Traveling with our furry companions has become increasingly popular, and many airlines have recognized the importance of accommodating passengers’ beloved pets. Instead of leaving them behind or entrusting them to a pet sitter, more and more pet owners are seeking airlines that allow flying with pets in the cabin on international flights. There are many airlines that allow pets in cabin on international flights.
This article will explore several airlines that go the extra mile to ensure a comfortable and safe journey for both humans and their four-legged friends. From pet policies to cabin requirements for airlines that allow pets in cabin on international flights, let’s dive into the top airlines that warmly welcome dogs and cats on board.
The following airlines allow pets in cabin on international flights:
- Aegean Airlines
- Air Canada
- Air Europa
- Air France
- Alaska Air
- American Airlines
- Delta
- French Bee
- JetBlue
- Lufthansa
- TAP Air Portugal
- TUI Fly
- United Airlines
- Vueling
Related post:
Flying Dogs in Cargo: Will my dog be safe?
Airlines that Allow Flying with a Large Dog in Cabin [Pet Policies]
Which airlines allow pets in cabin on international flights?
Aegean Airlines Pet Policy.
- Maximum weight: 8 kg (including carrier)
- Maximum carrier size: 55 x 40 x 23 cm
- Cost: 60 EUR (prices differ depending on time of year)
Additional information:
- Transportation of dogs and cats to the UK is only permitted for flights to London Heathrow and only to be sent as cargo.
Visit Aegean’s website for more information.
Air Canada Pet Policy.
- Maximum weight: 22 pounds (including carrier)
- Maximum carrier size: 27 x 40 x 55 cm (soft-sided crate) & 23 x 40 x 55 cm (hard-sided crate)
- Cost: $100-118 CAD
Additional information:
- Pets cannot travel with you if you:
- Are an unaccompanied minor
- Are seated in an exit or bulkhead row
- Are travelling in Premium Economy
- On flights operated by their Aribus fleet, pets may not travel in the First Class cabin.
- On Boeing 789 and 788 aircraft, the pet carrier cannot exceed H20 x W40 x L43 cm
- On Boeing 777-300ER and 777-200LR aircraft, the pet carrier cannot exceed H21 x W38 x L43 cm
For more info, visit Air Canada’s website.
Air Europa Pet Policy.
- Maximum weight: 8kg (10kg including carrier) or 6kg on flights operated by ATR
- Maximum carrier size: 55 x 35 x 25 cm
- Cost: 27-55 USD within Europe and 165 USD long-haul
Additional information:
- Prices subjects to possible surcharges for taxes in certain countries.
- Dogs must be at least 3 months old to travel on medium and long haul flights.
- Passengers are not permitted to bring pets in the Business cabin.
- Pets in the cabin may not fly in an emergency or XL seat.
Visit Air Europa’s website for more information.
Alaska Air Pet Policy.
- Maximum weight: 9kg / 20 pounds (including carrier)
- Maximum carrier size: 43 x 28 x 24 cm (soft) / 43 x 28 x 19 cm (hard)
- Cost: 100 USD each way
Additional information:
- You may not occupy an emergency exit row, or any seat with an airbag safety belt.
- On flights operated by their Aribus fleet, pets may not travel in the First Class cabin.
Visit Alaska Air’s website for more information.
American Airlines Pet Policy.
- Maximum weight: 9 kg / 20 pounds (including carrier)
- Maximum carrier size: depends on flight (call the airline for specific restrictions)
- Cost: 125 USD each way
Additional information:
- Pets are not permitted to fly in cabin on international flights over 12 hours, or transatlantic flights.
- Due to the lack of under-seat storage space, carry-on dogs are not permitted in First or Business on the following Boeing planes:
- 777-200
- 777-300
- 787-8
- 787-9
For more info on additional restrictions, visit AA’s website.
Air France Pet Policy.
- Maximum weight: 8 kg / 17 pounds (including carrier)
- Maximum carrier size: 46 x 28 x 24 cm (soft carriers recommended)
- Cost: 30-125 EUR international
Additional information:
- Pets are not permitted to fly in cabin on international intercontinental flights.
- Pets are not permitted to fly in cabin in business on international flights.
- Each passenger may travel with only 1 pet.
For more info, visit Air France’s website.
Delta Pet Policy.
- Maximum weight: No limit, but pets must fit comfortably in carrier under seat
- Maximum carrier size: depends on flight (check the under-seat dimensions on your aircraft here)
- Cost: 125 USD within North America, 200 USD international and 75 USD to Brazil
Additional Information:
- The following age restrictions apply:
- Pets must be at least 16 weeks old for travel to/from the U.S.
- Pets must be at least 15 weeks old for travel to/from the EU.
- For any travel to or from the following destinations, pets are not permitted in the cabin:
- Australia
- Barbados
- Dubai
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- United Arab Emirates
For more info on additional restrictions, visit Delta’s website.
French Bee Pet Policy.
- Maximum weight: 8 kg / 17 pounds (including carrier)
- Maximum carrier size:43x35x20cm
- Cost: 50€ each way
Additional information:
- Sub-nosed animals are not permitted on their flights
- Breeds include: pugs, bulldogs, boxers, Pekinese and shih tsus
- Category 1 (attack dogs) and Category 2 dogs (guard and defence dogs) are not permitted to be taken by any one under the age of 18, or by adults subject to guardianship.
