Traveling with a dog by plane is more common today than it used to be, but the rules of individual airlines are not always exactly the same. Details such as the dog’s weight, crate dimensions, aircraft type, layovers, and destination country are decisive.
Below is an overview of major airlines relevant for travelers from Slovakia and the Czech Republic (departures from Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Prague, and Krakow). We focus on transporting dogs both in the cabin and in the hold.
Table of Contents
What determines whether a dog flies in the cabin or in the hold
Weight and Size
Many European airlines use a limit of approximately 8 kg (dog including carrier) for in-cabin transport. However, this is not an international rule or IATA standard, but an internal commercial setting of individual carriers. This limit is primarily based on the dimensions of the space under the seat and safety regulations.
If the dog exceeds the permitted limit, it flies in the hold or as cargo, if the airline requires it.
Crate Dimensions
For cabin transport, the carrier must be soft-sided or hard-sided according to airline rules and must fit under the seat in front of the passenger. For the hold, an IATA-approved carrier is required.
Aircraft Type and Flight Capacity
Each flight has a limited number of animals allowed in the cabin and in the hold. Some aircraft types do not permit animal transport in the hold.
Route and Destination Country Rules
Some destinations require transport exclusively as cargo. Veterinary conditions and import regulations of the country are also important.
Breed and Health Risks
Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds often have restrictions in the hold due to a higher risk of respiratory complications.
Difference between Hold and Cargo Transport
When planning a flight, it’s important to understand the difference between transporting a dog in the hold as “checked baggage” and transporting it as cargo.
Hold (Checked Baggage)
In this case, the dog is part of your reservation. You check it in with you, and upon arrival, you pick it up as oversized baggage. This is a climate-controlled and pressurized area of the aircraft designed for live animal transport.
The process is administratively simpler, you pay the fee directly to the airline, and you handle the entire flight as a regular passenger with a dog.
Cargo Transport
With cargo transport, the dog no longer travels as your baggage but as a separate freight shipment. Processing takes place through the airline’s cargo department or a specialized shipping company. Check-in is often done at a separate cargo terminal.
This process is usually more administratively demanding, financially more expensive, and more common for large dogs, intercontinental flights, or countries that require official import of animals as cargo.
Technically, however, the dog travels in the same type of climate-controlled and pressurized aircraft space as with hold transport – the difference is mainly in the process and administration.
Airline Overview
For each airline, we assume that if a dog does not meet the cabin conditions, it is transported in the hold, provided the airline allows it.
Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines is a traditional Austrian carrier with a strong presence in Vienna. It belongs to the Lufthansa Group and has many years of experience transporting pets within Europe and on intercontinental routes.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
Small dogs and cats up to the weight limit set by the carrier (usually approximately 8 kg including carrier). The carrier must fit under the seat, and transport must be booked in advance.
Option for dog transport in the hold:
Yes, for larger dogs and upon fulfillment of technical and veterinary conditions.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa is one of the largest European airlines and is often considered a benchmark for animal transport. It has clearly defined rules and experience with long-haul and connecting flights.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
Small dogs, generally up to approximately 8 kg including carrier. The carrier must be lockable and placed under the seat.
Option for dog transport in the hold:
Yes, for larger dogs, provided IATA carrier requirements are met.
SWISS
SWISS is the Swiss national carrier based in Zurich and is part of the Lufthansa Group. The company allows pet transport on most of its European and long-haul routes, emphasizing early booking and confirmation of space for the animal. The number of animals in the cabin and in the hold is limited on each flight.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
Dogs and cats can travel in the cabin if their total weight, including the carrier, does not exceed approximately 8 kg. The carrier must be lockable, waterproof, sufficiently stable, and must fit under the seat in front of the passenger. The animal must remain in the carrier throughout the flight. Transport must be declared and booked in advance, ideally as soon as possible after purchasing the ticket.
Option for dog transport in the hold:
Yes. Larger dogs that do not meet the cabin conditions can travel in the climate-controlled and pressurized hold in a carrier meeting IATA standards. Transport also depends on the aircraft type and destination.
LOT Polish Airlines
LOT is the Polish national carrier with a dense network of routes from Warsaw and Krakow. It allows animal transport on most regular flights and has fairly precisely defined rules for cabin transport.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
Small dogs (as well as cats and ferrets) can travel in the cabin if the total weight of the animal and carrier does not exceed 8 kg. The carrier must be lockable, suitable for air transport, and placed under the seat in front of the passenger throughout the flight. One passenger may have one animal in the cabin, or two small animals of the same species in one carrier, if they meet the weight and size limits. For safety reasons, passengers with animals may not be seated in the first rows of the aircraft.
Option for dog transport in the hold:
Yes, for larger dogs and upon fulfillment of the carrier’s technical and veterinary conditions.
KLM
Dutch KLM is known for its systematic and relatively clear approach to pet transport. A strong point is the organization of transfers via Amsterdam.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
Small dogs up to the weight limit (often approximately 8 kg including carrier), carrier under the seat, and mandatory reservation.
Option for dog transport in the hold:
Yes, for larger dogs, provided technical conditions are met.
Air France
Air France, as part of the Air France–KLM group, allows dog transport in both the cabin and the hold. It emphasizes complete veterinary documentation.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
Small dogs up to the carrier’s weight limit, carrier under the seat.
Option for dog transport in the hold:
Yes, for larger dogs and upon fulfillment of requirements.
