Animal Transport

Animal Air Transport: Dedicated Cargo Charter for Live Animals

Private Jets Connect operates specialized animal cargo charter services for competition horses, domestic pets, zoo transfers, and any live animal requiring safe, stress-free air transport. Our dedicated cargo aircraft are configured specifically for animal welfare, with temperature and ventilation control, IATA-certified containment, and the option for onboard veterinary care throughout the flight.

Unlike commercial cargo holds where animals share space with noisy freight and face unpredictable conditions, our charter flights provide a controlled, quiet environment tailored to each species. From a single pet relocation to a 12-horse charter for international competition — with FEI passport verification and TRACES NT processing handled end-to-end — we deliver your animals safely across any distance.

Why Choose Dedicated Cargo Aircraft for Animal Transport

• IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) compliance on every flight
• Species-specific containment — jet stalls and 3-stall aeronautical boxes for horses, IATA-certified crates, aquarium systems
• Temperature and ventilation control — cabin maintained at optimal ranges for each species
• Onboard veterinarian available for horses, exotic animals, and high-value livestock — sedation contraindicated in flight, so live monitoring is essential
• Stress reduction — quiet cabin environment, no co-loading with incompatible cargo
• Direct routing — no connections or layovers that add stress and risk to the animals
• Full regulatory handling — veterinary certificates, CITES Appendix I/II permits, TRACES NT (EU), DEFRA (UK), USDA-APHIS (USA), import licenses, quarantine coordination
• ISO 11784/11785 microchip verification for all identified animals
• Groom/handler accommodation — cabin seats available for accompanying personnel at the recommended 1 groom per 3 horses ratio

Equine Air Transport: Jet Stalls, Grooms & FEI Compliance

Horse transport by air requires specialized equipment and expert handling. Horses fly in jet stalls — lightweight aeronautical containers engineered for in-flight stability. The most common configuration is the 3-stall aeronautical box, which holds three horses side by side in individual padded compartments with non-slip flooring.

Sedation is contraindicated during flight for equines: a sedated horse cannot brace against turbulence, dramatically increasing the risk of falls and injury. Instead, experienced grooms provide continuous reassurance and monitoring. The industry-standard groom ratio is 1 groom per 3 horses, and each groom travels in the cargo hold with direct access to the stalls.

For international competition horses, we verify FEI passports (confirming identity, vaccination records, and competition eligibility) and process all customs formalities. Breeding horses require studbook documentation for the destination registry.

Zoo & Wildlife Transfers: Conservation Programs

We work with accredited zoos and conservation organizations participating in Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs in North America and AZA/EAZA coordinated breeding programs. These transfers involve strict genetic management under studbook keeper oversight and require CITES Appendix I permits for the most protected species or Appendix II permits for regulated species.

Each zoo transfer receives a custom containment plan designed with the destination institution’s veterinary team, taking into account species-specific stress factors, ISO 11784/11785 microchip identification, and quarantine protocols at both origin and destination.

How Our Animal Cargo Charter Process Works

1. Species assessment — Provide details on the animals (species, breed, number, weight, microchip/ISO 11784/11785 ID), origin, destination, and any health or behavioral considerations. For horses, include FEI passport numbers and studbook references.
2. Containment planning — Our animal logistics team specifies the appropriate jet stalls, 3-stall aeronautical boxes, crates, or containment systems based on IATA requirements and species needs.
3. Regulatory documentation — We coordinate all veterinary health certificates, import permits, CITES Appendix I/II documentation, TRACES NT (EU), DEFRA (UK), USDA-APHIS (USA), and quarantine requirements with authorities in both countries.
4. Aircraft configuration — The selected cargo aircraft is configured with appropriate stalls or crate positions, temperature settings, and ventilation parameters.
5. Supervised loading & flight — Animals are loaded under veterinary supervision. Grooms board at the industry-standard 1 per 3 horses ratio. Sedation is not administered — instead, handlers provide continuous in-flight monitoring and care. GPS tracking provides real-time position updates.

Animal Air Transport Rates & Pricing

Animal cargo charter pricing depends on species, number of animals, route, and support requirements:

• Pet relocation (Europe) — single dog or cat with crate: from €5,000 to €15,000
• Equine transport (intra-European) — per horse in a jet stall: from €8,000 to €20,000
• Equine transport (transatlantic) — per horse: from €15,000 to €40,000
• Multi-horse charter (6-12 horses): per-head cost reduced by 30-50% vs individual transport
• Zoo/wildlife transfer — custom pricing based on species, CITES permit category, containment, and veterinary requirements

All quotes include jet stalls or IATA-certified containment, groom accommodation, veterinary standby, regulatory documentation (including TRACES NT processing), and temperature-controlled transport. Contact our animal logistics team for a species-specific quote.