✈️ Which airlines allow cats and dogs in the plane cabin

Flying with a pet starts long before boarding. Every airline has its own rules: the animal's weight, the carrier size, the booking window for the pet's spot. If you don't check them in advance, your pet won't be allowed into the cabin right at the check-in counter.

We've compiled the rules for 36 carriers from Europe, Turkey, Iceland, and other countries. Below you'll find who takes cats and dogs in the cabin and who only in the cargo hold, which carriers are accepted, and what to arrange before departure. The general framework is the same: the animal must be healthy, microchipped, and vaccinated against rabies (according to the EU portal, as of 09/2026).

Ad: this article contains affiliate links, we earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.

What to prepare in advance

💡 In short:

A pet is allowed in the cabin if it weighs up to 8 kg including the carrier.
A spot for the animal is booked in advance, usually 24-72 hours before departure.
EU requirements for transporting animals: 09/2026, verified on the official EU portal.

Beyond that, everything depends on the country and the carrier. For travel within the EU, the pet needs an ISO 11784 or 11785 microchip, a veterinary passport, and a rabies vaccination given no later than 21 days before departure (EU portal, as of 09/2026). Without these documents, you'll be turned away at the check-in counter.

The carrier is also part of the rules. A soft bag is accepted more often than a hard crate: it's easier to fit under the seat in front. During takeoff and landing, the carrier stays closed and doesn't block the aisle. Most carriers send larger animals to the cargo hold rather than the cabin.

Gather the documents two weeks ahead, not a day before. That gives you time to get the vaccination if it has expired and to book a spot for the animal. Also arrange travel insurance in advance: compare options.

There are also general rules that apply at almost all carriers. The pet must be declared in advance: the number of animals in the cabin per flight is limited. It's often between two and six spots, so book the animal together with the ticket, not a day before departure.

Cabin or cargo hold depends on weight and breed. Heavy and large animals are sent as cargo, where the temperature is kept constant for them. Only a small animal in a carrier that fits under the seat in front is allowed in the cabin. During takeoff and landing, the carrier stays closed.

Separately check restrictions by destination. On flights to the UK, Ireland, the UAE, and some Asian countries, pets are often not allowed in the cabin. Each carrier has its own list of exceptions, and it changes regularly. If you're flying with a connection, check the rules of both airlines.

Requirements are updated without notice. Before buying a ticket, verify the pet's weight, the carrier size, and the booking window on the carrier's website. Finding everything out in advance is easier than dealing with it at the check-in counter.

Below, carriers are listed alphabetically, starting with French Bee and ending with Transavia. The carrier's country is in parentheses, followed by the cabin weight limit, carrier dimensions, and booking procedure.

French Bee (France)

French Bee allows only dogs and cats in the cabin. On flights to Tahiti, transport is not possible: pets are not accepted there. The weight of the animal with the carrier must not exceed 8 kg, and the bag dimensions are limited to 43 by 35 by 20 cm. Larger pets are accepted in the cargo hold. A separate fee is charged for a cabin spot, with the exact amount given at booking.

Airbus A350 French Bee taxiing at the airport

Georgian Airways (Georgia)

The Georgian carrier takes animals both in the cabin and in the cargo hold. To make sure your pet flies with you, notify them at booking or no later than 48 hours before the flight. Animals weighing up to 8 kg including a carrier of 55 by 35 by 20 cm are allowed in the cabin. The airline calculates the cabin transport fee according to its own rates.

Georgian Airways aircraft at the jet bridge at the airport

Helvetic Airways (Switzerland)

Helvetic Airways flies mostly within Europe and to North Africa. Animals are accepted in the cabin only with prior registration at the time of booking. The weight limit is below average: up to 7 kg including the carrier. The carrier, up to 56 by 32 by 27 cm, must be waterproof and remain closed on the floor for the entire flight. During takeoff and landing, it is placed under the seat in front. The surcharge is paid at check-in.

Helvetic Airways Embraer E190-E2 aircraft

HiSky (Moldova)

HiSky takes animals on all routes except Dublin, London, and Lisbon. A pet weighing up to 8 kg with a carrier whose side sum does not exceed 115 cm is allowed in the cabin. An additional fee is charged for the animal. Arrive at check-in with your pet at least 90 minutes before departure and don't forget the documents.

