Pet air travel · cabin vs cargo

Flying a Pet: Cabin, Hold or Cargo — What Each Airline Allows in 2026

The question that decides a pet move is whether your animal flies in the cabin, in the hold as checked baggage, or as manifest air cargo — and the answer is mostly out of your hands. It turns on weight, breed and the airline's own policy, and those policies have tightened: several major carriers no longer put pets in the hold for the public at all. Here is what each airline actually allows in 2026, the IATA crate the desk measures against, and the snub-nosed breed rules that ground a lot of dogs before weight even matters — each line quoted from the carrier's own page.

Cabin vs hold vs cargoReal 2026 airline policiesA source on every lineIATA crate rulesSnub-nosed breed bans
Where the authority lies

This page tells you where the official rule is and what it says. It is not the rule and it is not legal advice. The official source decides, and the official source is the one that counts if this page and it ever disagree.

The three ways a pet flies

Airlines sort every pet into one of three lanes before they talk price. Which lane yours lands in is set by its weight in the carrier, its breed, the route, and increasingly by whether the airline still offers the middle option at all.

What each airline actually allows

Grouped by region, with what each carrier allows the general public — not service animals, which nearly every airline carries free in the cabin under separate rules. Fees are one-way and change often; where a carrier does not publish a figure we could confirm, the line says so. Always re-check on the airline's own page before you book.

United States

The big three — United, Delta and American — have all closed hold and cargo pet travel to the general public, leaving only the in-cabin option for a small pet (military and State Department moves are the exception). Alaska is the outlier that still flies pets in the hold.

  • United Airlines

    In cabinYes — cats and dogs; must fit fully under the seat
    Cabin fee$125 each way (plus $125 for a long layover)
    Hold / cargoClosed to the public — PetSafe now only for some military / State Dept moves
    BreedsNo published in-cabin breed ban; snub-nosed matter only for cargo, which is closed

    If your dog is too big for the cabin, United has no option for it — a common surprise. The pet counts as your carry-on, and only a few travel per flight, so book it with your seat.

    Source: United — Traveling with pets

  • Delta Air Lines

    In cabinYes — small dogs, cats and household birds (birds within the contiguous US)
    Cabin fee$150 US/Canada/PR/USVI; $200 international (tickets on/after 8 Apr 2025)
    Hold / cargoRestricted to active US military and State Dept (FSO) on PCS orders
    BreedsSnub-nosed dogs, cats and their mixes not permitted

    Delta recommends a soft carrier no larger than about 18 × 11 × 11 in, and the pet must stand and turn inside it. No in-cabin pets on many long-haul routes (Hawaii, the UK, Australia) or from Brazil, Colombia and the Dominican Republic.

    Source: Delta — Pet travel

  • American Airlines

    In cabinYes — cats and dogs
    Cabin feeConfirm on aa.com (widely reported ≈ $150 each way; not confirmable on their live page)
    Hold / cargoNo accompanying pets as checked baggage; shipping via American Airlines Cargo
    BreedsSnub-nosed dogs and cats not accepted in cargo; seasonal heat embargoes apply

    American blocks automated reads of its pet page, so we won't state a fee we can't confirm — check the live aa.com figure before you count on it. Cargo shipping runs through American Airlines Cargo, not the passenger desk.

    Source: American Airlines — Pets

  • Alaska Airlines

    In cabinYes — dogs and cats only; up to two carriers in the cabin
    Cabin fee$100 each way ($35 within Hawaii)
    Hold / cargoYes — checked baggage ≈ $150 each way; unaccompanied via Alaska Pet Connect cargo
    BreedsCargo bans a long list of snub-nosed dogs and cats; temperature limits apply

    The US carrier most likely to fly a larger pet in the hold. Alaska has been adjusting pet fees, so confirm the current checked-baggage figure at booking. Cargo will not fly if the forecast anywhere on the route is above 85°F or below 45°F.

    Source: Alaska Airlines — Pets in the cabin

United Kingdom & Europe

The rule that catches everyone: a pet cannot enter Great Britain in the cabin or as accompanying baggage — it must arrive as manifest air cargo on an approved carrier, into a Heathrow-area animal reception centre. Within Europe, Lufthansa, KLM and Air France still take a small pet in the cabin; British Airways does not.

  • British Airways

    In cabinNo — assistance dogs only
    Hold / cargoPets travel as cargo through its sister company IAG Cargo
    Into the UKManifest cargo only; BA processes at Heathrow's Animal Aircare Centre (AAC)
    FeeSet by IAG Cargo, by route and weight — quoted per shipment

    BA carries no pets in the cabin for the public. Everything goes through IAG Cargo, which quotes per shipment, so there is no simple published fee.

