Private jet operator HansJet has taken pet care to a whole new level by training each one of its Pilatus PC-12 pilots to double as vets when flying with customers’ furry friends.
The European private jet specialist confirmed that all its pilots had completed comprehensive pet aviation safety training and certification through ‘Pets On Jets’, a veterinary training program designed specifically with aviation professionals in mind.
Under the program, the HansJet pilots have been trained across seven core disciplines, including basic competence in animal handling across species and creation of stress-free environments tailored to the needs of individual pets.
They were also taught how to read an animal’s body language, along with restraint techniques and vital parameter monitoring such as heart rate and respiratory assessment.
Additionally, the pilots were trained to carry out first aid including CPR, animal handling in emergency situations, and the administering of medication.
According to HansJet, with its pilots holding veterinary-grade pet safety certification, the operator is “raising the bar for animal welfare standards in European private aviation”.
The certification program has been spearheaded by Dr. Sebastian Gehrig, a veterinarian and EASA/FAA airline transport pilot.
HansJet figures suggest that 37% of families are now travelling with pets, up 19% over the past decade, while 38% of private jet travelers plan to fly with their pets within the next year.
Eric Weisskopf, Managing Director at HansJet, has argued that pet travel is no longer a “novelty service,” and indeed has become “fundamental to how families fly”.
“When a member’s French Bulldog boards one of our aircraft, our pilots can recognize signs of respiratory distress.“When an anxious rescue dog takes its first flight, our crew know how to create a calm environment. That’s the difference between welcoming pets on board and genuinely caring for them,” said Weisskopf on February 24, 2026.
Based in Malta, HansJet welcomes dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and reptiles on flights beside their owners with no size or weight restrictions. Each flight includes comfy beds, blankets, gourmet treats tailored to dietary needs and safety harnesses for take-off and landing.
Weisskopf added: “Our members’ travel decisions increasingly revolve around their companions, and they deserve to know that their crew aren’t simply pet-friendly – they’re pet-qualified. This certification reflects our commitment to treating every passenger, two-legged or four, with the same standard of care.”