Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Private charter flight broker Vicuna Air has launched a service allowing pets to travel without their owners. The Biscuit Class offering announced on Thursday offers trips in a Gulfstream V with a Vicuna Air concierge flying with the pet in the cabin.
According to the UK-based group, the service is a significant change in options for transporting pets. “No traumatizing cages in the hold. No separation anxiety, or agonizing uncertainty,” the company said. “Instead, Biscuit Class offers a gentler alternative, one built around comfort, care, visibility, and peace of mind for pets and the people who love them.”
Vicuna Air, which mainly uses an aircraft operated by U.S.-based Talon Air, currently books flights between London, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Paris, and Dubai. It plans to offer routes to Milan, Frankfurt, and Toronto. It said its flights are comparable cost-wise to standard charters plus a supplementary charge for Biscuit Class that varies according to the route and the size of the pet. For a trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the surcharge starts at $850, while London to New York starts at $3,500.
According to the company, what it refers to as the ‘Pawprint Economy’ is set to be worth $500 billion by 2030. It said that 99% of owners consider their pet to be an immediate family member.
“For too long, pet owners have been asked to accept the unthinkable: a beloved pet locked away in a cage, frightened and alone in the cargo [hold], while you are locked in your own nightmare of panic and uncertainty,” said Vicuna Air founder and CEO Jamie Everett.
As an add-on option, clients can choose Biscuit Class Plus, which includes ground transportation and management of the required documents. The service is mainly intended for dogs, but can cover cats and some other animals.

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