Can you take your dog on a plane?

person with toy airplane on world map

One day we will return to some level of normality, including travelling abroad! To help you prepare for travel abroad with your pooch this post covers the rules for taking your dog on a plane. You should also read our post about entry requirements to the United Kingdom (UK), the European Union (EU), Canada, the United States (US), New Zealand and Australia.

To avoid confusion, and language differences, we’re going to use ‘plane’ instead of ‘airplane’ (US) or ‘aeroplane’ (UK).

SHOULD you take your dog on a plane?

Alongside environmental, financial and convenience factors, you should ask yourself if the plane journey is worth the potential stress to your dog. For example, taking your dog in the hold while relocating or setting out on the journey of a lifetime may outweigh the potential discomfort and stress for your pooch. There are lots of videos on YouTube about dogs on a plane – this one shows the process AirCanada followed to load a corgi.

We strongly recommend that you speak with your vet if you are considering travelling on a plane with your dog regularly. Unless they’re absolutely tiny and can happily travel beside your feet in the cabin, of course. Plus, some of the alternatives can be really exciting and bring their own experiences, such as driving across country borders in a campervan. Where plane travel is the best for you and your pooch, this post will hopefully be useful!

Dog sizes

Airline rules for pets differ by pet and then size. In this post we will detail the airline rules for dogs (excluding assistance dogs) using the following sizes:

Toy dogs

Under 12 pounds / 5.4 kg

animal dog pet cute
Photo by Jayendra Patel on Pexels.com

Small dogs

12-25 pounds / 5.4-11.3 kg

brown dachshund on bed
Photo by Dominika Roseclay on Pexels.com

Medium dogs

25-50 pounds / 11.3-22.7 kg

serious bulldog sitting on soft sofa
Photo by Christian Montes on Pexels.com

Large dogs

50-100 pounds / 22.7-45.5 kg

selective photo of dark golden retriever puppy stands on snowfield
Photo by Robert Broderick on Pexels.com

Extra large dogs

Over 100 pounds / 45.4 kg

animal big blur breed
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Main airlines in the UK

These are the main commercial airlines that fly in and out of the UK. To enter the UK all animals must go in the hold, some can travel in the cabin to exit the UK.

AirlineToySmallMediumLargeExtra LargeWebsite
British AirwaysHoldHoldHoldHoldHold
Virgin AtlanticHoldHoldHoldHoldHold
EasyJetNot allowedNot allowedNot allowedNot allowedNot allowed
RyanAirNot allowedNot allowedNot allowedNot allowedNot allowed
KLMCabinCabin*HoldHoldHold**
LufthansaCabinCabin* HoldHoldHold
EmiratesHoldHoldHoldHoldHold
EtihadHoldHoldHoldHoldHold
FlyBeHoldHoldHoldHoldHold
Thomson / TUICabinCabin***HoldHoldHold
* if under 8kg including carrier **if under 75kg ***if under 6kg

Other airlines

The UK Government keep a list of pet-friendly commercial and charter airlines: Pet travel: airlines and airports you can use – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). We have provided some useful information about these other airlines below. Remember, all animals must go in the hold to enter the UK, the below is for dogs leaving the UK.

Click here for information about other airlines

We have tried to provide succinct and clear guidance however we note that some of the airlines use terminology differently (e.g. cargo to refer to the cargo bay hold and/or separate freight flights). In the below table, ‘Cabin‘ means in the same part of the plane as human passengers, ‘Hold‘ means in with the checked baggage or in the cargo bay of the same plane as you, and ‘Cargo‘ means on a separate freight flight. Always check the airline’s website for the latest information prior to booking.

