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15 Airlines That Allow Flying Dogs in Cargo in 2023 [Pet Policy]

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airlines that allow flying with dogs in cargo

Whether you’re relocating with your pet, or fancy a vacation with your furry companion and can’t take your pet into the cabin with you, don’t worry! There’s a range of airlines that allow dogs flying in cargo. Pet cargo isn’t as scary as it sounds, and some dogs will fly more comfortably in cargo than in the cabin. You’ll want to make sure your pet is allowed to be transported via cargo (based on breed and vaccinations), is as comfortable as possible in their pet carrier and is cared for by the airline you’re flying with.

In this article we will share a list of airlines that allow dogs in the cargo and their pet policies. We will also share some tips on how to prepare for flying dogs in the cargo hold.

The following airlines allow flying with dogs in cargo hold:

Aegean Air
Air Canada
Air Europa
Air France
Alaska Air
American Airlines
British Airways
Delta
Lufthansa
KLM
Singapore Airlines
TAP Air Portugal
TUI Fly
United / PetSafe Programme
WestJet

Which airlines allow flying with dogs in cargo hold?

Aegean Air Pet Cargo.

Cost: €50 to €190+ (depending on route and weight)
Max. carrier size: 105 x 75 x 79 cm
International permitted: yes
Routes permitted: All flights
Multiple dogs permitted: the maximum number of dogs which may accompany the owner during a single flight shall not exceed 5.

Additional Information:

Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old, be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies.
Dogs may not be accepted to be transported for a connecting time exceeding 3 hours.
The following dog breeds are not permitted:
- Affenspinscher, American Bully, Boston Terrier, Boxer (All breeds), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (All breeds), Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Dogue De Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel (King Charles Spaniel), Japanese Spaniel (Chin), Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (All breeds), Pekingese, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Pug (All breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel.

For more information, check Aegean Air’s website.

Air Canada Pet Cargo.

Cost: $120 to $320+ (depending on route and weight)
Max. weight: 45 kg / 100 pounds
Max. carrier size: 292 cm / 115 inches in linear dimensions
International permitted: yes
Routes permitted: All Air Canada and Air Canada Express flights
Multiple dogs permitted: 2 dogs under 6 months allowed, otherwise just 1 dog over 6 months per kennel

Additional Information:

Dogs must be in good health and a valid health certificate from a veterinarian is required.
Dogs must be over 10 weeks of age.
Dogs must travel in the proper kennel or container and is in a condition for carriage that is in conformity with IATA regulations.
Volume and weight of dog and travel crate must match the booking at time of acceptance.
The following dog breeds are restricted:
- Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog, Chihuahua (apple-headed), Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Pug, Shih Tzu, Shar-Pei, Teddy Bear Dog, Tibetan Spaniel, Wolf Dog.

For more info check Air Canada’s website.

Air Europa Pet Cargo.

Cost: €90 to €350+ (depending on route and weight)
Max. weight: 50 kg / 110 pounds
International permitted: yes
Routes permitted: All flights
Multiple dogs permitted: 2 dogs of similar size can travel together. 3 dogs from the same litter under the age of 6 months can travel together

Additional Information:

Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old, be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies.
The following dog breeds are not permitted:
- Affenpinscher, American Bully, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Bulldog (all breeds), Cane Corsican, Pug (all breeds), Chow Chow, Dogo (all breeds), Griffon Bruxellois, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all breeds), Pekingese, Pitbull, Shar-Pei, Shih-Tzu, Cocker / Spaniel (all breeds), Staffordshire bull terrier.

For more information, check Air Europa’s website.

Air France Pet Cargo.

Cost: €100 to €400 + (depends on route and weight)
Max. carrier size:
Max. weight: 165 pounds / 75 kg
International permitted: yes
Multiple dogs permitted: 3 dogs per passenger (this may differ depending on aircraft type)

Additional Information:

Dogs must be at least 15 weeks of age.
Dogs traveling within the EU must be identified by an electronic chip. It should also possess a European passport. Provided and completed by an authorized veterinarian, the passport identifies your pet and certifies that it is properly vaccinated.
You must print and present the form “Conditions for transporting a dog or cat in the hold” at the airport.
The following dog breeds are banned:
- Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxers (all breeds), Bulldogs (all breeds), Bull Mastiff, Cane Corso, Pugs (all breeds), Chow-Chow, Great Danes (all breeds), some Spaniels (Tibetan, Japanese, English, King Charles), Brussels Griffon, Lhasa Apso, Mastiffs (all breeds), Neapolitan Mastiff, Pekingese, Small Brabant, Shih Tzu, Shar Pei, Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Alaska Air Pet Cargo.