    Source: British Airways — Travelling with pets

  • Lufthansa

    In cabinYes — dog or cat, pet plus carrier up to 8 kg
    HoldHeavier animals in the hold; the largest via Lufthansa Cargo
    CrateHold pets need an IATA-compliant crate
    FeeBy route — confirm with Lufthansa

    The 8 kg cabin ceiling includes the carrier, so weigh the two together. Register the animal ahead of travel; cabin spaces are limited.

    Source: Lufthansa — Travelling with animals

  • KLM & Air France

    In cabinYes — dog or cat, pet plus bag up to 8 kg
    HoldUp to about 75 kg (animal + crate) in the hold; larger via cargo
    CrateIATA-compliant crate for the hold
    FeeBy route — confirm at booking

    KLM and Air France share the same 8 kg cabin cut-off and the same hold option. Book the pet early — each cabin takes only a small number.

    Source: KLM — Travelling with pets

  • Virgin Atlantic

    In cabinNo — assistance dogs only
    Hold / cargoUncertain — not on the UK government's approved pet-carrier list
    Into the UKUse a GOV.UK-approved carrier; confirm with Virgin directly first

    Virgin Atlantic does not appear on the UK government's approved pet-travel carrier list, and reports on whether it currently books pets conflict. Confirm with Virgin before planning a route around it.

    Source: Virgin Atlantic — Conditions of carriage

India & the Gulf hubs

India is a huge origin for pet moves to the UK, US and Australia, and most route through a Gulf hub. Air India and Akasa take a small pet in the cabin; IndiGo and SpiceJet do not. Among the Gulf carriers only Etihad offers a cabin pet — Qatar Airways and Emirates carry pets in the hold or as cargo.

  • Air India

    In cabinYes — dogs and cats, pet plus carrier up to 10 kg
    CarrierSoft kennel about 17 × 10 × 9 in, ventilated, leak-proof, no wheels
    Hold / cargoYes — dogs and cats up to 32 kg; snub-nosed breeds not accepted in cargo
    FeeNo flat fee — charged as excess baggage by weight (carrier included)

    Book the pet at least 72 hours ahead, report about 3 hours before departure, and note you can't add a pet to a multi-city booking. Minimum age 8 weeks for the cabin, 3 months for cargo.

    Source: Air India — Travelling with pets

  • IndiGo & SpiceJet

    In cabinNo — registered service / guide dogs only
    Hold / cargoIndiGo: no pets. SpiceJet: cargo hold on domestic flights only
    NoteIndia's two biggest low-cost carriers, neither for pet passengers

    If you're flying a pet within or out of India, these two are effectively out — plan around Air India, Akasa (domestic) or a foreign carrier. Confirm IndiGo's current policy on its own site before ruling it in.

    Source: SpiceJet — Air travel FAQ

  • Akasa Air

    In cabinYes — cats and dogs from 3 months, pet plus container up to 10 kg
    ContainerUp to about 19 × 12.6 × 10 in
    Hold / cargoYes — check-in up to 32 kg, cargo up to 100 kg
    ScopeDomestic India flights only; fee on request (pets@akasaair.com)

    Akasa's pet service is domestic-only even though it flies some international routes. Book at least 24 hours ahead with a vet health certificate issued within 72 hours.

    Source: Akasa Air — Pets on Akasa

  • Qatar Airways

    In cabinNo — service dogs only
    Hold / cargoPets fly as checked baggage on most routes, and via Qatar Airways Cargo
    BreedsBreed and container rules apply — confirm with the airline
    BookingRequest via the carriage-of-pets form, 60 to 1 days before travel

    Qatar's own site blocks automated reads, so we don't publish weights, dimensions or fees we couldn't confirm there. It does carry pets in the hold on most routes — just not in the cabin.

    Source: Qatar Airways — Travelling with pets

  • Emirates

    In cabinNo — falcons (to parts of Pakistan) and guide dogs only
    Hold / cargoChecked baggage on eligible routes; Emirates SkyCargo otherwise
    FeeBy animal + cage size: ≈ $500 (≤23 kg / ≤150 cm), $650, or $800; larger → cargo
    The 17-hour ruleBaggage only if the total journey is under 17h; anything ending in / transiting Dubai over 6h goes as cargo

    Emirates publishes a clear checked-baggage fee table, but the 17-hour rule pushes most India↔UK/US moves into SkyCargo. Birds are refused via Dubai from 1 May to 30 September for heat, and India allows only two pets per person.

