Pets in the aircraft cabin
Not all airlines permit pets in the passenger cabin, and those that do impose strict size, weight, and carrier requirements. This page covers in-cabin policies only. Cargo hold transport, rescue animals, and live animal shipping are governed by separate rules.
General eligibility
Airlines that permit pets in the cabin typically allow small dogs and cats only. Some airlines also permit small domesticated birds and rabbits, but this is less common. The animal must travel inside an approved carrier stowed under the seat in front of you. It is not permitted on the seat or in the overhead locker.
In-cabin pets are normally counted as one of your carry-on items. On most airlines you are limited to one pet carrier per passenger, and only one or two pet carriers per flight are permitted in total. Book early — availability is limited and first-come first-served.
Carrier requirements
A typical cabin carrier requirement is 43 × 30 × 20 cm (17 × 12 × 8 in), though this varies by airline and aircraft type. The carrier must fit under the seat in front — measurements differ between narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, and between seat rows. Confirm dimensions with the specific airline for the specific aircraft.
Both hard-sided and soft-sided carriers are accepted by most airlines. Soft-sided carriers are generally preferred because they compress slightly to fit under the seat. The carrier must be escape-proof, ventilated on at least two sides, leak-proof on the bottom, and large enough for the animal to stand, turn around, and lie down in a natural position.
The animal must remain inside the carrier for the entire flight, including during boarding and deplaning. Opening the carrier at any point — to comfort the animal, to show it to other passengers — is not permitted.
Weight limits
Most airlines that allow in-cabin pets specify a combined weight limit of 8 to 10 kg for the animal plus carrier together. Some US carriers (notably Delta) do not publish a specific weight limit but require the animal to fit comfortably in the carrier, which functions as an informal size limit. If your animal and carrier combined exceed 10 kg, cargo hold transport is typically required — check whether the airline accepts that option and whether breed restrictions apply.
Breed restrictions
Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs and cats are banned from the cabin and, on many airlines, from cargo hold transport entirely. Their shortened airways make them susceptible to respiratory distress during the physiological stress of flight — including reduced cabin pressure, temperature changes, and anxiety.
Dogs commonly affected: English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier, Shih Tzu, Boxer, Pekingese, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Cats commonly affected: Persian, Himalayan, British Shorthair, Scottish Fold, Exotic Shorthair.
Check the specific airline's breed list — definitions and affected breeds vary. Some airlines ban all flat-faced breeds from cargo on any route; others ban them only during summer months or on long-haul routes.
Airline comparison
| Airline | Cabin pets | Max weight | Max carrier size | Approximate fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines (AA) | Yes | 7 kg (15 lb) | 45 × 35 × 25 cm / 18 × 11 × 11 in | US$150 each way (domestic) |
| Delta Air Lines (DL) | Yes | No stated limit | 43 × 30 × 20 cm / 17 × 12 × 8 in | US$150 each way |
| United Airlines (UA) | Yes | Carrier must fit under seat | 43 × 25 × 18 cm / 17 × 9.5 × 7 in | US$125 each way |
| British Airways (BA) | No (assistance dogs only) | — | — | — |
| Lufthansa (LH) | Yes | 8 kg combined | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | €70–€200 depending on route |
| Air France (AF) | Yes | 8 kg combined | 45 × 35 × 25 cm | €45–€255 depending on route |
| Singapore Airlines (SQ) | No (cargo only) | — | — | — |
| Qantas (QF) | No (assistance dogs only) | — | — | — |
| Emirates (EK) | No (cargo only) | — | — | — |
| Japan Airlines (JL) | No (cargo only) | — | — | — |
Policies change. Verify directly with the airline before booking. Fees are indicative and vary by route, fare class, and season.
IATA Live Animals Regulations
The IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) are the global standard for transporting live animals by air. Published annually, the LAR sets container specifications, handling requirements, documentation standards, and species-specific rules for airlines and cargo handlers worldwide. Most airline policies for both cabin and cargo transport are based on or derived from IATA LAR.
For cabin transport, the practical significance of IATA LAR is in container design: carriers marketed as IATA-compliant generally meet the ventilation, escape-proof, and sizing requirements. However, IATA compliance alone does not guarantee acceptance — the specific airline's own dimensional and weight limits still apply.
Documentation required
Most airlines and most destination countries require a veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel (sometimes 7 days). The certificate confirms the animal is fit to fly and free of infectious disease. Requirements vary by destination.
Most countries require proof of rabies vaccination for dogs, and many for cats. Some destinations (Australia, New Zealand, Japan, UK) enforce strict quarantine requirements regardless of vaccination status. Vaccination timing matters — some countries require the vaccine to have been given a minimum number of days before arrival.
Some countries require advance import permits for dogs and cats regardless of vaccination status. Apply well in advance — processing times are often 4 to 12 weeks. Failure to have the correct permit at the point of entry can result in the animal being refused entry or placed in quarantine at the owner's expense.
Service animals and emotional support animals
Trained service animals — dogs specifically trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability — continue to be accepted by most airlines in the passenger cabin without a carrier requirement and without the standard pet fee. Airlines increasingly require advance documentation and notify-ahead procedures for service animals.
Emotional support animals (ESAs) are treated differently. Following regulatory changes in the United States effective January 2021, the US Department of Transportation revised its Air Carrier Access Act guidance to allow airlines to treat ESAs as pets rather than service animals. Most major US airlines now require ESAs to be transported under standard pet-in-cabin rules — carrier, weight limit, and fee apply — or in cargo. Other jurisdictions had already applied similar treatment. ESA letters issued by online services do not confer legal boarding rights.
In-cabin permission covers the flight. Destination country quarantine requirements, import permits, and biosecurity rules are separate and apply regardless of airline policy. See the traveling section for destination-specific animal import and quarantine information.