HiSky Airbus A319 aircraft on the runway

Iberia (Spain)

Iberia takes animals both in the cabin and in the cargo hold. The carrier counts dogs, cats, fish, turtles, and birds as pets, except birds of prey. Book the cabin spot in advance. The weight with the carrier is limited to 8 kg, and the bag must fit within 45 by 35 by 25 cm. Two small and light animals can travel in one container. The fee depends on the route: within Spain it is lower than on intercontinental flights.

Iberia Express (Spain)

Budget carrier Iberia Express flies short and medium haul within Spain and Europe. Pets are accepted in the cabin and in the cargo hold under the parent Iberia rules: up to 8 kg with a 45 by 35 by 25 cm carrier and the same list of animals. A separate restriction: mustelids (ferrets, martens, stoats, minks) are not accepted even on connecting flights. The fee increases with route distance.

Iberia Express Airbus A321 aircraft in the sky

Icelandair (Iceland)

Icelandair does not accept pets in the cabin. The reason is Iceland's strict quarantine rules. Pets can only be sent in a special climate-controlled hold. Only trained and certified service dogs are allowed in the cabin.

Quarantine in Iceland is long, so a short trip with an animal is almost impossible. Even a flight with a stopover in the country requires additional documents. If having your pet in the cabin is important to you, Icelandair is not a good fit.

ITA Airways (Italy)

The state-owned ITA Airways accepts cats, dogs, and ferrets in the cabin. Separate requirements apply to hamsters and rats. Importing birds from Asia, Turkey, Russia, South Africa, Romania, and the Balkans is prohibited. A pet weighing up to 8 kg must stay in its carrier for the entire flight; the bag must not exceed 40 by 20 by 24 cm, and a soft or semi-rigid one can be 2-4 cm taller. You can bring up to five animals of the same species, with a combined weight including food of no more than 10 kg. The fee depends on the route.

Blue ITA Airways aircraft taxiing at the airport

Carriage on domestic flights is cheaper than on intercontinental ones, so check the fare for your specific route. The pet is registered in advance along with your cabin seat.

Jet2 (UK)

The British airline Jet2 prohibits transporting pets on board. The only exception is made for registered guide dogs and assistance dogs. If you are flying with a pet, you can skip this airline right away.

Who it's for: only passengers with a registered guide dog or assistance dog. A regular pet will not get on board under any circumstances.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Netherlands)

The Dutch flag carrier allows animals both in the cabin and in the hold. On a European flight you can bring one cat or dog, in both economy and business class. The weight including a 46 by 28 by 24 cm carrier must not exceed 8 kg. Restriction: in business class and premium comfort on intercontinental flights, animals are not accepted in the cabin. The spot must be booked at least 48 hours in advance, and the passenger and pet fly on the same flight. The fee is calculated based on the departure and arrival airports.

The charge depends on the specific city pair, so the amount is only visible at booking. Also check in advance whether your pet will be allowed in the cabin on your particular route: quotas per flight are limited.

La Compagnie (France)

La Compagnie flies from New York to Paris and seasonally to Nice. They accept cats, dogs, and dwarf rabbits in the cabin and cargo hold. The requirements are more lenient than most: the pet with carrier can weigh up to 15 kg, and the bag can be up to 55 by 35 by 25 cm. Each passenger can bring one pet, and no more than three animals are accepted per flight. You must book the spot at least 48 hours in advance. The fee is one tenth of the ticket price. The carrier counts as carry-on luggage, so you can only bring one small personal item in addition. You cannot fully recline your seat when traveling with a pet.

Level (Spain)

Level accepts dogs, cats, fish, turtles, and birds in the cabin, except birds of prey. You add the pet when booking. The flight takes place in a carrier bag measuring 45 by 35 by 25 cm, with a combined weight of up to 8 kg. The fee is charged only at the airport; you cannot pay it online in advance.

Level is the budget division of Iberia, so the list of animals and carrier dimensions are almost identical to the parent company. The difference is in payment: the fee is collected on site rather than at booking. If you are flying a short route within Spain, this is a convenient budget option.

Loganair (United Kingdom)

Loganair, based in Scotland, does not allow pets in the cabin, but offers some of the most convenient transport rules among British carriers. Animals travel in the cargo hold on domestic flights, except on the London route. Only guide dogs for blind passengers are allowed in the cabin. You book this spot when purchasing your ticket, at least 14 days in advance.

