Transporting animals by plane. How to fly with a dog or cat

Dear passengers, if you decide to take your pet on a trip, you must contact the sales offices for reservations, air tickets and services. A passenger transporting an animal must be over 18 years of age. If you are planning to book transportation on the airline’s official website, information about the provision/booking of animal transportation services must be clarified by phone

When booking and purchasing an air ticket at the ticket office, be sure to indicate the type, quantity, and weight of the animal being transported.

The recommended time to submit a request at the ticket office to transport an animal is no later than 24 hours before the flight departure.

Draw your attention to!

The following are not accepted for transportation as baggage/cargo: large livestock, wild animals, experimental animals, reptiles (including turtles), rodents, bees, hedgehogs and fish seeding material.

When transporting animals and birds in luggage compartments, the weight of animals and birds is not included in the free baggage allowance and is paid for as excess baggage, taking into account the weight of the container (cage), in accordance with the rules for applying tariffs for the transportation of animals and is issued with a receipt for payment for excess baggage.

The airline has the right to refuse to transport an animal to a passenger if this transportation has not been booked and confirmed by the airline. These measures are necessary to ensure flight safety or prevent damage to the property of the airline or passengers.

Where will the animal fly: in the cabin or in the luggage compartment

Dogs commonly fly as service or emotional support animals. On this American Airlines flight, a specially trained miniature horse was allowed into the cabin along with the passenger.

Transporting animals in the cabin as hand luggage

Pets are usually allowed into the cabin if they weigh up to 8 kg together with the carrier. Occasionally it can reach up to 10 kg - for example, Alitalia.

For maximum weight and carrying requirements, see the airline's website. Among the general rules: the size of the container is 105–135 cm in the sum of three dimensions, it is well ventilated and closes securely, the bottom does not leak (can be covered with a disposable baby diaper), the pet inside stands up to its full height and does not rest its head on the lid.

From February 14, 2022, Aeroflot has reduced the size of containers for transporting animals in hand luggage. Now the size of a carrying bag in the sum of three dimensions should not exceed 126 cm, and a rigid container cannot be more than 44x30x26 cm in length, height and width.

Airlines typically allow both soft and hard carriers for dogs and cats in carry-on luggage. In the cabin they are placed under the seat in front. According to the rules, the pet must sit in its temporary house during the entire flight. Sometimes they are allowed to put two animals in one container.

Some airlines don't allow pets in your hand luggage if you're flying business class; Finnair says this is because there's no space for cages under the seats.

A service dog and a guide dog will also fly in the cabin - even if they are lean shepherd dogs. Such animals need documents about their “profession” (in addition to all others), they must be wearing a collar and muzzle. The owner may need proof of disability. Psychological support dogs may be carried in the cabin or in the hold, depending on airline regulations.

As a rule, pets are taken into the cabin in addition to the usual piece of hand luggage, and not instead. Naturally, for money - read how to buy a plane ticket for a pet.

In some destinations, transporting animals in hand luggage is prohibited, for example, to the UK, where animals are sent only by cargo. Airlines have similar rules: on Emirates planes, all animals are sent to the hold.

Transporting animals by plane will be hassle-free if you follow simple instructions.

Transporting animals in luggage

Animals that, together with the container, weigh more than 8 kg will have to be checked in as baggage. They can also send a dog of an aggressive breed there, even if its weight makes it into the salon.

The maximum weight depends on the aircraft - 50 kg, for UIA - 75 kg, and may depend on the direction. If your pet is heavier than expected, it can be sent as cargo. In what other cases this may be useful, read the article about the official rules for transporting pets.

Which carrier to buy for an airplane

A regular cage is not suitable for transporting an animal into the luggage compartment. It's easiest to ask the store for a container that meets the IATA standard, but be sure to double-check that it matches your airline's requirements. Here, for example, are the rules for transporting animals at Aeroflot.

Fighting dogs may require reinforced cages: to give you an idea of what we're talking about, here's a description of them on the Lufthansa website. For heavy dogs, it makes sense to add wheels to the crate, but be sure to remove them before putting them in your luggage.

