Travelling by plane with your pet is a fantastic adventure, but to avoid any inconvenience, it's important to find out about the regulations governing animal transport, as they differ from company to company.
In this series of articles, we'll explain the specifics of airlines operating from France, serving both domestic and international destinations. Let's start with France's leading airline, Ari France.
Air France allows pets to travel, but there are restrictions. cats and dogs uniquely. Your pet must have a ticket, and you'll need to make a reservation at least 48 hours before your flight. Prices vary according to destination and type of transport (hold or cabin), see conditions below).
We recommend that you inform on your destination, for some countries (even in Europe) additional health requirements may apply. For international travel, find out about the regulations (vaccinations, quarantine, etc.) concerning animal transport, both for your country of origin and for your destination, not forgetting any stopovers.
Before boarding
💡 A few reminders ...
- Your pet must be in good health and have up-to-date vaccinations.
- Its microchip acts as an identity document, and the information it contains must be up to date.
- He must travel with his passport and health record, which must also be up to date.
- Depending on whether you are travelling in the hold or the cabin, your transport case must comply with IATA standards:
Cabin : They must be transported in an approved, non-rigid cage or bag, conforming to the following dimensions: 45 x 39 x 21 cm for 8 kg (including the animal).
Cargo hold : According to IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations, the dimensions of the cage must allow the animal to stand upright, without its head or ears touching the top of the cage. The animal must be able to turn around and lie down in a natural position.
- The cage must be rigid, with two bowls attached to the top.
- Labels informing of the top and bottom of the cage and "live animal" stickers must be affixed.
- The cage must not have wheels
- It must have a solid roof
- The screws and nuts that hold the upper and lower parts of the cage must be properly installed and tightened - it must consist of two sections, made of solid, rigid plastic.
- It must be clean, but above all watertight and covered with materials capable of absorbing liquids.
- It must be well ventilated, with openings on all four sides.
- It must be securely locked, with a bolt that cannot be opened from the inside.
Feel free to consult our dedicated article
Regulations
Your dog or cat must travel in a special closed bag measuring no more than 46 x 28 x 24 cm. The company recommends using a bag soft enough to slide easily under the front seat.
The bag in which your pet travels is considered to be a additional luggage at extra cost.
Rigid cases are not allowed in the cabin.
For checked baggage Cats and dogs weighing over 8 kg and up to 75 kg must travel in the hold. Carriage in the hold is limited to a maximum of 3 animals per passenger.
To ensure that your pet can travel in the hold, here are the transport rules:
- Print and sign the mandatory liability waiver and its appendix. Conditions for accepting a dog or cat in the hold "and meet the conditions listed inside.
- The shipping crate must meet IATA standards.
NB: only certain cats and dogs with snub noses are accepted on cargo flights, but not on regular flights.
The company's advantage: When your pet is transported in the hold, the captain is informed of its presence and takes all necessary measures to ensure that it travels comfortably (lighting, heating, etc.).
Air France reserves the right to refuse your pet in the following cases:
To prevent your pet from being denied boarding, make sure you comply with all the above conditions. However, some pets are not allowed on board:
- All dogs in categories 1 or 2 as defined by French regulations (In the case of a morphology similar to that of a category 1 or 2 dog, a diagnosis (specific veterinary certificate) must attest that the dog is out of category.
- The animal's nose is not upturned or flattened.
- The dog or cat shows physical weakness, is injured or under tranquilizer.
- If the dog or cat displays aggressive behavior likely to endanger the safety of ground staff and/or disturb other animals being transported.
How much does it cost to travel with your pet on Air France?
It all depends on your destination. Prices range from €70 for a metropolitan flight in the cabin to €200 for a hold flight to the Caribbean or destinations outside Europe.
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