What Airlines Allow Pets in The Cabin
Nothing can be more fulfilling than to travel with your pet. You can bring your dog with you by using air travel services via in-cabin and cargo. Unfortunately not all airlines allow pets in their cabin.
Difference between In-Cabin & Cargo travel
- What is In-Cabin
In cabin simple means pets must be small enough to fit into a carrier that will slide under the seat in front of you. Generally dogs weighing over 15 pounds and that are over 11 inches tall cannot fit under the seat. Unfortunately, no airline will allow you to purchase a seat for your pet and place its carrier on the seat.
- Cargo
Dogs too large to fit comfortably in a carrier and above a certain weight e.g 32Kg must travel in cargo. Cargo holds has the option of heated, cooled and pressurized, just like the passenger compartment. It is likely that you pet will have to travel as checked baggage in an IATA compliant pet crate. The pets are placed in a special section of the cargo hold where the temperature and pressure is the same as in the cabin. If you are flying out of a very cold city an acclimation certificate may be required.
These are some international airlines that allows pets in the cabin;
- Singapore Airlines (SQ)
SQ allows dogs to travel with you on the same flight as checked baggage, as long as it is at least three months old. They accept all domesticated cats, most dog breeds and service dogs. Depending on your departure, destination or transit country, other restrictions may also apply.
- South West Airlines
Allows customers to carry small pets (cats and dogs only) on board all domestic Southwest Airlines flights. There is a pet fee is $95 each way per pet carrier. Each customer is limited to carrying one pet carrier on board.
- Adria Airways
Accept small pets in cabin with a 50 EURO fee for each direction in Europe and a 100 EURO fee for each direction internationally.
- Aegean Airlines
Small pets such as cats, dogs and ferrets are allowed in cabin in a special carrier.
- Air France
Allows dogs and cats weighing less than 8 kg and at least 10 weeks old. Dimensions of the carrier must be under 115 cm (45 in) with the length, width, and height added together. Guide dogs are authorized regardless of their weight. A seperate fee will be charge for your pet's travel container
- Emirates
Animals are not permitted in the cabin of Emirates flights, with the exception of falcons between Dubai and certain destinations in Pakistan and Guide Dogs for the Blind.
- Ethihad Airways
Guide dogs to lead the blind are permitted in the aircraft cabin (for flights from Abu Dhabi to USA and vice versa only). All necessary documents must be obtained from airline.
- Qatar Airways
Only falcons and service dogs may travel in the cabin.
- Lufthansa
A dog or cat may be transported in the cabin in your own carrier box (maximum dimensions: 55 x 40 x 23 cm, watertight, bite proof).
- Turkish Airways
Turkish Airlines allows dogs, cats, and small passerine birds (goldfinches, budgies, canaries) with a maximum combined weight for pet and carrier is 8kg
- Virgin America
Virgin America is a pet-friendly airline that accepts cats and dogs in the passenger cabin of its aircraft for a $100 fee (per segment).
Remember
- Pet passengers require a reservation, whether traveling in-cabin or cargo.
- Purchase a health certificate from your veterinarian.
- As mentioned, your in-cabin pet will need a carrier. Make sure it is airline approved.
- Confirm whether the airline will accommodate your pet.
- Most experts do not recommend tranquilizing your pet.
