Woman flies her dogs to New York on £8k private jet as it was cheaper than putting them in cargo

A couple flew themselves and their two dogs to New York on a private jet because it worked out cheaper than putting them into the cargo hold of a commercial aeroplane.

31-year-old Maddie Young and her husband, 32-year-old Stephen Whitworth, were due to leave for the Big Apple because of his work, but wanted to bring their beloved pets with them.

So, they started to research ways that their 12-year-old pug Violet and one-year-old golden retriever Oliver could come to Brooklyn with them to start a new life.

However, they were immediately struck by the cost of getting the two dogs across the Atlantic Ocean.

A cruise liner had a two year wait, whereas a flight in the cargo hold was seriously expensive.

In fact, she claims she was quoted £12,000 - £6,000 per dog – for the journey.

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Then, she came across a Facebook group advertising another way.

Basically, a company was willing to load up a private jet with dogs and get them across the 3,470 miles to New York for £4,000 cheaper than she’d been quoted.

£10,000 was the starting price, but £2,000 was then refunded because the plane was full, splitting the costs right down.

What’s more, they had a great experience.

Maddie, originally from London, said: “The quotes were crazily expensive.

“We were limited as airlines don’t like to fly flat face breeds as they can be more prone to breathing issues – although this is not the case with Violet.

“I Googled lots of stuff and found old news articles of people looking at different ways to travel and found a UK to US Facebook group from there.

“It was full of people organising flights and splitting the costs.

“We paid £10k including seats for us. But it was £8k in the end as we were refunded for filling the plane.

“It was the cheaper option. It was a no brainer.”

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So, they turned up just half-an-hour before the flight, before the dogs were even given personalised toys and a bag of dog cookies.

Maddie continued: “I was nervous beforehand.

“I’d never flown private before.

“The experience was so smooth. There were eight dogs and 10 humans.

“All of the dogs were given personalised toys and a bag of dog cookies which was quite sweet.

“All the dogs were super well-behaved.

“They mostly slept, chilled and chewed bones.”

The plane stopped in Canada to refuel, allowing the dogs to relieve themselves, whilst the passengers did ‘anything to keep them calm’ on board.

Now, the whole family is in New York settling in to their new life.

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Maddie added: “It was a great experience - once-in-a-lifetime.

“If we go back, we will do it again.

“There’s no shame for people who put them in cargo. That’s fine if it works for you.

“But with a nervous young dog, an old one and it being cheaper it was a no brainer.

“They are both acclimatising well.”