Royal Flight

How Royal Flight handles pets

Royal Flight (RL) mainly operates charter flights for tour operators, so its live‑animal rules differ from big scheduled carriers. As of the latest available guidance, RL generally does not accept pets in the passenger cabin or as checked baggage on standard charter services. The notable exception is a properly trained assistance dog traveling with its handler, which the airline may approve to ride in the cabin. Because charters are bespoke, a tour organizer can sometimes negotiate a special solution (or route animals as cargo through a partner), but this is rare and always subject to aircraft, route, and local authority constraints. Plan on “no pets carried” unless you have explicit written approval from both Royal Flight and your tour operator.

In the cabin vs. in the hold

Cabin carriage for companion animals is generally unavailable with RL, so you should not expect to bring a pet under the seat as you might on a scheduled airline. If you travel with an assistance dog, request clearance as early as possible—ideally at least 48–72 hours before departure—and be ready to provide training/registration evidence, vaccination papers, and your seating needs. The dog must remain under control throughout the flight—on a short leash or harness, without occupying a seat or blocking aisles or exits. A muzzle may be required by airport or destination regulations, and the crew can relocate you if safety demands. For the comfort of everyone on board, bring an absorbent mat and be prepared to manage the animal’s needs discreetly; note that emotional‑support animals are treated as pets and are not accepted.

Checked‑baggage carriage of live animals is typically not offered on RL charter flights, which means standard pet kennels are not accepted at check‑in. Where a rare exception is granted or the charter is specifically configured, acceptance will depend on aircraft type, hold temperature control, and the size of the cargo door. In such cases animals may need to move as air cargo through a logistics partner rather than as passenger baggage, following IATA Live Animals Regulations. Heat and cold embargos, long ground times, and stopovers can all trigger refusals even after a provisional approval. For your planning sanity, treat any hold transport as a special project that must be confirmed in writing for each flight segment.

Carriers, dimensions, and weight limits

Because RL does not publish standard pet allowances, there are no official cabin carrier dimensions or weight caps for pets on its charters. Assistance dogs travel without a carrier and must fit at your feet without encroaching on aisle space. If an exception for animal transport is approved, the crate must be IATA‑compliant: rigid plastic or metal, escape‑proof, well‑ventilated on at least three sides, with secure fasteners, absorbent bedding, and non‑spill water containers. The animal must be able to stand without touching the roof, turn around, and lie down comfortably; wheels should be removed or locked. For early sizing discussions with your operator, you can use industry rules of thumb—cabin carriers around 55 × 40 × 20 cm and up to 8 kg total, and checked‑pet pieces often capped at 32–45 kg and 203 cm in total dimensions—but treat these as guidance only, not Royal Flight policy.

Documents, vaccinations, and border control

Regardless of airline policy, border rules apply to every animal that crosses a frontier. Expect to need an ISO‑compatible microchip, a current rabies vaccination (with the first shot given at least 21 days before travel), and an official veterinary health certificate issued shortly before departure. Some destinations require a rabies antibody titer test and a waiting period, while others demand import permits or parasite treatments within specific windows. Bring the original pet passport or vaccination booklet and keep digital copies handy; translations may be needed for some authorities. If you are traveling from or to Russia, confirm timing and formats with the competent veterinary authority and the destination consulate, as documentation rules change periodically.

For assistance dogs, carry evidence of training or registration recognized by the destination, along with the same veterinary papers any pet would need. Airlines and airports may ask for behavior assurances, harness fit, and proof the dog can remain at your feet for the duration of the flight. It helps to have a short note from your doctor stating the need for an assistance animal, though medical details should remain private. Submit scans of all documents when you request approval so ground services can pre‑validate them. No approval means no boarding, even if you have all the paperwork in hand.

Fees, restrictions, and route nuances

Because routine pet carriage is not offered, Royal Flight does not publish a standard pet fee; assistance dogs are typically transported free of charge, but you should confirm this with your booking party. If a special carriage is arranged, costs are set case‑by‑case and may be collected by the tour operator or ground handler per flight segment. Species restrictions are strict: reptiles, rodents, exotic or wild animals, and animals in late pregnancy are commonly refused, and many airlines will not accept brachycephalic (snub‑nosed) breeds in warm seasons due to respiratory risk. Some countries impose seasonal embargoes or quarantine, and several destinations on RL’s routes simply do not allow non‑service animals to arrive in the cabin or as baggage. Factor in possible customs inspections on arrival, which can add time and fees even when the airline has approved carriage.

