A new airline is taking off in North Texas with a mission to put pets first. RetrievAir, a pet-focused carrier, will begin flights out of Arlington Municipal Airport this spring, offering an alternative to traditional commercial travel for dog owners.
RetrievAir is marketing itself as the first airline where pets ride in a seat right next to their owners, regardless of breed or size. The service uses a 30-seat regional jet operated by RVR Aviation. Each animal is assigned a window seat, while their owner sits beside them. Flight attendants are trained to handle both human and canine passengers, offering water, snacks, and comfort items for the pets, while serving drinks—including coffee and alcohol—to the humans.
In other words, pets won’t be stuffed in the cargo hold—here, they’re flying fur-st class. For once, passengers won’t complain if their seatmate hogs the armrest—it’s probably a Great Dane. And yes, they all count as carry-ons.
The first scheduled flights are set for May 21. Launch destinations include Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, Denver, New York, Los Angeles, Palm Beach, Salt Lake City, Tampa Bay, and Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.
Tickets are priced at $750 one way, a flat fee that does not change based on the size or breed of the dog. RetrievAir officials say the model is designed to give pets the same travel experience as their owners without the stress of cargo holds or restrictive carriers.
The company held a preview flight earlier this year from Arlington to Denver, where dogs ranging from Great Danes to Golden Retrievers reportedly slept soundly during the trip. Boarding, however, took a little longer—every passenger wanted to stop and pet the pups on their way down the aisle.
In addition to passenger service, RetrievAir has announced plans to launch a nonprofit foundation that will provide air transportation for shelter animals and support adoption and rescue programs across the country.
RetrievAir is one of two new companies focusing on pet-centric travel. Another carrier, BARK Air, began luxury dog flights in 2024, with routes between New York, Los Angeles, and London at prices around $6,000 per ticket. Unlike BARK Air, RetrievAir is focused on affordability and access, with its Dallas launch expected to draw pet owners across the Southwest.
RetrievAir reservations opened in March, with flights now available for booking through its website.
