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The Seismic Shift Coming to Pet Travel in 2026
The friction is high, trust is low, and willingness to pay is skyrocketing — here’s what changes next year.
Collin Armstrong
December 10, 2025
Issue #278
December 10, 2025
Quick Hits:
👘 A Japanese festival once marked for children has been adapted for pets due to booming pet industry
The pet travel landscape is shifting faster than at any time in the past decade.
In 2024 and 2025 we saw the rise of pet-only airlines (hell yeah 👍️), stricter commercial airline pet policies (boo 👎️ ), exploding international paperwork requirements, and a boom in pet-friendly travel services.
What used to be an afterthought, bringing your pets along for all the rides, has become a complex, high-demand sector.
Example of such complexities 👇️
Pet owners, especially Millennials and Gen Z, now treat pets as family and refuse to leave them behind.
More pets are on the move than ever - 74% of dog owners who traveled with their pet took a flight in 2024, up from 68% in 2023.
This surge comes as traditional airlines make pet travel harder and pricier, while work-from-home lifestyles and digital nomads drive more long-term pet travel.
Pet travel is no longer a niche inconvenience. It's becoming a full-stack industry.
In 2026, we're seeing an ecosystem crystallize around pets on the move with pet-only airlines, concierge services, compliance tools, hospitality upgrades, gear and tech solutions, even insurance and tour packages.
New Category Alert: Pet-Only Airlines
Not long ago, the idea of a pets-only airline sounded whimsical.
By 2025 it became reality.
BARK Air launched in May 2024 and in one year flew over 1,000 dogs and their humans on stress-free flights.
Initially a New York–Los Angeles–London service, BARK Air expanded to Paris, Lisbon, Madrid, Florida and more. Its "dog-first" cabin design on Gulfstream jets includes spacious seating, open play areas, in-flight treats, and even canine "beverages" during takeoff to ease ear pressure.
Tickets aren't cheap ranging from $9,000 - $11,000 one-way to hit the NYC–London leg for one dog plus human, yet flights have been selling out in weeks.
Sold out flight from NY —> London for next week
K9 Jets is another pioneer, running semi-private charter flights where pet owners buy fractional seats on private jets.
Founded in 2023 by an aviation broker, K9 Jets has flown over 5,000 pets and is sold out for months on its most popular routes.
The U.S.–UK corridor is particularly hot, serving pet parents relocating to Europe. "You wouldn't put a baby in cargo," says K9 Jets founder Adam Golder, noting people's attachment to pets has grown post-pandemic.
They also charge roughly $9,000 for a transatlantic seat, so one might assume the clientele is ultra-wealthy, but in practice many are middle-class families making one-time splurges to ensure their pets' safety.
Not to mention they have a Facebook group of 11.6K members who are constantly trying to crowdsource planes together to split the costs of private charter amongst the community.
There’s also several other Facebook groups dedicated to air travel with pets.
Two groups in particular have swelled up to 55K members and 82K members respectively. The former focuses on international travel and the latter is general info about flying with your dog.
Pet-only flights aren't just a luxury indulgence.
They're a pressure valve for a broken system. A wave of group charter platforms and startups are entering the fray.
RetrievAir, a U.S. startup backed by Shark Tank investors, launched earlier this year with a 30-seat modified jet that allows any size dog in-cabin.
By using a larger Embraer regional jet refitted from 50 seats to 30 for extra space, RetrievAir has driven costs down with fares averaging $775 per seat, some as low as $300 on short hops.
The founders secured funding from Alexis Ohanian and booked $500K in sales within weeks of launch.
RetrievAir focuses on efficiency, with pit stops every 2 hours on long routes so pets can potty and planes can clean, and accessibility for everyday pet owners. Their flights, currently in 6 U.S. cities and expanding to 12, are often full.
These pet-centric airlines all report similar demand drivers - widespread anxiety over pets flying in cargo with safety incidents, deaths, and lost pets; banned breeds on many airlines; and inconsistent enforcement of pet policies.
