How do airlines feel about transporting pets in the cabin? Part 1

20.03.2023

How do airlines feel about transporting pets in the cabin? Part 1

Airlines strive to provide comfortable conditions for their customers. But what about four-legged passengers? In this case, each carrier has its own characteristics and requirements. We have studied the details of the pet policies of major European airlines. Here is the first part of a large list.

If you need to clarify information about the pet policy of a specific airport, you can go to the official website by clicking on the company name.

We also recommend reviewing the 5 key questions about transporting dogs in the aircraft cabin.

Aegean Airlines & Olympic Air (Greece)

Aegean Airlines and its subsidiary Olympic Air allow customers to bring their dogs and cats into the cabin. Pets can also be transported in the baggage compartment.

The company has standard rules: maximum weight is 8 kg, including the carrier. There is a limit on the number of animals on flights, so you need to check with the call center to see if there are any free spaces for pets. The company also allows you to specify your animal in your online booking.

As for the amount of the fee, you will have to pay €30 for domestic flights and €60 for flights within Europe.

Blue Bird Airways (Greece)

Blue Bird Airways only allows animals on board in the cabin. The maximum weight of an animal, including its carrier (55 x 40 x 20 cm), is 8 kg.

Reservations must be made at least seven days in advance. There is also a €30 charge for each transfer.

Aer Lingus (Ireland)

Aer Lingus does not allow animals to be transported in the aircraft cabin. The only exception is for trained service dogs. Therefore, if you decide to use Aer Lingus, you will have to send your pet in the baggage compartment. You must also book tickets in advance through IAG Cargo.

Aeroflot (Russia)

Aeroflot does not prohibit the transport of small pets in the cabin or baggage compartment. However, the total weight of your four-legged friend must not exceed 8 kg.

The company also has requirements for carriers. The maximum dimensions for soft carriers are 126 cm, and for hard carriers, 44 x 30 x 26 cm. A water bowl is required.

You will have to pay a fee of 3,750 rubles to fly with your pet on a domestic flight. For international flights, the fee is 75 euros or 120 dollars.

Air Albania (Albania)

Air Albania allows small pets to be carried in the cabin. Larger pets must be placed in the baggage compartment. The maximum dimensions of the carrier are 40 x 30 x 23 cm. The company has also introduced a weight limit of 8 kg, including the carrier.

For flights to Italy and Greece, the fee will be €45, and for flights to other destinations, €65. Tickets must be booked at least 6 hours before departure.

Albawings (Albania)

Albawings is a small airline based in Tirana that mainly flies to Italy. On Albawings flights, pets are only allowed in the cabin.

The maximum weight of one animal is 10 kg, including the carrying bag, which must not exceed 46 x 31 x 25 cm in size. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are allowed to be transported, with a maximum of two pets per flight.

Air Belgium (Belgium)

Air Belgium allows cats and dogs to fly both in the economy class cabin and in the baggage compartment. However, if you wish to use the carrier's services, you will need to book your ticket at least 72 hours in advance.

For pets traveling in the cabin, there is a weight limit of 8 kg, including the carrier, which must be soft. Its dimensions must not exceed 45 x 35 x 20 cm. There is also a fee of €70 for advance online payment.

Brussels Airlines (Belgium)

Brussels Airlines allows cats and small dogs to be carried in the cabin and in the baggage compartment. Advance booking through the service center is mandatory, as no more than four containers with animals are allowed on the plane.

The rules are fairly standard: the maximum weight of the animal, including the carrier, is 8 kg. Certain breeds of dogs and cats are allowed in the cabin only if an additional form is filled out. Details should be clarified when booking a ticket.

The amount of fees varies from €60 within Europe to €100 to the east coast of the United States or Canada.

Air Corsica (France)

Air Corsica allows pets in the cabin. Pets may also be transported in the baggage compartment.

For flights in the cabin, cats and dogs must be transported in a soft carrier measuring 115 cm. The carrier offers suitable carriers for purchase directly at the check-in desk. The total weight of the pet and the bag must not exceed 8 kg.

Pet owners will also have to pay a fee depending on their destination: €20 for flights within mainland France, €30 for flights to or from Paris-Orly or Paris-Charles de Gaulle airports, and €40 for flights within Europe.

Air France (France)

Air France is prepared to transport animals in the cabin as well as in the baggage compartment. On the company's website, in the My Bookings section, you can add the "Pet in Cabin Option."

The carrier has set a weight limit of 8 kg for pets. A pet carrier is required for travel and can be purchased on the Air France Shopping website.

You must also pay a fee ranging from €40 for domestic flights within mainland France to €125 for long-haul flights.

Chalair (France)

The French regional airline Chalair operates domestic routes within the country. Pets are allowed in the cabin and in the baggage compartment, depending on the aircraft.

