These days, most U.S. airlines and many international airlines will allow you to take your pet in the plane’s cabin with you depending on their age and size.
The following international airlines will allow this: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France, Vueling Airlines, Aegean Airlines, Iberia, Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, and Qatar Airways. Check with yours ahead of time.
Every airline has its own rules that you must check, but generally speaking, the animal and carrier must weigh no more than 8kg and remain under your seat throughout the flight. Some will allow you to take your pet out and keep it on your lap for a short time, but always ask first. You must also book in advance, and make sure you use a carrier that’s approved by your airline.
Here are some more tips to make the journey easier for both you and your pet:
Be honest with yourself about your pet’s resilience. If you pet is prone to a lot of anxiety or motion sickness, it may be best to avoid air travel if you can.
Visit the vet before the trip. Get a check-up with the vet beforehand, get a health certificate, and make sure your animal is up to date on all vaccinations. Take the paperwork to prove that, too! Ask for anti-nausea meds, advice about feeding before and during the flight, and ask for calming treat recommendations. Also, make sure your collar, tags, and microchip are all in place.
Acclimate your pet to the carrier. Whatever you do, don’t get an airline-approved carrier and put your pet in it the day of the trip. Buy it well in advance so that you can allow your pet to spend quality time there to get comfortable in it. Then, on the day of the trip, fill it with plenty of pee pads, a blanket that your pet loves, and favorite toys.
Tips at the airport. While you’re waiting for the flight, it helps to give your pet some exercise, if possible, so that they’re tired and able to sleep when the plane takes off. Also, make sure to take them for a potty break (where it’s allowed) just before you board.
Choose your seat carefully. Spring for a spacious seat on the plane to make sure there’s plenty of room, and make sure you’ve chosen a seat that’s allowed for bringing a pet on board.
Be prepared. Bring a familiar food bowl, poop scoop, plastic bags, and favorite treats. In your carry-on, pack a day’s worth of food for your pet in case your flight is delayed. Also, be sure to buy enough water after you pass through security for both you and your pet.
Dietary Considerations
According to UK fresh pet food brand, Years, diet plays a major role in how dogs cope with air travel, particularly when it comes to digestion, anxiety, and motion sensitivity. This is also true of cats and most any other kind of animal, including birds.
A spokesperson for Years says, “Flying is unfamiliar for dogs. Changes in pressure, temperature, and routine can all affect digestion. The goal is to keep the gut calm, stable, and predictable before travel.”
Best foods for dogs before flying include:
- Light, easily digestible meals (lean proteins with simple carbohydrates)
- Pre- and probiotics, which support gut balance and reduce gas
- Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help regulate inflammation and stress responses
- Small meals, served several hours before departure rather than right before boarding
“Calm digestion often equals a calmer dog,” the spokesperson adds. “A settled stomach reduces discomfort, restlessness, and excessive panting during flights.”
Foods to avoid include:
- Rich or fatty foods
- Large meals close to departure
- Dairy products
- High-fibre vegetables such as beans or lentils
- New or unfamiliar treats
- Human leftovers, which can ferment in the gut at altitude
“Gas expands at altitude,” the Years spokesperson explains. “Foods that might seem harmless at home can become very uncomfortable in the air, leading to whining, restlessness or distress.”
With more airlines adapting to pet-friendly demand, and owners increasingly treating animals as full travel companions, experts expect pet travel to become more regulated, not less.
“Airlines are setting clear boundaries around size, weight and behavior,” says the Years.com spokesperson. “For owners, preparation is everything, from booking early to feeding correctly. When done right, flying with a dog can be calm, safe and surprisingly straightforward.”
Do you have any special tips for air travel with a pet that you can share?
Melanie Votaw is the Publisher and Executive Travel Writer of LuxuryWeb Magazine. She has visited more than 50 countries on 6 continents and written for such magazines as Executive Travel, Just Luxe, Business Insider, South China Morning Post, Travel Mindset, and more. She is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association, New York Travel Writers Association, and International Travel Writers Alliance. Melanie's photography has won awards, and she has also written 43 nonfiction books as either the author or ghostwriter.
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