Traveling with dogs can turn a simple trip into a logistical nightmare. There are carriers to wrestle, bathroom breaks to time, and the constant worry that your pup will bark through the entire flight or, worse, have an accident at the gate. For anyone who loves their pets like family, the experience is often stressful enough to make you leave them behind. But on a recent getaway from Burbank to Reno with JSX, none of that happened. JSX, a public charter air carrier, has partnered with Petco to make traveling with pets more seamless, and to celebrate National Dog Month in August, we decided to put the experience to a real-life test with our two dogs: Bentley, an English bulldog with a perpetually puzzled expression and a heart of gold, and Story, a Bernedoodle whose tail never stopped wagging. We had been skeptical that any airline could make flying with dogs genuinely easy, but from the moment we arrived, the experience felt different. We pulled up to JSX’s dedicated Burbank terminal about twenty minutes before departure, which is practically unheard of for conventional air travel. Instead of navigating a sprawling airport with crowded security lines and endless corridors, we walked into a compact, welcoming space where check-in was completed in minutes. The ground crew seemed genuinely excited to see the dogs, and Bentley, in particular, received VIP treatment when they wheeled him out to the plane in a wagon. It was equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. Story trotted along beside him, looking like a fuzzy companion in a royal procession. Bentley sat in the wagon like a tiny king, his jowls flapping in the breeze, while Story paused to sniff every new scent along the ramp. The dogs seemed to sense that they were welcome. There was none of the usual tension, no one rushing them, no harsh commands from frazzled staff. Instead, every person we met treated them like VIPs, and that set the tone for the whole trip.
Once inside the terminal, the simplicity of JSX became even more apparent. There were no long snaking queues, no confusing gate changes, no frantic announcements. We checked in, walked through the small waiting area, and were soon heading out to the plane. Several other dogs were onboard that day, which made the cabin feel more like a friendly gathering than a commercial flight. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable, and the airline’s staff treated every furry passenger with the same warmth they offered the humans. Unlike the cramped, pressurized experience of a typical commercial jet, the cabin felt open and unhurried. A flight attendant brought over a small bowl of water for the dogs, and neither Bentley nor Story hesitated to take a drink. It was the kind of thoughtful gesture that you don’t realize matters until you’re the one traveling with a nervous dog. Bentley and Story quickly found their spots and settled in, as though flying was something they had done a hundred times before. Once in the air, drinks and a selection of snacks were included, and we toasted to a stress-free departure while our dogs dozed at our feet. The JSX and Petco partnership was visible in small details, including Petco-branded planes and pet-focused touches designed to make the entire experience feel welcoming. It wasn’t just about allowing pets onboard; it was about making sure they were comfortable, too. The flight was short, but it was long enough to appreciate how different this kind of travel could be. There were no irritated passengers, no rolled eyes when the dogs shifted or sighed. Instead, the other travelers seemed delighted by the presence of Bentley and Story, and more than one person asked to pet them during the flight. By the time the plane began its descent into Reno, we were almost disappointed that the journey was ending. It had been that pleasant.
The convenience continued after landing. Instead of waiting on the tarmac for a gate and then trudging through a busy terminal, we walked off the plane down a ramp that made it easy for the dogs to get their paws on solid ground. Bentley and Story descended with surprising confidence, their noses working overtime to take in the new scenery. Outside the JSX hangar, our rental car from Go Rentals, an official JSX partner, was already waiting. There was no shuttle to a rental car center, no additional line, no paperwork drama in front of a tired desk agent. Our keys were ready, the car was there, and within minutes we were driving toward downtown Reno with the windows down and the dogs happily sniffing the air. It felt less like navigating an airport and more like being picked up by a friend. The partnership between JSX and Petco extends beyond the plane, and it was clear that the entire travel ecosystem had been designed with pets in mind. Petco-branded planes are part of the partnership, but so are all the small moments that make pet travel easier: the calm check-in, the ground crew’s willingness to wheel a bulldog around in a wagon, the absence of anxiety that usually accompanies every leg of a trip. We kept waiting for the catch, for the moment when travel would suddenly become complicated, but it never came. Instead, we found ourselves cruising along the highway with two happy dogs in the back seat, already looking forward to our stay. The Reno skyline appeared in the distance, and for once, the journey itself felt like part of the vacation rather than something to be endured.
