your agent with customs, immigration, or veterinary authorities.

Ground Handling and Pre-Flight

Before boarding, give your pet a chance to relieve itself in an FBO-designated pet relief area. We recommend minimizing feeding in the four hours before departure to reduce motion sickness and in-flight relief needs, and offering water until about an hour before departure. Please bring waste bags, wipes, and an absorbent pad for in-flight cleanup. Our crew will brief you on securement, turbulence procedures, and where to find cabin cleanup supplies before you take off.

Onboard with Your Pet

Your pet's spot is at your feet, or in a carrier on the seat opposite you. If your aircraft has a divan or bench seat, your pet may rest there once a WM Aviation throw blanket is placed on it — otherwise, the divan stays pet-free. For longer flights or larger dogs, we generally recommend traveling with a carrier.

During taxi, takeoff, landing, and any time the seat belt sign is on, your pet needs to be secured — in a carrier restrained by seat belt or cargo strap, on your lap with a harness and short leash, or on an adjacent seat with a pet harness attached to the seat belt (your pilot will let you know which options apply). Bowls, toys, leashes, and other loose pet items should be stowed during taxi, takeoff, and landing. Pets can't occupy an emergency exit row, block an aisle, or sit on the lavatory seat, galley counter, or any flight-critical surface.

In cruise, dogs may rest at your feet or in your lap as long as they're under control, and cats stay in their carrier; pets shouldn't wander the cabin or approach the crew without permission, and the flight deck is off-limits at all times. Our crew keeps an eye on cabin temperature and watches for signs of heat, cold, or respiratory distress — especially in brachycephalic breeds — and may request a lower cruise altitude if it helps your pet's comfort.

Fees

A flat $500 fee per pet, per leg, covers cabin protection and routine post-flight detailing. There's no fee for documented service animals.

Damage & Care of the Aircraft

Because our aircraft are shared assets used by many clients, you're responsible for any cost beyond the flat pet fee that results from your pet's presence — including urine, feces, or vomit that requires chemical or enzymatic treatment; chewing, scratching, or tearing damage to upholstery, leather, carpet, sidewalls, seat belts, or fixtures; excessive hair or dander requiring deep detailing; persistent odor requiring ozone treatment or upholstery replacement; and any cancellation, delay, or maintenance event directly caused by your pet.

If an incident occurs, our crew documents it in writing and with photos, and we'll get a cleaning or repair estimate from an approved vendor and let you know within 5 business days. Charges consist of a $2,500 property and damages surcharge, plus the actual cost of repairs or cleaning, plus $2,500 per day if repairs ground the aircraft for any 24-hour period, or $10,000 for any subsequently booked charter that has to be cancelled while repairs are completed. We'll notify you of any pending charges within 24 hours of the flight. Full terms are also set out in your Air Charter Agreement.

When We May Decline Carriage

Your pilot has final authority over whether any animal flies, on every flight, consistent with FAA rules. We may decline to carry a pet if required documentation is missing or invalid; the animal shows aggression, illness, or uncontrolled behavior; its carrier or size can't be safely accommodated; another passenger has a documented, unmitigatable severe allergy; conditions pose an unacceptable risk to the animal; or carrying the pet would put the flight out of compliance with any regulation or this policy. If carriage is declined, charter fees aren't refunded, consistent with your Air Charter Agreement.

Allergies and Shared Charters

If you're sharing a charter with other passengers, we'll let everyone know a pet will be aboard when the trip is booked and ask about allergies. If a severe allergy comes up, we'll work with everyone involved toward a solution — that might mean rescheduling, swapping vehicles, extra cleaning, or, as a last resort, leaving the pet off that particular flight.

International and Special Destinations

You're responsible for all import and export paperwork for your destination and return. Flights returning to the U.S. need to satisfy current CDC rules for dogs, including the CDC Dog Import Form, a microchip, a minimum age, and — for dogs coming from higher-risk countries — USDA-endorsed rabies serology. Flights to Hawaii need to satisfy the Hawaii Department of Agriculture's Direct Airport Release or quarantine requirements; we'll coordinate with your agent on arrival logistics. For Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe, please double check current requirements before you go, since rules change often.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring more than one pet?

Yes — up to two pets, with more allowed with advance written approval.

Is there a fee?

A flat $500 fee per pet, per leg, covers cabin protection and routine post-flight cleaning. There's no fee for documented service animals.

Do I need to book my pet in advance?

Yes — let us know at least 24 hours before a domestic flight or 72 hours before an international flight.

Can my cat roam the cabin?

Cats must travel in a carrier at all times. Dogs may rest at your feet or in your lap, secured during takeoff, landing, and turbulence.

What breeds are accepted?

We welcome all breeds, including short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds, with some added care around cabin altitude for their comfort.

Are service animals treated differently?

Yes — trained service animals fly free of charge with no advance notice required.

What happens if my pet damages the aircraft?

You're responsible for the cost beyond ordinary wear and tear — a $2,500 surcharge plus the actual cost of repairs or cleaning, and additional charges if the aircraft is grounded or a later charter has to be cancelled. See Damage & Care of the Aircraft above for full details.

What if I'm traveling internationally with my pet?

You'll need to satisfy destination- and return-country requirements, including CDC rules for dogs returning to the U.S. Your flight coordinator can help confirm what's needed for your specific trip.

Flying with a Pet?

Email charterops@wmaviation.org or call +1 855-962-3591 to add them to your next trip. Want the full Pet Transportation Policy? Just ask — we're happy to send a copy.