There is a weight limit of 8 kg for animals traveling in the cabin, including the carrier. Only one animal is allowed per flight, and an additional fee of €20 is charged at the airport before departure.

Corsair (France)

French airline Corsair allows pets to be transported in the cabin and in the baggage compartment, but not on all available routes.

For pets in the cabin, there is a maximum weight limit of 8 kg, including the carrier. You must reserve a place for your pet at least 72 hours before departure. You will also have to pay a fee of €50 or €100, depending on the destination.

Air Dolomiti (Italy)

The regional Italian airline Air Dolomiti mainly operates flights between Italy and the airports of Frankfurt and Munich.

Pets are allowed on board both in the cabin and in the baggage compartment. They can fly in both economy and business class. They must be transported in carriers measuring 55 x 40 x 23 cm and weighing up to 8 kg.

Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance and a fee of €50 must be paid for domestic flights and €60 for flights between Italy and Germany.

Air Europa (Spain)

Spain's third-largest airline, Air Europa, flies with various pets both in the cabin and in the baggage compartment. One passenger can transport up to five pets on a single flight.

Animals weighing no more than 8 kg are allowed in the cabin. However, the total weight including the carrier may be up to 10 kg. Only dogs and cats are allowed on long-haul flights. Pets must be at least 3 months old to travel on medium- and long-haul flights.

Pet owners will have to pay a fee ranging from €25 on flights within Spain to €150 on long-haul flights.

Albastar (Spain)

Spanish airline Albastar, which operates flights mainly from Palma de Mallorca and Milan airports, only allows dogs and cats to be transported in the aircraft cabin.

The maximum weight of the animal is 8 kg, including the carrier, which must not exceed 45 x 35 x 25 cm.

You must notify the company in advance of your upcoming trip with your pet, as only three containers with animals are allowed per flight. A fee of €80 is charged for each route.

Binter Canarias (Spain)

Binter Canarias allows various pets to be transported both in the cabin and in the baggage compartment.

For flights in the cabin, pets must weigh no more than 8 kg, including the carrier, which is limited to a maximum size of 45 x 35 x 25 cm. You will also have to pay a small fee of €9 or €25, depending on the flight distance.

Canaryfly (Spain)

Canaryfly allows various pets to be transported both in the cabin and in the baggage compartment. The maximum weight of a pet in the cabin is 8 kg, including the carrier (45x35x25 cm).

The possibility of transporting pets must be clarified in advance either through the call center or through the sales office at the airport. A small fee of €10 is charged for each pet carrier in the cabin.

Air Malta (Malta)

Air Malta allows pets to be transported in the aircraft cabin as well as in the baggage compartment. The company is one of the most lenient in terms of weight restrictions, allowing up to 10 kg including the carrier.

Before flying, it is worth preparing a certificate of your pet's health. The airline may request it. The fee for transporting an animal is €70.

Malta also has additional requirements for pets arriving on the island. Upon arrival, pets must be given anti-worm medication and shown to a local government veterinarian.

Air Moldova (Moldova)

Air Moldova only allows pets to be carried in the cabin. The company also does not transport dogs and cats on flights to/from the UK, Ireland, Portugal, and the UAE.

The maximum weight of the pet, including the carrier, is 8 kg. The size of the carrier must not exceed 115 cm.

Before flying, the animal owner must obtain prior approval from the company. Upon departure, the animal owner must fill out a special declaration form. The cost of transporting animals is €60.

Air Montenegro (Montenegro)

Air Montenegro allows small pets to be carried in the cabin and in the baggage compartment. The maximum weight is 8 kg, including the carrier.

There is also a €25 fee for all destinations. Guide dogs are an exception. They travel with their owners free of charge, but you must notify the airline of your four-legged companion at least 48 hours in advance when booking your ticket.

Air Serbia (Serbia)

Air Serbia allows small dogs and cats older than two months to be taken into the cabin. The company has set a standard weight limit of 8 kg. However, the company does not transport animals in the baggage compartment.

When traveling with an animal, you must also check in for your flight at least two hours in advance. You must notify the airline that your pet will be traveling with you when you make your reservation.

Depending on the flight destination, you will have to pay a fee ranging from €25 to €100.

airBaltic (Latvia)

airBaltic allows pets to fly in the cabin and in the baggage compartment, but advance booking is required. Only a certain number of pets are allowed on each flight.

You will also have to pay a fee of €70 for one-way transport. The company has set a weight limit of 12 kg, including the carrier, with maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 23 cm.

Armenia Airlines (Armenia)

A small airline based in Yerevan only allows dogs and cats aged 4 months or older to travel in the baggage compartment and economy class cabin.

