Romeo, Akasa Air's Frequent-Flying Dog, Is Showing Pet Parents That Air Travel Can Be Safe

There was a time, not too long ago, when travelling with your pet felt almost impossible. It meant endless paperwork, tough decisions, and often, the heartbreak of leaving them behind. Today, that story is changing. Across India, more and more pet parents are choosing to fly with their furry companions. And at the centre of this shift is a tiny, well-travelled poodle named Romeo.

Romeo, The Furry Frequent Flyer On Akasa Air

Romeo isn't just any pet, he's a seasoned traveller. This miniature poodle has completed 26 round-trips between Mumbai and Goa. But it didn't start that way. His pet parent, Karan Gupta, remembers the nerves clearly. He reveals, "The first challenge is always anxiety, and if I'm honest, most of it was mine. You worry about how they'll respond to the noise, the confinement, and the entirely unfamiliar environment.”

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It's a feeling most pet parents instantly relate to. But Romeo had other plans. “He took to it far better than I expected. And over time, I've come to understand why: Pets mirror your energy. The calmer you are, the faster they settle,” he adds. That one realisation changed everything. What began as a stressful first step slowly became routine.

Romeo Is A New Kind Of Traveller

Romeo's story isn't rare anymore. Naarayan T V, CMO, Akasa Air, shares, “We have flown over 10,000 pets since launching Pets on Akasa in November 2022. And demand continues to grow rapidly.” But what's even more telling is how people are choosing to travel. He adds, “At Akasa Air, 93% of our pet-travelling customers choose to fly in-cabin. And 26% return to fly with us again. That is the strongest validation of the comfort and trust we have built.”

Think about that: pets sitting right next to their humans, not treated like cargo. They're close enough to feel safe. And once pet parents experience that, it fills them with confidence to come back again and again.

For years, the idea of flying with pets felt overwhelming because the system wasn't built for them. But that's not true anymore. Airlines have started rethinking the entire journey. They're not offering the bare minimum but just allowing pets on the flight. Rather, they're designing the experience around them.

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As Naarayan explains, “Pets on Akasa was never just about adding a service. It was about rethinking the entire journey for pets and pet parents. Every detail is designed to reduce anxiety.” Those "details" significantly impact the overall experience. Pets can pre-book window seats or opt for early boarding. Their policies have evolved based on real feedback:

• Pets up to 10 kg can travel in the cabin
• Health certificates are now valid for 15 days (if issued within 72 hours before travel)
• Up to three pets per flight, with two allowed in-cabin

It's Not Just About Rules, It's About How It Feels

Ask any pet parent, and they'll tell you that the issue is comfort, trust, and reassurance. Karan, who has also flown internationally with Romeo, succinctly summarises: "The key factor is how the airline treats your pet, beyond merely having a policy in place." Because pets understand energy, not policy. When the environment feels calm, your pet relaxes. And when your pet relaxes, you relax. Suddenly, flying doesn't feel like a challenge anymore.

Indian families are changing the way they see their pets. They're including pets in their travel plans and not making arrangements for them. That's why certain travel periods are seeing a big spike. As Naarayan shares, “The festive and holiday season, especially October to December, covering Diwali, Christmas, and New Year, now accounts for nearly 35% of annual pet travel.”

If you've ever thought about flying with your pet but felt unsure, Romeo's journey makes it feel a lot more doable.

Karan shares a few simple, honest tips:

• Get your pet comfortable with their carrier early
• Keep their routine normal before travel
• Avoid overfeeding right before the flight
• Stay calm, your pet will follow your lead
• And most importantly, choose the right airline

So if you're a pet parent wondering, “Can I really do this?” The answer is yes.