Our First Melbourne–Auckland–Los Angeles Pet Charter

In September 2026, SKYE PETS reached a milestone we had been working towards for months: our first shared in-cabin pet charter connecting Melbourne, Auckland and Los Angeles.

The aircraft travelled from Melbourne to Auckland and onward to Los Angeles before making the journey back through Auckland to Melbourne. This gave pet owners travelling between the West Coast of the United States, New Zealand and Australia an option where their dogs and cats could travel with them in the passenger cabin, rather than being separated from them in the cargo hold.

For our team, this first SKYE PETS trans-Pacific charter brought together the aircraft planning, veterinary preparation and cross-border coordination needed for a route spanning three destinations.

For the families onboard, however, the flight was about something much simpler: staying together.

One shared journey across the Pacific

International pet travel is rarely straightforward. A journey linking the United States, New Zealand and Australia brings together different aviation, veterinary, biosecurity, import, export and arrival requirements—each with its own documents, deadlines and approved processes.

That is precisely the type of journey SKYE PETS was created to manage.

Our shared charter model allows individual pet owners to reserve places on the same private aircraft, sharing the cost while travelling alongside other people who understand exactly how significant the journey is. Pets remain in the passenger cabin with their owners throughout the flight, in accordance with the aircraft’s safety procedures and the requirements applying to each sector.

The Melbourne–Auckland–Los Angeles routing also meant the flight could serve families travelling between Australia and the United States as well as those joining or leaving the aircraft in New Zealand.

A calmer way to depart from Los Angeles

For our Los Angeles departure, SKYE PETS passengers used PS at LAX, a private terminal experience away from the main commercial terminal.

The private suites gave passengers and their pets a quieter, more comfortable place to wait before departure, with greater privacy and fewer of the crowds, queues and distractions normally associated with a large international airport.

This was especially valuable for pets preparing for a long-haul journey. A calmer environment, less foot traffic and more personal space can make the hours before boarding feel far more manageable for both pets and their owners.

From the private terminal experience to boarding the shared aircraft, every element was designed to reduce unnecessary handling and keep pets close to the people they trust.

Complex documentation, coordinated from beginning to end

Operating a pet-friendly charter is about far more than arranging an aircraft.

Every pet has its own preparation pathway based on species, age, breed, country of origin, recent travel history and final destination. Veterinary work and official documents must be completed in the correct sequence and within precise time windows. Australia and New Zealand also apply some of the world’s strictest biosecurity controls to the importation of dogs and cats.

For this inaugural route, SKYE PETS coordinated the applicable import and export requirements with the support of our trusted U.S. pet travel partner, Across the Pond Pets.

Together, our teams helped coordinate the route-specific veterinary preparation, travel arrangements, export health documentation, government endorsements, arrival arrangements and communication needed to move each pet through the journey correctly.

This collaboration was particularly important because a shared charter is not simply a collection of identical bookings. One family may be travelling from Melbourne to Los Angeles, another from Auckland to Los Angeles, and others from Los Angeles to Auckland or Melbourne. Each pet’s file has to be managed individually while still fitting within the operational plan for the aircraft as a whole.

That end-to-end oversight is a central part of the SKYE PETS service. Our role begins long before departure and continues through arrival, inspection and quarantine coordination where required.

Pets travelled in the cabin, beside their people

For many owners, the most important part of this route was knowing that their pet would not be travelling alone in the cargo hold.

On a SKYE PETS shared charter, dogs and cats travel in the passenger cabin alongside their owners. Cabin arrangements are planned in advance around each pet’s size, crate requirements and the safety needs of the aircraft. Pets are secured for take-off, landing and whenever required by the crew, with their owners and the SKYE PETS team nearby throughout the journey.

This option can be especially meaningful for families travelling with large dogs, senior or anxious pets, and brachycephalic breeds that may face restrictions on commercial cargo services.

Just as importantly, everyone onboard understands why the flight exists. It creates a supportive atmosphere made up of people who have all chosen to plan an international move around the wellbeing of their pets.

What happened after landing?

Arrival procedures depended on each pet’s destination and approved import pathway.