Smart preparation before you fly

Start by deciding whether this trip is truly suitable for your animal; for most RL charter journeys, arranging a trusted sitter is the most humane and predictable option. If you do need to travel together, initiate approval requests as soon as your itinerary is known, ideally several weeks in advance. Ask your veterinarian about fitness to fly, heat stress, and feeding schedules, and avoid sedatives unless your vet explicitly endorses them for air travel. Train your assistance dog or pet to settle at your feet or in a crate for several hours, and rehearse airport security procedures so the day itself feels familiar. Arrive early at the airport with printed approvals, because last‑minute surprises are hardest to resolve once check‑in closes.

Pack a small kit so you can care for the animal discreetly and cleanly throughout the journey:

• Spare leash/harness and, where required, a soft muzzle
• Absorbent pads and waste bags
• Collapsible bowl and measured food or treats
• ID tags and a label on the harness/crate with your contacts
• Paper and digital copies of all veterinary documents and the microchip number

Royal Flight’s default is no pets, with rare exceptions and cabin access for approved assistance dogs. Build extra time for permissions and paperwork, and when in doubt, ask your tour operator and Royal Flight’s ground handling team to confirm every detail in writing.

Age categories on Royal Flight (RL)

Royal Flight (IATA: RL) generally mirrors international norms for age groups, which helps you plan fares and seats confidently. An infant is typically a child under 2 years old on the date of each flight segment, while a child is usually 2–11 years inclusive. From 12 years and up, passengers are treated as adults for booking and fare purposes. Age is checked against the day you fly, not the day you booked, so if a child turns 2 between your outbound and return, the rules may differ per leg. It’s wise to carry documentation (passport or birth certificate) to verify age if asked.

Seats and tickets for infants

You can travel with an infant on your lap, and a small infant fee or taxes may apply; charter arrangements sometimes set this at a low fixed amount, though it varies by route and tour operator. Lap infants do not occupy a separate seat, and there is a limit of one lap infant per accompanying adult. If you’re traveling with twins or two babies, the second infant will need a booked seat. Buying a seat for your under‑2 gives you more space and allows use of an approved car seat, which many parents find safer and more comfortable on long sectors. Remember that infants and children cannot be seated in exit rows, and some seat locations (like bulkheads) are controlled if a bassinet is requested.

Booking rules on charter flights can be set by the package provider, so always check your voucher and e‑ticket. If you want a specific seat (for example, next to a bassinet position), request it early; fees may apply depending on the fare and route. When in doubt, contact your tour operator or RL’s handling agent at least 48–72 hours before departure to confirm your setup.

Baggage rules for little travelers

Children with their own seat usually receive the same cabin and checked baggage allowance as adults under the purchased fare. For lap infants, allowances are more limited and can vary: some packages include a small checked allowance for the infant, while others do not. Most flights permit a reasonable diaper/nappy bag in the cabin for essentials, even if the infant has no regular cabin bag. Because rules can differ by tour operator and aircraft type, it’s smart to verify the allowance shown on your booking and avoid surprises at the airport. Pack any medications, a change of clothes, and feeding items in your carry‑on in case your checked bags are delayed.

Strollers, bassinets, and car seats

Royal Flight (IATA: RL) operates primarily charter services on behalf of tour operators, so its customer experience looks different from a network carrier’s. At present, the airline does not publish a traditional frequent flyer program with member numbers, status tiers, or redeemable miles. That can feel limiting if you’re used to chasing elite benefits, yet there are still smart ways to capture value around an RL itinerary. In this guide, you’ll learn what the absence of a program means in practice, and how to earn and redeem rewards through alternative channels. Think of it as building your own toolkit rather than swiping a loyalty card.

