7 Smart Reasons to Fly Fleet

Fleet Aviation was recently featured on Stacy Knows – a popular lifestyle blog here in Westchester County, NY. Here are the highlights of “7 Smart Reasons to Fly Fleet Aviation”. You can read the full article here: http://stacyknows.com/2011/7-smart-reasons-to-fly-fleet-aviation/.

1. Never Miss a Moment

2. Depart From Your Backyard

3. Skip the Rush Hour Traffic

4. Keep Your Shoes On and Your Computer in it’s Bag

5. Lap Dogs and Great Danes Welcome

6. Lead a Jet-Set Lifestyle at a Fraction of the Cost

7. Spend More Time With Your Friends and Family

For details – visit the post (http://stacyknows.com/2011/7-smart-reasons-to-fly-fleet-aviation/) and follow Stacy on Twitter @stacyknows.

Canines In Flight

As more and more of Fleet’s customers are bringing their dogs along for the flight, we thought it best to consult an expert to get some tips for traveling with man’s best friend.

Diane Podolsky, CPDT-KA, CTC, is the founder of The Cultured Canine, LLC, bringing expert dog training to client’s homes in Westchester, NYC and Greenwich, CT. She has graciously provided us with a few pointers to make sure that all travelers, especially those with paws, have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Be your dog’s travel agent
Pick pet-friendly hotels and find out whether your dog will be welcome in rental cars or public transportation. Get vaccinations up-to-date and make sure you carry those documents, as some lodging or travel companies require proof. Also check on hotel rules for when you must leave your dog in the room – some require crating, some do not.

Polish your dog’s manners
Everyone loves a well-mannered dog. Essentials for travel include impeccable housetraining, loose leash walking, the ability to relax quietly in a new place, response to commands like “sit” or “down,” comfort in getting in and out of transportation vehicles and the ability to enjoy meeting new people and other dogs.

Prepare for medical emergencies
Pack all medications (if any). Keep a basic pet first aid kit in your briefcase or purse. Locate the nearest 24-hour vet clinic to your destination. Look out for any pet hazards when you arrive at your lodging. (wires, small objects, houseplants, chocolates on the bed, etc.)

Bring your dog’s comfort items
Dogs rely on scent for comfort more than we humans do, so even bringing a towel that your dog slept on at home can help your dog settle into a new place. Bringing his or her bed from home is positively dreamy!

Keep the cuisine simple
Pack your dog’s usual food and bring some water from home too, so your dog can transition to the local supply. Vacation is no time to change your dog’s diet. You may enjoy sampling the local cuisine, but your dog’s digestion will prefer to eat and drink the “same old things.” Bring extra in case your travel plans change.

When you have made all these preparations once, create a “doggie vacation checklist” and it will be easier to get it all done next time. There will be a next time, because once you have vacationed with your dog, you won’t want to leave him or her at home again!

Charter your dog-friendly Fleet flight today to visit some of these great dog-friendly destinations!

Hotel at Turf Valley, Ellicott City, MD

Parker House Inn & Bistro, Quechee, VT

The Country Inn at Camden/Rockport, Rockport, ME

Book your trip today!

Best Friends Fly Free: Traveling with pets

Summer travel is typically more of the leisure variety, and people think about packing up the whole family to head somewhere to relax and enjoy the sun. And by “whole family” we don’t just mean mom and dad and kids – we mean mom, dad, kids, Fido, Garfield, and Toucan Sam.

What kind of images come to mind when you think about traveling with your pet? Do you think about them being shipped off by crate to the luggage compartment of a commercial airliner? Worry about them getting harmed or lost (like this heartbreaking story that is all too common) or quite simply being scared and lonely? OR do you think about having to drag them into the car with you to get stuck in miles of traffic, fighting for enough space to lay down amongst your buckled-in kids and full load of bags, needing stops every few hours for bathroom breaks? Neither sounds that appealing, especially if Rex isn’t pint-sized.

Even if your furry companion is on the smaller side and you can take them with you as carry-on, issues abound. From annoying your neighbors to the hefty fees to travel with pets — you may fear less for the safety of Fifi, but you don’t fear that much less for the overall experience.  This article from CNN interviews folks who smuggle their pet onto planes or into hotels, trying to avoid the exorbitant (and unexplainable) fines. We don’t blame them!


But – There are other options!

For longer domestic hauls, Pet Airways is a safe and reliable option. The entire plane is devoted to animals and employee caretakers, and they stop every few hours not just for refueling, but to give everyone some exercise. Although it may take a bit longer than a human flight because of the stops, it’s the worry-free way to get your four-legged-loved-ones long distances. If you are headed somewhere far away for an extended trip, this is the way to go.

If you are headed to someplace within 500 miles of your home, charter is the right option for you. At Fleet, we have flown countless dogs and cats with their human families.They aren’t required to be in a carrier, and it doesn’t cost a cent more than our already reasonable rates to bring them on. Right now, its $800/hour for 5 seats. If your pup can nestle into your lap, great – if she needs her own seat, that’s up to you. You are in complete control. And, we’ll also help arrange pet-friendly ground travel for your arrival.
We once even flew a cat all by itself! (We also have flown a teddy bear by itself, but that is another story.)

Going to Nantucket for the weekend and don’t want to board your kitty at a kennel? Easily bring him along. Headed to upstate to go hunting and don’t want to tire your hound out from a long drive? Fly her and your pals up for a single price. Headed to the beach for the day and know your retriever would be so excited at the site of the ocean? As long as you wipe the paws before reboarding, you can make the day trip a full family affair.


Our pets are part of the family. So why don’t they travel like family members? With charter, companions really do fly for free — always.