here’s what you need to know about flying with pets

Thinking of flying with pets? Check out the full details on flying with pets from the biggest airlines, including British Airways, Ryanair and easyJet, and know what your options are before you fly.

Travelling abroad to EU countries and Northern Ireland with your pet changed on January 1, 2021. Any pet passports issued in England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man are now invalid for travel to Northern Ireland or any destination within the European Union. Instead, your pet will need a new document known as an animal health certificate.

However, you can still use a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland if you’re travelling to another EU country. You’ll find answers to other frequently asked questions about travel with pets at the end of this article.

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Can I take my pet on a plane and how much does it cost?

Airline	Cabin	Hold	Cost
Aegean Airlines	Only cats and dogs (with some breeds excluded). Max. weight for a pet (or pets of the same species) with their container is 8kg. The container must not exceed 55×40×23 cm. For DH8-100 and ATR aircraft, it’s 40×25×25cm max.	If a pet with its container exceeds the 8kg limit, then it should only be transported in the aircraft hold. Animals may not be accepted for a connecting time of more than 3 hours.	€35–€65 in the cabin €50–€190 in the hold Fees depend on the route and your pet’s weight.
Aer Lingus	Not allowed.	Pets must be booked through a pet agent at IAG Cargo for carriage on Aer Lingus flights in the aircraft hold.	Roughly €60–€160, depending on your route and pet’s size.
Air France / KLM	Only cats and dogs weighing no more than 8kg, including a travel bag of 46×28×24 cm max. Your pet must be at least 15 weeks old to travel on Air France and KLM flights.	A dog or cat weighing more than 8kg and up to 75kg must be transported in the hold. Snub-nosed animals are not permitted. Read the full pet travel policy.	For within France: €70 in the cabin; €100 in the hold For Europe: €125 in the cabin; €200 in the hold Other flights: €200 in the cabin; €400 in the hold.
American Airlines	You can bring 1 kennel as your carry-on bag. Read the full pet travel policy.	Dogs and cats can be transported as cargo on a first-come basis. Two pets at least 8 weeks old per passenger. Combined weight for the carrier and pet shouldn’t exceed 45kg.	$125 per kennel in the cabin Cargo fees vary depending on distance and will be confirmed at time of booking.
British Airways	Not allowed.	All pets must travel in the hold. From the UK: PetAir UK To the UK: IAG Cargo	£800–£3,500, depending on the size of a pet and destination.
Delta	Small dogs, cats and household birds can travel in the cabin for a one-way fee, collected at check-in. They must be able to fit in a small ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.	If your pet doesn’t fit in a carrier under the seat in front of you, you can ship them with Delta Cargo.	95–200 USD/CAD/EUR in the cabin, depending on the route For cargo fees, contact Delta Cargo.
easyJet	Not allowed, apart from recognised registered guide and assistance dogs.	Not allowed.	N/A.
Emirates	Not allowed, except for guide dogs.	Your pet must be at least four months old. The total dimensions of your pet carrier must be 300cm or less. Otherwise, your pet must be transported as cargo. You have to fill in this form at least one week before your scheduled departure.	Roughly $500-$800, depending on your pet’s weight For cargo rates, please contact SkyCargo directly..
Etihad Airways	You can pay to bring your cat or dog on board Etihad-operated flights to and from Abu Dhabi. For all other destinations, check with the relevant country authorities if your pet can travel in the cabin.	Most pets must be transported as manifested cargo with Etihad Cargo.	From $1,500 or 215,000 Etihad Guest Miles in Economy.
Jet2.com	Not allowed, except for registered assistance dogs.	Not allowed.	N/A.
Lufthansa	Dogs and cats that weigh less than 8kg including their transport container can travel in the cabin. They must be at least 12 weeks old (or 15 weeks for flights to/from Germany).	Pets weighing over 8kg, including their container, may be transported under certain conditions as excess baggage in the aircraft’s air-conditioned cargo hold. They must be at least 12 weeks old (or 15 weeks for flights to/from Germany).	€50-€110 in the cabin €160-€380 in the cargo hold. A surcharge of €150 is charged for transfers via Brussels, Geneva, Frankfurt, Vienna and Zurich.
Qantas	Not allowed, with the exception of service dogs.	All bookings for pet and animal transport must be made through a Qantas Freight-approved pet travel specialist.	These agents set a bespoke price for pet travel, to cover the flight plus additional services such as veterinary support.
Qatar Airways	Only service dogs and one falcon per person (up to six per flight) are allowed in the Economy Class cabin.	Qatar Airways accepts domesticated dogs, cats and birds as checked baggage, either on your flight or separately. Submit a request here.	For pets travelling as excess baggage, you will be charged normal excess baggage rates. Charges are per crate with a maximum weight (animal + crate) of 32kg.
Ryanair	Not allowed, except for guide and assistance dogs on certain routes.	Not allowed.	N/A.
TUI	You can take a cat or dog weighing less than 8kg in the cabin if they are at least 12 weeks old and are transported in a hygienic watertight bag with max. total dimensions of 115 cm.	Dogs and cats weighing over 8kg must travel in the hold.	€50 in the cabin, €80 in the hold There’s an additional €7.50 surcharge per pet and per leg of the trip if the pet booking isn’t notified in advance.
Turkish Airlines	If your pet doesn’t weigh more than 8 kg with its cage and the cage dimensions don’t exceed 23cm high, 30cm wide and 40cm long, they can be transported in the cabin of the aircraft.	If the crate exceeds 23×30×40 cm or your pet with its cage weighs over 8kg, it will be transported in the aircraft hold. Some species can be transported through Turkish Cargo only.	175 TRY in the cabin 285–485 TRY in the cargo hold.
United Airlines	Domesticated cats and dogs that can fit in a travel carrier underneath the seat in front of you. You can bring aboard your in-cabin pet’s kennel in addition to your carry-on bag allowance.	Currently suspended.	$125 in the cabin
Virgin Atlantic	Not allowed, except for assistance dog or guide dog.	Currently unavailable. You can contact IPATA for approved agents and advice.	N/A.
Vueling	Not allowed on flights to/from the UK. Cats, dogs, birds (excl. birds of prey), and turtles/tortoises are allowed in the cabin on all other routes. Limits are 45×39×21cm and no heavier than 10kg with the pet inside. For flights operated by Iberia, the standard limit of 8kg applies.	Not allowed.	From €50 for domestic flights within Spain From €60 for international and Canary Islands flights