- For more information on category 1 and 2 dogs check the French Bee website here.
For more info, head to French Bee’s website.
JetBlue Pet Policy.
- Maximum weight: 9 kg / 20 pounds (including carrier)
- Maximum carrier size: 17″L x 12.5″W x 8.5″H
- Cost: 125 USD each way
Additional information:
- For any travel to or from the following destinations, pets are not permitted in the cabin:
- London
- Jamaica
- Barbados
- Trinidad & Tobago
- St. Lucia
- Cayman Islands
For more info, head to JetBlue’s website.
Lufthansa Pet Policy.
- Maximum weight: 8 kg / 17.6 pounds (including carrier)
- Maximum carrier size: 55 x 40 x 23 cm
- Cost: 60 EUR international within Europe and 80-110 EUR international outside Europe
Additional information:
- You must complete this form before boarding your flight.
- You are not able to fly into the UK with a pet.
Visit Lufthansa’s website for more information.
TAP Air Portugal Pet Policy.
- Maximum weight: 8kg / 17.6 pounds (including pets and carrier)
- Maximum carrier size: 40 x 33 x 17cm
- Cost: cost varies – check here
Aircraft Restrictions:
- Pets are not permitted to be carried in Executive Class on long haul flights.
- You are not able to fly into the UK with a pet.
Visit TAP Air’s website for more info.
TUI Pet Policy.
- Maximum weight: 8kg / 17.6 pounds (excluding carrier)
- Maximum carrier size: 55 x 40 x 20 cm (soft-sided crates only)
- Cost: 50 EUR
Additional information:
- On all long-haul international flights, pets are not allowed in the cabin.
- On all non-European destinations in combination with Antwerp, dogs or cats are not allowed
Visit TUI’s website for more information.
United Airlines Pet Policy.
- Maximum weight: No limit, but must fit comfortably in carrier under seat
- Maximum carrier size: 46 x 28 x 28 cm (soft-sided) / 44 x 30 x 19 cm (hard-sided)
- Cost: 125 USD (+ 125 USD service charge for each stopover of more than four hours within the U.S. or more than 24 hours outside the U.S)
Additional information:
- Pets are not permitted in cabin on the following aircrafts:
- Boeing 757-200
- Boeing 767
- Boeing 777
- Boeing 778
- United doesn’t allow pets to fly in-cabin on international flights to and from:
- Australia
- Cuba
- Guam
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Hawaii
- Hong Kong
- India
- Ireland
- Marshall Islands
- New Zealand
- Palau
- Panama
- Philippines
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Tahiti
- Trinidad and Tobago
- UK
Visit United’s website for more info.
Vueling Pet Policy.
- Maximum weight: 10 kg (including carrier) or 8kg on flights operated by Iberia
- Maximum carrier size: 45 x 39 x 21 cm (soft-sided crates only)
- Cost: 50 EUR international
Additional information:
- Vueling doesn’t allow dogs to fly in-cabin on flights to and from:
- UK
- Ireland
Visit Vueling’s website for more information.
Prepare for flying with a pet in cabin on international flights.
1. Select an appropriate, cabin-approved travel carrier.
As mentioned above, different airlines and aircrafts have different size restrictions for carriers. Be sure to check the restrictions for your specific airline, and aircraft.
For example, Delta recommends a soft-sided kennel with maximum dimensions of 18” x 11” x 11” since this fits most aircraft types.
We would recommend using a soft sided carrier as they usually give your pet more space.
2. Get your pet used to it’s travel carrier.
When flying with a pet in cabin, they will need to stay in its travel carrier for the duration of the journey. So, it’s very important that you spend some time to get your dog used to its travel carrier.
When first introducing your pet to its carrier, take it slow. Lure your dog into their carrier with plenty of treats, and let him/her play and sleep in there as much as possible. You want to avoid forcing your pet into the carrier as this may stress him or her out and may cause a negative association to the carrier.
3. Train your pet to stay calm.
Your pet will need to be calm and well behaved when flying in cabin. If they show disruptive behaviour, they risk being sent into the cargo area of the plane.
4. Exhaust your pet before the flight.
Try to exhaust your pet a little by increasing the level of activity before your trip. A sleepy pet will be less prone to getting stressed out on the flight, and will likely be better behaved on the flight.
5. Limit access to food and water before the flight.
When flying with a pet in cabin, your pet won’t be able to go potty. So, it’s a good idea to limit your pet’s access to food before the flight. Additionally, some animals may experience motion sickness if they eat just before a flight. If you are flying in the morning, then feed them the night before. Air Canada suggest feeding your dog four to six hours prior to departure, as a full stomach may cause discomfort during travel.
Line the bottom of your pet’s travel carrier with a pee pad, just incase they do have an accident.
6. Familiarise yourself with the airport that you are departing from and arriving to.
Most airports will have a dedicated area for pets and service animals to rest. It is actually a legal requirement that all U.S. airports have pet-relief areas available for working animals and pets to rest. Take some photos of the airport maps, so you don’t have to wander around on the day trying to find a resting place.