AirlineApproved destination airports in the UKWebsiteAirline’s pet travel informationToySmallMediumLargeExtra Large
Aegean AirlinesLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteTravelling with petsCabinCabin (a)HoldHoldHold
Aeroflot Russian AirlinesLondon Gatwick, London HeathrowOfficial WebsiteFlying with pets: basic informationCabinCabin (a)HoldHoldHold
AeromexicoLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteFlying with petsCabinCabin (b)HoldHoldHold
Air Baltic CorporationLondon GatwickOfficial WebsiteairBaltic Pet Travel Policy (bringfido.com)CabinCabin (a)HoldHoldHold (c) 
Air CanadaEdinburgh, Glasgow, London Heathrow, Manchester Official websiteTravelling with your PetSee pet carrier size restrictions on websiteSee pet carrier size restrictions on websiteHoldHold (d) Not allowed
Air FranceEdinburgh, Glasgow, London Heathrow, ManchesterOfficial WebsiteTransporting animals by planeCabinCabin (a)HoldHoldHold (c) 
Air MaltaLondon Gatwick, London Heathrow, ManchesterOfficial WebsiteTravelling With PetsCabinCabin (f) BaggageBaggage (g) Hold
Air TransatLondon Gatwick, ManchesterOfficial WebsiteFlying With PetsSee pet carrier size restrictions on websiteSee pet carrier size restrictions on websiteHoldHold (d) Not allowed
All Nippon AirwaysLondon HeathrowOffical WebsiteTraveling with PetsHoldHoldHoldHoldHold
American AirlinesLondon Heathrow, ManchesterOfficial WebsitePets Destination countries don’t include UK 
Atlantic AirwaysEdinburghOfficial WebsiteLuggageHoldHoldHoldHoldHold
Austrian AirlinesLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteTravelling with animalsCabinCabin (a)Hold (e) Not allowedNot allowed
AviancaLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsitePets on boardCabinCabin (a)See website for further information as depends on flight duration  
Azerbaijan AirlinesLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteInformationHoldHoldHoldHold Hold (c) 
British AirwaysLondon Heathrow, London GatwickOfficial WebsiteTravelling with petsHoldHoldHoldHoldHold
Brussels AirlinesLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsitePetsCabinCabin (a)HoldHoldHold
China AirlinesLondon GatwickOfficial WebsitePets HoldHoldHoldHoldHold
China SouthernLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteTravelling with Pets HoldHoldHoldHold (g) Not allowed
Delta Air LinesEdinburgh, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, ManchesterOfficial WebsiteDelta Pet Policy HoldHoldHoldHoldHold
EgyptairLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteTraveling With PetsHoldHoldHoldHoldHold
El Al Israel AirlinesLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteFlying PetsCabinCabin (a)HoldHoldHold (h)
Ethiopian AirlinesLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteExcess And Special BaggageCabinCabin (a)HoldHold (g) Cargo
FinnairLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteCan I travel with my pet?CabinCabin (a)HoldHoldHold (i)
Iberia ExpressLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteTravelling with petsCabinCabin (a)HoldHold (d) Not allowed
IcelandairGlasgow, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, ManchesterOfficial WebsiteTraveling with PetsHoldHoldHoldHold (j)Not allowed
JSC Rossiya AirlinesLondon GatwickOfficial WebsiteFlying with petsCabinCabin (a)HoldHoldHold (i)
KLMEdinburgh, Glasgow, London Heathrow, ManchesterOfficial WebsiteTravelling with petsCabinCabin (a)HoldHoldHold (c) 
Korean AirLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteFlying With PetsCabinCabin (k)HoldHold (d) Not allowed
Kuwait AirwaysLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteBaggage Animals on BoardHoldHoldHoldHoldHold
LOT Polish AirlinesLondon Heathrow, ManchesterOfficial WebsiteTravelling with petsCabinCabin (a) HoldHoldHold
LufthansaEdinburgh,Glasgow, London Heathrow, ManchesterOfficial WebsiteTravelling with animalsCabinCabin (a) HoldHoldHold
Middle East AirlinesLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteTravelling with petsCabinCabin (f) HoldHoldHold (c) 
Oman AirLondon Heathrow, ManchesterOfficial WebsiteTravelling with PetsHoldHoldHoldHoldHold (c) 
Philippine AirlinesLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteNot applicableHoldHoldHoldHoldHold
Qatar AirwaysEdinburgh, London Heathrow, ManchesterOfficial WebsiteExcess BaggageHoldHoldHoldHoldHold upton 75kg and then cargo
Royal Jordanian AirlinesLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteFlying with PetsCabinCabin (k)HoldHold (d) Not allowed
Singapore AirlinesLondon Heathrow, ManchesterOfficial WebsiteTravelling with petsHoldHoldHoldHold (g) Cargo
Swiss International Air LinesEdinburghOfficial WebsiteTravelling with animalsCabinCabin (a) HoldHoldHold
Swiss WorldCargoLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteTransport your beloved pet with the most care and supportCargoCargoCargoCargoCargo
Tarom Romanian Air TransportLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteCălătoria cu animale de companie CabinCabin (a)HoldHoldHold (c) 
Travel Service – SmartWingsLondon GatwickOfficial WebsiteImportant information about the transportation of non-standard itemsCabinCabin (a)HoldHold (g) Not allowed
Turkish AirlinesEdinburgh, London HeathrowOfficial WebsiteTraveling with Pets Guide CabinCabin (a)HoldHoldHold
Uzbekistan AirwaysLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteTravelling with PetsCabinCabin (a)HoldHoldHold
Vietnam AirlinesLondon Gatwick, London HeathrowOfficial websiteTravelling with PetsCabinCabin (l)Not allowedNot allowedNot allowed
Virgin Atlantic AirwaysLondon Gatwick, London Heathrow, ManchesterOfficial WebsiteHow to book your pet onto a flight HoldHoldHoldHoldHold
(a) if less than 8kg (usually including carrier)
(b) if less than 9kg (usually including carrier)
(c) If less than 75kg (usually including carrier)
(d) if less than 45kg (usually including carrier)
(e) if less than 14kg (usually including carrier)
(f) if less than 10kg (usually including carrier)
(g) if less than 32kg (usually including carrier)
(h) if less than 100kg (usually including carrier)
(i) if less than 50kg (usually including carrier)
(j) if less than 88 pounds (usually including carrier)
(k) if less than 7kg (usually including carrier)
(l) if less than 6kg (unusually including carrier)

We did look at some others, but they had even less information!

