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:
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.
Airline | Toy | Small | Medium | Large | Extra Large | Website |
British Airways | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | |
Virgin Atlantic | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | |
EasyJet | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | |
RyanAir | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | |
KLM | Cabin | Cabin* | Hold | Hold | Hold** | |
Lufthansa | Cabin | Cabin* | Hold | Hold | Hold | |
Emirates | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | |
Etihad | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | |
FlyBe | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | |
Thomson / TUI | Cabin | Cabin*** | Hold | Hold | Hold |
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.
Airline | Approved destination airports in the UK | Website | Airline’s pet travel information | Toy | Small | Medium | Large | Extra Large |
Aegean Airlines | London Heathrow | Official Website | Travelling with pets | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold | Hold |
Aeroflot Russian Airlines | London Gatwick, London Heathrow | Official Website | Flying with pets: basic information | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold | Hold |
Aeromexico | London Heathrow | Official Website | Flying with pets | Cabin | Cabin (b) | Hold | Hold | Hold |
Air Baltic Corporation | London Gatwick | Official Website | airBaltic Pet Travel Policy (bringfido.com) | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold | Hold (c) |
Air Canada | Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Heathrow, Manchester | Official website | Travelling with your Pet | See pet carrier size restrictions on website | See pet carrier size restrictions on website | Hold | Hold (d) | Not allowed |
Air France | Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Heathrow, Manchester | Official Website | Transporting animals by plane | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold | Hold (c) |
Air Malta | London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester | Official Website | Travelling With Pets | Cabin | Cabin (f) | Baggage | Baggage (g) | Hold |
Air Transat | London Gatwick, Manchester | Official Website | Flying With Pets | See pet carrier size restrictions on website | See pet carrier size restrictions on website | Hold | Hold (d) | Not allowed |
All Nippon Airways | London Heathrow | Offical Website | Traveling with Pets | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold |
American Airlines | London Heathrow, Manchester | Official Website | Pets | Destination countries don’t include UK | ||||
Atlantic Airways | Edinburgh | Official Website | Luggage | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold |
Austrian Airlines | London Heathrow | Official Website | Travelling with animals | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold (e) | Not allowed | Not allowed |
Avianca | London Heathrow | Official Website | Pets on board | Cabin | Cabin (a) | See website for further information as depends on flight duration | ||
Azerbaijan Airlines | London Heathrow | Official Website | Information | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold (c) |
British Airways | London Heathrow, London Gatwick | Official Website | Travelling with pets | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold |
Brussels Airlines | London Heathrow | Official Website | Pets | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold | Hold |
China Airlines | London Gatwick | Official Website | Pets | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold |
China Southern | London Heathrow | Official Website | Travelling with Pets | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold (g) | Not allowed |
Delta Air Lines | Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester | Official Website | Delta Pet Policy | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold |
Egyptair | London Heathrow | Official Website | Traveling With Pets | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold |
El Al Israel Airlines | London Heathrow | Official Website | Flying Pets | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold | Hold (h) |
Ethiopian Airlines | London Heathrow | Official Website | Excess And Special Baggage | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold (g) | Cargo |
Finnair | London Heathrow | Official Website | Can I travel with my pet? | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold | Hold (i) |
Iberia Express | London Heathrow | Official Website | Travelling with pets | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold (d) | Not allowed |
Icelandair | Glasgow, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester | Official Website | Traveling with Pets | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold (j) | Not allowed |
JSC Rossiya Airlines | London Gatwick | Official Website | Flying with pets | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold | Hold (i) |
KLM | Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Heathrow, Manchester | Official Website | Travelling with pets | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold | Hold (c) |
Korean Air | London Heathrow | Official Website | Flying With Pets | Cabin | Cabin (k) | Hold | Hold (d) | Not allowed |
Kuwait Airways | London Heathrow | Official Website | Baggage Animals on Board | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold |
LOT Polish Airlines | London Heathrow, Manchester | Official Website | Travelling with pets | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold | Hold |
Lufthansa | Edinburgh,Glasgow, London Heathrow, Manchester | Official Website | Travelling with animals | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold | Hold |
Middle East Airlines | London Heathrow | Official Website | Travelling with pets | Cabin | Cabin (f) | Hold | Hold | Hold (c) |
