Pet Transport Pricing
COMMERCIAL & SEMI-PRIVATE AIRLINE FLIGHTS
Our quotes use the following formula to estimate how much it will cost to transport your pet from its location to your chosen destination. There are three major components: handling fee, airfare, and expenses.
Handling Fee + Airfare + Expenses = Total Transport Cost
The handling fee covers our costs and the time, energy, and effort it takes to safely and comfortably transport your pet.
NEW: Pet Travel Insurance
Protect your trip and your pet with our affordable trip protection travel insurance.
Handling Fee
Our Handling Fees* are as follows:
Domestic U.S. Commercial (lower 48 U.S. states): $897
Domestic U.S. Semi-Private: $1,297
Domestic U.S. (Alaska, Hawaii, & Puerto Rico): $1,197
North America (Canada, Mexico): $1,197
North America Semi-Private (Canada & Mexico): $1,549
Central America & Caribbean: $1,197
South America: $1,997
Western Europe: $1,697
Eastern Europe: $1,997
Northern Europe: $1,697
Asia: $2,497
*These are based on pick-up and delivery at major airports or international hubs. Here are additional charges that may apply to your transport:
Trips that start with-in 72hrs of booking will have 20% added for rush services. This is to cover the added time and measures we have to take to make the quick turn around possible.
Small/regional airports have a 20% surcharge. To account for the additional flights and travel time.
Weekend transports also have a 20% surcharge.
Door-to-door services are offered within 30 miles of the departure or arrival airport for a flat handling fee of $147, plus $2/mile for all miles beyond the first 30 miles.
Overnight hotel stays with your pet before, during, or after will have a fee of $97/per night in addition to 20% surcharge for the additional day of travel, if applicable.
Commercial Airfare
Based on your needs and preferences, we book the most direct route for your transport. Commercial airfares are highly variable, so they are quoted and invoiced on the day you book your transport. Transports booked well in advance will have lower fares. Transports booked with less lead way or rush will have higher fares.
Semi-Private Airfare
Semi-Private airfares are comparable to a first-class ticket on a commercial airline. The price for these fares is more dependent on the flight mileage with-in the continental USA. We book confirmed tickets on the most direct itinerary for your pet and their travel guardian on these semi-private flights; operated by JSX and Aero.
Expenses
These include but are not limited to airline pet fees, meals, lodging, ground transportation, COVID-19 testing/fees, and country taxes/fees.
Average expenses for a domestic transport range from $300-$500.
Average expenses for an international transport range from $700-1,200. This is due to the extended number of days and additional expenses that come with international travel.
What’s Included
Airport-to-airport pet transport service with options for home pickup and delivery (“Door-to-door" service)
Your pet and their travel guardian will only travel on a confirmed flight itinerary. This means that you and your pet will not be stressed wondering if and when a flight will become available.
Your pet will be with his/her guardian throughout the entire journey.
We are very experienced in the nuances of care required to keep brachycephalic (snort-muzzled) breeds of dogs and cats happy and safe while traveling by air.
We have an arsenal of pet travel carriers. This allows us to use the best carrier for your specific pet, airline, and destination.
Throughout the trip you will receive live updates and photos of your pet as they enjoy their Signature Pet Transport experience!.
If the unexpected were to happen while your beloved pet is in our care, you can rest easy knowing both you and your pet will be covered. We are bonded up to $10,000 and insured up to $2,000,000.
We keep up to date with ever-changing government regulations, travel restrictions, health requirements, and licensing associated with international pet travel so you don’t have to.
What’s Not Included
Veterinary cost: necessary exams, vaccinations, and certificates
Ground transportation to and from the airport (unless requested as an additional service)
Trip protection: you can purchase pet travel insurance when you hire us!
Travel Pricing Examples
Example 1: Bob and Kate
Bob and Kate live in Ohio near Columbus. They just bought a beautiful puppy from a reputable breeder in California near Los Angeles. The puppy will be ready to travel home 4 weeks from today when it will be 10 weeks old and weigh about 10lbs. They need us to pick up their new puppy at LAX and fly her to them in Columbus where they will meet us at the airport.
HANDLING FEE
Bob and Kate's transport is airport-to-airport and domestic (lower 48 U.S. states). The handling fee is $897.
AIRFARE
Since we are booking four weeks in advance, airfares will be lower than average. Airfare came out to $562.
EXPENSES
Expenses included ground transportation, meals, parking, and a one night hotel stay. Expenses for this trip were $278.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Bob and Kate wanted the peace of mind knowing that their trip was protected, so they purchased travel insurance for their puppy’s journey. Travel insurance cost them $49.
TOTAL
The total transport cost for Bob & Kate's puppy was $1,786.
Example 2: Patty
Patty lives in Southern California. She is sending her gorgeous show dog, Ruby, back to her co-breeders in the Netherlands. She needs to travel no later than next week. Ruby weighs approximately 16lbs and is 4 years old. Patty needs us to pick up Ruby from her home in Hollywood and take her to her co-breeder's home in Amsterdam.
HANDLING FEE
Patty's transport includes door-to-door ground transportation service on both ends of the itinerary for $294. International to Western Europe the handling fee is $1,697. Total handling fees are $1,991.
AIRFARE
Since the flights must be booked in a short amount of time, the airfare will be more expensive than average. Airfare came out to $4,582.
EXPENSES
Expenses included ground transportation, meals, parking, COVID testing fees, country entry/exit fees, and a two night hotel stay. Expenses for this trip were $795.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Protecting her beloved Ruby’s journey wasn’t even a question for Patty who purchase travel insurance. Travel insurance for this trip was $197.
TOTAL
The transport cost for Patty’s Ruby was $7,565.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Many pet transport companies hire airline workers who use their flight benefits to keep costs low for their clients. Even though this means dramatically cheaper flights for you, it puts your transport and pet at risk.
Airline employees are prohibited from making money from their travel privileges which means your pet could be denied boarding and negatively impact your schedule. The airline employee could lose their travel privileges or worse, their job.
When you book a transport with us, we buy full-fare tickets and immediately confirm your pet on the flights. This means your pet and their travel guardian will not be removed from their scheduled flights.
*Learn more about how to identify and protect yourself and your precious furry family member from these unethical Standby Flight Nanny Services HERE.
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Full terms are detailed in your transport proposal and contract. Here is an overview:
Transports booked more than two weeks in advance are booked by paying a deposit plus flight costs. The handling fee balance is due 24hrs prior to the first flight. The deposit amount is defined as half of the handling fee. The deposit and flight costs are non-refundable. However, if a transport must be canceled or delayed due to reasons outlined in the contract, the deposit can be held for a rescheduled trip up to 3 months from original trip date. The flight cost remains non-refundable. *Unless Pet Travel Insurance is purchased at time of booking.
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A commercial flight is a flight operated for the general public by a commercial airline. Examples include; Delta Airlines, Southwest, Alaska Airlines, KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, Korean Air, etc.
Interested in a private or shared private flight? Learn about our luxury transport options here.
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A semi-private flight allows cats and dogs (up to 79 lbs) to travel in-cabin with their travel guardian. These flights are operated by JSX and Aero. They operate out of private terminals. So there are no stressful crowds and noise, typical of a commercial airport terminal. Additionally, the smaller passenger capacity on these flights allows for more personalized attention and a quieter environment, which can be beneficial for pets with anxiety or fear of flying.
Interested in a private or shared private flight? Learn about our luxury transport options here.