There is a strict weight limit for pets traveling in the cabin—no more than 5 kg, including their carrier, which must not exceed 55 x 40 x 20 cm. When booking, you must notify the company about your four-legged companion.

The cost of transportation is calculated based on the weight of the pet. You will have to pay between €120 and €230. Weight restrictions and the requirement to pay a fee do not apply to guide dogs.

AnadoluJet (Turkey)

AnadoluJet, a regional subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, allows pets in the aircraft cabin.

The maximum weight of pets in the aircraft cabin is 8 kg. The animal must be in a carrier measuring 23x30x40 cm.

Only dogs, cats, and small birds are permitted to travel, and advance booking is required. All permits must be obtained no later than 6 hours before departure.

The fee depends on the flight destination. However, transporting animals on international flights will cost between €85 and €620. Guide dogs travel in the cabin free of charge, but confirmation of the reservation is required at least 48 hours before the flight.

Animawings (Romania)

A small airline based in Romania and flying to 12 countries, mainly on seasonal routes, Animawings allows small pets to fly in the cabin.

The weight limit is 8 kg. Please check the ticket price when booking.

Azerbaijan Airlines (Azerbaijan)

Azerbaijan Airlines allows cats and dogs to be transported both in the cabin and in the baggage compartment. The weight of a pet in the cabin must not exceed 8 kg, including the carrier, which must not exceed 55 × 40 × 20 cm in size.

There is a fee for transporting pets, as for regular hand luggage — from €70 to €150 depending on the destination. You must notify the airline of your pet's transportation via the call center no later than 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Bees Airline (Ukraine)

Low-cost airline Bee Airline allows dogs, cats, and birds to be carried in the cabin, except on flights to the United Arab Emirates.

A fee of $50 is charged for transporting an animal in the aircraft cabin, payable in local currency at the airport of departure. Tickets must be booked at least 48 hours in advance, and no more than six pets may travel on a single flight.

The maximum weight is 8 kg, including the carrier (50 x 40 x 20 cm), and pets must travel in a carrier on the floor.

Guide dogs, emotional support animals, and service dogs accompanied by a dog handler may also travel in the cabin free of charge.

Belavia (Belarus)

Belarusian Belavia allows cats and dogs to be transported in economy class and in the baggage compartment. For a pet to be allowed in the cabin, its weight, including the carrier, must not exceed 8 kg.

Animals weighing more than 8 kg but less than 23 kg can be transported in the cabin on a separate seat. In this case, you will have to pay for a ticket and a fee.

When booking a ticket, which must be done 48 hours before departure, you must specify the weight of your pet and the dimensions of its cage. The transportation fee is €50 or $60.

Blue Air (Romania)

Romanian airline Blue Air allows dogs in the cabin, except on flights to the UK, from London (Luton) and to/from Cologne, Germany.

Blue Air has a minimum weight limit of 6 kg, including the carrier. Only one pet can be transported at a time, even if the owner has two.

Braathens Regional Airlines (BRA) (Sweden)

BRA, one of Sweden's largest domestic airlines, allows cats and dogs to travel by plane only on domestic flights within the country.

You must book and pay for your pet's ticket at the same time as booking your own ticket. There is a fee of SEK 350 for transporting an animal. The maximum weight of a pet with a carrier is 8 kg. The carrier must not exceed 45 x 35 x 25 cm, and only soft carriers are permitted.

Guide dogs and service dogs are transported free of charge and are not subject to weight restrictions.

British Airways (United Kingdom)

British Airways does not allow animals to travel in the cabin, with the exception of service dogs. All pets, including emotional support animals and guide dogs, must travel in the climate-controlled cargo hold.

The exception is flights within Europe operated by SUN-AIR under the British Airways brand. In this case, pets weighing up to 6 kg are allowed in the cabin, including a carrier measuring 20 x 30 x 20 cm. But again, this does not apply to flights to the UK.

Reservations are required, as the company only allows one animal per flight.

Bulgaria Air (Bulgaria)

Bulgaria Air transports cats and dogs both in the cabin and in the baggage compartment. The maximum weight of pets, including the carrier, must not exceed 8 kg. The exception is two flights to and from Paris operated by Air France, where the maximum weight is 6 kg.

The owner is required to notify the call center or send an email to inform them that they will be traveling with a pet.

The fee for transporting an animal in the cabin of an aircraft ranges from €50 to €80. It is also important to note that if you pay the fee at the airport, the amount will increase to €50 for domestic flights and €90 for international flights.

Buta Airways (Azerbaijan)

Buta Airways, a budget airline for flying with a small dog to Baku (Azerbaijan) and back. Flights are operated from Bulgaria, Georgia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

The maximum weight limit for animals is 8 kg, including the carrier.

The animal owner must inform the carrier at least 24 hours before departure, as no more than two animals are allowed in the cabin per flight. The fee is €25.