Our home base for the next two days was the Best Bet Motor Lodge, a renovated retro motel that turned nostalgia into comfort. The room was exactly the kind of stylish, unpretentious place we had hoped for, but the best part came as soon as we walked inside: dog beds, bowls, and treats were already waiting for Bentley and Story. There were Petco toys and treats too, arranged like a welcome package for our furry companions. Bentley immediately claimed the dog bed with a dramatic flop, while Story inspected every corner of the room before settling in. The motel had clearly thought through what pet owners need, and it showed in every detail, from the easy-access ground floor room to the unpretentious outdoor space where the dogs could stretch their legs. There was even a water station near the door, so we never had to worry about thirsty pups after a long walk. We spent the next two days exploring dog-friendly Reno and Tahoe, and it was wonderful to see how welcoming the area was to pets. Patios, trails, and even some shops seemed happy to accommodate the dogs. Bentley took on the role of senior inspector, waddling slowly through parks and sniffing at everything within reach, while Story bounded ahead, herding the breeze. Before our flight home, we stopped at Reno’s Biggest Little Dog Park, where Story burned off some of her seemingly endless energy. She raced around with other dogs, her fluffy coat catching the sunlight, while Bentley found a patch of shade and watched with the calm wisdom of an old soul. It was the perfect pre-flight activity. By the time we packed up, both dogs were tired, content, and ready for a nap, which made the journey back to the airport much easier. Even the car ride was quiet, filled only with the soft sounds of dogs dreaming.
Back at JSX, the return trip proved just as smooth as the arrival. The dogs were greeted like old friends, and the check-in process again took only minutes. As a final treat, they finished the trip with their own version of “wings”: WholeHearted dog cookies from Petco, decorated with the Petco logo and a pair of little doggy wings. We couldn’t help but laugh as Bentley carefully inspected his cookie before inhaling it in two bites. Story, ever the lady, nibbled hers with more restraint, although her tail told us exactly how excited she was. The gesture was playful, memorable, and completely in keeping with the spirit of the whole journey. After two days traveling with Bentley and Story, the biggest takeaway was convenience. This was far easier than the traditional airport experience, and that is no small thing. Traveling with pets usually means sacrificing your own comfort to make sure they are okay, but JSX made the entire process feel effortless. There was no early wake-up call to beat a security line, no wrestling with an under-the-seat carrier, no panicked trip to the pet relief area before boarding. Instead, there were smiles, treats, and a sense that the airline actually wanted our dogs there. We reflected on the trip as the plane climbed into the sky, and both Bentley and Story were asleep within minutes, exhausted by their adventures but completely at ease. It was hard to imagine going back to ordinary air travel after experiencing this. The memory of Bentley riding in that little wagon and Story trotting beside him would stay with us long after we landed back home.
The partnership between JSX and Petco is still growing, but if this trip was any indication, it represents a meaningful shift in how airlines can treat animals and the people who love them. National Dog Month was the perfect excuse to test the experience, but the lessons learned will last far beyond August. Traveling with pets doesn’t have to be a chore, and it certainly doesn’t have to mean leaving your best friend behind. The Petco-branded planes and pet-focused touches are more than marketing; they are an acknowledgment that our dogs are family. Bentley and Story were not just tolerated; they were celebrated. That is a rare thing in the world of commercial aviation. For anyone who has ever hesitated to plan a trip because they couldn’t bear to leave their dog at a kennel, JSX and Petco are proof that a better way exists. The convenience of flying from a small terminal, arriving at a similarly small airport, and stepping directly into a waiting rental car transforms the entire experience. It gives you back time, energy, and most importantly, peace of mind. We came home from our Reno and Tahoe getaway with stories, photos, and two very happy dogs. We also came home with hope that more airlines will follow this example. Until then, we’ll be planning our next JSX adventure, and we know Bentley and Story will be ready. After all, they have already earned their wings.
