Introducing RetrievAir: Your New Dog-Friendly Air Travel Solution

Traveling with your dog can be a very rewarding experience or a nightmare, depending on how you look at it. Well, there is a new airline that is catering to dog lovers. It is called RetrievAir and provides a dog-friendly travel experience, allowing pets of all sizes to fly alongside their owners in a comfortable, 30-seat regional jet. Founded by Benton Miller, who faced challenges traveling with his dogs, the service eliminates traditional airline restrictions by operating from smaller airports, simplifying check-in, and offering extra legroom for pets.

RetrievAir caters to pet owners seeking better travel options and aims to promote pet adoption through its nonprofit initiative, The RetrievAir Foundation. With flights available to popular U.S. destinations at an average price of $750, the company provides a valuable alternative to conventional airline travel for pet companions.

Hello and welcome to Dog Works Radio. I am your host, Michele Forto, and the lead trainer of Alaska Dog Works. Here, we help you and your dog develop the best relationship possible. Today, we are talking about RetrievAir, a newly launched airline that is revolutionizing air travel for pet owners by allowing dogs of all sizes to fly alongside their humans. This innovative service addresses many pet parents’ common challenges when traveling with their furry companions.

Oversized breeds frequently encounter strict airline restrictions, transporting them via car can be time-consuming, and options for cruising are pretty limited. Recognizing this issue, Benton Miller, the founder of RetrievAir, was inspired to create a travel experience tailored specifically to the needs of pet owners.

With his wife, Whitney, and their two Labradors, Maple and Willow, Miller experienced firsthand the complications of air travel with pets. “We spent countless hours deciphering complicated airline regulations, only to find our options restricted,” he shared with Kinship. “Cargo wasn’t viable for us, flying privately wasn’t an option, and driving was exhausting. This led us to miss out on family gatherings and holidays.”

Determined to offer a solution for pet owners, Miller established RetrievAir to create an inclusive travel experience that prioritizes pets’ comfort, which is significantly larger breeds often overlooked by traditional airlines. “We accommodate a wide variety of dog sizes, and we do not charge extra fees for larger dogs,” Miller noted.

How RetrievAir Works

RetrievAir operates from smaller airports, streamlining the check-in process and eliminating the stress associated with TSA lines. Once checked in, pets and their companions enjoy the journey together in a cozy, 30-seat regional jet. Dogs have the luxury of sitting by the window while their human companions sit beside them. RVR Aviation, a licensed U.S. air carrier, operates the flights.

Onboard, specially trained flight attendants ensure that all pets are comfortable, safe, and well-hydrated, providing treats as well. For human passengers, snacks and beverages—including coffee and alcohol—are also available, making for a pleasant travel experience for all involved.

The inaugural flight featured several sizable breeds, including three Golden Retrievers, two Great Danes, and a Labrador Retriever, who typically would have been relegated to cargo on conventional airlines. With an emphasis on comfort, the flights are designed with extra legroom, allowing pets a spacious, relaxing area. “During our brand launch flight, all the dogs, ranging from 35 to 150 pounds, slept peacefully for most of the trip and thoroughly enjoyed their experience,” shared Miller.

In addition to offering pet-friendly flights, Miller is launching The RetrievAir Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to facilitating pet adoptions by providing necessary transportation for rescue efforts. Collaborating with organizations and shelters nationwide, the foundation aims to assist in meeting aviation needs and promoting pet adoption.

Booking Your Flight with RetrievAir

RetrievAir offers flights to and from several major U.S. cities known for their dog-friendly cultures, including Carmel-by-the-Sea (CA), Waukegan (IL), Arlington (TX), Centennial (CO), Los Angeles (CA), Farmingdale (NY), Salt Lake City (UT), Tampa, and West Palm Beach (FL). Whether you seek a beach getaway, a mountain adventure, or an urban escape, RetrievAir provides the ideal travel solution for you and your dog. However, it’s important to note that not all routes operate daily; for instance, flights between Colorado and New York are available only once a week through most of June.

Flights average around $750, a competitive rate compared to the costs of boarding a large dog at a high-end kennel or the exorbitant fees associated with private flights. Traditional passenger airlines often charge between $100 to $200 for pet travel, typically requiring small dogs to be crated under the seat, while larger dogs face the stress of traveling in cargo. Given the comfort and reassurance offered by RetrievAir, the value becomes evident.

Ticket options vary based on your dog’s size and needs. For those traveling with small dogs under 40 pounds, securing a single ticket and keeping your pet comfortably on your lap is permissible. If traveling with another person, one to two pets under 75 pounds can occupy the space between two seats at no additional cost. However, if you are traveling alone with a medium-sized dog or a dog over 75 pounds, you must purchase an extra ticket, ensuring your pup has the coveted window seat.

Ready to embark on a new adventure with your four-legged friend? Book your flight on RetrievAir today and stay updated on flight options and adorable pet travel content by following @FlyRetrievAir on social media.

That’s it! What questions do you have for us? Let us know on our socials, and we will do our best to answer them in an upcoming episode.

Before we end the show, let’s press pause for a sec…maybe ask yourself, why did this resonate with me? What aspect of my relationship with my K9 buddy could I apply this to? And what am I going to do differently this week to make my dog’s training a little easier? So, take time to mull it over, talk it out with a family member or trusted friend, put some ideas down in your training journal, and then check back next week for our next episode.

And as always, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this episode. So, reach out and find me on Instagram at akdogworks, and let’s spark a conversation. Until then, keep going! You are doing great! It is time to create the relationship with your dog that you always dreamed of.

Thanks for listening to Dog Works Radio. Find the show notes for this episode and all others at Alaska dog works (dot)com. Know someone in your life who needs help with their dog’s training? Be a hero and share our podcast with them, and we will see you next time.

Why trust us

At Dog Works Radio, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by a team with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts.

For this piece on International Dogs, Michele Forto tapped her experience as a longtime dog trainer, podcaster, and dog owner. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions, and our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and current. Read more about our team, our contributors, and our editorial policies on our website, Alaska Dog Works.com