Cost: $250 to $350+ (depends on route and weight)
Max. carrier size: 53 x 48 x 34 inches
Max. weight: 150 pounds / 68 kg
International permitted: yes
Routes permitted: dogs are not accepted to or from Mexico and Costa Rica
Multiple dogs permitted: 2 dogs under 6 months allowed, otherwise just 1 dog over 6 months per kennel

Additional Information:

Dogs must be at least eight weeks of age and weaned.
All dogs must have a health certificate that certifies they were inspected no more than 10 days prior to travel.
The following dog breeds are banned from flying with Alaska Air in cargo:
- Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Bulldog (all breeds), Bull Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Spaniel/Japanese Chin, Mastiff (all breeds), Pekingese, Pit Bull (all breeds), Pug (all breeds), Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Terrier.
During the summer season, certain weather restrictions apply in hot climate locations. On the day of travel, if weather is warmer than 85F in the departing or arrival city, your pet may not be accepted for travel.
Kennels must be properly labelled.
Reservations are accepted a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum 20 days prior to travel.

For more information, check Alaska Cargo’s website.

American Airlines (PetEmbark) Pet Cargo.

Cost: $125 to $440+ (depending on route and weight)
Max. weight: 23 kg / 51 pounds
International permitted: yes
Routes permitted: All flights to the US, Honolulu, Puerto Rico, Canada and international locations where the flight duration is less than 12 hours
Multiple dogs permitted: 2 dogs under 6 months allowed, otherwise just 1 dog over 6 months

Additional information:

Dogs must be at least 8 weeks old and have an animal health certificate.
The following breeds are prohibited:
- Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer (All breeds), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (All breeds), Cane Corso, Chow Chow, Dogue De Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (All breeds), Pekingese, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Pug (All breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel.
Kennel Guidelines:
- Each animal must have enough space to stand, turn about normally while standing, sit erect, and to lie in a natural position
- No part of your pet should be taller or longer than the kennel when standing outside the kennel.
- You must put absorbent material at the bottom of the kennel.

For more information check American Airlines / PetEmbark’s website.

British Airways Pet Cargo.

BA have partnered with PetAir and IAG Cargo. Arrangements must be made prior to booking with BA.

Cost: £800 to £3,500 (depending on route and weight)
Max. carrier size: 53 x 40 x 38 cm / 21 x 16 x 15 inches
International permitted: yes
Routes permitted: Available on the majority of British Airways flights. British Airways won’t transport live animals from Kuwait. During summer, dogs won’t be accepted on flights out of Dallas/Forth Worth. Due to high temperatures, dogs won’t be allowed on flights in/out of Beijing or Shanghai.
Multiple dogs permitted: dogs under 14kg of similar size can travel together

For more information get in contact with PetAir and IAG Cargo.

Delta Air Pet Cargo.

Cost: $75+ (depending on route and weight)
Max. carrier size: 48 L x 32 W x 35 H inches
International permitted: yes
Routes permitted: All Delta flights to the United States, South America, Latin America, Caribbean, Europe, Middle East, Canada, Australia, Asia and Africa.
Multiple dogs permitted: 2 dogs under 6 months allowed, otherwise just 1 dog over 6 months per kennel

Additional Information:

Dogs must be at lest 8 weeks of age, and fully weaned.
Dogs that require medication are not accepted.
The following dog breeds are not permitted:
- American Bully (all breeds), American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Bulldog (all breeds), Bull Terrier (all breeds), Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin (Japanese Spaniel), King Charles Spaniel (Cavalier King), Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all breeds), Pekingese, Pug (all breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel
You will be asked to complete a live animal checklist to confirm that your pet has been offered food and water within 4 hours of check-in. On the checklist, you must also provide feeding and watering instructions for a 24-hour period. If in-transit feeding is necessary, you must provide food.
Crates must be compliant to IATA’s crate requirements.

For more information, check Delta’s website.

KLM Pet Cargo.

Cost: €75 to €400 (depending on route and weight)
Max. carrier size: 122 x 81 x 89 cm on KLM flights, or 102 x 69 x 76 cm on KLM Cityhopper flights
Max. weight: 75 kg / 165 pounds (dog and carrier).
International permitted: yes
Routes permitted: Europe, Indonesia, the Caribbean, North America, Central America, South America, Africa, Japan and the Middle East.
Multiple dogs permitted: 3 dogs less than 6 months from the same litter, or 2 dogs weighing less than 14kg each

Additional Information:

Dogs are not permitted if your flight has a transfer time of over 3 hours.
You must travel on the same flight as your dog.
The following snubbed nose dogs are banned:
- Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all breeds), Cane Corso, Chow Chow, Great Dane, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all breeds), Pekingese, Petit Brabancon (Small Brabant), Pug (all breeds), Shar-Pei, Shih Tzu, Spaniel (Tibetan, Japanese, English, and King Charles breeds), and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

For more information, check KLM’s website.

