Flying with a dog requires careful planning and a clear understanding of the different options available. Whether you are relocating, going on holiday, or returning to your home country, there are several ways your dog can travel by air. Age, weight, breed, destination, and an approved travel crate — every detail matters to ensure your faithful companion travels safely and in full compliance with regulations. In this guide, discover the key conditions and essential steps for travelling with a dog on a plane internationally.
What Are the Options to Travel with a Dog by Plane?
When flying with a dog, you generally have two main options: transporting your dog as excess baggage or shipping your dog as air cargo. Each option has its own specific requirements, costs, and logistics, which we explain below:
Option 1: Traveling as “Excess Baggage”
Transporting your dog as “excess” or “checked” baggage means your pet travels either in the aircraft cabin (if permitted) or in the hold. This option is directly linked to your own passenger ticket:
- Departure takes place from the passenger terminal, at the airline’s check-in counter.
- Your dog’s transport is treated as an additional service linked to your ticket, similar to extra luggage.
- It is billed per animal, based on the airline’s “passenger” excess baggage rates.
Option 2: Traveling via Air Freight
Transporting a dog as air cargo is an entirely separate service, similar to purchasing an airline ticket dedicated exclusively to the animal:
- Departure is from the airport’s cargo terminal, rather than the passenger terminal.
- This option requires specific registration procedures, including thorough checks of documentation, travel crates, and customs declarations prior to shipment.
- Pricing is determined not by the actual weight of the animal, but by the volumetric weight of the crate (a calculation based on both volume and weight).
Due to the sensitive nature of this type of transport, airlines apply higher freight rates, which are generally more expensive than excess baggage fees.
What Are the Rules for Flying with a Dog?
Travelling on a plane with a dog requires compliance with several essential regulations as well as health and vaccine requirements :
- Weight and size limits vary depending on the airline pet policy and the countries involved. The crate must meet IATA standards, allowing the dog to stand upright, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
- The minimum age requirement is generally at least 8 weeks old, though this may be higher depending on the regulations of the departure and destination countries.
- Health requirements include a valid certificate of good health issued by your vet at least 10 days before departure, as well as up-to-date vaccinations — particularly rabies — supported by official documentation in line with national requirements.
- The dog must be calm, non-aggressive, and accustomed to its crate to ensure a stress-free journey.
As rules can vary significantly by airline, departure and destination countries, it is crucial to check the specific conditions of each flight in advance. Some restrictions, especially for brachycephalic breeds, can be stricter.