You must register a guide dog in advance, otherwise the spot will not be held. For all other pets, only the cargo hold is available, so choose a different carrier for short flights.

LOT Polish Airlines (Poland)

LOT Polish Airlines accepts dogs, cats, and ferrets both in the cabin and in the cargo hold. The weight limit is standard: up to 8 kg including the carrier. Container dimensions depend on the aircraft: on the B787 and B737 it is 55 by 40 by 20 cm, while on the DH4, E70, E75, and E95 it is smaller, 45 by 30 by 20 cm. The fee depends on flight distance and increases from domestic routes to intercontinental ones.

LOT Polish Airlines aircraft on final approach

Lufthansa (Germany)

Lufthansa allows transport both in the cabin and in the cargo hold. In the cabin, they accept a cat or dog weighing up to 8 kg including the carrier. Container dimensions can be up to 118 cm (55 by 40 by 23 cm). The carrier goes under the seat in front of you. You must register the animal 72 hours before departure, and one passenger can bring no more than two pets. Print, fill out, and sign two animal forms in advance and present them at the check-in counter. The fee depends on the route; the exact amount is shown in the baggage calculator on the airline's website.

The catch: without completed and signed forms, the animal will not be accepted at the counter, so print them out at home in advance.

Luxair (Luxembourg)

Luxair accepts cats and dogs both in the cabin and in the cargo hold. They do not accept pets on flights to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Senegal, and the UAE. No more than three animals are allowed in the cabin per flight, and you must book the spot at least 72 hours in advance. The weight limit is the same, 8 kg. The carrier bag can be 45 by 23 by 25 cm or 45 by 42 by 20 cm. One passenger can bring one pet in a container. There is a separate passport requirement: the rabies vaccination must be given no later than 30 days and no earlier than 3 years before travel. The cabin fee in economy class is paid.

© Maarten Visser from Capelle aan den IJssel, Nederland · CC BY-SAPhoto: Maarten Visser from Capelle aan den IJssel, Nederland, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Both carrier shapes are accepted, but each must fit under the seat. Separate conditions apply for the cargo hold, so check them when booking.

Myway Airlines (Georgia)

Myway Airlines flies to Tel Aviv, Tbilisi, and Yerevan. No more than two cats or dogs are allowed in the cabin. Each must weigh up to 8 kg with the carrier, and the bag dimensions can be up to 55 by 40 by 25 cm. You must book the spot for the animal in advance. The fee is calculated according to the excess baggage rate.

MyWay Airlines Boeing 777 at the airport

The flights are short, so the animal handles the journey calmly. There is no separate pet fare: it is processed as additional baggage.

Neos Air (Italy)

Neos Air flies from Milan and accepts animals in the cabin. This rule does not apply on flights to Mauritius (cargo hold only), Jamaica, China, and the UAE. For cats and dogs, the weight limit is higher, up to 10 kg with a carrier measuring up to 48 by 35 by 29 cm. No more than two pets are allowed in the cabin at the same time, and you must book the spot at least 48 hours before departure. The cabin fee is fixed, but confirm it when booking.

Some destinations are closed for cabin transport, so check your route in advance. If the pet weighs more than 10 kg, it can only travel in the cargo hold.

Nordica (Estonia)

Estonian Nordica accepts animals in the cabin, in checked baggage, and as cargo. Up to four animals are allowed per flight, and you must book the spot within 24 hours after purchasing your own ticket and at least 24 hours before departure. In the cabin, a pet weighing up to 8 kg travels in a container up to 56 by 45 by 25 cm. A fixed fee is charged for cabin transport.

There are few pet spots per flight, so book your animal right after buying your ticket. At the check-in desk, show the documents and the confirmation of your pet's spot.

Norwegian (Norway)

Budget carrier Norwegian takes cats and dogs into the cabin on flights within the Schengen area and the European Union. No more than two pets are allowed in the cabin at the same time. The limit is 8 kg including the carrier, with bag dimensions up to 43 by 31 by 20 cm. You must check in with your pet at least one hour before departure. The fee depends on the payment method: online is cheaper, at the airport it costs more.

Paying in advance saves a noticeable amount, so book and pay online. On routes outside the Schengen area and the European Union, pets are not accepted in the cabin.

