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Updated August 2023
Travelling with your pet can no doubt be a rewarding experience, but it does come with its set of challenges! Although most airlines do accommodate pet travels, finding and arranging the most suitable flight for you and your furry companion means familiarizing yourself with the many policies and rules unique to both the airline and the destination.
As such, we’ve rounded up all the requirements involved in taking your pets along with you on your flight from our partner airlines. Here is everything you need to know for a hassle-free trip with your beloved fur (or furless) babies.
Things to remember:
- Airlines usually require advance notice if you’re planning on flying with your pet. Some airlines may need to be notified 14 days prior
- Consult the rules concerning your pet’s container
- Consult the rules and restrictions of your travel destination
- Ensure the necessary documents are prepared; health certification, vaccination and so on
- Arrive an hour early
Airline Selection Menu
Air Asia
Air Asia’s standard policy does not currently allow pets or animals on board their flights. However, service animals accompanying people with disabilities are permitted to travel on flights operated by AirAsia India (i5 flights) and AirAsia Japan (DJ flights). Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: No prices are listed. Contact your local AirAsia support for details
Air France
Air France welcomes pets to travel with passengers in the cabin, cargo, or freight. To be admitted to the cabin, approval must first be obtained from the airline. Among others, the requirements extend to weight, age, and vaccine certifications. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: From USD 30 to 234, depending on the destination.
Cabin: Yes
Cargo: Yes
Documentation: European pet passport and vaccination certification
American Airlines
American Airlines is one of the more pet-friendly airlines around. The airline allows pets to join their owners in the cabin on shorter flights and on the cargo hold for longer flights. Please note that some breeds of cats and dogs are not accepted. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: USD 125 to 200. Service animals will not be charged.
Cabin: Yes
Cargo: Yes
Bangkok Airways
Bangkok Airways allows passengers to travel with their pets. Cats and dogs are the only allowed animals on board. Pets must be at least 8 weeks old and are not pregnant or ill. Additionally, pets emanating strong odor will not be accepted. However, do note that the service is suspended on all flights operated by Airbus A319/A320 until further notice. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: Pets will incur an excess baggage charge of THB 180/kg/sector when travelling domestically, and for international flights, the rate will be subject to a zonal fare.
Cabin: No
Cargo: Yes
Documentation: Appropriate entry permits may be required
British Airways
Assistance dogs are allowed to travel alongside their owners in the cabin free of charge should the situation permit. Emotional support dogs are also welcome but may need to travel in the cargo hold, depending on the flight route. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: It is currently not possible to book this service online. The airline will need additional information on your animal before determining price and availability.
Cabin: Yes
Cargo: Yes
Cathay Pacific
Pets will be assigned to the cargo hold for flights into and from Hong Kong. Exemptions can only be made for service dogs, they are welcome to join their owners in the cabin. Please note that certain breeds will not be accepted by the airline. Further, they are currently not accepting new bookings for pets traveling as check-in baggage until further notice. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: USD 13 to 300
Cabin: Service dogs only
Cargo: Yes
Documentation: For inbound flights to Hong Kong, regulations apply
Cebu Pacific
Cebu Pacific allows for the transport of animals such as dogs, cats, and turtles as air cargo on domestic flights in the Philippines. Marine and aquatic animals are allowed for international flights. Other than service dogs, no live animals shall be permitted to fly in the cabin.
Cost: No prices are listed. Please contact the airline directly.
Cabin: Service dogs only
Cargo: Yes
Documentation: A document confirming that the seeing-eye dog has been trained to an acceptable level
Delta Airlines
For domestic flights within the United States, cats, dogs, and household birds can fly with their owners in the cabin. With the exception of service dogs, international flights require all animals to travel in the cargo hold, no matter their size. Refer to the full policy here.
Cost: Prices start at USD 75
Cabin: Yes
Cargo: Yes
easyjet
Animals are not allowed on any of their flights. Exceptions are service dogs for people with disabilities. Refer here for the full policy.
