RetrievAir Update | Shark Tank Season 17

Benton Miller wanted to make life easier for pet parents who struggled with the stress of flying their animals in cargo holds. Teaming up with him was Mark Williams, a veteran with decades in the aviation industry who came out of retirement to help bring the idea to life. Their company, RetrievAir, is a public charter airline built specifically for pets and their owners to travel side by side. Let’s see if their company can land a deal in our RetrievAir update and pitch recap.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of what happened to RetrievAir after Shark Tank.

Mark and Benton entered Shark Tank Season 17 to pitch their airline for pets. They sought $500,000 for 5% equity. After their pitch, they landed a deal with Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian for $776,000 for 15% equity.

In terms of a RetrievAir update, the company successfully closed its deal with Alexis. Further, they are set to launch new route expansions for 2026.

Shark	Result
Alexis Ohanian	Accepted offer of $776,000 for 15% equity
Kevin O’Leary	500,000 for 20% equity
Daymond John	No offer
Lori Greiner	No offer
Kendra Scott	No offer

Shark Tank RetrievAir Pitch

• Entrepreneurs: Mark Williams and Benton Miller
• Business: Airline for pets
• Ask: $500,000 for 5% equity
• Result: $776,000 for 15% equity
• Shark: Alexis Ohanian

Mark and Benton entered the Tank dressed as pilots and greeted the sharks like airline passengers.

Their pitch was simple: create a charter airline designed specifically for pets and their owners.

Benton explained that flying with pets is stressful and often unsafe, with most animals forced into cargo holds. RetrievAir, he said, lets pets of all sizes travel in the cabin next to their owners.

The flights include treats, fresh water, and plenty of space for animals, plus snacks and drinks for passengers.

Kendra Scott immediately said she was interested, mentioning she owns eight dogs.

Lori Greiner asked how the business operates. Benton said they work as a public charter operator, partnering with RVR Aviation instead of owning aircraft.

Mark added that they currently use one 30-seat Embraer jet, though RVR has four available.

They’ve already completed 10 flights, serving cities like Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Fort Lauderdale.

Daymond John asked if customers could book different legs of a trip. Mark said yes, explaining that the plane stops at private terminals where pets can stretch and relieve themselves.

Alexis Ohanian asked about pricing. Mark said the average ticket costs $775 per person, while dogs can sit at their owner’s feet for free or occupy their own seat for the same price.

Lori asked about scheduling. Benton said they currently fly twice a week while testing routes and demand.

Alexis then asked about their backgrounds. Benton said he worked in sales and became 3M’s youngest regional manager. Mark shared that he founded Sunwing Airlines, which grew from one plane to 40 before being sold to WestJet for over $1 billion.

Kevin O’Leary asked how much money they’d invested. Mark said he personally put in $700,000.

When Kevin questioned their $10 million valuation, Benton said RetrievAir had already sold $550,000 in tickets, growing 132% month over month, with projected sales of $775,000 by June. He said margins are around 44% per ticket.

However, Lori wanted to know if they were profitable. Mark admitted they weren’t yet and said they were still building awareness.

Their burn rate is currently around $70,000 to $80,000 per week, which caused some concern. Daymond backed out, saying the losses were too high. Kendra agreed, saying it was a smart idea but still too early for her.

Kevin offered $500,000 for 20% equity, calling it a great niche idea. Alexis followed with an offer of $500,000 for 15%, saying he believes the service fits today’s pet-focused culture.

He added that his experience growing Reddit could help RetrievAir reach pet owners nationwide.

Meanwhile, Lori said she liked the concept but didn’t want to take on the financial risk and stepped out.

Alexis then increased his offer to $776,000 for 15% equity, keeping the humor light with the “on-brand” number.

In the end, Mark and Benton accepted Alexis’s offer, and they celebrated with a handshake.

Let’s get a RetrievAir update about what happened after Shark Tank.

Shark Tank RetrievAir Update

We have good news to share in terms of our RetrievAir update. The deal with the Reddit founder has closed successfully.

According to a PR Newswire press release, the founders confirmed that they received investment from Alexis Ohanian’s venture capital firm, 776.

Following their Shark Tank appearance, RetrievAir reported a surge of interest from pet owners across the country.

The RetrievAir’s website now features a full online booking system where travelers can select routes, apply promo codes, and book one-way or multi-stop pet flights directly.

Further, our RetrievAir update found that they have announced new route expansions set to launch in early 2026, adding flights to and from Atlanta, Oakland, Scottsdale, and Manassas.

We’re excited about the speed at which things are happening and can’t wait to report further progress in our next RetrievAir update.

For more updates from Shark Tank Season 17 Episode 4, be sure to check the links below:

• Alchemize Fightwear Update
• The Sprouting Company Update
• Orka Bar Update

Before you go, be sure to check out our list of all the Shark Tank Season 17 episodes.