Akasa Air Sparks A New Travel Trend As Bengaluru Emerges As The Top Pet Travel Hub Across Its Growing Domestic Network

Akasa Air reports a surge in pet travel, led by the city of Bengaluru. Akasa Air confirms that Bengaluru is now their biggest domestic hub for pet travel. Travelling with pets is on the rise and Akasa Air has confirmed that Bengaluru accounts for over 30% of their total pet flights, and is their busiest hub for passengers travelling with pets.

Since the launch of the airline’s pet travel service, more than 3,700 pet journeys have started from Bengaluru. The city has also witnessed a major increase in demand, with pet-related travel growing by 53 per cent between financial year 2024 and financial year 2026. The number of pet journeys from Bengaluru increased from 856 in FY24 to 1,310 in FY26.

The growth reflects a wider change in travel behaviour, as more families consider pets an important part of their journeys. Pet owners are increasingly looking for convenient and safe travel options that allow them to stay connected with their companions during domestic trips.

Bengaluru Connects With More Cities As Pet Travel Network Expands

Bengaluru’s role in Akasa Air’s pet travel network has expanded beyond traditional business routes, with customers now travelling with their pets to a wider range of destinations across India.

When the service was first introduced, Bengaluru-based travellers could access a limited number of destinations. Today, pet journeys from the city connect with 16 destinations, showing how demand has expanded across leisure, family and regional travel markets.

Major routes including Bengaluru-Delhi, Bengaluru-Kolkata and Bengaluru-Guwahati have remained among the most popular sectors for pet travel. Together, these routes represent more than 55 per cent of pet journeys originating from Bengaluru over the past three financial years.

Other destinations gaining popularity among pet travellers include Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Pune, Lucknow, Kochi, Varanasi, Darbhanga and Calicut. The wider connectivity gives pet owners more flexibility when planning personal visits, relocations or holidays within India.

The expansion also shows how airlines are adapting to changing customer expectations, where travel experiences increasingly include the needs of entire households, including pets.

Akasa Air Records Over 13,500 Pet Journeys Across Domestic Network

Since introducing its pet travel programme, Akasa Air has transported more than 13,500 pets across its domestic network. The airline launched the service to provide customers with an option to travel with cats and dogs while maintaining safety and comfort standards.

The service, known as Pets on Akasa, began operations on November 1, 2022. It allows eligible pets to travel either inside the aircraft cabin or in the cargo compartment, depending on their overall weight and travel requirements.

The airline has continued to update the programme based on customer experiences and operational requirements. Several improvements have been introduced to make pet travel smoother and more accessible.

These changes include allowing up to three pets on a single flight, increasing the maximum in-cabin weight limit to 10 kilograms including the carrier, simplifying reservation procedures and introducing greater flexibility around health certification requirements.

These measures are designed to reduce challenges faced by pet owners while preparing for air travel. The adjustments also reflect the growing importance of specialised travel services for customers who want reliable options for their pets.

Pet-Friendly Services Added To Improve Traveller Experience

To improve convenience for passengers travelling with animals, Akasa Air provides several additional services as part of its pet travel offering.

Customers travelling with pets can receive complimentary benefits such as pre-booked window seating, priority check-in and priority boarding. These services aim to create a smoother airport experience by reducing waiting time and making the journey more comfortable for both passengers and pets.

The airline has also focused on staff preparation to support pet journeys. Teams across customer service, airport operations and onboard services have received specialised training to handle the requirements associated with travelling animals.

Pet travel requires careful coordination between passengers, airport teams and airline staff. From check-in procedures to boarding arrangements, trained personnel help ensure that pets are handled according to safety guidelines throughout the journey.

The airline has also worked with an animal welfare organisation to strengthen its approach towards pet safety and comfort. The collaboration supports the development of practices focused on responsible animal transportation and better travel conditions.

Changing Travel Habits Drive Growth Of Pet-Friendly Aviation In India

The rapid increase in pet journeys from Bengaluru reflects broader changes in India’s travel landscape. As pet ownership rises and more people treat animals as family members, demand for pet-inclusive travel options is increasing.

Earlier, pet travel was often associated with relocation or essential movement. However, the trend is now expanding into leisure trips, family visits and regional travel. More travellers are exploring destinations where they can continue their journeys without leaving their pets behind.

Bengaluru’s position as a technology and business centre, combined with strong domestic connectivity, has helped the city become a major origin point for pet-friendly journeys. The city’s growing network of pet travellers demonstrates how urban customers are seeking more personalised travel solutions.

The expansion of pet travel services also represents a new segment within India’s aviation industry. Airlines are increasingly responding to changing passenger expectations by creating services that go beyond traditional transportation.

As demand continues to rise, pet-friendly flying is expected to become a more recognised part of domestic air travel. Bengaluru’s growth as Akasa Air’s largest pet travel hub shows how evolving customer preferences are reshaping the future of travel experiences across India.