Pegasus Airlines (Turkey)

Pegasus flies within Turkey and to Europe. On domestic flights they take cats, dogs, and birds; on international flights only cats and dogs. Animals are not allowed in the cabin on flights to the UK, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. The weight with the carrier is up to 8 kg, and the size is up to 32 by 32 by 50 cm. The fee depends on the flight: on domestic routes it is charged in lira, on international routes in dollars.

Pegasus Airlines Airbus A321 on final approach

People's Airline (Austria)

The small Austrian carrier People's Airline operates seasonal flights, including to Catania, Ibiza, and Mallorca. Animals are accepted in the cabin and in the hold. Cats and dogs in a carrier weighing up to 8 kg are allowed in the cabin. The bag for a dog must be no larger than 50 by 45 by 24 cm. The fee per animal is paid in euros or Swiss francs.

Play (Iceland)

The Icelandic low-cost carrier Play appeared recently, but its rule is the same as Icelandair's. Animals are not accepted on board because of the lengthy quarantine in Iceland. The only exception is for guide dogs accompanying blind passengers.

Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas (Spain)

Plus Ultra flies to South America and Caribbean countries. Animals are transported in the cabin and in the hold. The limit is above average: up to 10 kg with a carrier up to 55 by 40 by 20 cm. You cannot bring a pet with you in business class. The fee per animal depends on the country of departure and is subject to taxes.

Ryanair (Ireland)

Ryanair does not transport pets. The only exception is for guide dogs and assistance dogs. But even they are not accepted on flights to Israel and Morocco. If you are flying with a pet, you should rule out this airline right away.

SATA Azores Airlines (Portugal)

SATA Azores Airlines flies between the Azores islands, to mainland Portugal, Europe, and North America. Animals are accepted in the cabin and in the hold. In the cabin, a pet travels in a carrier measuring 55 by 40 by 20 cm and weighing up to 8 kg. The spot is booked when buying the ticket or through a travel agency. The fee depends on the route: within the Azores it is the lowest, and to the US and Canada it is the highest.

Passengers boarding an Azores Airlines aircraft

Scandinavian airlines (SAS) (Denmark, Norway and Sweden)

Scandinavian Airlines brings together the carriers of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Pets are accepted in the cabin and in the hold. In the cabin, cats and dogs weighing up to 8 kg with a carrier measuring 40 by 25 by 23 cm. You need to send a request to the airline, preferably no later than 24 hours before departure. Once approved, fill out a special form and present it at check-in. Pets are not carried in business class or on charter flights. The fee depends on the route distance.

Not for: business class and charter flight passengers. There, no cabin space for a pet is provided, even if the form is filled out.

Sevenair (Portugal)

Sevenair flies within Portugal. Pets are accepted in the cabin and in the hold. A pet in the cabin requires prior approval. The fee is calculated per kilogram with VAT added, and can only be paid at the airport. The weight of the animal in its container is up to 8 kg, and the carrier bag must be no larger than 45 by 35 by 25 cm.

Sky Express (Greece)

Greece's Sky Express accepts pets in the cabin on all flights except London. Weight with carrier up to 8 kg. Cats and dogs travel in a container up to 55 by 40 by 20 cm, and the carrier recommends soft-sided carriers. Space must be booked no later than 24 hours in advance, and you should arrive at the desk at least an hour before departure. The fee on a domestic flight is lower than on an international one.

SkyUp Airlines (Ukraine)

Ukrainian low-cost carrier SkyUp accepts cats and dogs in the cabin and in the hold. A cabin spot for a pet is booked in advance and paid for no later than 24 hours before departure, through the personal account on the website. This is one of the few airlines with a limit of up to 10 kg. Container dimensions up to 50 by 40 by 25 cm. During takeoff and landing the carrier sits under the seat in front; in flight you can hold it in your hands.

SkyUp Airlines aircraft on final approach

Smartwings & Smartwings Slovakia (Czechia and Slovakia)

Smartwings and Smartwings Slovakia have rules similar to other European low-cost carriers: cats and dogs are accepted in the cabin by prior reservation in a standard-size carrier. Exact dimensions and fees depend on the aircraft and route, so check them when booking on the carrier's website.

SunExpress (Turkey)

SunExpress flies within Turkey, to Europe and seasonally. Pets are accepted in the cabin. A cat or dog in a carrier measuring 55 by 40 by 23 cm must weigh no more than 8 kg. The pet is registered three working days before the trip. There is a fee on both domestic and international flights.