Lufthansa Pet Cargo.

Cost: €80 to €400+ (depending on route and weight)
Max. carrier size: N/A
International permitted: yes
Routes permitted: Dogs won’t be able to travel as pet cargo to locations that require entering as manifest cargo such as the UK or Hong Kong. Lufthansa also won’t transport dogs from Kuwait and cannot transit dogs through Munich.
Multiple dogs permitted: 2 dogs

Additional Information:

Dogs must be at lest 12 weeks of age, and fully weaned.
The following dog breeds are banned:
- Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier (Miniature Bull Terriers are not classified as snub-nosed or as fighting dogs), Bulldog (all breeds with the exception of the American Bulldog), Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Japanese Spaniel, Lhaso Apso, Pekinese, Pit Bull, Pugs (all breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel.
Travel containers must be compliant with current IATA regulations.

For more information check Lufthansa’s website.

Singapore Airlines Pet Cargo.

Cost: varies depending on route and weight
Max. container height: 70cm on A350 aircraft, 60cm on A380 aircraft, 101cm on B777 aircraft and 111cm on B787 aircraft
International permitted: yes
Routes permitted: dogs won’t be able to travel to Australia, Brunei, Denpasar, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and UK.

Additional Information:

Dogs must be at least 12 weeks of age.
You will need the following documents:
- Export/import/transshipment permits or licenses from your departure/destination/transit country’s relevant authorities
- Valid health and rabies vaccination certificates
- Any additional documents that may be required by your departure/destination/transit country’s authorities
The following dog breeds are not permitted:
- Akita, Boerboel, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brachycephalic Spaniel (including Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, English Toy Spaniel – King Charles Spaniel, and Tibetan Spaniels), Brussels Griffon (Petit Brabancon), Bull Dogs (including American Bulldog, French Bulldog, and English Bulldog), Chow Chow, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Chin (Chin, Japanese Spaniels, Japanese Pug), Lhasa Apso, Mastiffs (including Neapolitan Mastiff and Dogue de Bordeaux), Perro De Presa Canario, Pit Bull (American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldog, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier), Pugs (including Carlino, Chinese Pug, Mopshond, Mops Hund, and Pekingese), Shar-Pei, Shih Tzu, Tosa

For more information check Singapore Air’s website.

TAP Air Pet Cargo.

Cost: €80 to €300+ (depends on route and weight)
Max. weight: 32 kg / 70 pounds or 45 kg / 99 pounds (depending on destination)
International permitted: yes

Additional Information:

Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old (10 weeks for the Azores, Madeira and Spain).
Transportation must be provided on the route described in the passenger’s ticket.
Dogs must be delivered for transport 4 hours before departure.
You must provide all necessary documents and is responsible for any additional fees charged at origin and destination.
TAP reserves the right to decide on which flight dogs are carried.
The carriage of brachycephalous animals is not allowed:
- Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Staffordshire Terrier / “Amstaff”, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all types), Cavalier King Charles, Chihuahua, Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel / Prince Charles Spaniel, Japanese Chin / Japanese Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Pug (all types), Shar-Pei / Chinese Shar-Pei, Shih-Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier / “Staffies”, Tibetan Spaniel.

Contact TAP Air Cargo for further details.

TUI Fly Pet Cargo.

Cost: €80+ (depends on route and weight)
Max. carrier size: 121 x 81 x 88 cm
International permitted: yes
Multiple dogs permitted: 1 dog per passenger

Additional Information:

Dogs must be at least 12 weeks of age.
Dogs travelling with their owners are legally required to have a European passport (can be obtained from the vet).
Dogs must have a chip or tattoo for identification purposes.
Dogs with flat snouts will not be accepted.
When in the cage, the animal must be able to turn around its axis and stand completely upright.
On all non-European destinations in combination with Antwerp, dogs are not allowed.
Dogs from outside the EU are not admitted to Antwerp airport, even if all travel formalities have been fulfilled and the animal has been vaccinated. This measure applies to assistance dogs.

For more information, check TUI Fly’s website.

WestJet Pet Cargo.

Cost: €100 to €236+ (depends on route and weight)
Max. carrier size: 101 x 68 x 81 cm / 40 x 27 x 32 inches
Max. weight: 100 pounds / 45 kg
International permitted: yes
Multiple dogs permitted: A maximum of 2 dogs similar in size and up to 14 kg each may be shipped in one kennel.

Additional Information:

Dogs must be at least 8 weeks of age.
WestJet assumes no responsibility for the care or feeding of pets while in transit.
The following animal breeds are restricted for travel into or through Ontario, Canada:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier

For more information, check WestJet’s website.

Airlines that do not allow dogs in cargo:

The following airlines do not allow dogs flying in cargo:

Jet Blue
Southwest
United / PetSafe (only functioning as part of military and State Department pet exemptions)
Vueling

Which airlines allow flying with large dogs in cabin?