Emirates Airlines
No animals are permitted to fly in the cabin except for service dogs for the visually impaired. Falcons are also welcome in the cabin on certain flights from Dubai to Pakistan. Apart from the aforementioned, all animals must be transported as cargo. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: Starting from USD 500
Cabin: Service dogs and falcons
Cargo: Yes
Ethiopian Airlines
Passengers are allowed to bring their pets (cats and dogs) with them as carry-on baggage or cargo. Service dogs for the visually and hearing impaired may join their owners in the cabin free of charge. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: From USD 100 to 370
Cabin: Yes
Cargo: Yes
Documentation: Appropriate import permit may be required
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways does not permit both pets and service animals to fly in the cabin. All animals must be transported as manifested cargo, exceptions apply only for falcons. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: For economy travel with your pet, it’s USD 1,500 or 215,000 Etihad Guest Miles each way. Choosing an adjacent economy seat means an extra seat cost (USD 1,500 each way). In Business/First, where under-seat space isn’t available, an extra seat is needed for your pet, also USD 1,500 each way.
Cabin: Falcons only
Cargo: Yes
Documentation: Necessary permits and documentation required
Flydubai
Flydubai does not generally accept pets or other animals on their flights as carry-on or checked baggage. Falcons may be allowed onboard provided you are able to obtain the special prior approval. Service animals are allowed on flights to the US and Europe. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: Contact Flydubai’s support team for details.
Cabin: Falcons only, requires prior approval. Service animals subject to flight route
Cargo: No
Garuda Airlines
Garuda Airlines does not accept pets as carry-on and subsequently will only allow animals to fly as checked baggage on all flights. Service animals are an exception and may join their owners in the cabin. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: Charged as 5 kilograms of excess baggage (minimum)
Cabin: Service animals only
Cargo: Yes
Documentation: (i) Certificate of Live Animal (ii) Health Certificate from Port Health and Quarantine Office (iii) Permit for entering or transiting of a country and must be obtained in advance (for dogs, cats only). (iv) Issued excess baggage ticket.
Kuwait Airways
Pets are not allowed as carry-on in the passenger cabin and are only allowed in the cargo hold as checked baggage. Exceptions are for service dogs and emotional support dogs on flights from and to the United States. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: From USD 80 to 340. Service and emotional support dogs will not be charged
Cabin: Service and emotional support dogs only
Cargo: Yes
Documentation: (i) a valid Health Certificate and Vaccination Certificates (ii) Entry Permits (iii) other Documentation required by the country of entry or transit
Malaysia Airlines
Domestic pets are not allowed in the passenger cabin. They may be transported in the cargo hold as special excess baggage. Exceptions are for service animals who may accompany their owners at no charge.
Cost: Charged as 5 kilograms of excess baggage (minimum). Service animals will not be charged
Cabin: Service animals only
Cargo: Yes
Documentation: (i) An original certificate, issued by a private or government veterinarian stating that the pet is healthy and free from any contagious or infectious disease at the time of inspection is required for all pet(s) entering/leaving Malaysia. Please note that certification is only valid for 7 days. (ii) Export permit (iii) Import permit (iv) Rabies Vaccination Certification. Find out more here.
Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines allows pets such as cats, dogs, and birds for carriage as baggage. Service dogs are allowed for both domestic and international flights. Emotional support dogs will be allowed only for flights to and from the United States. Note that emotional support dogs require documentation from a mental health professional or medical doctor on letterhead. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: The animal and its container will be charged 200 to 300 percent of the applicable excess baggage rate for international flights. For domestic flights, animals are charged as 5 kilograms of excess baggage (minimum).
Cabin: Yes
Cargo: Yes
Documentation: Valid vaccination certificates and exit and/or entry permits from the Philippine Bureau of Animal Industry, Animal Health Division (AHD), Diliman, Quezon City. Visit their website for more information.
