Flying with a dog is more common than it used to be, but each airline’s rules aren’t identical. The details matter — your dog’s weight, the size of the carrier, aircraft type, any connections, and the destination country.
Below you’ll find an overview of major airlines relevant to travelers from Slovakia and the Czech Republic (departures from Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Prague, and Kraków). We focus on dog travel in the cabin and in the hold.
Table of Contents
What determines whether your dog flies in the cabin or in the hold
Weight and size
Many European airlines use a threshold of about 8 kg (dog plus carrier) for cabin travel. It isn’t an international rule or an IATA standard, but rather an internal policy set by each airline. The limit is largely driven by under‑seat space and safety regulations.
If your dog exceeds the allowed limit, your dog will travel in the hold or as cargo, if the airline requires it.
Carrier dimensions
For the cabin, the carrier may need to be soft‑sided or rigid depending on the airline, and it must fit under the seat in front of you. For the hold, an IATA‑approved crate is required.
Aircraft type and flight capacity
Each flight has a limited number of animals in both the cabin and the hold. Some aircraft types don’t allow animals in the hold.
Route and destination-country rules
Some destinations require transport strictly as cargo. Veterinary requirements and the country’s import rules also matter.
Breed and health risks
Brachycephalic (short‑nosed) breeds are often restricted from travel in the hold due to a higher risk of breathing complications.
The difference between hold travel and cargo
When planning a flight, it’s important to understand the difference between checking a dog into the hold as ‘checked baggage’ and shipping your dog as cargo.
The hold (checked baggage)
In this case, your dog is attached to your reservation. You check in together and, on arrival, pick them up as oversized baggage. They travel in a climate‑controlled, pressurized section of the aircraft intended for live animals.
The process is simpler administratively: you pay the fee directly to the airline and handle the journey like any passenger traveling with a dog.
Cargo transport
With cargo, your dog doesn’t travel as your baggage but as a separate freight shipment. Handling goes through the airline’s cargo department or a specialist forwarding company. Check‑in often takes place at a separate cargo terminal.
This process is usually more paperwork‑heavy, more expensive, and more common for large dogs, intercontinental flights, or countries that require official animal import as cargo.
Technically, your dog travels in the same kind of climate‑controlled, pressurized compartment as with hold transport — the difference is mainly in process and administration.
Are you planning a trip abroad with your dog? Check the entry requirements for various countries directly in BorderCooler®.
Airline overview
For each airline, we assume that if a dog doesn’t meet the cabin criteria, it’s transported in the hold, provided the airline permits it.
Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines is a traditional Austrian carrier with a strong base in Vienna. Part of the Lufthansa Group, it has long‑standing experience transporting pets across Europe as well as on long‑haul routes.
Cabin rules:
Small dogs and cats up to the airline’s weight limit (usually around 8 kg including the carrier). The carrier must fit under the seat and the pet must be reserved in advance.
Hold option:
Yes, for larger dogs, subject to technical and veterinary requirements.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa is one of Europe’s largest airlines and is often seen as a reference standard for pet transport. Its rules are clearly defined and it has extensive experience with long‑haul and connecting itineraries.
Cabin rules:
Small dogs typically up to about 8 kg including the carrier. The carrier must close securely and be placed under the seat.
Hold option:
Yes, for larger dogs using an IATA‑compliant crate.
SWISS
SWISS is Switzerland’s flag carrier based in Zurich and part of the Lufthansa Group. The airline allows pets on most European and long‑haul routes, with an emphasis on booking early and having the animal’s spot confirmed. The number of animals allowed in the cabin and in the hold is limited on each flight.
Cabin rules:
Dogs and cats can travel in the cabin if their total weight including the carrier does not exceed roughly 8 kg. The carrier must close securely, be waterproof and stable, and fit under the seat in front of you. The animal must remain in the carrier for the entire flight. You should notify the airline and reserve the pet spot in advance, ideally right after buying the ticket.
Hold option:
Yes. Larger dogs that don’t meet cabin criteria can travel in the pressurized, climate‑controlled hold in an IATA‑standard crate. Availability also depends on aircraft type and destination.
LOT Polish Airlines
LOT is Poland’s flag carrier with a dense network out of Warsaw and Kraków. It allows pets on most scheduled flights and has clearly defined rules for cabin travel.
Cabin rules:
Small dogs (as well as cats and ferrets) may travel in the cabin if the combined weight of the animal and carrier does not exceed 8 kg. The carrier must be closable, suitable for air travel and kept under the seat in front of you for the entire flight. One passenger may take one animal in the cabin, or two small ones of the same species in a single carrier if they meet the size and weight limits. For safety reasons, passengers with a pet may not be seated in the front rows of the aircraft.
Hold option:
Yes, for larger dogs and subject to the airline’s technical and veterinary requirements.
KLM
The Dutch carrier KLM is known for a systematic, transparent approach to pet travel. A strong point is its handling of transfers through Amsterdam.
Cabin rules:
Small dogs up to the airline’s weight limit (often around 8 kg including the carrier), with a carrier under the seat and advance booking required.
Hold option:
Yes, for larger dogs that meet the technical requirements.
Air France
Part of the Air France–KLM group, Air France allows dogs in the cabin and in the hold. The airline places strong emphasis on complete veterinary documentation.