7. Bring along your pet’s favourite comforts.
To maximise comfort and minimise stress, pop your pet’s favourite blanket or toy in the travel carrier with them. If your pet suffers from separation anxiety, you could even pop one of your t-shirts in the carrier.
Which dog and cat breeds are not allowed in cabin on international flights?
Unfortunately, some airlines have restrictions on the dog and cat breeds they permit on their flights.
This is because of their anatomical abnormalities, short-nosed breeds may be more vulnerable to changes in air quality and temperature in the cargo hold of a plane.
Only certain airlines have these breed restrictions, so while you may not be able to fly with one airline, you may be able to fly with another. However, it’s important that you are confident your pet is healthy enough to fly.
The following brachycephalic and snub-nosed dog breeds are often not allowed in the cabin on international flights:
- Affenpinscher
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Boston Terriers
- Boxers
- Brussels Griffon
- Bulldogs (all breeds)
- Cane Corso
- Chow Chow
- Dogue De Bordeaux
- English Toy Spaniel
- Japanese Chin
- Lhasa Apso
- Mastiff (all breeds)
- Pekingese
- Pitbulls
- Presa Canario
- Pug
- Shar Pei
- Shih Tzu
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Tibetan Spaniel
The following brachycephalic and snub-nosed cat breeds are often not allowed in the cabin on international flights:
- Burmese Cat
- Exotic Shorthair Cat
- Himalayan Cat
- Persian Cat
Documents required for taking pets in cabin on international flights.
The documents required when flying with a pet in cabin will vary depending on which airline you are flying with, and where you are flying from and to.
You will need more paperwork when traveling internationally, in most cases you will usually require the following:
- Microchip certificate
- Rabies vaccination certificate
- Animal health certificate
- Additional vaccination certificates
- Rabies titer test results
- Parasite treatment certificate
a) Microchip.
Many airlines require microchip documents when flying with a dog or cat in cabin. Not only is it usually a requirement, it is in your best interest. If your pet was to go missing whilst abroad, then you are far more likely to be reunited with a microchip.
Your pet can get microchipped at your local vet or a charity, such as RSPCA.
b) Rabies vaccinations.
If you want your take dog or cat on flights, it is likely that he/she requires a valid rabies vaccination. Particularly when you are taking your pet on an international flight as this is a requirement for entering most countries.
Most countries require dogs and cats to have their rabies vaccination between 30 days and 12 months prior to importing.
c) Animal health certificate.
Most airlines will require an official animal health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian when flying with pets in cabin.
In most cases, your health certificate will also need to be endorsed by the country’s authority responsible for the import and export of animals. For example, if you are traveling from the US, you will need your documents endorsed by the USDA. If you are traveling from Canada, you will need to have your documents endorsed by CFIA.
They are normally valid for 10 days.
d) Additional vaccinations.
Depending on where you are flying to, your pet may also require additional vaccinations or treatments.
For example, Turkey requires that all dogs are vaccinated against parainfluenza, leptospirosis, parvovirus, bordetella, hepatitis and distemper before being allowed into the country.
e) Rabies titer test.
Some countries require pets to have a rabies titer test before entering. This is usually the case when you are traveling from a country that is considered high risk for rabies.
If your pet requires a titer test the process is as follows:
- Your pet will have a blood sample taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.
- Your vet will then send the blood sample to an approved blood testing laboratory.
- Your pet’s blood test results must show a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
- You must wait 3 months from the date the blood sample was taken before you travel.
- The vet will give you a copy of the test results.
f) Parasite treatment.
To enter many countries, dogs are required to be treated against internal and/or external parasites before entering. This includes treatment for tapeworm, fleas, ticks, nematodes and cestodes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I have to pay extra to fly with my dog in cabin?
You will yes. The amount you pay however, will differ between airlines as they charge different amounts. The charge also depends on where you are flying to and from. International flights usually cost more.
Can I fly with my pet in cabin on international flights?
You may be able to, depending on which airline you are flying with, and where you are flying to and from. Some airlines allow dogs and cats in cabin on international flights, such as Aegean Air. Southwest, however, do not let pets in cabin on international flights.
Can I fly with my puppy or kitten in cabin?
This depends on how old your puppy is, and which airline you are flying with. Different airlines have different restrictions on the age of pets that can fly in cabin. Some require puppies and kittens to be at least 8 weeks old, where others require them to be 16 weeks old.
Can I fly with a large dog in the cabin?
Unfortunately, unless your dog is an official service dog, only small dogs are permitted. Most airlines require that pets and travel carriers must have a combined weight of no more than 8kg. There are however some semi-private airlines that will allow large dogs in cabin.
Conclusion
Traveling with your pet is a wonderful opportunity to create lasting memories. Thankfully, several airlines have recognized the importance of allowing pets in the cabin on international flights and have established comprehensive pet policies to accommodate furry travellers. Whether you choose Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, or JetBlue Airways, you can rest assured that your dog will be treated with care and enjoy a safe and comfortable journey by your side.