    Source: Emirates — Travelling with animals

  • Etihad Airways

    In cabinYes — small dogs and cats, at least 16 weeks old, up to 8 kg including the carrier
    Cabin feeFrom about USD 399
    Hold / cargoLarger and unaccompanied pets via Etihad Cargo (supports some snub-nosed breeds)
    BookingSubmit the form at least 7 days ahead; email documents to pets@etihad.ae

    The only Gulf carrier — and one of few full-service airlines anywhere — that welcomes a small dog or cat in the cabin. Etihad's own pages block automated reads, so treat the exact breed list as 'confirm with the airline'.

    Source: Etihad — Travelling with pets

The crate the airline checks: IATA rules

Whatever lane your pet flies in, the container is checked against the same standard: IATA's Live Animals Regulations, Container Requirement 1 (CR1) for dogs and cats. A crate that fails at the counter grounds the pet, so airlines and shippers measure it hard. These are the rules the desk applies.

How the crate size is worked out

Measure the animal, not the pet you think you have. The four measurements below set the minimum internal size — round up, never down, and let the animal grow into a long trip.

Source: IATA — Traveling with pets (Live Animals Regulations, CR1)

Snub-nosed breeds: why so many are grounded

For a great many dogs the answer to “cabin or cargo” is neither — they are not allowed to fly in the hold at all. Snub-nosed, or brachycephalic, breeds are the single biggest reason a healthy pet is refused, and the ban usually applies whatever the weather.

Flat-faced dogs and cats have narrowed airways that already work hard at rest. The stress, heat and thinner cabin-hold air of a flight raise the risk of breathing distress and death, so most airlines refuse these breeds in the hold outright — a few in the cabin too. If yours is on the list, plan for the cabin (if small enough) or a specialist ground or cargo route, and never assume a mixed-breed is exempt.

Dog breeds often restricted

  • Pug
  • French Bulldog
  • English & American Bulldog
  • Boston Terrier
  • Boxer
  • Shih Tzu
  • Pekingese
  • Lhasa Apso
  • Chow Chow
  • Brussels Griffon
  • Japanese Chin
  • Shar-Pei
  • Cane Corso
  • Mastiff breeds
  • Bull Terrier

Cat breeds often restricted

  • Persian
  • Himalayan
  • Exotic Shorthair
  • Burmese
  • British Shorthair

Every airline keeps its own list and they differ — this is a composite of the breeds carriers most often restrict, not a single carrier's ruling. Check your exact breed on the airline you intend to fly before you book.

Source: Alaska Air Cargo — Pet Connect breed & container restrictions

How to actually book it, in order

Booking a pet onto a flight is not like booking a seat — the animal's place, the crate and the paperwork all have to line up, and pet spaces sell out. Work it in this order and start earlier than feels necessary.

  1. Step 1 · before you book anything

    Decide the lane honestly

    Weigh the pet in its carrier and check the breed against the airline's list. If it is small enough for the cabin, that is the cheapest, least stressful option. If it is a large or snub-nosed dog, accept early that you are looking at cargo or a specialist shipper, not a bag fee.

  2. Step 2 · same day

    Call the airline before you buy the ticket

    Cabin pet spaces are capped per flight and booked separately, so confirm a space is free on your date before you pay for your own seat. On carriers that only fly pets as cargo, you book through the cargo arm, not the passenger site.

  3. Step 3 · 4–8 weeks out

    Buy the right IATA crate and let the pet live in it

    Measure to CR1, buy one size sensible, and leave it open at home with familiar bedding so travel day is not the first time the pet is shut in it. An unfamiliar or wrong-sized crate is a common refusal at the counter.

    Source: IATA — container requirement CR1

  4. Step 4 · to the country’s timeline

    Do the health paperwork in the destination’s order

    Microchip, rabies, any blood test and the vet certificate must happen in the sequence and windows your destination sets — this is where corridors are made or missed. Use the matching corridor guide for your exact route.

  5. Step 5 · travel week

    Confirm, and pack the crate for the crew

    Reconfirm the pet booking 48–72 hours ahead, fix documents in a pouch to the crate, attach filled water dishes, and do not sedate unless a vet directs it — sedation at altitude is dangerous and most airlines refuse a visibly sedated animal.