AirlineApproved destination airports in the UKWebsiteAirline’s pet travel informationNotes
Adria AirwayCambridgeN/AN/ANo longer operating
Air EuropaLondon GatwickOfficial WebsitePets “If you fly to/from the UK, our Cargo Department will help you with transport.”
Air MauritiusLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsitePets You have to contact them for specific guidance
Air New ZealandLondon HeathrowOfficial Website Travelling with petsYou have to contact them for specific guidance
Cathay PacificLondon Gatwick, London Heathrow, ManchesterOfficial WebsiteTravelling with animalsYou have to contact them for specific guidance
Czech AirlinesLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteCustomer Support Do not fly animals to or from the UK
Emirates SkyCargoEdinburgh, Glasgow, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, ManchesterOfficial WebsitePetsYou have to contact them for specific guidance
Etihad AirwaysEdinburghOfficial WebsitePetsNot permitted in the cabins only with Etihad Cargo
Etihad CargoEdinburgh, London Heathrow, ManchesterOfficial WebsiteLiveAnimalsYou have to contact them for specific guidance
Gulf AirLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteBaggage (scroll to the bottom)Not permitted in the cabins only with Gulf Air Cargo
Japan AirlinesLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteTraveling with PetsNot permitted in the cabins only with JAL Cargo
Kenya AirwaysLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsitePet Carriage, Dog and Other Live Animals carriage RulesNot permitted in the cabins only on Cargo flights
Malaysia AirlinesLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteNot applicableYou have to contact them for specific guidance
Marathon Airlines s.a.BirminghamOfficial WebsiteNot applicableYou have to contact them for specific guidance
QantasLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteTravelling with petsYou have to contact a ‘pet travel specialist’ for specific guidance
Royal Brunnei AirlinesLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteNot applicableYou have to contact them for specific guidance
RwandairLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteNot applicableYou have to contact them for specific guidance
Scandinavian Airlines System CargoLondon Heathrow, ManchesterOfficial WebsiteNot applicableYou have to contact them for specific guidance
Tui AirwaysBristol, Doncaster Sheffield, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Gatwick, ManchesterOfficial WebsiteCan I take my pet with me? | Thomson now TUI.You have to contact them for specific guidance
UnitedEdinburgh, Glasgow, London Heathrow, ManchesterOfficial WebsiteTraveling with In-Cabin PetsYou have to contact them for specific guidance
South African AirwaysLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteTravelling with AnimalsNot permitted in the cabins only with Air Waybill Cargo
SriLankan AirlinesLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteBaggage allowanceYou have to contact them for specific guidance
Thai AirwaysLondon HeathrowOfficial WebsiteTravel | InformationYou have to contact them for specific guidance
West Atlantic Aviation UKGatwickOfficial WebsiteNot applicableYou have to contact them for specific guidance

Other factors to consider

Size and type of animal aren’t the only factors that are considered when planning pet travel. Other factors relating to dogs include:

  • Breed – are they on a banned breed list? Are they a breed that aren’t accepted by the airline (e.g. ‘snub-nosed’)?
  • Duration of flight – for example Aegean Airline will not transport pets in the hold on journeys longer than three hours
  • Carrier required for your dog
  • Import/export country requirements – read this for guidance relating to entry requirements in the United Kingdom (UK), the European Union (EU), Canada, the United States (US), New Zealand and Australia.

Pet travel agencies

The rules are complicated and there are so many things to consider. It’s a bit of a minefield. We strongly recommend (and in some countries it’s required) that you engage a pet travel agency to help and/or make the arrangements for you.

7 thoughts on “Can you take your dog on a plane?

  1. Great post. I had no idea that some carriers don’t take snub-nosed dogs. The thought of my dogs in the hold of a plane just doesn’t sit well with me. Can you move your country closer s it can just be a ferry visit? 😉

    1. We can try! Sash has been on a ferry and it’s much nicer. You can sit in the café area with them and watch the sea. I’m a little uncomfortable about taking dogs on planes but I understand that sometimes it is necessary.

  2. I love an informative and well researched post!! This is great info and I’ll definitely be sharing it! I actually had someone asking about this just the other day!

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