Membership tiers and how to qualify

Because Royal Flight doesn’t run a public loyalty scheme, there are no formal membership tiers to qualify for and therefore no published qualification rules or elite clocks to reset. Instead, any “status-like” perks you encounter usually come from the fare bundle or the tour package you buy—things like priority check-in, included seat selection, or extra baggage sold as a package. These are transactional benefits rather than ongoing elite recognition, so they apply only to the booking in question. If you fly RL frequently, it’s worth standardizing on the same tour operator or agency, as some sellers offer their own repeat-customer perks that mimic airline status. Still, it’s important to note that such perks are tied to the seller, not to Royal Flight itself.

Earning miles and points on RL trips

With no in-house mileage currency, you won’t earn RL miles for segments flown. Your best move is to earn bank or platform points on the purchase: pay with a travel-rewards credit card that classifies tour packages and airline tickets as travel, or book through an online travel agent that awards its own points. If your journey includes separate positioning flights on other carriers, register those with the appropriate frequent flyer program and credit only those segments; RL sectors will not post anywhere. Some banks partner with travel portals where you can earn extra points by booking hotels, cars, and activities around your RL flight, which effectively boosts the overall trip return. Keep all receipts, as some card issuers award bonus points for in-flight and ancillary purchases when coded as airline spend.

Redeeming rewards and upgrades

Redeeming toward Royal Flight tickets typically happens indirectly. Many bank programs let you apply points to erase travel purchases or book charter flights through their portals—both routes can cover RL fares even without an airline currency. Because RL is not part of a global alliance and does not publish partner redemptions, you won’t find classic mileage awards or interline upgrades on RL-operated flights. Upgrades, when available, are usually a paid add-on at booking or at the airport, sometimes bundled by the tour operator; using statement credits from points can offset that cost. For non-flight value, consider redeeming points for hotels, airport transfers, or travel insurance attached to the same trip, which often yields similar or better cents-per-point value. Always compare cash prices, since charter fares can be sharp and cash may beat a poor redemption rate.

At a glance

Royal Flight (IATA: RL) built its reputation as a leisure and charter specialist with a streamlined, Boeing-focused fleet. At its recent peak before the industry disruptions of 2022, the airline operated roughly 12–14 aircraft across four types: the Boeing 737-800, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 767-300ER, and Boeing 777-300ER. This mix let the carrier match aircraft size to seasonal demand, from popular medium‑haul beach routes to long‑haul holiday flights. If you’ve flown with Royal Flight on a charter package, there’s a good chance you met this Boeing-only lineup in action.

The heart of the fleet was the mid‑sized 757-200 and wide‑body 767-300ER, both classic charter workhorses prized for range and payload. The 737-800 covered shorter and mid‑length runs with high efficiency and quick turnarounds, while the larger 777-300ER served peak long‑haul markets when demand spiked. Together they created a flexible toolset for the airline’s core mission: moving lots of holidaymakers reliably, and often at odd hours to meet tour schedules. It’s a pragmatic, Boeing-only strategy that simplified training, maintenance, and spares.

The aircraft you’re most likely to fly

On medium‑haul routes, the 737-800 was the staple, typically in a single‑class layout around 189 seats, with a few extra‑legroom rows up front or at the exits. For longer European or West Asia sectors, the 757-200 stepped in, commonly fitted in dense single‑class layouts of roughly 220–235 seats; many frames had winglets to trim fuel burn and extend range. When demand climbed further, the 767-300ER offered about 300–330 seats, ideal for high‑volume leisure flows. On the heaviest long‑haul waves, the 777-300ER could lift approximately 480–500 passengers in a charter‑style configuration, trading frills for capacity and per‑seat efficiency.

Cabins were configured first and foremost for holiday traffic: simple, durable interiors, fast turnarounds, and consistent layouts that crews knew by heart. While creature comforts varied by airframe history (especially on the ex‑leased wide‑bodies), you could expect clear overhead IFE announcements, buy‑on‑board options on many flights, and pragmatic touches like extra‑legroom rows that made a noticeable difference. In charter operations, consistency and seat availability matter as much as bells and whistles, and Royal Flight leaned into that balance. The result was a fleet optimized for load factors and schedule resilience.

