Best Airlines for Traveling with Your Pet in 2024

Traveling with a pet requires careful planning. Each airline has its own rules—some don’t accept animals at all, while others offer tailored programs to make pet travel as seamless and stress-free as possible. Choosing the right airline is key to ensuring your furry, feathery, or even shelled travel companion’s safety, security, and comfort.

Here’s what you need to know before booking:

Before we dive in, remember these essentials:

Your pet must be in good health with all vaccinations up to date. It must also be properly identified, ideally via an electronic microchip with current details. A valid pet passport is also required.

The type of travel—cabin or cargo—determines what kind of transport crate you’ll need. It must meet IATA standards:

• Cabin: Pets need a soft-sided, approved carrier meeting the following dimensions: 45 x 39 x 21 cm for pets up to 8 kg (pet included).

• Cargo: Per IATA regulations, the crate must allow your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Heads and ears must not touch the top, and there must be room to stretch out naturally.

Additionally, the cargo crate must meet these requirements:

• Be rigid, with two attached bowls

• Include labels indicating “top” and “bottom,” plus “Live Animal” stickers

• Have no wheels

• Feature a solid roof

• Secure hinges and screws—no shortcuts; the crate must consist of two solid plastic sections firmly joined

• Be clean, leak-proof, and padded with absorbent material

• Allow airflow via vents on all four sides

• Lock with a secure latch that cannot be opened from the inside

Always review the specific pet travel requirements for both your departure and arrival destinations—rules can vary significantly—and consult your veterinarian with any concerns.

Vueling: The Only Airline That Lets You Bring Two Pets in Cabin

This budget-friendly airline allows you to bring up to two pets onboard, provided they fit safely in an approved carrier. Accepted pets include cats, dogs, birds (except birds of prey), and turtles. They must travel in a soft-sided, IATA-compliant carrier measuring up to 45 x 39 x 21 cm for pets up to 8 kg (pet included).

If your pets are cats or dogs, they may share the same carrier if: they’re of the same species or litter, and the combined weight and size are within the limit.

The service comes at a budget-friendly cost: from €50 for domestic flights and €60 for international flights.

Air France: Transparent Updates When Your Pet Travels in Cargo

Air France permits a limited number of cats and dogs only to travel either in-cabin or in the hold under specific conditions.

Traveling in Cabin:

Cats and dogs may travel in-cabin in a soft-sided carrier no larger than 46 x 28 x 24 cm. Air France recommends a flexible carrier that fits easily under the seat in front of you. Only soft-sided carriers are accepted; rigid crates are not.

The carrier counts as an additional paid bag.

Traveling in Cargo (Hold):

For cats and dogs weighing over 8 kg and up to 75 kg, travel in the hold is mandatory. Each passenger may transport up to three animals in the hold.

To prepare your pet for cargo travel:

• Print and sign the mandatory Liability Release and annex titled “Acceptance Conditions for Cats and Dogs in the Hold,” fulfilling all outlined requirements.

• Use an IATA-compliant crate.

Note: Certain brachycephalic cats and dogs (those with short noses) are not accepted on cargo flights, only in approved cabin situations.

Most importantly, the captain is informed when a pet is traveling in the hold. The crew ensures proper lighting and temperature control throughout the flight to keep your pet safe and comfortable.

Lufthansa: Premium Care for All Types of Pets

Lufthansa excels at making pet travel as safe and comfortable as possible, offering specialized services for both common and exotic pets.

Pet Premium

A dedicated service for cats and dogs featuring:

• Spacious kennels at the Animal Lounge in Frankfurt, tailored to make pets feel at home

• Arrival photos—the Animal Lounge team takes photos upon arrival and sends them to owners

• Pre-travel info packet sent before departure with all the details you need

• Specialized care for pets with allergies, medication needs, or special diets

• Personal contact with a dedicated agent available by exclusive email

Lufthansa Cargo Animal Lounge

This program caters to a broader range of pets beyond cats and dogs, including exotic animals, ornamental fish, insects, livestock, and even professional and private horses. During transport:

• Pets receive personalized care from trained staff and animal attendants

• All transport complies with strict IATA regulations

• Ornamental fish undergo UV health checks

• Oxygen support is available during irregularities

If traveling to or from Ireland:

• For journeys to/from EU or Schengen countries: tapeworm treatment is required.

• For other destinations: tapeworm treatment is required, plus blood tests confirming treatment efficacy and additional documentation may be requested.