FAQs
Find answers to common questions about traveling with Vicuna Air.
Booking FAQs
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 17, 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.
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.
You'll need to be at least 18 to make a booking with us, and children must be 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.
Absolutely. Our fares are set in US dollars, but you can choose to pay in pounds or euros instead, and we'll show you the exact amount in your chosen currency before booking. Paying in your own currency means your bank won't add a foreign transaction fee or apply its own exchange rate, which on a fare of this size can make a real difference. We don't take crypto yet, but never say never...
Often, yes. If your pet's travel documents are already in place, we can take bookings three or four days before departure, though availability tends to be constrained at such late notice. For flights within the USA, you'll need a fit to fly certificate from your vet, while for international journeys the requirements are set by the destination country. Our Pet Documentation Checklists set out what's needed for each route, and if you get in touch we'll tell you honestly whether it can be done.
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.
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.
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), which we can't take responsibility for. It's a small step that makes a big difference if the unexpected happens.
If you cancel more than 90 days before departure your seat is refundable, and your money will be back with you within 14 days. If you cancel 90 days or fewer before departure, we unfortunately cannot offer a refund, and the full fare remains payable. In some cases, however, we may be able to resell your seat, and if we do, the money we recover, minus any card processing and transaction costs, will go towards your fare.
If you need to move to a different date within 90 days of departure, we will transfer your booking for a change deposit of $750, charged once per booking no matter how many seats you move. Any outstanding balance must be paid first, and we will refund the deposit only if every seat you release is resold.
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. We cannot, however, take responsibility for 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.
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.
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.
Pet Specific FAQs
These answers sit alongside our Pet Welfare & Travel Policy, which sets out in full how we prepare for, handle and support pets throughout the journey.
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.
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!
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.
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!
Cats and other approved pets travel in the cabin in an appropriate carrier. They must stay in it for the whole journey, from arriving at the terminal to the end of the flight, though you're welcome to look in on them whenever you like.
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.
If your dog is aggressive, please contact us before booking to discuss your options. We may ask for further information, or require a travel suitability assessment by a vet or one of our pet partners. 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. Our Pet Welfare & Travel Policy explains how we handle behaviour of this kind.
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.
Flight Experience FAQs
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.
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.
Per passenger, you're welcome to bring one hard-shell bag for the hold (up to 60lbs), one soft-shell bag for the hold (up to 30lbs), and one small, soft personal bag for the cabin (up to 15lbs). Any additional baggage will incur an extra charge.
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.
Departure and Arrival FAQs
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.
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.
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.
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!
Yes, you can talk or chat to a real person about any queries 24/7, wherever you are in your journey.
Aircraft/Crew FAQs
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.
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.
Safety comes first for us, 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, two of the most rigorous, independently audited safety ratings in private aviation, alongside Wyvern Wingman certification. Every flight carries two pilots and a dedicated Vicuna Concierge, trained in dog handling and certified in doggie CPR and first aid, alongside Talon's own cabin crew. We also reserve the right to decline boarding to any passenger, human or dog, who poses a safety risk to our crew or fellow travellers. See "What if my dog is aggressive?" for more on how we handle this.
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 :)
Membership FAQs
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.