Top 20 Best Pet-Friendly Airlines! Take Your Pets On These Pet-Friendly Flights!

Travelling with pets is no longer a new thing! Many people have pets and want to plan their air travel trip to take their pets with them to explore the world. Understanding that, many airlines have become pet-friendly, developing policies to accommodate pet travelling on aeroplanes.

While travelling by flight with pets is just as safe as doing so with humans, unlike us, all pets are given a health checkup in the final few days before departure. Rarely do health issues arise during flight travel, and most pets adjust to their new environment and get over the trip within a few days of landing. We are here to support you throughout the entire procedure since we recognise how much your pet means to your family. Experience is necessary when selecting the best airline for your pet, and we can advise you on your alternatives based on your destination, breed, and size of travel kennel. 

Top 20 Best Pet-friendly Airlines! Choose among These When Travelling with Your Pets!

There are many airlines across the world, among which many allow pets to be taken on-board. Here, we’re introducing 20 airlines whose pet policies we think are best for you. Those airlines are:

• Aer Lingus
• Aeroflot
• Air Canada
• Air France
• Air India
• Alitalia
• American Airlines
• British Airways
• CopaAirlines
• Delta
• Frontier Airlines
• Iberia
• Japan Airlines
• JetBlue
• KLM
• Lufthansa Airlines
• SAS
• Swiss International Airlines
• TAP Air Portugal
• Turkish Airlines

Top 20 Best Pet-Friendly Airlines!

Aer Lingus

Photo by Miguel Ángel Sanz on Unsplash.

Even though Aer Lingus is a smaller airline, their pet policy is unquestionably designed for animals with great dreams! You may arrange for accommodations for your cat or dog whether you're on a flight across the Atlantic Ocean or within Europe. Although you might not be able to bring your pet into the cabin, you can feel secure knowing that they are kept in the cargo hold.

It's ideal for making plans in advance and you can even book them online. Please refer to Aer Lingus official website here regarding the information about travelling with pets.

Cost: €40 on regional flights, €160 on international routes. 

Aeroflot

The most liberal pet policy in the industry may be offered by this Russian airline. Depending on their size and breed, and as long as they are carrying the appropriate documentation and containers, cats, dogs, and birds are permitted to fly both in the cabin and the cargo. In addition, tame animals like polecats, ferrets, meerkats, fennec foxes, lorises, pygmy hedgehogs, mini-lop rabbits, and marmosets are permitted onboard.

So it appears that almost any animal is permitted to fly here. Read in-depth information regarding the Aeroflot policy and flying with animals here.

Air Canada

From Beijing to Paris and pretty much every other big city you can think of, Air Canada offers flights to places all over the world. When it comes to pets, they are also quite accommodating. Your pet is welcome to travel in the cabin with you as long as you arrive 30 minutes before takeoff and have them safely buckled into their carrier.

Larger dogs are welcome to fly in the cargo hold to keep them secure and comfortable. Depending on your flight and your pet, prices will vary. Read in-depth information about the AirCanada policy about flying with animals here.

Cost: $50 to $118.

Air France

Pets are welcome on-board for flights with Air France, whether your flight is domestic or international. Therefore, if you’re planning on travelling to a European country with your pet, this is the airline for you. They do insist that you bring a pet carrier that has been certified for travel, and they advise against using a plastic bag in favour of a flexible one.

Photo by Miguel Ángel Sanz on Unsplash

Crates are permitted in the hold but not the cabin due to safety concerns (in the cargo area). The cost varies greatly depending on the pet and the final destination, from. Read in-depth information about the Air France policy about flying with animals here.

Cost: from €30 to €200.

Air India

Your pet is welcome to travel with Air India as long as it is put in a crate, and is up to date on its vaccinations. Of course, its owner should have all the necessary documentation. The pet cannot be considered carry-on luggage, among other restrictions. Flying with a pet incurs additional costs, which change depending on the nation you're travelling to.