Before the flight, the bottom of the cage is covered with waterproof diapers: stick it with tape so that it does not move out. Alternatively, you can use special absorbent diapers for animals. Place a blanket or blanket on top.

Do I need to feed animals during the flight?

There are different opinions about pet food in luggage. Many people are afraid that their dog will get an upset stomach due to stress, so they don’t feed them at all on the day of the flight. Others provide a small treat before the flight. If you are not sure, consult your veterinarian. Water is usually poured. To prevent it from spilling during loading, experienced owners, before sending it to the luggage compartment, ask for ice at the nearest cafe and put it in the drinking bowl.

If you are not bringing a dog or a cat , everything is more complicated. Read what animals cannot be transported in hand luggage and luggage and what to do if yours is among those prohibited.

Why you should choose a business jet to fly with a pet

Business Aviation recommends traveling with pets only on private planes, because the strict rules of regular airlines do not allow pets to be transported in good conditions: there, animals huddle in cramped cages in the luggage compartment with a complete lack of heating and air conditioning. All this negatively affects the mental state and physical health of live cargo.

Business jets create comfortable conditions for owners and their animals, since on a private jet the pet sits next to its owner. If he starts to get nervous, then you can immediately encourage and caress the pet, and, if necessary, feed it. At the same time, the animal will not disturb the rest of the charter passengers, because only relatives and friends of the pet owner are in the cabin of the business jet.

Transportation of animals by air. How dogs and cats cope with flying in the luggage compartment

Transporting animals on an airplane is an exciting experience for everyone.
But stress can be reduced. There are horror stories on the Internet about frost on cages and pneumonia in dogs and cats after a flight in luggage. This is nonsense: the luggage compartments in which animals are transported are ventilated and heated. The climate is not a resort, but at least +10–15 °C will be provided, and sometimes +25 °C happens. The exact temperature depends on the aircraft model and can be obtained from the airline customer service. Alert owners already on board ask the senior flight attendant to confirm that the heating is turned on in the luggage compartment.

But it is true that animals get nervous and sometimes fall into real panic in an unfamiliar place without their owners. Many are lucky, and in the darkness or dim light of the luggage compartment, their faithful friends calm down and fall asleep. In other cases, the pet howls the entire flight and by hook or by crook breaks out of the cage.

How to calm your dog or cat before a flight

In order for your dog or cat to endure the flight more calmly, it is worth preparing them well in advance. Six months in advance, or even earlier, buy a carrier that meets the airline's requirements, put a cozy, familiar bedding and toys in it - it should become a favorite corner, not a detention cell. Let the animal get used to the cage at home.

Many people use sedatives and/or sleeping pills to transport animals in luggage. Be careful with them: on the one hand, the animal is less afraid, and on the other, no one knows how the introduced substances will affect the body during overload. This is a case where it is easy to cause harm, so be sure to consult your veterinarian about medications and, if possible, use proven products to which your pet has no adverse reactions. Place a sticker on the container with the name of the product, dose and time of administration.

Some veterinarians believe that it is worth giving your dog or cat mild herbal sedatives like “Fitex” or “Kot Bayun” 7-10 days in advance, and not giving or injecting anything on the day of the flight. Discuss the exact regimen with your doctor.

“There was a veterinary service at the airport that you could contact with a request to inject the animal with sleeping pills for the duration of the flight. We contacted us in advance, so by the time we arrived, a doctor was already waiting for us with a syringe at the ready. We checked our flight, estimated the time, and the doctor assured that the dog would definitely sleep even longer than the flight. They injected me - and then the flight began to be postponed. First for two hours, then for another three, in the end we took off 8 hours later.
When it became clear that there definitely wouldn’t be enough anesthesia (our flight lasted 10 hours), we found the same veterinarian, but he, naturally, refused to add more. As a result, the dog woke up at the beginning of the flight and spent another 8 hours in a cage in the luggage compartment. Then it turned out that with her teeth she bent the metal bars of the cage, half a finger thick, and tore the mattress into small shreds. Before the flight, she was a tender and emotional young lady. And at the arrival airport we received an inappropriate hysteria - forever.”
Stanislava Evminova shared her sad experience of flying with a dog

Don't be scared! More often than not, everything goes well: read a story with a happy ending about flying with a dog to Samui and look at the inspiring photos published by Irina Goldman, who has traveled halfway around the world with her husky named Space.

