Suvechha Sarkar
Traveling with pets has long been a logistical challenge due to restrictive airline policies and the heartbreak of having to place beloved companions in cargo. However, dog lovers who view their furry friends as family no longer wish to accept these restrictions. That is where RetrievAir steps in as more than just a public chartered operator. They have built a traveling experience that is safe and seamless for the furry pups and their parents. Their appearance on season 17 episode 4 of ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’ offered the founders the opportunity to share their vision of making pet-friendly travel accessible.
RetrievAir: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
Before RetrievAir took flight as a charter service for pet lovers, its founder and CEO, Benton Miller, had already been creating a course for himself. His academic journey began in 2010 as he began pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Professional Selling at Baylor University – Hankamer School of Business. Before graduating in 2014, he also studied Economics, Statistics, Political Science, and Dutch Art History at Maastricht University, as well as economics and International Relations at Harvard University in 2011. Benton later completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Indiana University – Kelley School of Business in 2023. He began his professional trajectory in May 2012 as an Administrative Intern at Fidelity Investments and worked there for four months.
From May to August 2013, Benton worked as a Management and Administration Intern at the same organization. One month later, he became a Sales Intern at Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative and served in the position till January 2014. He then moved on and joined 3M as a Frontline Sales Professional in May. Over the next few years, Benton rose through the ranks as Regional Sales Representative, Safety Specialist, US Training Supervisor, and US and Canada Safety Training Manager. Finally, he assumed the role of Regional Sales Manager in July 2021, a position he held until February 2025. While staying in that position, the idea of RetrievAir took shape in Benton’s mind. He and his wife always dreamt of embarking on adventures together with their furry pups, Maple and Willow.
However, Benton and his partner often faced airline restrictions, confusing regulations, and concerns about safety and comfort. Ultimately, it inspired him to reimagine pet travel, leading to the founding of RetrievAir in January 2025. Just one month later, he was joined by Mark Williams as another founder and senior advisor. The latter earned a degree in Business Administration and Management from the Ivey Business School at Western University in April 1983 before completing Chartered Accountancy at the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1987. Mark began his career as an Auditor for KPMG Canada in 1984 and worked there for four years. In May 1988, he became the Vice President and Controller at Canadian Airlines.
Mark moved on in May 2000 and took on the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Aeroxchange in January 2001. After working there until December 2002, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Skyservice Airlines from January 2003 to April 2004. Four months later, Mark became the President of Sunwing Airlines Inc. and held the position until August 2022. He announced his retirement following that, but later became impressed with the idea of RetrievAir. Ultimately, Mark came out of retirement to work on the venture. In March 2025, RetrievAir secured $650,000 in Angel funding, which helped them officially launch their services in May 2025.
RetrievAir provides charter flight bookings for pet parents, primarily dogs, operating out of private terminals. It ensures a calm and comfortable experience for both humans and animals. Their flights depart from small, crowd-free airports, helping customers avoid long lines and stressful check-ins. Each plane is a 30-seater operated by RVR Aviation, a licensed air carrier. They are also staffed with flight attendants specially trained in canine behavior, guaranteeing every pup gets water, treats, and comfort throughout the journey. Their ticket options also vary depending on the space required for a dog. Upon landing, RetrievAir provides the customers with an organized exit, with checked baggage ready and waiting.
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RetrievAir: Where Are They Now?
Following its official launch, RetrievAir quickly soared to success, winning the hearts of pet parents. For ticket bookings, customers can simply visit their website, select their origin, destination, and departure date, and instantly browse available flights for their route. They also offer two fare types, Basic and Flex, to suit different travel needs. With the Basic fare, passengers can modify their flight for a $50 per person fee and cancel to receive a travel voucher for the full amount minus the $50 fee. Those opting for Flex can enjoy free flight changes and fully refundable tickets. Every booking includes at least one pet or infant, and the number of pets should be equal to the number of adults. Dogs up to 40 lbs can sit on their owners’ laps during the flight. However, the pets over 75 lbs are required to have their own seat.
Two pet parents traveling together can bring two dogs, each up to 75 lbs, and the pups can comfortably relax in the legroom area at no extra cost. RetrievAir also provides complimentary treats for pets with a comforting ambiance, while the customers can enjoy free alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Individuals must arrive 45 minutes prior to departure at the private terminal. Each traveler is allowed to bring two checked bags, each weighing up to 50 lbs, and one carry-on backpack or blanket for their pet. The company has also introduced sitting options like the Premium Pup, providing the pets with window seats during taxi, landing, and takeoff. In the Family Plus option, the pups are offered spacious legroom.
RetrievAir’s network connects major cities, including Chicago, Illinois, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Dallas, Texas, Los Angeles, California, and New York. To expand their reach, they have strategically been using social media. In February 2025, they collaborated with the digital creator Melanie Demi and the popular The Dog Friendly page. In that same month, they were featured on the Kinship website. Over the next few months, they did collaborations with several canine influencers, including Cooper the Golden Retriever, Mork Skywalker, Golden Retriever sister duo Winnie and Scarlett and others. The company also gained significant exposure after being featured on CBS Chicago in April. On May 21, 2025, RetrievAir had its first official flight and offered 30% off tickets to honor National Pet Month.
RetrievAir’s commitment to compassion extends beyond travel, as in June, they partnered with the SATO Project, helping 37 rescue dogs journey from Puerto Rico to the mainland to find their forever home. Moreover, they are helping in raising funds for the exact cause. By September, they continued to strengthen their community through a partnership with the influencer Lindsey Shelton. They are looking forward to the launch of RetrievAir Foundation, a charitable initiative dedicated to finding homes for the pets and offering transportation to assist in these missions. In October, they became the proud sponsor of Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF) and their Stroll to the Sea fundraiser. As RetrievAir’s story unfolds, positive testimonials from their travelers continue to pour in, showcasing how they have transformed the flying experience with pets.
