Question 1

Can children travel on your flights?

Accepted Answer

You'll need to be at least 18 to make a booking with us, and we ask that children are 10 or over to fly. For any young passenger under 18, they'll always need to be travelling with, and seated next to, a parent or guardian who's also on board.

Question 2

How many people and pets will be on my flight?

Accepted Answer

We seat up to 10 guests travelling with their pets, plus some Biscuit Class pets travelling solo in the cabin with a dedicated Concierge. The GV can seat up to 16, but we limit it to keep the cabin calm. A Furs Class ticket enables you and one pet to fly, though you can add additional pets during checkout, with the cost depending on size and weight. If there's availability in Biscuit Class, you can add more dogs too – feel free to get in contact with a member of the team for more information.

Question 3

Can I choose my seat when booking?

Accepted Answer

We choose seating arrangements after assessing all pets to find the most compatible arrangement so that all pets are happy. We assess first through the booking questionnaire, then with a Teams call, and finally during pet socialisation an hour before departure. As for your dog, they're welcome on your lap if they're small, curled up by your feet, or on a seat next to you if there's space, and we'll work out what's best for the dynamics of that particular flight. The GV has a generous cabin, so we can always find something that works.

Question 4

When I pay by card, can I choose my currency?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. All our fares are based on dollars, however if you are booking in the UK, then you can pay in £ – generally saving as much as £400 since you won't incur a currency fee or an unfavourable exchange rate from your bank. Likewise, you can choose Euros. We don't yet take crypto, but one day…

Question 5

I need to travel at very short notice – is that possible?

Accepted Answer

Potentially… Flying within the USA, assuming there is availability, we can take bookings very late, but you will need a fit to fly note from a vet; we can arrange this at short notice. Internationally, there is no way around the rules, it is that simple. As long as you have the required vaccinations all in order then we can help with getting it all together in double quick time, but less than a week is getting very tight. The bigger issue is likely to be availability. As ever though, if we can help, we certainly will.

Question 6

How does the pet documentation process work?

Accepted Answer

We'll walk you through everything your pet needs for your specific route, step by step, and when you send us copies of your documents ahead of time, we'll take a look and flag anything that seems off. It's always worth double-checking the details yourself too, though, since you're the one who'll need the correct, complete paperwork with you on the day.

Question 7

Do you cover vets' fees?

Accepted Answer

No – all vets' fees and regulatory costs are payable by you. For example, the USDA endorsement fee is generally $101 – see Cost To Endorse Your Pet's Health Certificate | APHIS – and a FedEx prepaid envelope for submission is around $100 for next day delivery.

Question 8

Do I need travel insurance?

Accepted Answer

You must have third-party liability insurance for your pet, which is usually included in most pet insurance policies. We also strongly recommend travel insurance for yourself, including cover for trip cancellation and delay. A disrupted flight can mean real costs elsewhere (onward connections, accommodation, an event you can't reschedule). It's a small step that makes a big difference if the unexpected happens.

Question 9

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

If you cancel more than 90 days before travel, your booking is refundable. Within 90 days it is not – but if the flight is full, as is often the case, we can try to resell your seat, and if we manage it, you get your money back less any card processing fees we couldn't recover. If you only need to move to a different date rather than cancel, we can do that within the 90 days for a $750 deposit, which is refunded in full if we're able to resell your original seat. On the rare occasion that we need to cancel a flight ourselves, for reasons outside our control, we'll always aim to give you as much notice as possible, and you'll receive a full refund.

Question 10

What happens when there is no availability?

Accepted Answer

If your preferred route is fully booked, join our flight waitlist – we track demand closely, and it's often exactly why we add an extra flight. Demand for Vicuna is high, so the sooner you let us know, the better your chances.

Question 11

What happens if there is bad weather?

Accepted Answer

No aircraft can beat all weathers, and we are no exception. Safety is not negotiable. We will not cancel a flight due to weather; we will just delay it or attempt to get as close as we can to our destination. It's not like one can just rebook this sort of trip at the drop of a hat like you can when flying commercially, and we are very aware of that. We'll keep you updated and do everything we can to get things moving again as quickly as possible.

Question 12

What happens if my flight is delayed?

Accepted Answer

We take real pride in running on time, so delays are genuinely rare. When something unforeseen does affect a flight (weather, air traffic restrictions, a technical check), we'll keep you posted throughout, and where we can, we'll look after you while you wait, whether that's a hotel room, some food, or a drink on us. The one thing we can't do is cover costs further down the line, such as a missed connection, onward travel, or an event you can't make it to. That's exactly what travel insurance is designed for, so we'd always recommend taking out a policy before you fly (see "Do I need travel insurance?" above), particularly if you've got little breathing room either side of your trip.

Question 13

How old does my dog have to be to fly with you?

Accepted Answer

We welcome puppies, provided they meet the country specific vaccination and travel document criteria. For the US, your dog must be at least 6 months old. For Europe, your dog must be at least 15 weeks old. For the UK, your dog must be at least 12 weeks old. We love flying with senior dogs too – after a lifetime of service to the family, they've earned every bit of care. We'll gladly carry them up and down the stairs and make lots of accommodations for them, and if they need the loo a bit more than usual, we just ask they wear a doggie nappy, just in case.

Question 14

Does my dog need to be trained to fly with you?

Accepted Answer

Your dog does not require any formal training to fly with us - all we ask is that your dog is relatively well-behaved and is house trained!

Question 15

Do you have any breed restrictions?

