Bengaluru emerged as the leading pet travel hub, contributing 31% of all pets flown
India has witnessed a significant surge in pet ownership in recent times. As more people welcome pets into their homes, the demand for pet-friendly services – including travel options – has grown steadily, with many pet parents now choosing to fly with their furry companions. Recognizing this need, Akasa Air introduced the Pets on Akasa service in November 2022, aiming to provide inclusive, safe, comfortable, and seamless travel experiences for pets and their parents.
Since its inception, the service has achieved remarkable milestones:
- Over 6200 pets flown: Akasa Air has successfully flown more than 6200 pets since the launch of the service, reflecting the growing preference for pet-inclusive travel among Indian flyers.
- Enhanced services: In May 2024, Akasa Air increased the in-cabin pet weight limit to 10 kg (including the container) and extended the validity of pet travel certificates from 3 to 15 days, offering greater flexibility for travelers.
- Of the over 6200 furry travelers, 66% were dogs and 34% were cats, showcasing the growing trend of customers choosing to travel with their pets. Bengaluru emerged as the leading pet travel hub, contributing 31% of all pets flown, followed by Delhi and Mumbai. The most popular routes for pet travel were Bengaluru-Delhi, Delhi-Bengaluru, and Mumbai-Delhi, reflecting strong demand on these key sectors.
Customers travelling with their pets on Akasa Air enjoy a range of complimentary value-added services, including a pre-booked window seat, Akasa Priority, which includes priority check-in, boarding and baggage services, ensuring an elevated flying experience. Akasa Air has undertaken extensive research and provided specialised training for its customer care centre, airport staff, and in-flight teams, highlighting its commitment to delivering the highest standards of care, safety, and comfort throughout the journey.
Moreover, Akasa Air has also partnered with Umeed for Animals Foundation, which is a Gurgaon-based non-profit animal rehabilitation dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating animals. The airline works with the NGO to implement best practices across processes and policies to continuously enhance pet comfort and safety.
Akasa Air’s Pets on Akasa service has received an overwhelmingly positive response from pet parents, solidifying its reputation as a trusted choice for safe and comfortable pet travel. This success stems from the airline’s customer-focused approach and adaptability to evolving passenger needs. Akasa Air continues to prioritize feedback from its customers, which has played an integral role in shaping its services.
As pet tourism continues to flourish in India, Akasa Air remains at the forefront, ensuring that pets and their parents experience seamless and enjoyable journeys together.
Akasa Air’s empathetic and youthful personality, employee-friendly culture, customer-service philosophy, and tech-led approach have made it the airline of choice for millions of customers. Since its inception, Akasa Air has redefined flying in India with its multiple industry-first and customer-friendly offerings. Its brand-new fleet provides ample legroom and enhanced comfort and comes with USB ports in a majority of aircraft, allowing passengers to charge their gadgets and devices on the go.
Café Akasa, the airline’s onboard meal service, offers an assortment of healthy and delectable meals, including festive menus and industry-first options such as Kombucha, to offer customers an indulgent gourmet experience in the skies. Pets on Akasa allows customers to travel with their pets in the cabin or to carry them in cargo, based on their weight.
Akasa Air offers over 25+ ancillary products to deliver on its promise of exceptional customer service, such as Akasa GetEarly, Seat & Meal Deal, Extra Seat and Akasa Holidays, which offer personalization that is second to none. Consistently enhancing the cabin experience for its customers, Akasa has launched several industry-firsts such as SkyScore by Akasa, SkyLights and QuietFlights. Akasa Air has introduced its safety instruction card and onboard menu card in Braille for people with visual impairment.
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