Singapaw Air: Asia’s 1st dedicated pet charter joins “pawprint economy” in 2026
December 17, 2025
Asia has officially entered the burgeoning pet-centric travel market with the launch of Singapaw Air, the region’s first dedicated airline service built around the needs of pets and their owners. This move aligns with broader shifts in global travel behaviour identified in the Amadeus Travel Trends 2026 report—particularly the rise of the “pawprint economy.”
Singapaw Air offers luxury and ease for pets and their pawrents
Singapaw Air is operated by TheAsianPawrent, with flight services provided by Air7Asia and Vista Jet as a pet-friendly private jet charter service. The company aims to remove many of the barriers associated with flying with animals. Departing from Singapore’s Seletar Business Airport, the service caters to a wide range of pets—from dogs and cats to rabbits and birds—all allowed to fly beside their humans with no crate or weight restrictions.
On board, pets enjoy custom menus, attentive crew service, and premium toys, with activities to keep them engaged during flight. The charter also handles complex paperwork—including permits and export/import documentation—to reduce travel stress for both pets and their owners.
The service is available on routes to key destinations across Asia and beyond, including Bangkok, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Melbourne, San Francisco and Dubai. Luxury pet travel comes at a price, with charter costs ranging widely by destination—from around $5,500 for regional hops to upwards of $84,000 for long-haul journeys.
Pet-friendly air travel hits the mainstream
SingaPaw Air’s debut reflects a rapid expansion of pet-focused travel offerings worldwide. Amadeus notes that pet travel is a key trend in 2026. Its Travel Trends report predicts a surge in pet travel demand, with the global pet industry projected to reach $500 billion by 2030. More travellers want to include pets in their journeys, prompting airlines, rail providers, and hospitality brands to rethink their services and policies.
Luxury pet-first charters launch around the world
Several recent VIP (very important pet) air charter services have launched, addressing the needs of this growing travel segment.
BARK Air
BARK Air (US) has already carved out a niche in the pet travel ecosystem. Built around the philosophy “where dogs travel first,” BARK Air operates spacious, crate-free cabins with a full suite of concierge services, including trip planning, ground transfers and compliance support.
The private jet service is more expensive than economy-class commercial air travel. For example, a Gulfstream from New York to London is priced at $9,100 on the BARK Air website. Tickets include a seat for one dog and one human, and the company emphasises comfort and reduced stress for canine travellers.
K9 Jets
K9 Jets (US) also offers pet-first private flights through its pay-per-seat multi-passenger charter operations. A flight from Teterboro, NJ, to London is priced around $9,000 on their website.
RetrieveAir
A new service, RetrievAir (US) — backed by Shark Tank investors — is positioning itself as a dog-friendly air service, allowing larger breeds to travel in the cabin with their owners without the cargo-hold restrictions of traditional airlines.
The carrier also operates as a multi-passenger charter service and is targeting more budget-conscious pet owners by offering moderately lower fares. The company reports an average one-way fare of about $775 per seat, and its service is currently limited to US cities.
Skye Pets
Skye Pets (Australia) will also launch international in-cabin pet travel next year, offering shared charters that allow pets to fly alongside their owners on routes linking Australia to destinations such as Singapore, London, and Dubai.
Its multi-passenger charter service welcomes pets of all sizes, with seamless private terminals and custom handling that avoids cargo holds. A flight from Melbourne to London on the airline’s chartered Airbus A319, operated by Skytraders, will cost around $23,000.00 for one pet owner and their pet.
What the pet travel trend means for airlines and charter operators
The rise in pets travelling as companions is a significant cultural shift that will affect airline pet travel policy. However, it is more difficult for commercial carriers to accommodate pets travelling in the cabin when carrying more passengers, some of whom may have pet allergies.
Charter services will offer greater flexibility for travellers who want stress-free journeys for themselves and their pets, though that flexibility comes at a price. By adapting to this demand, charter operators stand to benefit most as the pawprint economy expands globally.
Featured Image: New Africa | stock.adobe.com
