For dog parents who have ever ruled out flying because their dog is simply too big to fit under an airplane seat, there’s a new option out of New York.
RetrievAir, a pet-first air travel company, has moved its Long Island operation to Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) in Ronkonkoma. Flights from the airport began in early September, with nonstop service to Chicago and the Washington, D.C. area, plus Fort Lauderdale service planned for later this fall.
And this isn’t another airline quietly increasing the maximum dimensions of an under-seat carrier.
The dog actually gets to come with you
RetrievAir allows dogs of any size to fly in the cabin with their humans, with no pet weight limit. Smaller dogs can ride on a lap or at their person’s feet, while dogs weighing 41 pounds or more can sit beside their human or use designated floor space. Pets are secured with a leash or harness during taxi, takeoff, landing and turbulence — and the booking system even counts them as passengers.
That’s a big departure from most traditional U.S. airlines, where in-cabin pets usually need to fit inside a carrier under the seat.
The idea came from founder Benton Miller’s own frustration with flying his dogs: cargo wasn’t an option he wanted to use, and chartering an entire private plane wasn’t realistic.
It’s not quite a regular commercial flight
The experience is closer to semi-private air travel: passengers arrive about 45 minutes before departure at a private, pet-friendly terminal, dogs need proof of an up-to-date rabies vaccination, and water and treats are available onboard.
One important distinction: RetrievAir isn’t a direct air carrier. Flights are operated by RVR Aviation, a licensed U.S. carrier. Fares are also well above a typical commercial ticket, with recent reporting around the MacArthur launch putting the average at roughly $775 per seat, depending on the route and demand.
RetrievAir currently lists service across 12 U.S. cities, including New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco.
For dog parents who have spent years choosing between cargo, a long road trip or leaving their big dog behind, it’s a pretty interesting new way to get there together.
Curious how it works? Check current routes, fares and pet requirements directly on RetrievAir.
