Flying With a Pet: Cabin, Hold and When Not to Go

Most airlines allow only very small dogs and cats in the cabin, in a soft carrier that fits fully under the seat in front. Anything larger travels as manifest cargo in a pressurised, temperature-controlled hold — a separate booking with its own paperwork, crate specification and fees.

Rules vary sharply between airlines and change without much notice, so confirm the current policy directly with the carrier a few weeks before travel, not from a forum post.

Many airlines will no longer carry brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats in the hold, because their narrowed airways make them disproportionately likely to suffer respiratory distress or die in transit. This is not overcaution — the published incident data behind these bans is real.

Get the animal used to its travel crate for weeks beforehand, feeding meals inside it so the space becomes a place of comfort rather than confinement associated with the journey itself. Avoid sedatives unless a vet has specifically prescribed and tested them for air travel; sedation can suppress the ability to regulate body temperature and balance at altitude.

Book direct flights where possible, travel on the same flight as your pet, and arrange minimal ground time between check-in and departure.

For elderly, brachycephalic, severely anxious or medically unstable animals, the kindest plan is often not to fly them at all. A trusted pet sitter or boarding arrangement at home, however inconvenient for your itinerary, can be the better welfare choice than a stressful, higher-risk journey.