“Space has been traveling since he was 4 months old, and in the last year alone we have had 20 flights. She is my best friend, and I am sure that a dog left without an owner for two weeks is more stressed than a few hours in the luggage compartment. Before the first flight, to make her feel comfortable, I trained her to crate. Now there are always favorite treats and a blanket there. I don't give you a sedative. Space is already used to it and can easily handle even transatlantic flights.”
Traveler Irina Goldman

How to buy a plane ticket for a dog, cat or other animal

First, make sure that the airline allows you to carry your pet. The most reliable way to transport a specific pet is directly to the carrier.

Select a date and flight, and before purchasing , call the airline and ask if you can bring your pet. Airlines have restrictions on the number of animals on a flight: for example, no more than two cages can fly in the S7 cabin at a time. Antagonistic animals, for example, a cat and a dog, may be denied transportation in the same cabin. This means that if another passenger has already informed the airline that they will fly with a dog in their hand luggage, then they will offer to check your cat in their luggage.

If transportation is given the go-ahead, then buy a ticket and immediately call the airline back to coordinate the transportation of the animal. The deadline for such a call is 36–72 hours before the flight departure (depending on the airline), but it is better not to delay so that other passengers do not take up the pet quota. The call center will either immediately confirm the transport of the animal or call you back in a day or two.

“I usually book a ticket without paying, then call the airline and say that I’m flying with a dog. Having received confirmation that the quota for animals has not been selected, I buy the ticket and call again to get final permission to transport.”
Traveler Sergei Markovsky, who often flies with his Airedale terrier Arto

How and by when you need to pay for transporting an animal, check with the call center. You may be asked to pay at the airport at a special ticket office during check-in, in advance on the airline’s website, or by phone via a voice menu.

Prices depending on the type of business jet

To clearly show the high dependence of the cost of a flight on the type of aircraft, we have collected approximate data on the price of 1 flight hour for various types of business jets:

Large aircraft (like Legacy 600) - from 5800 to 6800 euros per flight hour;
Business airliners - from 12,000 euros per flight hour;
Light aircraft - from 2500 to 3500 euros per flight hour;
Long-haul aircraft (like Global 5000, Gulfstream G550, Falcon 7X, etc.) - from 6800 to 10200 euros per flight hour;
Medium aircraft (like: Cessna Citation XLS+, Hawker 800XP, etc.) - from 3600 to 4400 euros per flight hour;
Turboprops and turboprops - from 1000 euros per flight hour.
Large middle-class aircraft (like Challenger 300, etc.) - from 5400 to 6500 euros per flight hour;
Small aircraft , from 2000 to 3000 euros per flight hour;

You can calculate the cost of a flight for your desired route for free in several ways:

using the online calculator on the website - the calculation is approximate and only shows the order of the price;
via messenger - by writing to us on WhatsApp or Telegram;
by calling us on a landline or mobile phone;
via email

In order for airline consultants to respond to you as quickly as possible, please provide as complete information as possible on the flight route, number of passengers, business jet preferences, as well as other wishes. This will help you choose the most suitable options for you at the best price.

How much does it cost to bring a dog or cat on a plane?

Ready for takeoff!
Animals are not included in baggage allowance and are not carried free of charge by any airline.

Only guide dogs accompanying blind or deaf passengers and service dogs, and sometimes psychological support dogs, fly without additional payment.

Payment for other pets depends on the airline and comes in two types: fixed and by weight. Weigh the animal along with the container.

Carrying requirements

White ferret - description of the species, size and character

They are different for different transport companies, so before booking and purchasing tickets you should familiarize yourself with this section of the transportation rules. The most general requirements are as follows:

the total weight of the cat and the shipping container is 8-9 kg;
the total length, width and height of the box must be 125 cm or less;
length parameter - 35 cm or lower;
must be made of durable material;
presence of two handles;
Air holes are required.

Note! If the requirements are not met, the cat will have to travel in the luggage compartment. In this case, purchase a plastic container with hard walls; using soft bags is unacceptable.

