Flying Private From Spain to Surrey: How We Celebrated Our Top Travel Agents (With Ralph the Dog Along for the Ride)
There are moments in this business that remind you exactly why you do what you do. Watching a group of hard-working travel agents… the very people who make this industry what it is… step onto a private jet after a trip celebrating everything they've achieved this year, is one of them. Add my dog Ralph trotting up the steps beside us, and honestly, it's the kind of memory that doesn't fade.
I wanted to write this post for two reasons. First, because it was genuinely one of the best experiences of my year and I want to share it properly. And second, because I get asked constantly… can you actually book a private jet for a celebration? Can you fly with a dog on a private jet? What does it actually involve? So consider this your behind-the-scenes look at private jet travel, pet travel, and how to book it all through me.
Why We Chose to Fly Private for This Celebration
This trip was all about recognising the top leaders in my team… the agents who go above and beyond for their clients every single day. When you run a travel business, you talk a lot about "once-in-a-lifetime experiences" for other people. This time, I wanted to give one to the people who make my business what it is.
So instead of a standard commercial flight home from Spain, we booked a private jet charter from Málaga to Surrey… and yes, through my own travel business, which meant I even earned commission back on the very jet we were flying home on. If you've ever wondered whether a travel agent can actually arrange private jet charters for clients (or for their own team celebrations), the answer is a resounding yes.
Flying With a Dog on a Private Jet: What It's Really Like
One of the top questions I get asked is about travelling with a dog on a private jet, so let's start there.
Ralph came with us the entire way, and the process was smoother than I expected. We were collected by a private car company and driven straight to a private terminal just outside Málaga Airport… no queues, no chaos, just a calm, direct route from car to check-in.
For Ralph, pet checks involved:
Presenting his animal health certificate, signed off by a vet
A tapeworm treatment, required before leaving Spain (a quick five-minute appointment, roughly €50)
A separate, low-stress check-in process designed around him rather than around a queue of strangers
If you're planning pet travel on a private jet, this is genuinely one of the biggest perks… no cargo hold, no crate requirements, no anxious wait at a commercial gate. Ralph stayed with us the entire journey, from the lounge to the runway to his seat on board.
Inside the Private Terminal: The Celebration Begins
Once through security (a fraction of the time a commercial terminal takes), we were shown into a private lounge… and this is where the celebration really kicked off. Unlimited coffee, snacks, and champagne set the tone immediately for the team. Everyone could relax, chat, and actually enjoy the start of the journey home instead of rushing through it.
About 30 minutes before departure, the pilot and cabin crew came through to introduce themselves personally, talk us through the aircraft, and explain exactly what the flight would involve. It's a small touch, but it makes an enormous difference… you feel like a guest, not a passenger.
Boarding in Style: Group Photos, Champagne, and Complete Privacy
When it was time to board, we walked out together as a team (Ralph included) for the obligatory group photos in front of the jet… because if you're celebrating your top leaders, you document it properly.
Once on board, the experience was everything a private jet celebrationshould be:
Complete privacy for the whole group, no strangers, no distractions
Generous food platters served throughout the flight
Champagne flowing to toast the team's success
A smooth, relaxed flight from Spain straight back into a private airport in Surrey — no baggage carousel, no arrivals queue, just straight to the car
How You Can Book a Private Jet for Your Own Celebration
This is the part I really want people to take away from this post: private jet charters aren't only for the ultra-wealthy or for A-list celebrities.They're an incredible way to mark a genuine milestone… a work anniversary, a big promotion, a retirement, a team achievement, a birthday, an engagement… with the people who matter most to you.
Through my travel business, I can arrange:
Private jet charters for celebrations, incentive trips, and special occasions
Pet-friendly private jet travel, including help navigating animal health certificates and pre-travel vet requirements
Private terminal transfers, so your journey starts the moment you leave home
Fully tailored experiences, from lounge catering to onboard champagne and photography moments
If you've ever dreamed of celebrating something big… with your team, your family, or even your dog… in true private jet style, get in touch. I'd love to help you plan it.
Have questions about booking a private jet for a celebration, or flying with a pet? Drop me a message… I'm always happy to talk through the details.