Having said that, this airline is renowned for being extremely animal-friendly and making an effort to ensure the comfort of all passengers, including those with fur. Read in-depth information about the Air India rules and more about flying with animals here.

Cost: Variable

Alitalia

Alitalia Airlines is one of the best options if you’re thinking about travelling to Rome with your furry best friend. Depending on their size and breed, cats, dogs, ferrets, and birds, your pets may be eligible to fly in the cabin or in the cargo hold on both local and international flights.

It's also noteworthy that the airline's pet policy stipulates that a blanket must cover the bottom of the carrier for the pet's comfort and safety, demonstrating their commitment to your pet's welfare. Read in-depth information on the Alitalia policy regarding flying with animals here.

American Airlines

American Airlines, the largest airline in the world, is one of the most pet-friendly. Pets are welcome to fly on shorter flights in the cabin with their owners as long as they are secured for the duration of the journey in a small carrier under the seat.

Photo by Ross Sokolovski on Unsplash

Pets must be checked in as cargo on long-haul flights in order to ensure their proper care during the journey. But please don’t freak out over the safety of your furry friend, this airline has dozens of excellent evaluations when it comes to travelling with pets, so you can rest assured. As for the price, it often varies based on your flight and the size of your pet. Read in-depth information about the American Airlines policy on animal travel here.

British Airways

Pet policies at British Airways are quite flexible. This airline's pet policy is weight-based, unlike those of other carriers. Your cat or dog must weigh less than 13.2 pounds to travel in the cabin. Anything greater requires a cargo flight. In order to guarantee your pet's safety, you must also present travel and medical certificates certifying that your pet is fit to fly.

Your pet is welcome to travel with you as long as you adhere to these rules, albeit as a price point many consider to be hefty. You can learn more about the rules of travelling with pets on British Airways’ website here.

Cost: $196 in cabin and cargo.

CopaAirlines

If you're looking for a South American airline that supports pet on-board, CopaAirlines is the way to go. Similar to other airlines, cats and dogs are permitted in both the cabin and the cargo hold as long as they are in a carrier that is authorised for the transport of animals. Additionally, each pet must have a health certificate and be free of screwworms in order to travel internationally.

You're ready to fly if you just arrive at the airport a little bit sooner than usual. Read in-depth information on CopaAirlines' policy on animal travel here.

Cost: Please contact the airline’s customer services to specify the price.

Delta

When you fly with Delta, you and your pet can travel to more than 60 different countries, and if you're flying domestically, house birds are welcome to come along. Like the majority of pet-friendly airlines, smaller animals can travel in the cabin with their owners, but larger dogs must travel in the cargo hold for their own safety and comfort.

As with most other airlines, the amount of money which you will be charged for transporting your pet will vary depending what kind of pet you’re travelling with or what route you’re taking, but you can expect a common range of around 100 dollars. Please refer to the official website for more detailed information.

Cost: $75-200.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines is a great choice if your plan is to travel with a pet. As the airline considers pets to be members of your family, they pull out all the stops to accommodate them as much as possible. As a matter of fact, this is one airline that allows animals of all kinds on domestic flights, including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and birds.

Photo by Miguel Ángel Sanz on Unsplash

Only dogs and cats are allowed on foreign flights. As an icing on the cake, the airline charges a reasonable price of $75 dollars when travelling with your pet. Further information can be found here on the airline’s official website.

Cost: $75

Iberia

Iberia, one of Spain's major international carriers, offers you and your animal companion routes to a variety of locations both inside and outside of Europe. Ferrets may not be allowed on flights, however cats, dogs, birds, and tortoises are permitted. You heard us right. For some reason if you want to bring a tortoise along, Iberia will accommodate you.

Iberia details that you must contact the airline and inform them of your intention to travel with your pet when you buy the ticket or immediately after. Beyond that, you are welcome to travel as long as you have a well-ventilated carrier with a watertight floor. You can learn more about the company policies on their website.

Cost: €120.

Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines is a great choice if you’re travelling with your pet to a destination in Asia. Although they don’t allow pets to go into the cabin, they accept pets as cargo. Pets are maintained in climate-controlled spaces, transported securely in the cargo hold, and then personally handed to you by a representative after landing. It's first-rate assistance for both you and your cat!

All you need to do is arrive at the airport around 120 minutes prior to takeoff with the required documentation. You can read more about flying with animals and the specifics of the Japan Airlines policy here.

Cost: Variable

JetBlue

One of the pet-friendliest airlines is JetBlue, which has a special pet benefits programme for its animal customers. Pet-parent travellers who participate in the JetPaws programme receive a carrying bag, a guide for taking care of your pet while travelling, and 300 TrueBlue points.

Photo by Lukas Souza on Unsplash

It's also a cost-effective choice for travelling in the north (and a small amount of the south) with your canine companion, costing $100 each trip. You and your pet will undoubtedly travel from point A to point B securely and amicably thanks to their pet bonuses and extra helping hands. As always, read more about the policies in detail here.

Cost: starting from $100

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

KLM provides a variety of pet-friendly travel alternatives to make sure your pet's journey is easy and secure. Making a reservation for a pet should begin with a phone call, as KLM advises, so that all the formalities may be worked out before the flight. Depending on their size, cats and dogs are welcome to travel in the cabin and in the cargo.

Anything weighing more than 18 lbs (8 kg) usually ends up being checked into the hold. Prices vary depending on your flight, but the airline has an online calculator to help you estimate them. Read in-depth information on the KLM policy about flying with animals here.

Cost: variable, depending on the animal and route

Lufthansa

If you want to travel to a variety of locations across the world with your cat, dog, or hare, Lufthansa Airlines is more than delighted to assist you. Two pets may travel in the same carrier for no additional charge if they can fit comfortably, and larger dogs are always tucked snugly into the cargo hold for flights.

You and your pet may travel without sacrificing luxury or safety for a very reasonable price. Take a lot at the airline's policy regarding pet travel here.

Cost: €55 or more.

SAS

As long as you book your pet’s trip more than 24 hours in advance, SAS is more than willing to accommodate both of you during your flight. Cats and dogs are both welcome in the cabin, and other pets are able to fly with cargo. Airline staff do have the right to reject your pet if they cannot comfortably sit and move in their carrier, so make sure your pet has the room they need. 

If everything is approved, you and your pet may be able to travel at one of the most affordable price points on the market. Explore how SAS go about handling pet travelling here.

Cost: $60-140.

Swiss International Airline

Swiss International Airlines is pleased to offer that "you can take your pet with you on any route," as directly quoted from their websites. As long as they are in an authorised transport container and are not hazardous or inappropriate for travel, passengers are permitted to bring up to two dogs. Surprisingly, this airline also permits hares and rabbits to fly, provided that they do so in the hold and not the cabin.

So you're good to go whether it's a rabbit or a dog! Learn more about the pet travel policies on the official website here.

Cost: $60 or more

TAP Air Portugal

Is Lisbon on your itinerary? TAP will look after your pet while you're flying! As long as the owner has sufficient identification and the carrier is deemed secure, dogs and cats are free to fly in the cabin or the cargo.

In order for airline workers to make sure the animal is secure and at ease in its carrier, owners are also urged to arrive a little earlier than usual. Prices are reasonable, with domestic flights. Read in-depth information about TAP Air Portugal's policies regarding flying with animals here.

Cost: €35 domestic, €150 or more international

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines makes travelling with pets very simple as long as you have the required paperwork and current vaccinations. All animals, including cats, dogs, and singing birds, are permitted in the cabin as long as they are carried at all times in a carrier.As long as your two little pets get along well and are friendly with one another, you are permitted to bring them along on your trip. The cost varies depending on your flight, your pet, and your carrier, but you can expect some of the cheapest price possible. Have a look at the airline’s policies here.

Cost: $4-10.

Khoa Pham