Owners are fed up and willing to pay a premium for certainty and care.
The revenue model doesn't end at the ticket.
We're seeing bundled concierge services, wellness add-ons, and partnerships with pet gear brands for things like travel crates or calming aids. An entirely new "pet airline" category is being born.
By 2026, expect new competitors in this space, potentially in Asia and the Middle East where large markets of pet owners face similar travel pain.
Routes will expand globally.
We may see tiered cabin classes for pets, from an "Economy Paw" basic seat to "Luxury Pet Suites" with lie-flat dog beds.
Pet airlines could also bundle door-to-door packages, handling ground transport to and from airports and even border paperwork.
Commercial Airlines: Creating the Opportunity Gap
Major commercial airlines have been tightening the screws on pet travel, often unintentionally fueling the rise of alternatives.
In-cabin pet policies have grown more restrictive. Airlines have strict weight limits, typically a 20lb dog including carrier, and require pets to fit in ever-smaller under-seat carriers.
Many carriers now enforce a "one pet per cabin row" rule or cap total pets on board at 4-5, making pet spots scarce and competitive.
Banned breeds lists have expanded, especially brachycephalic dogs and cats, which many airlines refuse to carry in cargo due to health risks.
Some airlines like Delta have stopped accepting pets in cargo (since 2016) altogether for civilian travelers.
Pet fees have skyrocketed without any improvement in service. The big three U.S. airlines now charge about $150 each way for an in-cabin pet, up from roughly $100 a few years ago.
It's not uncommon for someone's pet fee to exceed their own ticket price. One passenger paid $300 for her dog on a flight while her seat cost $209.
Yet these fees buy nothing extra. No priority boarding, no amenities, just a higher bill.
Enforcement is wildly inconsistent, adding to frustration. Travelers often report that one flight allows their pet with no issues, then another flight on the same airline denies the very same carrier for being "too tall," or staff impose last-minute paperwork demands.
Airline employees receive minimal training on pet policies, so customers frequently get different answers from different reps.
Flying with a pet has become a stressful, high-stakes gamble, a logistical, financial, and emotional challenge.
By making pet travel on commercial flights so cumbersome, airlines have opened up huge whitespace in the market for private companies to fill.
Commercial airlines are unintentionally creating a whitespace market worth hundreds of millions, and private companies are stepping into the void.
Pet owners with the means or sheer determination are turning to pet-only airlines, private charters, and professional transport services in droves.
Those without means are increasingly opting for ground transport rather than subject their pets to unpredictable airline experiences.
International Pet Travel: An Industry Within an Industry
If domestic pet travel is complicated, international pet travel is an order of magnitude more complex, and it's the fastest-growing segment of the market.
Global relocation of pets for expats, digital nomads, and families moving abroad, plus international vacations with pets, are both on the rise.
Post-pandemic, there's huge pent-up demand for international mobility, and pets are coming along for the ride. But the compliance and paperwork requirements are daunting, spawning an entire sub-industry of services.
Consider a typical international pet journey.
To take a dog from the US to the EU or UK, an owner must navigate USDA APHIS endorsements, obtain an international health certificate within a 10-day window, possibly get a rabies titer blood test months in advance for countries like Japan, South Korea, or Australia, and juggle airline-specific forms.
Rules vary wildly by country.
Japan, Singapore, and Australia mandate quarantine or extensive pre-approval, while EU countries require a microchip and an official vet certificate. If any step is done incorrectly or out of sequence, your pet can be denied boarding or even sent back by border control.
The process is so convoluted that many pet owners have horror stories.
In one case, a family missed their flight and even a scheduled ship voyage because their USDA export certificate wasn't endorsed in time.
The U.S. system requires mailing or driving documents to a USDA office for approval within a tight window, and backlogs in 2023-25 left people sweating and praying for timely return.
One vet reported doing 3-4 times as many health certificates in 2025 than previous years, due to the surge in pet travel demand.
