top of page
lentkoneen_siipi2_matalampi_wix.jpg

Commonly operating airlines in Europe

What is the best airline to travel with a dog? Which airlines allow pets to be transported in the cabin?

 

On this page you can find information about the pet transportation policies of some of the largest and the most commonly operating airlines in Europe. The information is aimed to be up-to-date, but it is always recommended to check the latest updates directly from the airline's website before your trip. Even if you have flown with a particular airline before, weight limits and crate dimensions may vary depending on the type of aircraft and the operating carrier. By clicking on the airline's name, you can directly access their website.

 

Some low-cost airlines such as EasyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air do not transport pets at all.

Airlines

Aegean Airlines

Cats and dogs can travel in the cabin and in the cargo hold; the price for cargo hold transport depends on the pet's weight. Before the flight, a document concerning the animal's travel must be filled out and signed.

Air Baltic

The maximum allowed weight limit in the cabin has been reduced from 12 kg to the current 8 kg.

Air Europa

​A relatively affordable airline for pets on domestic flights within Spain and European routes. It transports cats and dogs in the cabin and cargo hold, with a maximum combined weight of the pet and carrier in the cabin being 10 kg. Air Europa Cargo handles the transport of animals other than cats and dogs.​​

​Air France

Fighting dog breeds are not permitted on flights. Some short-nosed breeds are allowed to be transported as cargo, while others are not. More detailed lists can be found on Air France's website.

Austrian Airlines

Special requirements for transporting "fighting dog breeds". Transport of flat-nosed cats and dogs only in the cabin.

Binter Canarias

Transports animals in the cargo hold and cabin; several exotic animals are permitted in both. A muzzle must be used for dogs over 20 kg and fighting breed dogs.

Bulgaria Air

Coming.

Chair Airlines

Cats, dogs, and turtles weighing up to 6 kg are transported in the cabin. Larger ones are transported in the cargo hold; animal species other than those mentioned above are not transported at all. Short-nosed cats and dogs are not transported.

Condor

Transports animals in the cargo hold and cabin; several exotic animals are permitted in both. A muzzle must be used for dogs over 20 kg and fighting breed dogs. Accepts one pet per passenger in the cabin and/or in the cargo hold, only one pet per carrier.

Croatia Air

Coming.

Eurowings

Transports only small cats and dogs (under 8 kg) on European flights and only in the cabin.

Finnair

Transports more exotic animals in the cabin in addition to cats and dogs; pet rabbits, turtles, and hedgehogs are allowed to travel in the cabin when the weight of the pet and the carrier does not exceed 8 kg. Other more exotic animals (e.g., snakes, birds, and lizards) as well as rodents must be transported as cargo. Two adult pets of nearly the same weight can travel in the same carrier, provided each individual weighs no more than 14kg.

Icelandair Group

Coming.

Iberia / Iberia Express / Air Nostrum

In addition to cats and dogs, turtles, birds, and fish can be transported in the cabin, provided their weight including the carrier does not exceed 8 kg. Only cats and dogs are transported in the cargo hold, accepts two pets in one crate as long as the pets are the same size, specie and used to each other. Iberia often operates on Vueling flights and vice versa.​

Jettime

Coming.

KLM

On the commercial flights, only the transport of cats and dogs in the cabin or cargo hold is allowed on the same flight with the owner, not without the owner. Short-nosed cats and dogs are only permitted in the cabin (under 8 kg). Air France-KLM Cargo is responsible for pet freight transport. 

KM Malta Airlines

Cats and dogs are allowed in the cabin up to 10 kg. In the cargo hold, it's possible to transport ferrets, rabbits, and birds. Often operates with Ryanair, which does not allow pets on their flights. Requires a veterinary examination before traveling.

LOT Polish Airlines

Coming.

Lufhansa

Only cats and dogs in the cabin; short-nosed pets only in the cabin, not in the cargo hold at all. Dangerous dog breeds are listed separately; separate transport requirements apply. The airline requires filling out a separate form before transporting the pet (also for those traveling in the cabin). Lufthansa Cargo is responsible for animals transported as cargo (e.g., animals other than cats and dogs).

Luxair

Only soft-sided carriers are allowed in the cabin. There are three pet spaces in the cabin and, depending on the aircraft type, 1-2 in the cargo hold. Short-nosed breeds are only allowed in the cabin.

Norwegian

Only transport of cats and dogs. In one crate in the cargo hold, a maximum of 2 animals of the same size (max. weight 14 kg per animal). A liability waiver form must be signed when transporting short-nosed dogs.

SAS

Cats and dogs can travel in the cabin and cargo hold, while other pets must be transported as cargo. Up to 3 cats or dogs of the same size can be transported in a single crate in the cargo hold. The maximum weight for an animal and its crate in the cargo hold is relatively high, up to 150 kg. A pre-filled transport certificate is required for all flights except domestic flights within Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

Smartwings

Coming

Swiss

The airline requires filling out a form before transporting a pet (also those traveling in the cabin). Short-nosed breeds are not transported in the cargo hold, only in the cabin (under 8 kg). Special requirements apply for transporting specified fighting dog breeds.

TAP Portugal

Transports only cats and dogs in the cabin and cargo hold. In the cargo hold the maximum weight limit of the dog and the crate is 32-45kg. Other animal species must be transported through TAP Air Cargo. ​

TUIfly

The rules vary depending on the country under which TUI operates. Some of TUI's scheduled flights are only available through the TUI website of the respective country, in which case that country's rules apply. From some countries, such as Germany or Belgium, you can fly with a pet outside of Europe as well. TUIfly mainly transports only cats and dogs, either only in the cargo hold and/or in the cabin depending on the departure and destination country. Therefore, it's advisable to always check the pet transport rules separately depending on where you're traveling from and to, and under which country's jurisdiction the flight is operated. There are no common rules that cover all countries.

Turkish Airline

Transports cats, dogs, and small birds in the cabin. Short-nosed cats and dogs are allowed only in the cabin. Convenient price calculator on the website. Larger animals are transported in the cargo hold; fighting breed dogs are shipped as cargo freight.​

Volotea

Coming.

Vueling

Transports cats, dogs, birds (excluding birds of prey) and turtles in the cabin. There is no possibility to transport animals in the cargo hold—only in the cabin. The maximum allowed weight for pets has been reduced from 10 kg to the more common 8 kg in summer 2023. Iberia operates several Vueling flights, so always confirm the current restrictions with the operating airline (Iberia also transports cats and dogs in the cargo hold).

On the table below you can find the maximum weight limits and crate dimentions and approximate prices of the pet tickets on the most common airlines operating in Europe!

 

The tables open larger by clicking it!

lentoyhtiötaulukko16.11.23.png
bottom of page