Corendon Airlines, Corendon Airlines Europe, and Corendon Dutch Airlines (Turkey, Malta, and the Netherlands)

The low-cost carrier, based in Turkey and with subsidiaries in Malta and the Netherlands, does not transport pets.

Croatia Airlines (Croatia)

Croatia Airlines allows animals to be transported both in the cabin and in the baggage compartment. Only two dogs or two cats are allowed on a single flight. The maximum weight is 8 kg, including the carrier.

The fee for domestic flights within Croatia is approximately €25 + VAT (25%), €50 for international flights within Europe, and €70 for international flights outside Europe. It is also worth noting that there is an additional charge of €10 for transporting animals in the passenger cabin on international flights for which tickets are purchased on the day of departure.

Czech Airlines (Czech Republic)

Czech Airlines allows animals to travel both in the cabin and in the baggage compartment. In economy class, a maximum of two carriers are allowed, and in business class, only one. Therefore, it is recommended to book a ticket for your pet as early as possible.

The maximum size of a pet carrier for travel in the cabin is 43 cm x 30 cm x 27 cm, and the maximum weight of a pet with a carrier is 8 kg. The fee is €75.

Cyprus Airways (Cyprus)

Cyprus Airways, Cyprus' flagship carrier, mainly operates seasonal flights to and from the Mediterranean island. Pets are allowed to fly both in the cabin and in the baggage compartment.

Both dogs and cats weighing up to 8 kg are allowed in the cabin, with a total weight of 10 kg including the carrier. The carrier can be up to 45 x 35 x 20 cm in size.

Most flights charge a fee of between €50 and €100. You must also book a place for your pet at least one day in advance, as no more than three animals are allowed on board.

DAT ( Denmark)

Danish carrier DAT (formerly known as Danish Air Transport) allows cats and dogs to be transported both in the cabin and in the baggage compartment.

Pets traveling in the cabin must be carried in a soft bag, preferably a Sherpa bag. There is a weight limit of 8 kg, including the animal and the bag.

Advance booking is also required, for which a fee of DKK 200 is charged.

Eastern Airways (United Kingdom)

The small airline Eastern Airways does not allow pets on board its flights, with the exception of guide dogs for the visually impaired. Trained dogs are transported free of charge, but the company must be notified of their transportation at least 48 hours in advance.

easyJet, easyJet Europe, and easyJet Switzerland ( United Kingdom, Austria, and Switzerland)

The UK's largest airline, Easyjet, does not allow animals on board, except for registered guide dogs and assistance dogs.

Austrian Airlines (Austria)

Austrian Airlines allows small cats and dogs weighing up to 8 kg to be carried in the cabin, and larger dogs to be carried in the baggage compartment.

The fee ranges from €50 for domestic flights to €110 for long-haul intercontinental flights. You will also need to contact the airline in advance to confirm the terms of carriage and availability of seats.

Edelweiss (Switzerland)

Edelweiss allows only cats and dogs to be transported in the cabin or in the baggage compartment. The carrier has set a weight limit of 8 kg, including the carrier bag. Depending on the duration of the flight, you will have to pay a fee ranging from CHF 69 to CHF 126.

Advance booking is also required at least four days in advance. In addition, from February 1, 2023, you must provide documents proving that your pet is allowed to fly and is over two months old.

chair (Switzerland)

The small airline Chair allows cats, dogs, and turtles to fly in the cabin and baggage compartment. However, some breeds of animals may be refused transportation, so it is best to check with the call center.

When flying in the cabin, pets are limited to 6 kg, including the carrier. The owner is also charged 90 Swiss francs per one-way flight. In addition, you will need to reserve a seat for your pet at least 48 hours before departure, as only a limited number of animals are allowed on each flight.

Eurowings, Eurowings Discover, and Eurowings Europe ( Germany and Austria)

Eurowings and its subsidiaries Eurowings Discover and Eurowings Europe allow animals to fly in the cabin on short- and medium-haul flights. Flying with pets is not permitted on long-haul flights or to/from the UK and Ireland.

The company has a weight limit of 8 kg, including the carrier. Space for your four-legged companion must be booked in advance. The cost of transportation starts at €55.

Finnair and Norra (Finland)

Finnair and its regional subsidiary Norra allow domestic cats and dogs to be carried both in the cabin and in the baggage compartment on their flights. From February 1, 2023, all restrictions on pets on long-haul flights will be lifted.

For transportation in the cabin, the maximum weight of the pet and carrier must not exceed 8 kg. The maximum size of the carrier varies slightly depending on which company is operating the flight: Finnair or Norra.

The fee for transporting pets in the aircraft cabin is €50 for short-haul flights and €90 for long-haul flights. You must book a seat for your pet in advance, at least 7 days before departure.