Flying with a dog: Which airlines allow dogs?

Which airline takes dogs?

Until recently, I didn't give much thought to what it meant to fly or generally travel with a dog. Since we are now considering adopting a dog, traveling with a dog is now also an issue for us. Because if a four-legged friend moves in with us, we will try to take it with us on trips as often as possible.

But which airlines allow dogs to be taken with you and how much does it cost to take your pets with you on vacation? Ryanair, for example, does not allow pets on board at all. Luckily, there are some other airlines that welcome dogs on board. We have summarized for you what these are and what costs you can expect for transport in this blog post. We always try to keep this article up to date.

How much does it cost to fly with a dog?

The costs for taking a dog with you vary depending on the airline, route and weight of the animal. Here are some examples:

• Special regulations: Some airlines charge according to weight (e.g. Emirates: 500 USD for dogs up to 23 kg).
• Cabin: From around €30 (e.g. with Air France) up to €75 (e.g. with KLM).
• Freight: Depending on weight and distance, often between €100 and €800.

Which airlines allow dogs on board?

Unfortunately, it is not a matter of course that every airline allows dogs or other pets to be taken along. The costs for taking them with you are also very different, some airlines book dogs as "excess baggage" (and calculate by weight), other airlines only give out the costs on request.

Can you book a seat on an airplane for a dog?

No, it is not possible to book a seat for a dog. Dogs must stay in the cabin in a carrier or travel in the hold if they are larger.

Flying with a dog as cargo

Larger dogs that weigh more than 8 kg together with their transport box must be transported in the cargo hold. The costs depend on the weight and distance:

• Lufthansa: Transport in the cargo hold from 100,- €.
• Emirates: Costs between 500 USD and 800 USD depending on weight.

Where do dogs sit in the cargo hold?

Dogs travel in the air-conditioned and pressurized cargo hold of the aircraft. Strict safety standards apply.

How stressful is flying for dogs?

Flying is often stressful for dogs, especially because of the unfamiliar noises, vibrations and limited movement. Tips to minimize stress:

1. Early preparation: Get your dog used to the transport box.
2. book direct flights: To avoid transfers and long waiting times.
3. sedative: Talk to your veterinarian about appropriate sedatives.

Do dogs have problems equalizing pressure when flying?

Yes, dogs can have problems with equalizing pressure, similar to humans. Chews or special chew bones can help equalize the pressure.

Which dogs are not allowed on the plane?

• snub-nosed dogs: Many airlines exclude brachycephalic breeds such as bulldogs or pugs because they are prone to breathing problems.
• List dogs: Some airlines do not allow dog breeds that are classified as dangerous.

What does the vet give to calm the animal?

Sedatives should only be given after consulting a veterinarian. Alternatives:

• Natural sedatives: Bach flowers or valerian.
• pheromone sprays: Like Adaptil to reduce stress.

Ryanair and dogs

Ryanair is one of the airlines that unfortunately do not transport any pets/dogs at all, with the exception of assistance dogs, which must be registered in advance via the hotline here (assistance dogs are also not allowed on flights to/from Morocco or Israel).

Condor: Flying with a dog

Condor offers excellent options for taking your dog on holiday. You can easily register your pet online via the Condor website . However, please note that capacity for pets is limited and only one dog or cat is allowed per transport box.

The cost of transporting animals depends on the flight destination. The cheapest zone 1 starts at €59,99 and the maximum weight here is 8 kg (incl. transport box). Zone 1 includes the Balearic Islands, the Balkans, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Italy, as well as the Spanish and Portuguese mainland.

Zone 2 is priced at €74,99 and also has a maximum weight of 8 kg. Zone 2 includes the Canary Islands, Iceland, Cape Verde, Madeira, Cyprus, Malta, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Gambia & the United Arab Emirates. The remaining zones 3-6 are €99,99 and these include travel destinations such as the USA, Canada, South Africa, Asia, Mexico, the Caribbean or Central and South America.