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Travelling with pets FAQs

What are the current pet travel rules for UK holidaymakers?

If you’re entering Ireland or an EU country your pet must comply with EU Pet Travel rules. If you’re entering the United Kingdom, your pet must meet the requirements of the UK Pet Travel Scheme.

Here’s how to bring your dog, cat, or ferret abroad after Brexit.

What does my pet need to travel to the EU or Northern Ireland?

When travelling to an EU country or Northern Ireland, your pet needs:

1) a microchip;

2) a valid rabies vaccination;

3) an animal health certificate, or a valid pet passport that’s accepted in the country you’re going to;

4) tapeworm treatment for dogs if you’re travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta. The treatment must have been given no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before you arrive.

These also apply to assistance dogs. Check the rules of the country you’re visiting for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel.

Pet travel rules when visiting a non-EU country

If you’re travelling to a non-EU country, you’ll need to get an export health certificate. An EHC checks that your pet meets the health requirements of the country you’re about to go to. You must nominate an official vet who will be sent the EHC.

If you’re in England, Scotland, or Wales, you’ll also have to complete an export application form (EXA).

Find an export health certificate and EXA for your destination and pet to learn how to apply. Always check the rules of the country you’re planning to visit for any additional requirements before you travel.

Which airlines allow pets in cabin?

Currently, the following airlines allow flying with pets in-cabin:

Does British Airways permit pets in the cabin?

Most flights to the UK (and sometimes from the UK) don’t allow pets in the cabin. Consequently, British Airways doesn’t permit pets to travel in the cabin, which that goes for all UK airlines. Service dogs are the only exception.

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