In today’s interconnected world, travel is not just a luxury; it’s often a necessity. But what happens when you’re a pet owner? The logistics, safety concerns, and complexities of traveling with pets, especially by air, can make even the most seasoned traveler anxious. MVPaws (Most Valuable Paws), a revolutionary startup from London, aims to redefine and simplify pet travel but also demonstrate a value-based service approach when it comes to technology for airlines.
Understanding the Challenge
Before delving into the solutions MVPaws offers, it’s essential to understand the complexities of pet air travel. Every airline has pet policies, and regulations can differ based on the travel destination. Additionally, preparing for a trip with your dog can be so challenging that it often makes a staycation better than a trip to a vacation destination. Often, pet owners opt out of air travel entirely to avoid these challenges. However, MVPaws recognized these concerns and saw an opportunity. An opportunity not only for the pet owners but also the airlines.
The solution was conceived in 2016, based on a real trip from Berlin to Los Angeles, where Michalis Vitalis -the founder of MVPaws and his dog Kiko experienced a problematic reality. Working for more than 20 years in the aviation & IT industry, he noticed that airlines not only have manual checks for animals traveling but also offer a poor passenger experience with a high cost per pet transport.
MVPaws’ mission is simple: make pet travel easy and as seamless, comfortable, and safe as it is for humans. How do they achieve this?
The MVPaws app is a powerful pet passport in a digital form. The pet owner can register their pet and assign their veterinarian -who reviews the information- and the system generates a QR code and a Pet Pass, which can be easily stored in the smartphone’s wallet application.
The application is certified by IATA as part of the IATA Open Air program, and airlines can integrate through APIs their Departure Control Systems (known to us as the reservation & check-in systems).
No more waiting in line for manual checks, no more hassle and complexity. The next time you fly with an airline that is part of the MVPaws program, you will simply receive your pet’s pre-clear status, and at the airport, the validation will happen in a matter of seconds.
MVPaws has participated in many programs, accelerators & incubators such as WebSummit, Intelak from Emirates & Dubai Tourism, Unleashed by Purina, London Rail Companies Innovation, and Innovate UK & Royal Air Maroc Innovation Program. MVPaws is the first startup focusing purely on digital technology rather than another reservation system to book your holidays. That is the reason that it has been selected by Amadeus Ventures – an Amadeus company- and is included in their Amadeus Startup Universe, a catalog with unique startups focusing on the future of travel.
The Future of Pets is Digital
With MVPaws leading the change, the future of pet travel looks promising. As more airlines and airports recognize the importance of accommodating the growing number of traveling pets, facilities and policies are bound to become more inclusive.
Furthermore, MVPaws’ focus on technology integration hints at even more advanced solutions in the pipeline. Pets do not only exist when we travel; they are part of our family. Imagine a future where pet digital technologies are part of Smart cities and transportation hubs. In the roadmap, there are plenty of cool yet important features; with MVPaws in the picture, such a future seems not just possible but imminent.
Traveling with pets, especially by plane, has historically been fraught with challenges. But with MVPaws’ innovative solutions, comprehensive resources, and unwavering commitment to pet wellbeing, the skies have become a friendlier place for our four-legged companions. Whether you’re relocating, vacationing, or embarking on any other adventure, with MVPaws, your pet is set for a journey as comfortable and stress-free as yours. After all, in the world of travel, shouldn’t our loyal companions fly with the same ease and dignity as we do? The MVPaws app is available in 8 languages so far, with more to be added.
MVPaws will take part at the Global Future of Travel Expo in Los Angeles from 19-21 of September 2023
For more information, you can contact MVPaws at speakwithmvp@mvpaws.com or visit our IATA Industry Open API Hub, the Amadeus Startup Universe.