Pets entering Australia from the United States generally need to meet Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry requirements and complete post-entry quarantine at the Mickleham facility, subject to their individual eligibility. Pets entering New Zealand from the United States must follow Ministry for Primary Industries requirements, which may also include an approved quarantine stay.

These formalities are not removed by travelling on a private charter. The difference is that SKYE PETS helps plan and coordinate the process before the aircraft departs, so owners know what to expect at every stage.

Because government rules can change and each pet’s circumstances are different, owners should never rely on a general article as their preparation checklist. Every confirmed SKYE PETS passenger receives guidance tailored to their pet and route.

More than an inaugural flight

This flight was an important first for SKYE PETS, but its real value lies in what comes next.

Demand is what makes a shared charter route possible. Unlike booking an individual private jet, families reserve places on one planned flight and share the overall cost. The more genuine interest we receive for Los Angeles, Melbourne and Auckland, the stronger the opportunity to operate the route again.

We are now inviting pet owners considering travel between the United States, Australia and New Zealand to register their interest for future departures. This includes families who are still early in their planning. On complex routes, early preparation matters, and knowing where demand exists helps us choose the dates and directions that will serve the greatest number of people.

See the route pages for confirmed departure information and booking updates. Register your preferred direction and travel period so we know which future journeys families need.

Help us grow the Los Angeles route

If you are planning to move with your dog or cat between Los Angeles, Melbourne or Auckland, we would love to hear from you.

Register your interest in the Los Angeles route, including your preferred direction, expected travel period, pet’s breed and approximate weight. You can also share this article with another pet owner who may need an in-cabin alternative for a future move.

Every registration helps us understand demand and brings the next shared trans-Pacific pet charter one step closer.

Register your interest in a future Los Angeles pet flight

See how SKYE PETS shared in-cabin charters work

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Frequently asked questions

Can my dog fly in the cabin from Los Angeles to Australia?

Dogs can travel in the passenger cabin on a specially operated SKYE PETS shared charter, subject to eligibility, aircraft safety procedures and all Australian import conditions. This is different from a standard commercial airline booking.

How can I fly my pet from the USA to Australia?

SKYE PETS operates shared private charter flights on which eligible dogs and cats can travel in the passenger cabin with their owners. Pets entering Australia must still complete the required veterinary preparation, obtain the applicable import approval and meet Australian biosecurity and quarantine conditions. SKYE PETS helps coordinate the journey from the United States through to arrival in Australia.

Can I fly my pet from Los Angeles to Auckland?

The inaugural SKYE PETS trans-Pacific route connected Los Angeles and Auckland. Eligible pets travelled in the cabin alongside their owners, while the required U.S. export and New Zealand import arrangements were coordinated in advance. Future departures will depend on demand and operational approvals.

Can I fly with my dog from Australia or New Zealand to the USA?

Yes, eligible passengers and pets can travel on the relevant SKYE PETS shared charter sector from Melbourne or Auckland to Los Angeles. Every pet must meet the export requirements applying at departure and the U.S. entry requirements based on its species, age and travel history.

Does the Los Angeles route also serve New Zealand?

Our inaugural routing connected Melbourne, Auckland and Los Angeles, allowing eligible passengers and pets to travel on the relevant sectors. Future routings will depend on confirmed demand and operational approvals.

Does travelling by private charter remove quarantine requirements?

No. Private charter travel does not remove government biosecurity, health certification, inspection or quarantine requirements. The rules depend on the pet’s origin, travel history and destination.

Can brachycephalic dogs travel on a SKYE PETS flight?

SKYE PETS accepts brachycephalic breeds subject to an individual suitability review and any veterinary or operational requirements. This can provide an option for breeds that are often restricted from commercial cargo travel.

How early should I start preparing my pet?

As early as possible. Travel to Australia or New Zealand can require months of preparation, and steps must be completed in the correct order. Contact SKYE PETS before committing to a travel date so your pet’s individual pathway can be assessed.

What support does SKYE PETS provide?

Our service can include a personalised preparation plan and coordination of relevant travel arrangements, veterinary steps, official documents, departure arrangements, arrival inspections and quarantine bookings, depending on the route and package selected.

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