What to expect onboard

Royal Flight (RL) is a charter-focused airline, so catering can vary by route, season, and the tour operator organizing your flight. In practice, you’ll usually see service aligned to flight length: on many short sectors, expect a light snack with water, juice, tea, or coffee, while medium flights add a more substantial snack or a hot meal. Longer journeys often include a main hot meal and, time permitting, a second lighter service before landing. Cabins are typically single‑class economy; if your tour sells a “comfort” or premium zone, the meal is often similar but with extra beverages or larger portions. Because details do shift, it’s wise to check your tour voucher or e‑ticket for what’s included on your specific RL flight.

Special meals and dietary needs

Royal Flight accepts requests for special meals on many flights, but availability depends on the departure station’s caterer and the tour program. Common options include vegetarian (ovo‑lacto), vegan, gluten‑free, low‑lactose, and diabetic meals; child meals may be offered on select routes. Religious meals (such as halal or kosher) are not universally stocked, so pre‑requesting is essential and still subject to local availability. For severe allergies, notify the airline or your tour operator well in advance and carry your own safe snacks; aircraft cabins cannot be guaranteed nut‑ or allergen‑free, and cross‑contact is possible. If your needs are very specific, consider packing a small cold meal that complies with security rules and advise crew on boarding.

Quality, variety, and beverages

Expect simple, familiar dishes designed to travel well: think chicken or beef with rice or pasta, a small salad, bread roll, and a sweet bite, with vegetarian alternatives when requested. On shorter flights, the snack might be a sandwich or pastry, paired with hot and cold soft drinks. Water is available throughout the flight, and tea/coffee service generally accompanies main meals; selections can change by caterer, so flavors and brands may differ between airports. The overall quality is straightforward and filling rather than gourmet, aiming for reliability over flair. There are no widely publicized chef partnerships, so menus are curated by local catering providers rather than a signature culinary program.

Pre‑ordering and requests

If you need a special meal, place the request at least 24–48 hours before departure through your tour operator or the channel where you booked; provide your name, flight number, and booking reference. Some itineraries allow limited pre‑order of paid extras or upgraded meals, but this is not universal on RL and depends on the program. Keep your confirmation handy and re‑confirm at check‑in, as last‑minute aircraft or schedule changes can affect catering. If your flight offers buy‑on‑board items, payment methods vary by route and aircraft, so bring a card and a small amount of local currency just in case. When traveling with infants, bring formula, baby food, and utensils you know your child accepts, even if a child meal was requested.

What to expect onboard

Royal Flight (RL) focuses on leisure charters, so in‑flight entertainment tends to be simple and practical rather than lavish. Because the fleet and aircraft sourcing can change, the setup you find may differ by route and airframe—think of it as a system that’s functional but not always individualized. On many flights you’ll see shared overhead screens with a curated program, while on others there may be only a moving map and audio. That means your best plan is to bring your own entertainment and treat the onboard offering as a bonus. It keeps expectations realistic and helps your flight start on the right note.

Access: screens and your own devices

Most RL aircraft use overhead monitors rather than personal seatback screens, and the program usually runs on a loop rather than on‑demand. Some cabins provide armrest audio jacks for music channels or movie audio; on others, there may be no personal audio at all. There is typically no airline app or local streaming server to your phone or tablet, and in‑seat power can be limited. In practice, your personal device is your primary screen, so fully charge it and pack a power bank. A compact device stand and comfortable headphones make a big difference in economy seats.

Movies, TV, music, and games

Expect one family‑friendly or mainstream movie on longer sectors, plus short TV segments like travel shows, light entertainment, and kids’ cartoons. Programming is scheduled rather than on‑demand, so if you join mid‑film you’ll likely catch it on the next loop. Music, when available, is delivered via a few audio channels covering pop, easy listening, and classics. Games are generally not provided on the cabin system, though you may see a flight map displayed periodically. For children, think of onboard content as a supplement to what you’ve loaded on your own devices.

Variety and quality of content

Because the system is shared, the selection is limited—often one or two films and a handful of shorts. Language options tend to prioritize Russian; some titles may have English audio or subtitles, but this isn’t guaranteed. Image quality reflects the hardware, so expect standard‑definition on drop‑down screens and modest sound through cabin speakers. If you value immersion or need specific language support, pre‑download your favorites and bring noise‑isolating or noise‑canceling headphones. You’ll enjoy far more control over pace, language, and genre.

Cabin and class differences