A high-quality carrier is an opportunity to reduce stress for your pet

How much does it cost to transport dogs and cats on different airlines?

AirlineOne way transportation priceAeroflot On flights within Russia - 3,750 rubles, on international flights from September 15, 2022 - 200 $ or € (depending on the route, previously it was only 75 $). UTair On direct flights within Russia: in the cabin - 3,000 rubles ., in luggage a pet weighing up to 20 kg - 3000 rubles, 21-30 kg - 6000 rubles, 31-50 kg - 9000 rubles. On direct international flights: in the cabin - 50 €, in luggage for a pet weighing up to 20 kg - 50 €, 21-30 kg - 100 €, 31-50 kg - 150 €. Ural Airlines On flights within Russia - 2500 rubles, in the CIS - 35 €, in non-CIS countries - 60 €. Pobeda Transports animals in a container with a total weight of up to 8 kg only in the cabin. 1999 rubles online and through the call center; 3000 rubles at a Russian airport; 55 euros at a foreign airport. Nordwind (“North Wind”) Transports animals only in the cabin. On flights within Russia - 2250 rubles, on international flights - from 35 to 62 $ or € (depending on the route). Turkish Airlines On flights within Turkey: in the cabin - 80 liras, in luggage for a pet weighing 9-15 kg - 120 liras, 16-22 kg - 180 liras, 23-28 kg - 220 liras, more than 28 kg - 260 liras. On direct international flights: the price is calculated by weight according to excess baggage rates, but not less than $70 in the cabin and $140 in the luggage compartment. Lufthansa On flights within Europe: in the cabin - 60 €, in the luggage compartment a container with dimensions of 60x45x40 cm – 100 €, dimensions up to 105×75×79 cm – 200 €. On flights outside Europe: in the cabin - 70–110 €, in the luggage compartment container with dimensions 60x45x40 cm - 130-190 €, with dimensions 105x75x79 cm - 260-380 €.Aegean AirlinesPrice depends on the season: from November 1 to December 31 and from January 1 to June 15 there is a low tariff, and from June 16 to October 31 there is a high tariff. On flights within Greece: in the cabin - 20/30 €, in luggage for a pet weighing up to 25 kg - 40-50 €, over 25 kg - 80-90 €. On international flights: in the cabin - 50-60 €, in luggage for a pet weighing up to 25 kg - 95-105 €, more than 25 kg - 160-170 €.airBalticIn the cabin - 50 €. In the luggage compartment: pet weighing up to 32 kg - 100 €, 33–75 kg - 200 €. Belavia In the cabin - 50 €, in the luggage compartment: pet weighing up to 32 kg - 100 €, 32-70 kg - 150 € .Alitalia On flights within Italy: 40 €, on international flights - from 75 € to 170 $ (depending on the route).

Data current as of August 2022

Where to go with an animal at the airport

Arrive at the airport 3-4 hours before departure to have time to sort out all the formalities.

At the entrance to the airport, the container is passed through a scanner, and the owner and the animal walk through the frame. To prevent a frightened animal from running away, it must be on a leash.

First, go through veterinary control. There are often queues there, and the average visit takes 30–40 minutes, or even more. If you are flying abroad, for speed, you can fill out the necessary certificates yourself and only have them certified on the spot. It happens that veterinary control does not work around the clock - check in advance. What documents will be required to pass veterinary control, read the article about the official rules for flying with a pet.

Next is check-in for the flight. Your documents for the animal will be checked, it will be weighed along with the carrier and sent to the ticket office to pay for transportation (except in cases where, according to airline rules, animals are paid for in advance). You will then return to the check-in counter and receive your boarding pass.

If the animal flies in the luggage compartment, then most likely you will need to take it to the oversized baggage reception desk.

On international flights, go through customs control and declare your pet before boarding. Read how to do this in a separate article.

After arrival, pick up the animal at the oversized baggage claim point or next to the regular baggage carousel. If you arrived from another country, go through veterinary and customs control.

