7 Airlines That Allow Lizards on Planes [2023 Pet Policy]

Taking pet lizards on planes is possible, believe it or not!

Although not many airlines will allow lizards to fly on their planes, some do. Furthermore, sadly, there are no airlines that will allow lizards in the cabin with their owners. However, there are some that permit lizards on their planes, if shipped as cargo.

The following 7 airlines allow pet lizards to fly in cargo hold:

• Aegean Air
• Air Canada
• Air Europa
• Alaska Air
• American Airlines
• Finnair
• WestJet

Airlines have very strict rules and regulations when it comes to taking lizards on their planes. Currently the only limitation we came across when it came to breeds, is that some airlines do not permit poisonous lizards. Therefore, when flying with the airlines above you will be able to fly with bearded dragons, crested geckos, iguanas, chameleons and more!

In this article, we will list the policies of each airline, including carrier size and weight restrictions and the number of lizards you are permitted to bring on planes. We will also list the airline’s fees for bringing a lizard on board the plane.

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Which airlines allow lizards on their planes?

Aegean Air’s Lizard Pet Policy.

PERMITTED IN CABIN: NO

PERMITTED IN HOLD: YES

• Number of lizards permitted: 5 lizards per person
• Crate size restrictions: N/A
• Crate weight restrictions: N/A
• Fees for domestic flight: 40-90 EUR / 45-100 USD (approx.) depending on size and weight of pets
• Fees for international flight: 95-170 EUR / 105-190 USD (approx.) depending on size and weight of pets
• Additional information:
  • Animals may not be accepted to be transported in the aircraft hold for a connecting time exceeding three hours.
  • Airbus 319, 320 and 321 aircraft only.

For more information, check Aegean Air’s website.

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Air Canada’s Lizard Pet Policy.

PERMITTED IN CABIN: NO

PERMITTED IN CARGO: YES

• Number of lizards permitted: varies by species (contact AC here)
• Crate size restrictions: depends on aircraft model (check here)
• Crate weight restrictions: depends on aircraft model (check here)
• Fees: varies depending on size of cargo and route (get estimate here)
• Additional information:
  • Container must meet IATA Live Animal Regulations container requirements.

For more information on lizards flying in cargo, check Air Canada’s Cargo website here.

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Air Europa’s Lizard Pet Policy.

PERMITTED IN CABIN: NO

PERMITTED IN CARGO: YES

• Number of lizards permitted: one lizard per container. However, a maximum of two animals will be permitted when they are a similar size (up to 14kg each) and are used to cohabiting. Each passenger can check-in up to five animals total.
• Crate size restrictions: 406cm (160″)
• Crate weight restrictions: N/A
• Fare for Mainland, Canary Islands and Balearic Islands: 100 USD
• Fare for Europe and Africa: 110USD
• Fare for Long haul: 260 USD
• Fare for Inter Canary / Balearic Routes: 23.2 USD
• Additional information:
  • Lizards must be transported in IATA-approved rigid containers with a metal door, appropriate for carriage by air. Wire mesh or welded mesh containers are not acceptable

Check the Air Europa website for more information on flying with lizards.

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Alaska Air’s Lizard Pet Policy.

PERMITTED IN CABIN: NO

PERMITTED IN CARGO: YES

• Number of lizards permitted: for information, please contact the Alaska Air Cargo service center at 1-800-225-2752
• Crate size restrictions: depends on aircraft model (check here)
• Crate weight restrictions: depends on aircraft model (check here)
• Fees: 100 USD each way
• Additional information:
  • Lizards must be non-poisonous.
  • You must travel on the same flight(s) to your lizard’s destination.

For more information on lizards flying in cargo, check Alaska’s website here.

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American Airlines’s Lizard Pet Policy.

PERMITTED IN CABIN: NO

PERMITTED IN CARGO: YES

• Number of lizards permitted: depends on species
• Crate size restrictions: 48x32x35 cm
• Crate weight restrictions: 51 lbs
• Fees: varies depending on weight, size and route (get an estimate here)
• Additional information:
  • Containers must be made from rigid plastic, metal or wood with a metal grated door.
  • You must package all lizards in accordance with the IATA Live Animal Regulations, which include heat or cold packs as needed.
    AA will not transport animals on the following aircraft types: Airbus 319, 320, 321, 321E, 321H, 321S, 321X, 32Q and 32B.