Many commercial airlines will only allow flying with small dogs in cabin. However, there are some semi-private airlines that will allow flying with large dogs in cabin. These are mostly US based and will of course be a lot more expensive than a public airline.

The following airlines allow flying with large dogs in cabin:

Aero: medium and large dogs up to 65Ibs are permitted on their flights. You will need to purchase an additional seat at full price.
BLADE: dogs over 25Ibs are allowed to fly in cabin as long as the owner must purchase an additional seat.
JSX: You can purchase an extra seat for a large dog.
Surf Air: you can fly with a dog over 20Ibs in cabin as long as you notify Surf and purchase a separate single-use flight pass. Your dog can sit on the seat as long as he or she is harnessed and you put a request in at the time of booking.
Tradewind Aviation: large-breed dogs are welcome to fly in the spacious cabins of Tradewind Aviation’s Citation CJ3s and Pilatus PC-12s. There’s a limit of one party with pets per flight, and an additional seat must be purchased for dogs over 100Ibs.

For more information check Airlines that Allow Flying with a Large Dog in Cabin [Pet Policies].

How safe is flying dogs in cargo?

The safety of dogs flying in cargo depends on a variety of factors. These include the regulations and standards set by organizations like IATA on pet travel containers. Furthermore, airlines also have strict policies in place to protect dogs when flying with dogs in cargo.

Although the large majority of pets traveling via cargo arrive safely at their destination, it is important to understand the potential hazards with cargo travel:

Stress
Dehydration
Heatstroke
Heart failure
Injury

While there are risks associated with pet cargo travel, many dogs are able to fly safely with proper preparation and care. It’s up to each individual pet owner to ensure their dog is fit and well prepared for travel.

For more detailed information, check Flying Dogs in Cargo: How Safe is it?

How to prepare dogs for flying in cargo.

1. Ensure your dog is a good candidate for traveling in cargo.

To minimize the risk of harm to dogs during air travel, it’s important for pet owners to take certain precautions. You should be confident that your dog is healthy enough for travel. This is why most airlines will require a health certificate when flying dogs in cargo.

It’s also important to really ask yourself how well you think your dog will handle traveling in cargo. Is your dog suffer from severe separation anxiety? I would suggest spending a lot of time crate training, and monitoring your dog’s progress. More information on this to follow.

2. Select an appropriate, airline-approved travel carrier.

All airlines will only permit dogs flying in cargo in an International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved travel container. These guidelines ensure dogs have enough space to turn about normally while standing, to stand and sit erect, and to lie in a natural position.

As mentioned above, different airlines and aircrafts have different regulations for carriers. Be sure to check the restrictions for your specific airline, and aircraft.

American Airlines states the following:

3. Crate train your dog.

A flight is a highly stressful situation for any animal, and this will be far worse if your dog already associates their crate as a scary place. It’s a good idea to start crate training well in advance. The aim is to spend time to make your dog feel like the crate is a safe and comfortable space. This will help keep them calm during this stressful situation.

Start off by letting your dog explore the crate on its own, without forcing it in. Use plenty of treats. It’s important not to immediately close the door as soon as your dog walks in, as this will cause it stress. Instead, take your time and allow your dog to spend time in there with the door opening, before closing it. This may take some time!

4. Trim your dog’s nails.

As mentioned earlier, some pets injure themselves during plane travel while attempting to get out of their carrier. This is another reason to properly train your dog and to make sure your dog’s nails are trim. Freshly trimmed nails will be less likely to get caught on the crate if your pet tries to scratch their way out.

5. Exhaust your dog before the flight.

6. Familiarise yourself with the airport that you are departing from and arriving to.

7. Pack your dog’s favourite comforts.

To maximise comfort and minimise stress, pop your dog’s favourite blanket or toy in the travel container with them. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, you could even pop one of your t-shirts in the carrier.

Should I use dog sedatives for flying?

At the recommendation of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), many airlines will not accept dogs that have been sedated or tranquilized. This is because dogs that have been given sedatives or tranquilizers are at a higher risk of respiratory and cardiovascular problems at high altitudes.

Some veterinarians recommend herbal stress relievers, like lavender and chamomile, to ease your dog’s anxiety. Please make sure to ask your veterinarian if using these natural alternatives is safe for your pet.

Conclusion.

Traveling with your dog is a wonderful opportunity to create lasting memories. Thankfully, several airlines have recognized the importance of having the option of dogs flying in cargo. These airlines, along with the IATA, have established comprehensive pet policies to ensure dogs travel safely in cargo. Whether you choose Delta, Lufthansa, American Airlines, or TUI Fly, you can rest assured that your dog will be treated with care and enjoy a safe and comfortable journey by your side.