Lufthansa dog

Lufthansa's pet transport options depend on the type, weight, and size of the animal. Similar to Condor, smaller pets weighing up to 8 kg including their carrier (max. 55 x 40 x 23 cm) can be transported in the cabin. You can find all the information you need about traveling with pets on Lufthansa's " Traveling with Animals" page.

Lufthansa costs for flying with a dog

The following price calculator can be used to calculate the cost of bringing a pet on Lufthansa flights. For example, bringing a small dog up to 8 kg costs €60 for a flight from Frankfurt to Mallorca. Special conditions apply to certain breeds and brachycephalic (short-nosed) animals.

TUI Fly: Flying with a dog

Only dogs and cats are permitted on TUI fly flights. The maximum weight for transport in the cabin is the same as for Condor and Lufthansa: 8 kg including the carrier. TUI charges €40 for pets in the cabin and €60 for larger animals in the cargo hold on international flights and €71,40 on domestic routes. Further requirements apply , such as microchipping and a valid EU pet passport.

Eurowings: Flying with a dog

At Eurowings, pets are only permitted on short and medium-haul routes. In addition, the following rules apply:

• The animals must be housed in a watertight, bite-proof, closed but air-permeable bag (no hard-shell container). The maximum dimensions are 55x40x23 cm.
• The animal including the bag must not weigh more than 8 kg and must be able to stand upright in the bag, be able to turn and lie in a natural position.
• Only one animal is allowed per bag and person.

Air France: Flying with a dog

With the airline Air France, it is generally possible to take animals with you. However, as of March 15, 2022, animals must be at least 15 weeks old. The cost of taking it with you varies greatly depending on where and where you are traveling from.

Air France costs for flying with a dog

On French domestic flights, for example, taking an animal with you in the cabin costs €40 and €80 in the hold. For flights within the Caribbean, the cost of carriage in the cabin is only €30 loose and €75 in the hold. On flights within Europe, taking a dog or other pet with you in the cabin costs €55 and a whopping €200 in the hold. As with other airlines, 8 kg (including bag) is the maximum permissible weight for taking your animal with you in the cabin.

On the Air France website you can also get advice from the service team or contact the service team directly to register your pet for the trip.

KLM: Flying with a dog

As with some other airlines, KLM only transports dogs and other animals in the cabin. The cost for transport ranges from €75 to €400 per flight, depending on the departure and arrival airports. Regulations such as the maximum weight of 8 kg for animals carried in the cabin also apply to KLM. Animals weighing up to 75 kg can be transported in the cargo hold, with some exceptions (such as transfers lasting more than 3 hours), which can be found here .

British Airways: Flying with a dog

British Airways only allows dogs and other pets to travel in the cargo hold. Unfortunately, traveling in the cabin is not permitted – this also applies to "emotional support dogs." However, officially recognized assistance dogs are allowed to travel in the cabin free of charge. You can inquire about the cost of transporting a dog in the cargo hold via the British Airways website.

Emirates: Flying with a dog

Emirates has a general policy that no pets are allowed in the cabin. Exceptions are made only for guide dogs and falcons (between Dubai and Pakistan). Emirates handles pets as excess baggage. For animals weighing no more than 23 kg (including their carrier), the cost is a hefty USD 500. Between 24 kg and 32 kg, the cost is USD 650, and for a total weight exceeding 32 kg, it's USD 800. You can find more information about Emirates' regulations here.

More tips for flying with a dog

• Flying for dogs means stress: try to make the journey as gentle as possible for your dog. That means: the best direct Flights instead of flights with connections/transfers.
• You can prepare your dog for your flight together a few weeks before the start of the trip and send it to the Transportbox get used to.
• Preparing the transport box: Provide familiar blankets and toys.
• Water: Make sure your dog stays adequately hydrated.
• Travel documents: Check EU pet passport, microchip and vaccinations.
• Compare airfares: You can find my tips for finding the best airfares in my article Comparison: The best flight search engine

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