Thinking of taking your dog abroad with you? Whether you’d like to take your dog on holiday, or are relocating to another country, you don’t need to leave your dog behind. There are many dog breeds that can fly in cabin. However, most airlines will only allow small dogs on board, so, if you are the owner of a chihuahua or similar sized dog, you are in luck!
In order to bring your dog in the cabin with you on a flight, most commercial airlines require that your dog comfortably fit in a carry-on-sized travel kennel that is not larger than 11 inches tall and 18 inches long. This means only very small breeds like Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, and Maltese can fly in the cabin with you.
In this article, we will outline the rules and regulations in order to fly with a dog, and list dog breeds that can fly in cabin with you.
What size dog can fly in cabin?
Generally, only very small and light dog breeds can fly in the cabin with their owners.
The rules and regulations have been set out by International Air Transport Association (IATA) ensure that dogs are comfortable when travelling. Thus, inside their travel carriers, dogs must be able to stand up, turn around and lie down in a natural position in their kennel (without touching any side or the top of the container).
Although the size requirements of the carrier vary between airlines, usually only dogs that are smaller than 11 inches tall and 18 inches long are permitted.
Unfortunately, even if you have a very small dog, they may not be permitted to fly in cabin. Many airlines have restrictions on the dog breeds they permit on their flights.
21 dog breeds that can fly in cabin.
The following are all small dog breeds that can fly in cabin, as long as they are smaller than 11 inches tall and 18 inches long and weigh less than 9kg:
- Chihuahua
- Pomeranian
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Papillion
- Toy Poodle
- Bichon Frise
- Jack Russell
- Miniature Pinscher
- Dachshund / Sausage Dog
- Maltese
- Toy Fox Terrier
- Toy Schnauzer
- West Highland Terrier
- Cairn Terrier
- Australian Terrier
- Norfolk Terrier
The following snub-nosed dog breeds may be able to fly in cabin, as long as you fly with an airline with no breed restrictions:
- Shih Tzu
- Pekingese
- Japanese Chin
- Griffon
- Affenpinscher
Which dog breeds cannot fly in cabin?
Unfortunately, some airlines have restrictions on the dog breeds they permit on their flights. So, even if you are the owner of a very small dog, they may not be able to fly with you.
The following brachycephalic and snub-nosed breeds are often banned from flying in both the cabin and cargo:
- Affenpinscher
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Boston Terriers
- Boxers
- Brussels Griffon
- Bulldogs (all breeds)
- Cane Corso
- Chow Chow
- Dogue De Bordeaux
- English Toy Spaniel
- Japanese Chin
- Lhasa Apso
- Mastiff (all breeds)
- Pekingese
- Pitbulls
- Presa Canario
- Pug
- Shar Pei
- Shih Tzu
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Tibetan Spaniel
This is because of their anatomical abnormalities, short-nosed breeds may be more vulnerable to changes in air quality and temperature in the cargo hold of a plane.
Only certain airlines have these breed restrictions, so while you may not be able to fly with one airline, you may be able to fly with another. However, it’s important that you are confident your dog is healthy enough to fly.
What are the rules and regulations for flying with dogs in cabin?
The rules and regulations for flying with dogs in cabin vary between airlines, however generally they state the following:
1. Dogs must be no more than 11 inches tall and 18 inches long.
As stated above, airlines generally require that your dog can fit comfortably in a carrier that can fit under the seat in front of you during the flight. Although the carrier requirements vary between airlines, this usually means that your dog cannot be more than 11 inches tall or 18 inches long.
2. Dogs must usually weigh less than 9kg / 20 pounds.
Most airlines state that dogs and their carrier combined, weigh no more than 9kg or 20 pounds.
This does vary slightly between airlines. For example, American Airlines requires that the combined weight of your pet and the carrier cannot be more than 9kg at the time of check in. On the other hand, Air Europa have a limit of 8kg. Delta and Southwest have no limit on the weight, however they state that dogs must fit comfortably in their carrier, under the seat in front of you.
3. Dogs must stay in their travel carriers at all times.
Generally, you are not permitted to take your dog out of their kennel in the airport or whilst boarded the plane. This does mean no potty breaks, so make sure your dog goes to the toilet before entering the airport.
With that said, some airports have specific areas designated for dogs to stretch their legs and go potty.
4. Dogs must be at least 10 weeks old.
In order to travel domestically, dogs must generally be at least 10 weeks old. If you are traveling internationally, your dog must generally be at least 16 weeks old.
5. Only one pet per kennel.
Only one pet is allowed per kennel except in the following conditions:
- One female dog is traveling with her unweaned litter of puppies who are between the ages of 10 weeks and 6 months. There is no limit on the number of puppies in the litter so long as the weight limits are not exceeded.
- 2 pets of the same breed and size between the ages of 10 weeks and 6 months may share a kennel.
6. You must have all the required documentation.
The documents required to fly with a dog in cabin will vary depending on which airline you are flying with, and where you are flying from and to. If you are flying domestically, some airlines do not require any documentation. Southwest, for example. However, other airlines require your pet’s health book. Aegean Air, for example.
