What Is A ‘Flight Nanny’ And Do I Need One?

The day is finally here. You’ve found the puppy of your dreams. You’ve purchased all the toys, the cozy new bed, and lots of treats. One issue: the breeder you’ve been working with is located across the state, or even across the country.

No problem!

There are a few ways to have your puppy transported to you. One of the most reliable, safe, and time-tested methods is to use what’s known as a flight nanny.

A flight nanny is basically a pet chaperone who accompanies and supervises your puppy in an airplane’s main cabin. By hiring a flight nanny, you can ensure your puppy doesn’t travel alone, but instead with a dog expert who’s a veteran at flying with furry friends in tow. 

A flight nanny’s job begins when he or she meets your breeder (and your puppy, of course!) at the airport or other designated meet-up location. (In some instances, the breeder may also be licensed to serve as a flight nanny.) The chaperone will carry your pup in his travel carrier through every step of the preflight process, from check-in to security to boarding. For the duration of the flight, the pet nanny will sit with your puppy in the main cabin, keeping him calm and safe, and ensuring he has adequate food and water to stay comfortable.

If you’re concerned that just anyone can sign up to become a flight nanny and start taking care of puppies immediately, don’t be! “Becoming a flight nanny isn’t ‘something you can just start doing tomorrow,’” Jennifer Kopczynski, a TikTok-famous flight nanny, told Insider. Flight nannies must first acquire a business license and register with the USDA.

Hiring a flight nanny, of course, costs extra. At the very least, you’re on the hook for the flight nanny’s round-trip airfare and onboard pet fee. Most flight nannies also request compensation for their time, especially on longer trips. Kopczynski, for instance, charges a $300 “nanny fee” for a day trip and significantly more if an international flight is involved.

“Puppies are delicate,” said Dr. Judi Stella. “They’re going through what we call their ‘fear period,’ when they’re very sensitive to stressful situations and experiences.” A flight nanny, she noted, is one of the safest, most effective, and most humane buffers between your puppy and the outside world, which they’re likely experiencing for the first time.

The airport, with all its sights, sounds and stimuli, can be overwhelming to puppies, as can the flight itself, so be sure to discuss a stress care plan ahead of time with your breeder and veterinarian. Items like a blanket that smells like a puppy’s mom and littermates, or the same crate the breeder kept your pup in, can be immensely soothing.  

Once the plane has landed at its final destination, the flight nanny will stay by your pup’s side until the long-awaited meeting with you in the airport’s arrivals area. And throughout your puppy’s journey to you, the flight nanny will have kept you constantly updated with texts and pictures (assuming the in-flight wifi works of course!) until that long-awaited moment.