I am often asked about airlines pet policies so I asked Purring Pal, a leading source of information for cat owners, to help me out. Check out their list of what airlines allow pets on planes below.

Travelling with pets overseas is not as much of a hassle as it used to be. Thanks to the efforts that airlines have made, they encourage passengers to embrace taking pets on planes. With as little as a passport, up-to-date shots, and a microchip implant, your furry companion can finally join you on that perfect holiday getaway.

See more about what you need to do before you bring you pet to and from Ireland here.
 

 
However, pet policies differ among individual airlines. Travelling to and from Europe can be more hassle than you think, that is if you haven’t spent enough time familiarising yourself with the policies of the airline that you want to travel with.

To get you started, here’s a list of airlines that fly from Ireland that allow pets in either the cabin or the cargo hold, as well as their various policies regarding pets on planes.
 

Check out the PurringPal website for a list of pet policies of 33 worldwide airlines with prices too. Note these policies can change at any time so make sure you check with your airline directly before you make a reservation.
 

 

Aer Lingus

For flights within Europe, pets need to be booked through a freight forwarder such as IAG Cargo in order to be transported in the hold. Only dogs, cats, and rabbits are accepted for regional flights, and no animals are allowed in the cabin except service pets. 

Policies differ for transatlantic flights. Several dog breeds aren’t allowed, even in the cargo hold, for various safety reasons: American Pit Bull, Mastiff, Akita, Pug, Boxer, and Rottweiler, among others.
 

 
Pet carriers should not weigh more than 64kg. Recognised assistance dogs are allowed in the cabin free of charge provided that all necessary requirements are submitted. The request should be made at least 48 hours before travel. See more here
 

 

Ryanair

No animals are allowed on any Ryanair flights, whether in the cabin or the hold, except assistance and guide dogs. These must be booked in advance and a pet passport or official vet health certificate must be presented. Only four maximum service dogs are allowed per flight. See more here.
 

 

Aegean Airlines

Pets are allowed to travel in the cabin or hold. Cats, dogs, and animals in the ferret family can ride in the cabin, with the exception of certain breeds. Each passenger is allowed one pet companion in the cabin, although more can be hand-carried as long as they fit in one container and the carrier doesn’t weigh more than 8kg.
 

 
Reservations should be done in advance, as only a limited number are allowed to travel on each flight. Service dogs are welcome, as long as requirements are submitted prior to booking. See more here.
 

 

Emirates, Etihad

These airlines do not allow any pets to be brought into the cabin, but dogs and cats can be transported in the hold. However, a falcon can be brought in the cabin as long as it is cleared for travel and the necessary paperwork has been submitted. See more from Emirates here and Etihad here.
 

 

Air France

Dogs and cats are allowed in the cabin, up to a maximum weight of 7.7kg, including the carrier. All pets travelling within the EU should be chipped and have a European passport. Heavier animals that can’t be brought in the cabin can be stored in the cargo hold or shipped via freight. See more here.
 

 

Turkish Airlines

Cats, dogs, and singing birds (canaries, parakeets) are allowed in the cabin. Other types of birds and other pets can be carried in the cargo bay. Certain breeds of dog, however, are disallowed from flying, including the American Staffordshire Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Doberman, and American Bulldog, among others. See more here.
 

 

Aeroflot

Many types of domestic and tamed pets are allowed on-board, including dogs, cats, and birds. Animals in the cabin must not exceed 8kg. All others that exceed the weight limited can be checked in for transport via the cargo hold. Only one pet container is allowed per passenger, per flight, and it should meet certain dimension requirements. Service dogs are allowed in the cabin and should be booked in advance. See more here.
 

 

Easyjet

According to the terms and conditions, no pets are allowed on flights; either in the cabin or the hold. The only exception is service dogs which must be booked at least 48 hours in advance and should be trained by a recognised organisation and have certification. See more here.
 

 

Air Europa

Pets can be transported via the cabin or in the cargo hold to any country in Europe, with the exception of the UK. Accepted animals include dogs, cats, birds (not including birds of prey), fish, and certain types of rodents.
 

 
A traveling pet should have health certification and a passport, and the total weight of its container should weigh no more than 8kg to qualify for the cabin. Other types of animals such as reptiles, ferrets, and other breeds of dogs can be transported in the hold. Brachycephalic dogs and cats are not accepted in the hold due to health concerns. See more here.
 

 

KLM

Pets can be brought on most flights. An animal being transported in the hold should be stored in a container that weighs up to 75kg. Snub-nosed dog breeds may not be allowed in the cargo hold and should be brought in the cabin instead.

Pets carried in the cabin should not exceed 8kg in weight (including their container). Travel documents and health certificates are required for all traveling pets. See more here.
 

 

British Airways

All other animals aside from service dogs must travel in the cargo hold on British Airways flights. The number of dogs on each flight is limited, so the booking needs to be made in advance. Emotional support animals will also need to be kept in the cargo bay. See more here.
 

 

Lufthansa

Dogs, cats, hares, and rabbits are allowed on-board. The entire weight of the transport container plus the pet must weigh no more than 8kg to qualify as carry-on. Larger animals can be safely flown to their destination in the cargo hold.

Each passenger is only allowed to bring a maximum of two pets with them on a flight. Special assistance dogs are welcome on all flights as long as requirements are submitted. Booking should be done within 48 hours. See more here.
 

 
I hope you liked this post about travelling with pets on planes will help you plan a trip abroad soon. While every effort was made to ensure accuracy at the time of publication ( February 2019), it is important that you check with your airline before booking, as policies are subject to change.

 
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Sarah