The crate and kit the counter will look for

Heads up: some links below are affiliate links. Buy through one and Animalsss may earn a small commission — it costs you nothing extra, and it never changes what we list. We put down the kit this particular move actually needs, and nothing we were paid to.

  • An IATA-approved travel crate or carrier

    Airlines check the container against the IATA live-animal rules before they will load it: hard-sided, well ventilated, and big enough for the animal to stand up and turn around. The wrong crate is the most common reason a booked pet gets bumped at the counter.

    See options on Amazon →
  • Clip-on food and water cups

    The crate has to travel with bowls fixed inside that ground staff can top up without opening the door. Free-standing bowls do not count.

    See options on Amazon →
  • Absorbent crate lining

    A layer that holds an accident through a long leg keeps the animal dry and keeps the crate from being pulled off the ramp for leaking.

    See options on Amazon →
  • "Live Animal" labels and orientation arrows

    Most carriers want the crate marked LIVE ANIMAL with "This Way Up" arrows. A cheap sticker set beats hunting for a marker at check-in.

    See options on Amazon →
  • An ID tag that reaches you at both ends

    A number someone can actually answer on the day — not just your home line — is what reunites a pet with you if the crate and the paperwork get separated in transit.

    See options on Amazon →

Common questions

The questions people ask most about flying a pet, answered from the same official and carrier sources.

Can my dog fly in the cabin with me?

Only if it is small — most airlines cap the pet plus its carrier at around 8 kg (about 18 lb) and require the carrier to fit fully under the seat. A cat or a small dog, yes; a Labrador, no. US carriers that have closed the hold to the public offer the cabin as the only option, so a larger dog needs a different airline or a cargo booking.

Which airlines still fly pets in the hold?

In the US, United, Delta and American have all stopped hold and cargo pet travel for the general public; Alaska Airlines is the main exception. Internationally, carriers like Lufthansa, KLM/Air France, British Airways (via IAG Cargo) and Qatar Airways still carry pets in the hold or as cargo — always confirmed on the carrier's own page here.

Why can’t a bulldog or pug fly?

Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds have restricted airways, and the heat and stress of a flight raise the risk of breathing distress and death. Most airlines refuse these breeds in the hold outright, whatever the season. A small one may still fly in the cabin; a large one usually needs a specialist ground or cargo route.

What crate do I need?

A rigid IATA CR1 container: hard-sided, spring-locked metal door, ventilation on all four sides for international travel, and big enough for the pet to stand, turn and lie down. Measure the animal to size it, mark it “Live Animals”, and fit dishes the crew can fill from outside.

How much does it cost to fly a pet?

In the cabin, roughly $95–$150 each way on US carriers; from about USD 399 in Etihad's cabin. In the hold or as cargo it runs far higher and depends on weight, crate size and route. Our cost hub carries the real ranges — and where a carrier won't publish a figure, we say so rather than guess.

Can I sedate my pet for the flight?

Almost never a good idea. Sedatives can drop breathing and blood pressure at altitude, and most airlines refuse a sedated animal. If your vet thinks your pet genuinely needs help, follow their specific direction — do not self-medicate before a flight.

How far ahead should I book?

Confirm the pet space when you book your own ticket — cabin spaces are capped per flight. Then work back from the destination's health timeline: an easy route needs a few weeks, but rabies-controlled destinations like the EU, UK, Australia or New Zealand can need months, so start early.

Do the rules change for the UK, Australia or New Zealand?

Yes — significantly. The UK does not allow pets to arrive as checked baggage at all; dogs, cats and ferrets must come as manifest cargo and are cleared at a designated centre such as Heathrow's Animal Reception Centre. Rabies-free countries like Australia and New Zealand add import permits and long lead times. Use the corridor guide for your exact route.

Are service and emotional-support animals treated the same?

No. Trained service dogs travel in the cabin free under separate rules on nearly every airline. Emotional-support animals, however, are no longer recognised as service animals by US carriers and now travel as ordinary pets under the policies on this page.

Work out your route and your budget

The cost hub carries the real figures and the step-by-step corridor guides carry the paperwork order for your exact move.

This page tells you where the official rule is and what it says. It is not the rule and it is not legal advice. The official source decides, and the official source is the one that counts if this page and it ever disagree.

Reviewed by the Animalsss Movement Desk. Airline rules and fees gathered 24 Sep 2026 from each carrier's own published policy and the IATA live-animal guidance linked beside each line. Airline policies change often and vary by route — always confirm with your airline before you book.

This page is free to read. Some links to gear and services are affiliate links, marked where they appear; they never change what we list.

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