A luxury UAE travel service is launching to enable jet-setters to bring their pets on board.
Sky Nine in Dubai specialises in private jet charters for pet owners. Its inaugural flight, which will be on a Gulfstream GV, is set to fly between Farnborough, London, and Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai, on October 14.
So far, the pet clientele includes two dachshunds, two French bulldogs, two golden retrievers and one desert mix, as well as two ragdoll cats. There are three seats still available to book, with the 16-seater flight able to accommodate up to 10 human passengers and their pets for safety and comfort reasons.
Dubai resident Sophie Armstrong, founder of Sky Nine, moved to the emirate with her family in 2002. Having owned dogs for most of her life, she says she understands the frustration that can unfold when wanting to take them along on holiday.
“We always found it stressful getting the crates out and worrying about how the animals would cope on the flight,” Armstrong tells The National. “We then discovered the – very expensive – option of chartering private jets on empty legs and clubbing together to try to fill them.
“So we found a community of like-minded pet parents and realised there was actually a huge demand from individuals looking to share a jet to travel alongside their pets. This is how Sky Nine was born, as a hub in Dubai, to help people travel with their pets.”
Tickets start at Dh36,546 ($9,950) and include one seat for an owner and one for either one pet weighing 23kg or two pets each weighing less than the combined 23kg. All pets will be able to travel in the cabin regardless of size. The price also includes the option of a 20kg bag as well as hand luggage. There will also be snacks and bar refreshments during the flight.
Ahead of the flight, Sky Nine will require human passports and pets' paperwork, but the company can also assist with the necessary documents for entry and exit for the animals at an additional fee, as most countries have specific requirements. They have teamed up with a pet relocation company to provide the service.
Despite the comparatively hefty price point, Armstrong says there is already a waiting list for the return leg of the flight in November.
Aside from their owners' company, pets will also benefit from a host of “special surprises” to make it a less stressful travel experience, says Armstrong. “We have areas for pets to relieve themselves on board,” she adds. “Dogs can make themselves at home on owners’ laps, or their own beds and blankets. The flight is for them and they are our favourite customers.
“Cats must remain in carriers but can be by your side at all times. Before the flight, there are grassy areas for pets to relieve themselves and meet their friends.”
Armstrong says this is a safer way to travel for brachycephalic (or snub-nosed) pets who have more difficulty breathing in enclosed crates and spaces, especially during hotter months.
“There is no queuing for customs or security; you depart and arrive at private terminals so you miss the crowds,” she adds. “It is a stress-free way to travel and have your pet by your side at all times. You save on boarding fees and bring them with you to enjoy the holidays, but can also share the cabin, not just the destination.”
The company has released the first leg of next year's schedule, with summer flights to Paris and Lisbon in June and August, based on customer demand.