Oman Air | London Heathrow, Manchester | Official Website | Travelling with Pets | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold (c) |
Philippine Airlines | London Heathrow | Official Website | Not applicable | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold |
Qatar Airways | Edinburgh, London Heathrow, Manchester | Official Website | Excess Baggage | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold upton 75kg and then cargo |
Royal Jordanian Airlines | London Heathrow | Official Website | Flying with Pets | Cabin | Cabin (k) | Hold | Hold (d) | Not allowed |
Singapore Airlines | London Heathrow, Manchester | Official Website | Travelling with pets | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold (g) | Cargo |
Swiss International Air Lines | Edinburgh | Official Website | Travelling with animals | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold | Hold |
Swiss WorldCargo | London Heathrow | Official Website | Transport your beloved pet with the most care and support | Cargo | Cargo | Cargo | Cargo | Cargo |
Tarom Romanian Air Transport | London Heathrow | Official Website | Călătoria cu animale de companie | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold | Hold (c) |
Travel Service – SmartWings | London Gatwick | Official Website | Important information about the transportation of non-standard items | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold (g) | Not allowed |
Turkish Airlines | Edinburgh, London Heathrow | Official Website | Traveling with Pets Guide | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold | Hold |
Uzbekistan Airways | London Heathrow | Official Website | Travelling with Pets | Cabin | Cabin (a) | Hold | Hold | Hold |
Vietnam Airlines | London Gatwick, London Heathrow | Official website | Travelling with Pets | Cabin | Cabin (l) | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed |
Virgin Atlantic Airways | London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester | Official Website | How to book your pet onto a flight | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold | Hold |
(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!
Airline | Approved destination airports in the UK | Website | Airline’s pet travel information | Notes |
Adria Airway | Cambridge | N/A | N/A | No longer operating |
Air Europa | London Gatwick | Official Website | Pets | “If you fly to/from the UK, our Cargo Department will help you with transport.” |
Air Mauritius | London Heathrow | Official Website | Pets | You have to contact them for specific guidance |
Air New Zealand | London Heathrow | Official Website | Travelling with pets | You have to contact them for specific guidance |
Cathay Pacific | London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester | Official Website | Travelling with animals | You have to contact them for specific guidance |
Czech Airlines | London Heathrow | Official Website | Customer Support | Do not fly animals to or from the UK |
Emirates SkyCargo | Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester | Official Website | Pets | You have to contact them for specific guidance |
Etihad Airways | Edinburgh | Official Website | Pets | Not permitted in the cabins only with Etihad Cargo |
Etihad Cargo | Edinburgh, London Heathrow, Manchester | Official Website | LiveAnimals | You have to contact them for specific guidance |
Gulf Air | London Heathrow | Official Website | Baggage (scroll to the bottom) | Not permitted in the cabins only with Gulf Air Cargo |
Japan Airlines | London Heathrow | Official Website | Traveling with Pets | Not permitted in the cabins only with JAL Cargo |
Kenya Airways | London Heathrow | Official Website | Pet Carriage, Dog and Other Live Animals carriage Rules | Not permitted in the cabins only on Cargo flights |
Malaysia Airlines | London Heathrow | Official Website | Not applicable | You have to contact them for specific guidance |
Marathon Airlines s.a. | Birmingham | Official Website | Not applicable | You have to contact them for specific guidance |
Qantas | London Heathrow | Official Website | Travelling with pets | You have to contact a ‘pet travel specialist’ for specific guidance |
Royal Brunnei Airlines | London Heathrow | Official Website | Not applicable | You have to contact them for specific guidance |
Rwandair | London Heathrow | Official Website | Not applicable | You have to contact them for specific guidance |
Scandinavian Airlines System Cargo | London Heathrow, Manchester | Official Website | Not applicable | You have to contact them for specific guidance |
Tui Airways | Bristol, Doncaster Sheffield, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Gatwick, Manchester | Official Website | Can I take my pet with me? | Thomson now TUI. | You have to contact them for specific guidance |
United | Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Heathrow, Manchester | Official Website | Traveling with In-Cabin Pets | You have to contact them for specific guidance |
South African Airways | London Heathrow | Official Website | Travelling with Animals | Not permitted in the cabins only with Air Waybill Cargo |
SriLankan Airlines | London Heathrow | Official Website | Baggage allowance | You have to contact them for specific guidance |
Thai Airways | London Heathrow | Official Website | Travel | Information | You have to contact them for specific guidance |
West Atlantic Aviation UK | Gatwick | Official Website | Not applicable | You 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.
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? 😉
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.
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!
Thank you Janni. I’m so glad that you found it informative and I hope that others will too 😊
This post is so smart, I also feel very uneasy about having Scar fly unless she’s in first class with me 😂 our pups are so spoiled.
Very spoiled! 😊