Cabin rules:
Small dogs up to the airline’s weight limit, with the carrier under the seat.
Hold option:
Yes, for larger dogs and subject to the airline’s requirements.
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines has an extensive international network and allows animals on most of its routes.
Cabin rules:
Small dogs up to the airline’s limit (often around 8 kg including the carrier), with the carrier under the seat.
Hold option:
Yes, depending on aircraft type and route.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is a major long‑haul carrier with a strong focus on clear rules and documentation.
Cabin rules:
Possible only on selected routes and when specific airline conditions are met. Cabin travel is not offered on all flights.
Hold option:
Yes, according to airline policy and destination‑country rules.
Emirates
Emirates is a global carrier based in Dubai. It applies a stricter regime for pet travel than most European airlines.
Cabin rules:
Regular pet dogs generally cannot travel in the cabin (assistance dogs are an exception).
Hold option:
Yes, in line with airline rules and the destination.
Iberia
Spain’s Iberia allows pet travel on most of its European and long‑haul routes.
We’ve personally used their service on our flight from Vienna to Madrid, with Ibo traveling with us.
Cabin rules:
Small dogs up to the airline’s limit; the carrier must be of an approved type and placed under the seat.
Hold option:
Yes, for larger dogs.
Air Europa
Air Europa is a Spanish network airline based in Madrid with strong coverage on routes between Europe and Latin America. It allows pets on most scheduled flights, with conditions that can vary by aircraft type and destination. A pet reservation must be confirmed in advance because the number of animals allowed on board is limited.
Cabin rules:
Dogs and cats can travel in the cabin if their total weight including the carrier does not exceed the airline’s limit (usually around 8 kg). The carrier must close securely, be sufficiently sturdy or soft‑sided as required by the airline, and fit under the seat in front of you. The animal must remain in the carrier throughout the flight.
We’ve used them on our flight from Madrid to Paraguay’s capital, Asunción, when Ibo traveled with us, and again on our return from Viru Viru Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.
Hold option:
Yes. Larger dogs that don’t meet cabin criteria can travel in the climate‑controlled hold in a crate that meets the airline’s technical requirements and international standards.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines is one of the largest U.S. carriers with an extensive domestic and international network. Its pet travel rules are clearly defined, though availability can depend on aircraft type and route.
Cabin rules:
Small dogs can travel in the cabin on selected domestic and international flights if they fit in a closed carrier that slides under the seat in front of you. The carrier counts as a carry‑on and must meet the airline’s size limits. The number of animals per flight is restricted, and advance booking is required.
Hold option:
Delta allows larger dogs in the hold on selected flights, with conditions that may vary by destination and current operational rules. The crate must meet international standards and carriage is subject to availability and airline approval.
EVA Air
EVA Air is a Taiwanese airline with a strong long‑haul network linking Europe, Asia and North America. It’s a reputable Asian carrier known for high service standards. Pets are accepted on selected flights, with conditions varying by aircraft type and destination.
Cabin rules:
EVA Air generally does not permit pets in the cabin on international flights (service dogs excepted). Small pets may be allowed in the cabin only on selected domestic or specific routes under current airline rules.
Hold option:
Yes. Dogs that don’t qualify for the cabin, or on routes where cabin carriage isn’t permitted, can travel in the climate‑controlled hold in a crate that meets international technical standards. Advance reservation and airline approval are required.
Finnair
Finland’s Finnair allows dogs in the cabin and in the hold depending on aircraft type.
Cabin rules:
Small dogs up to the airline’s weight limit, with the carrier under the seat.
Hold option:
Yes, if the aircraft’s technical conditions allow it.
TAP Air Portugal
TAP is Portugal’s network airline with routes across Europe and South America. It allows dogs on most of its routes.
Cabin rules:
Small dogs up to the airline’s limit (often around 8 kg including the carrier), advance reservation required.
Hold option:
Yes, for larger dogs.
Smartwings
Smartwings is a Czech carrier with a strong presence on holiday and charter flights. Conditions can vary by flight type.
Cabin rules:
Possible for small dogs up to the airline’s weight limit; advance reservation and confirmation of availability required.
Hold option:
Yes, if the specific flight allows it.
Ryanair
Ryanair is a low‑cost airline that does not allow regular pet transport.
Cabin rules:
No, except for assistance dogs.
Hold option:
No.
Wizz Air
Wizz Air is a low‑cost carrier operating in Central and Eastern Europe.
Cabin rules:
No, except for assistance dogs.
Hold option:
No.
How to choose the right airline
If you have a small dog that fits cabin limits (most often around 8 kg including the carrier), your best chances are with full‑service network airlines like Lufthansa, Austrian, SWISS, KLM, Air France, Turkish Airlines or Iberia.
With a larger dog, expect travel in the hold or as cargo. Minimize connections, avoid extreme temperatures, and check the exact rules for the whole itinerary.
Low‑cost airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air are not suitable for regular pet travel.
Conclusion
The information above was current at the time of writing. Pet travel rules can change — not only between airlines, but also depending on the specific route, aircraft type, and the destination country’s regulations.
When planning a flight with a dog, we recommend contacting the airline in advance to confirm current rules, the availability of a spot for your pet on your flight, and all veterinary and documentation requirements.
If you’re unsure about the process or want the peace of mind that everything’s in order, we’re happy to help with planning. Just contact us.