You will need more paperwork if you are traveling abroad, in which cases you will usually require the following:
- Microchip certificate
- Rabies vaccination certificate
- Animal health certificate
- Additional vaccination certificates
- Rabies titer test results
- Parasite treatment certificate
We will go into these requirements in more detail below.
7. You must be over 18 years old.
An unaccompanied minor may not bring a pet in the cabin with them.
8. Dogs must be well behaved.
A pet that shows disruptive behavior may be denied boarding. Examples of disruptive behavior include (but are not limited to):
- Scratching, excessive whining or barking
- Growling, biting, lunging
- Urinating or defecating in the cabin or gate area
How can I prepare to fly with my dog in cabin?
1. Select an appropriate, cabin-approved travel carrier.
Different airlines and aircrafts have different size restrictions for carriers. Be sure to check the restrictions for your specific airline, and aircraft.
For example, Delta recommends a soft-sided kennel with maximum dimensions of 18” x 11” x 11” since this fits most aircraft types.
I would recommend using a soft sided carrier as they usually give your dog more space.
Carriers must generally be leak-proof and well ventilated.
2. Get your dog used to it’s travel carrier.
3. Train your dog to stay calm.
Your dog will need to be calm and well behaved on the flight. If they show disruptive behaviour, they risk being sent into the cargo area of the plane.
4. Exhaust your dog before the flight.
Try to exhaust your dog a little by increasing the level of activity before your trip. A sleepy dog will be less prone to getting stressed out on the flight, and will likely be better behaved on the flight.
5. Limit access to food and water before the flight.
Limit your dog’s access to food. Therefore, it’ll be less likely that they will need to ‘defecate or urinate’ on the flight.
Additionally, some animals may experience motion sickness if they eat just before a flight. If you are flying in the morning, then feed them the night before.
Air Canada suggest feeding your dog four to six hours prior to departure, as a full stomach may cause discomfort during travel.
6. Familiarise yourself with the airport that you are departing from and arriving to.
Most airports will have a dedicated area for pets and service animals to rest. It is actually a legal requirement that all U.S. airports have pet-relief areas available for working animals and pets to rest. Take some photos of the airport maps, so you don’t have to wander around on the day trying to find a resting place.
7. Bring along your dog’s favourite comforts.
To maximise comfort and minimise stress, pop your dog’s favourite blanket or toy in the travel carrier with them. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, you could even pop one of your t-shirts in the carrier.
Documents required to fly with dogs in cabin.
The documents required to fly with a dog in cabin will vary depending on which airline you are flying with, and where you are flying from and to. Generally you will require the following:
They are normally valid for 10 days.
Can I bring two dogs in cabin with me?
Most airlines only allow one dog kennel per person for in-cabin flights. However, there are usually two exceptions to this rule:
- If both of your dogs are under 6 months old, of the same breed, and their combined weight is less than 20 pounds.
- If you have one female dog traveling with her unweaned litter of puppies who are between the ages of 10 weeks and 6 months.
If your dogs are not over 6 months, of the different breeds, or have a combined weight of more than 20 pounds, you may still be able to travel with both of your dogs if you purchase an additional ticket and also pay an additional pet fee for your pet. However, only certain airlines will allow this. JetBlue and United both allow passengers to buy extra plane tickets for their dogs.
If that’s not an option, you may be able to check one of your pets, who will fly with the checked baggage in the cargo hold, and fly in the cabin with the other one.
What if my dogs breed is too big to fly in cabin?
Flying dogs in cargo.
If your dog is not one of the small dog breeds that can fly in cabin, you may be able to check your dog into the cargo area of the plane.
When it comes to air travel, many dog owners are hesitant to put their pets in cargo. The thought of their furry friends being stowed away in the cargo hold of a plane can be a cause for concern, leaving many pet owners questioning if it’s safe for dogs to fly in cargo.
Although the large majority of pets traveling via cargo arrive safely at their destination, it is important to understand the potential hazards with cargo travel. One of the biggest concerns for dog owners is the potential for their pets to experience distress or harm during air travel. While incidents of injury or death during pet air travel are rare, they do occur, and it’s important for dog owners to understand the risks. Stress, dehydration, heatstroke, heart failure and injury are all risks that your dog faces when traveling in cargo.
With that said, assuming your dog is in very good health and assuming you properly prepare your pet for cargo travel, cargo travel should be a safe travel option for your four-legged family.
Semi-private airlines.
There are some semi-private airlines that allow flying with large dogs in cabin. These are mostly US based airlines that fly across the US, Caribbean and other worldwide destinations. These will of course be a lot more expensive than flying with a commercial airline.
These airlines will allow you to buy an additional seat for your dog to sit next to you, as long as they are well behaved and harnessed.
For more information, check Airlines that Allow Flying with a Large Dog in Cabin [Pet Policies].
Conclusion
There are many small and light dog breeds that can fly in cabin with their owners. So, as long as you are the owner of a small dog that is no more than 11 inches tall, 18 inches long and over 20 pounds you should have no problem bringing them into the cabin of the plane with you.
You may face some trouble if your dog is a snub-nosed dog, such as a Shih Tzu or a Pug, as some airlines ban these dog breeds from flying.
Be sure to check the rules and regulations for different airlines before you book, ensure you have an appropriate travel carrier and all required paperwork.
Happy travels!