Accepted Answer

Breed restrictions aren't set by us, but by the countries you're flying to and from – some destinations maintain restricted or banned breed lists for import, so what's welcome on one route may not be on another. We check this as part of your booking, but if you'd like to know in advance, just get in touch and we can look into it together before you book. Beyond these country-specific rules, we don't apply any breed restrictions of our own.

Question 16

Do you fly with pets other than dogs?

Accepted Answer

We adore all kinds of pets, and alongside dogs and cats, we're also delighted to welcome rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small companions. As every pet is a little different, we just ask that you give us a call before booking so we can make sure everyone's comfortable and ready for the journey – we love chatting through the details!

Question 17

What happens if my dog is anxious?

Accepted Answer

Remember, every Vicuna flight has a concierge on board who has got to know all the dogs during the socialisation stage. Their key aim is to make our flights as relaxing as possible for owners and dogs. If you aren't stressed, your dog is likely not to be stressed too. Before you board, our jets are sprayed with a pheromone proven to be calming for dogs, and our dedicated dog-focused crew member will be on hand at all times in the case that your dog feels unsettled. If you are very worried about your dog's anxiety levels, talk to your vet about their recommendation. See our blog Lessons from a Dog Trainer for other guidance.

Question 18

What if my dog is aggressive?

Accepted Answer

If your dog is aggressive, please contact us before booking to discuss your options. Please bear in mind that if your dog is overtly aggressive during the dog socialisation hour, we cannot allow them on board to ensure the safety of all our passengers, dog and human, as well as our crew. We would be unable to offer any refund.

Question 19

What if my dog needs a wee, or worse!?

Accepted Answer

We have a special area at the back of the plane with a pee pad to avoid any drama. We also carry doggie nappies if they are needed. It's much rarer than you might think, thanks to our detailed preparation.

Question 20

Is there an in-flight menu?

Accepted Answer

Prior to your flight, we will send you our menu of salads, sandwiches, and snacks. Our menu doesn't include hot food, as experience with dogs has shown us that hot meals on flights cause more excitement and disruption amongst the pets than enjoyment for you! There is a full bar with a fabulous selection of champagne, wine, beer, spirits, and of course endless tea, coffee and other soft drinks.

Question 21

Is there wireless internet?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We have Starlink worldwide which is all included. It's good for emails, text and general connectivity, but probably not for downloading a film, so make sure you have your favourite film or season ready to go.

Question 22

What is my luggage allowance?

Accepted Answer

We ask that cabin luggage be soft-sided, not hard-shell. What you can and can't bring is the same as normal air travel. For hold baggage, one 50lb (23kg) wheeled bag and one soft bag only please.

Question 23

Can I bring my dog's own bedding/toys?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a blanket or fur type is fine, but not a big bed or something we can't easily stow for take off and landing.

Question 24

How do we ensure passenger safety?

Accepted Answer

Safety comes first for two-legged and four-legged passengers alike. Our flights are operated by Talon Air, an FAA-certified carrier holding ARGUS Platinum and IS-BAO Stage III status, alongside Wyvern Wingman certification – independently audited safety standards recognised throughout private aviation. We put a great deal of thought into creating a safe, calm environment on every flight. Owners remain responsible for their pets throughout the journey, and we ask everyone to follow any instructions from our team or flight crew. We reserve the right to decline travel where we believe a passenger or pet may present a safety concern.

Question 25

Will you arrange dog-friendly transport from the airport when we land?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All Furs Class bookings include a complimentary chauffeur on arrival at no extra cost, covering the first 25 miles from the arrival airport. We do not arrange transport to the airport for your outbound journey. Visit our Complimentary Chauffeur on Arrival page for full details and pricing.

Question 26

How long before my flight should I arrive at the airport/terminal?

Accepted Answer

We ask that you and your pet arrive one hour before your scheduled flight, as our pet socialisation hour is essential in helping us design the best seating arrangement on board for you and your pet – see our Flying with Your Pet: What Happens on Travel Day page for more information.

Question 27

Will I have to go through security?

Accepted Answer

Your bags will still be scanned and you'll go through a security process, but because our terminal is private and everything's set up to move quickly, this won't cause any disruption for you or your pet.

Question 28

What amenities are available in the departure lounge?

Accepted Answer

Upon arriving at the airport, you will be escorted right up to the doors of our comfortable, well-stocked departure lounge. We will provide snacks and refreshments, and everything needed to help you and your dog relax during the dog socialisation hour!

Question 29

Will someone be contactable at all points of my journey?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can talk or chat to a real person about any queries 24/7, wherever you are in your journey.

Question 30

What aircraft will I be flying on?

Accepted Answer

We're thrilled to say our flights are operated using Gulfstream GVs – these jets offer a faster, more aerodynamic, and more spacious flight experience than their predecessors. The exact aircraft can vary by route, but you'll always be flying in style.

Question 31

How many crew members will be on board and what will they do?

Accepted Answer

Each aircraft always has two pilots and one cabin crew from Talon for safety and to look after you. In addition, there is always a Vicuna Concierge on board every flight. Our Vicuna Concierge are trained in dog handling and are certified in doggie CPR and doggie first aid.

Question 32

Does Jamie fly the plane?

Accepted Answer

Sadly, no, Jamie is far too busy running the airline, so he leaves it to the outstanding Talon pilots, whose whole focus is on flying.

Question 33

What are Vicuna Miles?

Accepted Answer

Vicuna Miles is our loyalty and rewards programme. As a general rule of thumb, if you fly ten times you will earn enough miles for a free flight (subject to passenger taxes and fees, at most $1,500). There are all sorts of other combinations and gifts with Vicuna Miles.

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