“We flew from Kharkov to Riga via Kyiv with two cats. During the transfer we learned that the second flight had been postponed by 8.5 hours and was leaving early in the morning.
The airline representative said that they would provide us with a hotel without any problems. But when it turned out that the cats also needed to be accommodated, the employee immediately refused. After some bickering, we managed to call a senior manager, who, again after persuasion and attempts to prove that the cats were also passengers of the airline, we convinced him to look for the option of checking in with cats. After 10–15 minutes, a hotel was found that was ready to accept guests with animals. A friend went to the supermarket to get a tray and filler, and everyone spent the night peacefully.
But the adventures didn't end there. In Riga, customs officials said that certificates for the transportation of animals to EU countries, issued for cats at the Ukrainian airport, do not meet the requirements. In the end, they took pity and let us through, but warned us that in the future there might be problems with the export and import of these cats. Now we live in Latvia and don’t know if we can move somewhere with our mustachioed friends.”
Transportation of animals - personal experience: our reader Stanislav managed to ensure that, when the flight was delayed, the cats were accommodated in a hotel with their owners

Personal experience of flying with an animal

Olga Shchelkunova moved to Samui and brought her dog Alma with her:

“We flew with Aeroflot. They have a direct flight to Bangkok, clear rules and a fixed rate for animals - 75 €. For some airlines, the price for an animal is calculated by weight, and for our twenty-kilogram dog together with the container it cost up to $600.

I’m an alarmist, so I called Aeroflot almost a year in advance and double-checked all the information from their website. I also bought tickets by phone: before purchasing, you need to send a request and receive confirmation that the animal is allowed on this particular flight. Confirmed immediately, no need to wait.

We started preparing the dog in advance - we took it with us everywhere, socialized it, showed it that there are cars, electric trains, loud noises, crowds of people. We didn’t give any sedatives on the day of the flight—I didn’t take the risk. But within ten days I started giving herbal sedative drops. We were introduced to the carrier six months before the trip - we wanted it to become a favorite home, where it was comfortable and safe. According to the rules, the container must comply with IATA standards. But our Gulliver 6 IATA carrier turned out to be bad - it cracked after a small fall, and then the little dog completely chewed off the lock from the inside, it’s good that this was after all the flights.

A month before the flight in Thailand, it was necessary to request permission to import the dog - it was sent by email.

In the queue for the veterinary control at Sheremetyevo, nothing happened at all for 40 minutes; I almost turned gray. And on the plane, immediately after takeoff, we asked the flight attendant if everything was okay in the special compartment. He called the elder, who assured us that everything was ok, and confirmed that the captain of the ship knew about the animal.

I was afraid that we would arrive and they would give me a frostbitten corpse. Fortunately, our dog survived the flight well. The only thing that angered her was that she was being taken somewhere away from us and then not immediately released. But as soon as we let the dog out of the carrier, she immediately happily jumped up on us, licked us and began to mark the bushes. I didn’t lose my appetite, and my enthusiasm didn’t diminish either.

The next day we were still flying from Bangkok to Koh Samui on a Bangkok Airways plane. They also have everything clear, prompt support service and a good tariff for transporting animals on domestic flights. After the flights, the dog was happy from the first day; we did not notice any signs of shock.”

Read more about how animal transportation works and what vaccinations and documents are needed to fly with a pet.

Cases when transportation is not possible

To transport a cat by air, it is important that it is vaccinated against rabies, as well as against panleukopenia. After these vaccines, the veterinary passport contains a doctor’s note about the date of the injection, the drug, and there must be a stamp from the institution and the doctor’s signature. In addition, airline specialists have the right to refuse boarding to an animal that has not undergone anthelmintic treatment.

Note! Persian cats and other pets with upturned noses are at high risk. The specific anatomical structure makes it difficult for them to breathe during the flight, so if possible, it is better to transport them in another way, for example, on the Pobeda train.

It is unacceptable to transport infected, sick animals, as well as those on which experiments were conducted, on airplanes. In addition, when studying the question of how to transport a cat on an airplane, you should keep in mind that it will not be possible to transport the animal without a carrier.

Flying is stressful for cats and humans, but following the rules will help avoid a lot of problems.

These are the basic rules, compliance with which will help you easily transport a cat on an airplane across Russia or to distant destinations. The most important thing is to prioritize your pet’s comfort and think about how to reduce stress for him.