This complexity is paving the way for international pet travel to mature into an industry of its own.
Companies like PawsAbroad have emerged to offer compliance-as-a-service, providing digital checklists tailored to your route and pet, concierge guidance through every form, and even handling submissions on your behalf.
PawsAbroad launched in 2025 after its founder, Marisa Hoskins, experienced the nightmare firsthand.
The platform builds a custom timeline and checklist for each trip with automated reminders and country-specific instructions. Within weeks of launch, it attracted hundreds of users and significant online buzz.
Companies are eyeing the document verification problem too.
Platforms like Vedi, whose Pet Passport system links a pet's medical record directly to its microchip and a QR-enabled digital wallet pass.
Veterinarians upload and verify vaccinations inside a tamper-resistant cloud record that can be pulled up anywhere with a scan.
Health certificates, vaccine histories, and microchip data live in a single, authenticated profile that airports, groomers, boarding facilities, and eventually border agents can confirm in seconds, without paper.
It's an early glimpse of what a universal digital standard could look like once USDA, carriers, and international regulators accept QR-based verification as a primary document.
The complexity and stakes mean consumers are willing to pay for assurance.
This creates a massive opportunity for tech and service providers, from software that auto-generates the exact forms needed, to compliance coaches who hand-hold clients through the process, to logistics companies bundling flights, customs, and even quarantine bookings in one package.
International pet travel is shifting from DIY to outsourced and automated.
Domestic Pet Travel Renaissance
It's not only air travel that's evolving. Domestic travel with pets, especially leisure travel and extended stays, is experiencing a renaissance.
With more people integrating pets into every aspect of life, the hospitality and transportation sectors are racing to accommodate four-legged travelers in new ways.
Major hotel chains have markedly expanded their pet-friendly offerings.
By 2024, roughly 75% of U.S. hotels across luxury to economy allowed pets in some capacity.
But it's not just allowing, it's welcoming.
Many hotels now provide pet amenities upon check-in like pet beds, food bowls, and treats. Kimpton continues to offer no-fee pet stays with beds and bowls in every room and have been offering that for decades (way ahead of the curve).
A few innovative hotels have created "Director of Pet Relations" roles, often a resident dog who greets guest pets and symbolizes the hotel's commitment to pet hospitality.
Car travel is huge.
87% of pet travelers go by car according to surveys.
On highways, the infrastructure is improving.
Major travel-center chains like Love's have installed dog parks at hundreds of rest stops nationwide.
By mid-2024, Love's had over 400 fenced dog parks across 42 states, a number growing monthly. This investment pays off by attracting pet-owning customers on long drives.
The big shift domestically is that many pet owners are no longer traveling occasionally with pets. Instead, they're incorporating pets into a mobile lifestyle. Remote work means a family might do a month-long stay in a different state and bring the dog and cat along.
Younger workers might take "workcations" or van-life road trips with pets in tow.
This translates to recurring spending on pet travel needs and a willingness to invest in comfort and safety for pets on the go.
The Supporting Infrastructure Boom
For every friction point in pet travel, an entrepreneur is working on a product or service to solve it. We're witnessing a boom in supporting infrastructure, a whole "stack" of gear, wellness, and tech solutions to make moving with pets safer and easier.
One major focus area is travel gear designed for pet safety.
Brands like GUNNER Kennels have engineered dog crates that can literally save a pet's life in a car accident.
The GUNNER G1 crate was the first to earn a 5-star crash safety rating from the Center for Pet Safety, with dual-wall rotomolded construction and tie-down straps that keep it secure during collisions.
Gunner Kennel crash testimonials
These crates aren't cheap, often $500-$1000+, but serious pet travelers are investing in them for road trips.
For smaller pets, premium carriers have gotten a style and safety upgrade.
The Diggs Passenger boasts a 5-star crash-test rating for car travel up to 18 lb pets. Pet owners are looking for carriers that are comfortable for the pet, easy to transport for humans, and meet all airline specs.