For more information on lizards flying in cargo, check American Air’s Cargo website here.

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Finnair’s Lizard Pet Policy.

PERMITTED IN CABIN: NO

PERMITTED IN CARGO: YES

Bookings for lizards must be made through a forwarding company, for example Travelcargo-Petexpress (check their website here).

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West Jet’s Lizard Pet Policy.

PERMITTED IN CABIN: NO

PERMITTED IN CARGO: YES

• Number of lizards permitted: two lizards of comparable size (< 14 kg each) which are used to co-habitation, may be shipped in the same container.
• Crate size restrictions: 101x68x76 cm (X-large)
• Crate weight restrictions: maximum weight is 160 lbs / 72.5 kg (including lizards)
• Fees: 100 USD each way
• Additional information:
  • Cargo containers must be made of fibreglass, metal or rigid plastic.
  • There are restrictions on destinations due to extreme heat.
  • All lizards shipped as cargo must be booked and approved in advance.

For information on lizards flying in cargo, check West Jet’s Cargo website here.

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Popular Lizard Travel Carriers.

Image	Name	Size	Price
	Karlie Transport Box	Large	Check Price
	Trixie Transport and Feeding Box with Handle	Medium	Check Price
	Exo Terra Breeding Box, Small	Small	Check Price

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Tips for taking lizards on planes. 

Keeping lizards calm whilst travelling may seem like a daunting task. Lizards are often shy creatures who enjoy the comfort of their own homes. However, sometimes travel is unavoidable, particularly if you are relocating to somewhere far away.

Don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to ensure that travelling is stress free for your reptile friend.

The following are 5 easy ways you can keep your lizard calm on a plane:

• Transport them in a small travel container.
• Line the bottom of the carrier so there is more grip.
• Cover your travel carrier with a blanket.
• Get your lizard familiar with it’s travel carrier.
• Warm your lizard’s travel carrier.

If you want more detailed information on keeping your lizard calm for travel, please visit 5 Easy Ways to Keep a Lizard Calm While Travelling.

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How to keep lizards warm on a planes.

Being cold blooded, your lizard needs heat to stay fit and healthy. A cold shock is all it takes to seriously harm or even kill a lizard if they are already sick. Even if your lizard is healthy to start with, being cold can put him at risk getting sick or catching a cold.

Without a heat mat or basking lamp, you will have to think outside the box. The following are 9 easy ways to keep your lizard warm during travel:

1. Use a hot water bottle
2. Add plenty of bedding to the travel carrier
3. Use hand warmers
4. Use microwaveable heat packs
5. Use a smaller travel container rather than a large one
6. Put a secure lid on your lizard’s container
7. Make a home-made warmer from a socks and rice
8. Put your lizard in a sweater
9. Cover your lizard’s container in a blanket

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How warm should your lizard’s travel container be?

As I’m sure you are aware, most pet lizard’s should have a cool zone and a warm zone in their home. The temperatures vary depending on which species of lizard you have.

For example, the RSPCA states that a Leopard Gecko’s cool zone should be between 24ºC and 26ºC, and their warm zone should be between 28ºC and 30ºC. On the other hand, a Bearded Dragon’s cool zone should be between 22ºC and 26ºC, and their warm zone should be between 38ºC and 42ºC. 

Your lizard’s travel container should be somewhere in the middle of their cool zone and warm zone. Thus, a Leopard Gecko’s travel home should be around 27ºC and a Bearded Dragon’s should be around 32ºC.

On a short journey, like a quick trip to the vet, your lizard would be fine as long as the temperature doesn’t drop below the cool zone temperature they are used to, or go over their usual warm zone temperature. However, if you are taking your lizard on a flight, it’s more important to have their travel temperature somewhere in the middle. You could even try to recreate the different zones by using the techniques above, on only one end of their container.

Be sure to use a thermometer to check the container is at a comfortable temperature.

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Conclusion

So, if you fly with the airlines listed above, you are able to take pet lizards on the planes with you.

However, it is important to note that airlines usually have different rules for different aircrafts, routes and destination countries. Therefore, it is vital that you check policies for your specific route.

Furthermore, all airlines have a restriction on the number of pets they allow per aircraft, so always check availability before booking. You don’t want to organise a trip then realise the cargo is full!

Hope you have found this helpful.

Happy travels!