SWISS (Switzerland)

SWISS accepts cats and dogs in the cabin and in the hold. Animals in a carrier up to 8 kg are allowed in the cabin, with container dimensions up to 55 by 40 by 23 cm. Print and fill out two forms in advance and submit them at the check-in desk. On a direct flight to Switzerland, the animal is checked by customs, and a separate fee is charged for the inspection. On flights to Hong Kong, Ireland, South Africa, the UAE and the UK, pets are accepted only in the cargo hold. The fee increases from domestic routes to intercontinental ones.

The forms must be filled out in advance, otherwise the animal will not be allowed past the desk. For long-haul destinations the fee is higher than within Europe.

TAP Air Portugal (Portugal)

TAP Air Portugal accepts pets in the cabin and in the baggage hold. A cat or dog can fly in the cabin if the weight with the carrier is no more than 8 kg. The container, 40 by 33 by 17 cm, goes under the seat. Pets are not allowed in business class on long-haul flights, with the only exception being service dogs. The spot must be requested in advance, at booking or 48 hours before the flight. If you are flying from outside the EU, send a letter to the General Veterinary Directorate no later than 48 hours before arrival. The fee depends on the route and payment method: online is cheaper.

TAP Air Portugal Airbus A320 at Lisbon Airport

The fee is fixed by route group: the farther you fly, the higher the rate. Paying online is cheaper than at the airport counter.

TAROM (Romania)

Romania's flag carrier TAROM takes cats and dogs in the cabin and in the baggage hold. If you are flying from non-EU countries, the animal goes through veterinary control only at two airports: Henri Coandă in Bucharest and Avram Iancu in Cluj-Napoca. In the cabin, animals up to 8 kg including the carrier are allowed. The container must be made of soft materials and no larger than 42 by 26 by 20 cm. The animal is added to the booking and a completed form is presented at check-in.

Transavia & Transavia France (Netherlands and France)

Transavia and Transavia France fly from French and Dutch airports to Western and Central Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. They take cats and dogs in the cabin. The spot must be booked in advance, no later than two hours before departure. The pet's weight with the carrier must be up to 8 kg. The carrier must fit under the seat in front, so a soft bag is more convenient than a hard crate.

Transavia Boeing 737 at a snow-covered airfield

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Can I take a cat or dog in the airplane cabin?

Yes, if the carrier allows cabin transport and there is an available spot. Animals up to 8 kg including the carrier are usually accepted. The spot must be booked in advance, sometimes 48-72 hours before. Jet2, Ryanair, Icelandair, Play, and Loganair do not take pets in the cabin at all.

How much does cabin pet transport cost?

The fee depends on the airline and route. For most carriers, the price depends on the route. KLM calculates the fee by airport, La Compagnie by ticket price. The exact amount is always given at booking. Paying online is usually cheaper than at the airport.

What documents does a pet need to fly?

For a flight within the EU, you need an ISO 11784 or 11785 microchip, a veterinary passport, and a rabies vaccination given no later than 21 days before departure. The requirements are set out in EU rules. Some countries require additional parasite treatment. Documents are checked at the counter; without them, the pet will not be allowed to fly.

What if the pet weighs more than 8 kg?

Then it goes in the baggage hold in a special container. Almost all carriers do not allow large animals in the cabin. Exceptions are rare: La Compagnie allows up to 15 kg, Neos Air and SkyUp up to 10 kg. For the baggage hold, book the spot in advance; quotas are sometimes limited.

Do I need a separate carrier for the cabin?

Yes, the carrier must fit under the seat in front. Each carrier has its own dimensions, but soft bags pass more often than hard crates. During takeoff and landing, the carrier stays closed and the animal remains inside. Check the bag's dimensions before buying so you don't have to replace it at the airport.

In short: what to book

Before traveling with a pet, check three things: whether it is allowed in the cabin, whether the carrier fits the size requirements, and whether you have the documents. Book the pet's spot together with your ticket, and there will be no surprises at the counter.

If you have a short flight with a cat up to 8 kg: take a cabin spot and a soft carrier. If the pet is larger: arrange the baggage hold in advance. For a long-haul flight with a connection, find tickets and stay connected with an eSIM.

Pet transport on a plane: rules of 36 airlines