*Prices in the article are for February 2022.

Transporting animals by plane: rules, tips and answers to the most frequently asked questions

Where do animals fly - in luggage or in the cabin? Usually only small animals are allowed into the aircraft cabin: together with the carrier, they must weigh up to 8 kg. In rare cases, pets that, together with the cage, weigh up to 10 kg are allowed in hand luggage. The rest of the animals fly in the luggage compartment.

Is it dangerous to transport an animal in luggage? The luggage compartments where animals are transported are quite comfortable: they are ventilated and heated. The exact temperature can be obtained from the airline support service. To prevent your pet from getting nervous in an unusual environment, prepare him for the flight in advance. Buy a carrier a few months before your flight, put familiar bedding and your pet's favorite toys in it, and let him sleep there. This will make the travel cage a cozy den for him. As for the use of sedatives and sleeping pills, consult your veterinarian: they are not always beneficial.

What kind of carrier do you need on a plane? Please check the airline's website for specific carrying requirements and maximum cage weight. The general rules for transporting animals are as follows: the size of the container is 105–135 cm in the sum of three dimensions, the carrier is well ventilated and securely closed. Make sure that the pet stands up to its full height inside and does not rest its head on the lid. The bottom should not leak - just to be sure, put a disposable baby diaper there.

What documents are needed to fly with animals? Transporting animals by plane requires a certain set of documents. A veterinary passport and veterinary certificate form No. 1 are required. Read more about documents for flying with a pet.

How to buy air tickets for a dog or cat? First of all, before booking your flights, call the airline and make sure that it allows you to carry your pet: there may be restrictions on the number or types of animals on flights. If transporting your pet is allowed, buy a ticket and call the airline immediately to coordinate the details. The deadline for such a call is 36–72 hours before departure. Don't wait until the last minute to make sure you hit your pet quota. The call center will tell you how and when to pay for the transportation of your animal. They may offer to pay when checking in at the airport at a special ticket office, in advance on the airline’s website, or by phone through the voice menu.

How much does it cost to transport animals by plane? As a rule, animals are transported on board the aircraft for a fee. Only guide dogs accompanying blind or deaf passengers and service dogs, and sometimes psychological support dogs, fly without additional payment. Payment for other animals depends on the airline and comes in two types: fixed and by weight. The pet is always weighed together with the container. Check your carrier's website for the latest requirements.

Do cats and dogs need vaccinations before flying? Yes, animals must be vaccinated before flying. The most important vaccination - against rabies - is done after microchipping. To enter Europe, for example, it must be done no later than 21 days before departure. Dogs also need to be vaccinated against canine distemper, hepatitis, viral enteritis, parvo- and adenovirus infections and leptospirosis. Cats - from panleukopenia. Minks and ferrets must be vaccinated against canine distemper, viral enteritis and pasteurellosis, and rabbits - against myxomatosis, pasteurellosis and viral hemorrhagic disease. See the exact list of vaccinations for transporting animals by air.

Final advice

In addition to a blanket, you can relieve your cat’s stress with a spray that imitates the smell of cat glands. They use them to mark their territory. Not to be confused with the stinking glands of males! This spray does not smell of anything. Spray the inside of the carrier and your cat will become accustomed to the familiar smell. Also, upon arrival at a new place, treat the corners of the house for the same effect.

Helpful tips: try to organize a toilet and food for your cat at the end point of your trip in advance.
This is the first thing he will need, and it would be nice if they were already ready. You can take his favorite toy with you or put him straight into the carrier. And most importantly: most likely, in the warm and dark trunk of the plane, under the uniform hum of the engines, the cat will simply sleep through the entire flight. Alexey K. , flew with a cat from Vladivostok to Moscow (cat age 11 years, breed “red nobleman”)

What else is useful to know:

New life for travelers. How are airports operating during the coronavirus pandemic?
Tips for flying during coronavirus: important information about masks
From scissors to alcohol. What can and cannot be carried in hand luggage and luggage
How to carry luggage and hand luggage on Aeroflot and Pobeda flights
Animal etiquette. How to behave when meeting wild animals on vacation so as not to harm them