They're willing to pay $150-$300 for the best.
A big worry when traveling is keeping tabs on a pet's environment. This has led to gadgets like temperature monitors and oxygen sensors that can attach to a pet's crate or be placed in a car.
Some airlines have trialed offering GPS temperature trackers for pets in cargo.
Travel can be stressful and physically taxing for pets, so wellness solutions are expanding.
It's well-known that sedating pets with prescription tranquilizers before flights is risky, and many airlines prohibit it.
This has spurred interest in natural calming remedies and training techniques. Products like CBD oil for pets, chamomile or L-tryptophan chews, and pheromone sprays are being marketed specifically for travel anxiety.
The Future and Founder Opportunities
What will it feel like to travel with a pet in 2026?
Pet-only airlines will operate daily routes on at least three continents.
You'll see flights like Los Angeles–London, New York–Dubai, or Singapore–Sydney, dedicated to pets and owners. These won't all be boutique charters.
Some might be larger semi-private jets running on regular schedules, with tiered pricing and classes emerging.
Feeling competitive pressure, some major airlines might introduce a limited number of dedicated pet seats or "pet tickets" in-cabin for purchase.
We can also expect more standardized training for airline staff regarding pets, possibly even a certification program for "pet-friendly crew" so that enforcement of rules becomes consistent and customer-friendly.
The days of carrying a thick folder of pet documents through the airport will be fading. In 2026, compliance will be largely digitized (for non commercial airline travel). An owner will complete all required forms online, vets will upload certificates to secure cloud platforms, and government endorsements may come back as QR codes or digital signatures.
At the airport or border, officials simply scan a code on your phone or on the pet's microchip and instantly verify rabies shots and health checks.
For operators and investors eyeing the pet travel space, the landscape is ripe with opportunity.
There's room for a comprehensive platform that handles trip planning, compliance, booking, and pet itinerary management all in one, essentially an OTA for pet travel.
The complexity of pet travel rules screams for automation. Tools that serve vets, airlines, and travelers by automating health certificates and import permits could be sold as B2B software to airlines or vet clinics.
There's untapped potential in building pet hospitality services at airports, from simple pay-per-use pet lounges to full-service "pet transit hotels" where pets can rest, play, or be groomed during layovers.
Traditional luggage companies or new entrants can create travel gear lines specifically for pets.
Insurance startups can design targeted pet travel insurance offerings covering emergency vet bills abroad, quarantine costs if a pet falls ill, trip cancellation related to pet issues, and even theft or loss of a pet during travel.
The common thread in these opportunities is high friction, low trust, and high willingness to pay.
There is no category in pet care where friction is higher, trust is lower, and willingness to pay is stronger.
Nowhere in pet care is the pain and fear for consumers as acute as when they have to relocate or travel with their beloved animal. Solving those pain points isn't just a feel-good venture.
It's proving to be big business.
Search demand for “pet health certificate” has been climbing steadily for five years, but the big story is the acceleration.
Monthly volume is now around 11K searches, up 24% YoY, and the curve shows a long-term upward trajectory with sharper spikes starting in late 2024.
It’s a signal that more pet owners are running into the compliance wall as domestic and international travel rules tighten.
Every peak on this chart correlates with travel seasons, airline policy changes, or new restrictions that force people to Google their way into clarity.
In other words, the certificate has become the passport — and pet parents increasingly realize they can’t move without it.
Zooming out, this search trend is a proxy for something bigger.
Pet travel is formalizing, and consumers aren’t prepared. The rising complexity of airline rules, USDA timelines, and route-specific requirements is driving people online in frustration, hunting for step-by-step answers. That sustained growth line tells you the problem isn’t seasonal; it's structural.
For operators, this chart is basically a demand curve for automation, clarity, and compliance-as-a-service — because if search volume keeps rising like this, the industry is going to need far better tools than a PDF and a panicked vet appointment.
See you Friday!