Qantas
Pets are not allowed as carry-on in the passenger cabin. They may be transported in the cargo hold as special excess baggage. Exceptions are for service animals who may accompany their owners in the cabin. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: Online bookings for pets and animals are temporarily suspended. Check here to learn more.
Cabin: Service dogs only
Cargo: Yes
Documentation: Quarantine measures may be in effect. Please check with the airline for details.
Qatar Airways
Cats, dogs, and birds are welcome as checked baggage. Falcons are welcome in both the passenger cabin and cargo, while service dogs are welcome in the cabin only for specific routes. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: Falcons and service dogs transported in-cabin will not be charged. Animals stored in the cargo hold are charged as per the airline’s applicable baggage rate.
Cabin: Yes. Falcons for all flights and service dogs for specific flights.
Cargo: Yes
Documentation: Health certificate (signed by a veterinarian, indicating that the animal is fit to fly) and identification or pet passport.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Passengers are welcome to bring their small dogs and cats into the cabin should they meet specific requirements. Otherwise, pets and other animals will be placed in the cargo hold. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: USD 30 to 234, depending on the destination. An additional USD 200 for animals transported as checked baggage may be warranted if transiting for more than 3 hours.
Cabin: Yes
Cargo: Yes
Documentation: Vaccination and travel Documentation may be required.
Royal Jordanian
The carriage of pets (cats, dogs, and falcons) in the passenger cabin is permitted to the economy class cabins with certain restrictions. Pets can also be registered as checked baggage but will require approval from the airline’s Systems & Procedures Section. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: Up to four times the applicable excess baggage charge
Cabin: Yes, economy class only
Cargo: Yes
Documentation: Valid health certificates and all other entry documentation required by the country of entry or transit.
Ryanair
Ryanair does not currently allow animals on any of their flights. Exceptions are guide/assistance/service dogs for people with visual or hearing impairment on specific flights. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: Free of charge
Cabin: Yes
Cargo: No
Documentation: Extensive paperwork is required, including pet passport and veterinary health certificate
Saudia
Saudia allows the carriage of household pets both in the cabin and the cargo hold. Cats are allowed in the cabin while dogs are assigned to the hold. Birds are allowed only if the necessary permits by the Ministry of Agriculture are provided.
Cost: From USD 150, depending on the destination.
Cabin: Yes, cats only
Cargo: Yes
Documentation: Valid International Health Certificate, Valid Veterinarian Certificate, and Valid Rabies Certificate.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines allows pets to travel as checked baggage or cargo. Service dogs may accompany their owners in the passenger cabin. Most dog and cat breeds are welcome. Refer here for the full policy
Cost: The animal and its container are counted separately and will incur additional baggage fees. Service dogs will not be charged
Cabin: Service dogs only
Cargo: Yes
Documentation: (i) Export/import/transshipment permits or licenses from your departure/destination/transit country’s relevant authorities (ii)Valid health and rabies vaccination certificates (iii) Any additional documentation that may be required by your departure/destination/transit country’s authorities.
Turkish Airlines
The airline welcomes cats, dogs, and small singing birds (parakeets, canaries) as pets that can be transported in cabin with the passenger. Service and emotional support dogs are also allowed in the cabin. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: From USD 35 to 300
Cabin: Yes
Cargo: Yes
Documentation: Extensive documentation is needed for service and emotional dogs, along with prevailing requirements of the destination country. Please refer to the airlines’ full policy.
United Airlines
Cats and dogs are welcome to travel with their owners in the cabin on domestic flights, except for pit bulls. Most international flights will see pets assigned to the cargo hold. Refer here for the full policy.
Cost: USD 125 service charge each way and an additional USD 125 service charge for each stopover of more than four hours within the U.S. or more than 24 hours outside of the U.S.
Cabin: Yes
Cargo: No
Documentation: Valid health and rabies certification.
Virgin Atlantic
The airline is currently suspending its pet booking services. We’ll keep a close eye on updates as they become available.