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines has an extensive network of international connections and allows animal transport on most of its routes.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
Small dogs up to the limit set by the carrier (often around 8 kg including carrier), carrier under the seat.
Option for dog transport in the hold:
Yes, depending on aircraft type and route.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is a major intercontinental carrier with a strong emphasis on rules and documentation.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
Only possible on selected routes and upon fulfillment of the carrier’s exact conditions. Cabin transport is not common on all flights.
Option for dog transport in the hold:
Yes, according to rules and destination country.
Emirates
Emirates is a global carrier based in Dubai. It applies stricter regulations for pet transport than most European airlines.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
Regular pet dogs generally cannot travel in the cabin (except for assistance dogs).
Option for dog transport in the hold:
Yes, according to carrier rules and destination.
Iberia
Spanish Iberia allows pet transport on most of its European and long-haul routes.
We personally tried their services on our flight from Vienna to Madrid, when Ibo traveled with us.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
Small dogs up to the carrier’s limit, carrier must be of an approved type and placed under the seat.
Option for dog transport in the hold:
Yes, for larger dogs.
Air Europa
Air Europa is a Spanish network airline based in Madrid with a strong presence on routes between Europe and Latin America. It allows pet transport on most of its regular flights, with conditions varying by aircraft type and destination. Reservations for animals must be confirmed in advance, as the number of animals on board is limited.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
Dogs and cats can travel in the cabin if their total weight, including the carrier, does not exceed the limit set by the carrier (usually approximately 8 kg). The carrier must be lockable, sufficiently sturdy or soft-sided according to carrier requirements, and must fit under the seat in front of the passenger. The animal must remain in the carrier throughout the flight.
We personally tried their services on our flight from Madrid to the capital of Paraguay, Asunción, when Ibo also traveled with us, and also on our return from Viru Viru Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.
Option for dog transport in the hold:
Yes. Larger dogs that do not meet the cabin conditions can travel in the climate-controlled hold in a carrier meeting the carrier’s technical requirements and international standards.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines is one of the largest American airlines with an extensive network of domestic and international routes. It applies fairly clearly defined rules for pet transport, with availability depending on aircraft type and specific route.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
Small dogs can travel in the cabin on selected domestic and international flights if they fit into a closed carrier placed under the seat in front of the passenger. The carrier is considered carry-on baggage and must meet the carrier’s size requirements. The number of animals per flight is limited, and reservations are required in advance.
Option for dog transport in the hold:
Delta allows larger dogs to be transported in the hold on selected flights, with conditions varying by destination and current operational rules. The carrier must meet international standards, and transport is subject to availability and carrier approval.
EVA Air
EVA Air is a Taiwanese airline with a strong network of long-haul routes between Europe, Asia, and North America. It is among the renowned Asian carriers and is known for its high standard of service. It allows pet transport on selected flights, with conditions varying by aircraft type and destination.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
EVA Air generally does not allow regular dog transport in the cabin on international flights (with the exception of assistance dogs). Small pets may only be permitted in the cabin on selected domestic or specific routes according to the carrier’s current rules.
Option for dog transport in the hold:
Yes. Dogs that do not meet the cabin conditions or on routes where cabin transport is not permitted can travel in the climate-controlled hold in a carrier meeting international technical standards. Reservations and transport approval are mandatory in advance.
Finnair
Finnish carrier Finnair allows dog transport in both the cabin and the hold, depending on the aircraft type.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
Small dogs up to the carrier’s weight limit, carrier under the seat.
Option for dog transport in the hold:
Yes, if the aircraft’s technical conditions allow it.
TAP Air Portugal
TAP is a Portuguese network airline with routes to Europe and South America. It allows dog transport on most of its routes.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
Small dogs up to the carrier’s limit (often around 8 kg including carrier), mandatory reservation.
Option for dog transport in the hold:
Yes, for larger dogs.
Smartwings
Smartwings is a Czech carrier with a strong presence in holiday and charter flights. Conditions may vary depending on the flight type.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
Possible for small dogs up to the carrier’s weight limit, advance reservation and availability confirmation required.
Option for dog transport in the hold:
Yes, if the specific flight allows it.
Ryanair
Ryanair is a low-cost airline that does not allow regular pet transport.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
No, except for assistance dogs.
Option for dog transport in the hold:
No.
Wizz Air
Wizz Air is a low-cost carrier operating in Central and Eastern Europe.
Conditions for dog transport in the cabin:
No, except for assistance dogs.
Option for dog transport in the hold:
No.
How to choose the right airline
If you have a small dog that meets the cabin limits (most often around 8 kg including carrier), traditional network airlines like Lufthansa, Austrian, SWISS, KLM, Air France, Turkish Airlines, or Iberia offer the best chance.
If you have a larger dog, expect transport in the hold or as cargo. In such a case, it is important to minimize layovers, avoid extreme temperatures, and verify the specific conditions for the entire route.
Low-cost airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air are not suitable for regular dog transport.
Conclusion
The information provided was current at the time of writing this article. However, animal transport conditions can change – not only between individual airlines but also depending on the specific route, aircraft type, or current legislative rules of the destination country.
Therefore, when planning a flight with a dog, we always recommend contacting the specific airline in advance to verify current conditions, availability of space for the animal on the given flight, and all veterinary and documentation requirements.
If you are unsure about the procedure or want to ensure everything goes smoothly, we will be happy to help you with planning. Just contact us.