The rules for pet transport can vary depending on your departure country and destination. To determine the transport rules and whether a baggage item can travel with you in the cabin or in the hold, or if it must be transported by freight, please inform us when booking your trip.
Please note: animal transport may be restricted or limited on some aircraft types or for certain destinations.
Also, please
contact our advisors
as soon as possible before your trip.
Animals
Print the mandatory form “Conditions for transporting a dog or cat in the hold”
Do you want to bring your pet along with you when you travel?
Here, you´ll find all the information to better plan your trip, from transport rules to rates to animals not permitted to travel.
Transporting animals
In the hold
Animals accepted
Dogs and cats weighing more than 6 kg / 13.2 lb (maximum 75 kg / 165.3 lb) must be transported in the hold. Your animal must be at least 15 weeks* old and have all required vaccines in order to travel. When booking your flight, please indicate that you will be transporting an animal in the hold. In addition, you must print and present the form “Conditions for transporting a dog or cat in the hold” at the airport. In the event of non-compliance with instructions provided in this document, your animal will be denied boarding. The captain will be informed that your pet is in the hold and will take the necessary steps to ensure its comfort during the flight (lighting, heating).
Please note: snub-nosed pets such as Bulldogs, Boxers, Pekinese or Persian cats can suffer from breathing difficulties in high-stress situations. Please consult your veterinarian before air travel.
Dogs and cats weighing more than 6 kg / 13.2 lb (maximum 75 kg / 165.3 lb) must be transported in the hold. Your animal must be at least 15 weeks* old and have all required vaccines in order to travel. When booking your flight, please indicate that you will be transporting an animal in the hold. In addition, you must print and present the form “Conditions for transporting a dog or cat in the hold” at the airport. In the event of non-compliance with instructions provided in this document, your animal will be denied boarding. The captain will be informed that your pet is in the hold and will take the necessary steps to ensure its comfort during the flight (lighting, heating).
Please note: snub-nosed pets such as Bulldogs, Boxers, Pekinese or Persian cats can suffer from breathing difficulties in high-stress situations. Please consult your veterinarian before air travel.
Transport rules
When transporting an animal, please keep in mind that strict travel conditions apply, such as size of the travel container, materials, etc. On Air France flights, only hard plastic or fiberglass travel containers that are approved by the IATA (International Air Transport Association) are accepted. These conditions are set out in the “Conditions for transporting a dog or cat in the hold” form, which must be printed and presented at the airport upon departure.
In case of a stopover
If your trip includes a stopover, please ensure that you have more than 2 hours between flights. You may only check in your animal for the first part of your trip. During your stopover, you must have enough time to collect your baggage and animal, and check them in again for the second flight.
When transporting an animal, please keep in mind that strict travel conditions apply, such as size of the travel container, materials, etc. On Air France flights, only hard plastic or fiberglass travel containers that are approved by the IATA (International Air Transport Association) are accepted. These conditions are set out in the “Conditions for transporting a dog or cat in the hold” form, which must be printed and presented at the airport upon departure.
In case of a stopover
If your trip includes a stopover, please ensure that you have more than 2 hours between flights. You may only check in your animal for the first part of your trip. During your stopover, you must have enough time to collect your baggage and animal, and check them in again for the second flight.
* Eight weeks for flights in metropolitan France.
Transporting your animal by freight
In certain cases, your pet cannot travel with you in the cabin or in the hold. Your pet must be transported by freight if:
- the animal and its container weigh more than 75 kg / 165 lb,
- it is traveling to a country which does not authorize animal transport by freight.
Purchase a travel container for your pet
You can purchase a travel container on our Air France Shopping website.
Purchased items are available for delivery to the following countries: Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, metropolitan France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States.
In addition, Flying Blue members earn Miles with each purchase or can choose to pay with already accumulated Miles.
Purchased items are available for delivery to the following countries: Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, metropolitan France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States.
In addition, Flying Blue members earn Miles with each purchase or can choose to pay with already accumulated Miles.
Regulations
- Your animal must have all required vaccines in order to be permitted on board.
- All dogs and cats traveling within the European Union must be identified by an electronic chip. It should also possess a European passport. Provided and completed by an authorized veterinarian, the passport identifies your pet and certifies that it is properly vaccinated.
- Please note: For travel to Ireland, Sweden, the UK or Malta, additional sanitary conditions apply. We recommend that you check with the embassy of your destination country.
- For travel outside the European Union, consider the regulations enforced in the originating and destination countries (vaccinations, quarantine, etc.).
The Washington Convention
Adopted in 1973, the Washington Convention prohibits or greatly restricts the international trade – and thus transport – of 5,000 animal species and 28,000 plant species that are either endangered or overexploited. International trade is therefore prohibited for many species (gorillas, elephants, sea turtles, coral, shells, plants, etc.), as well as for all derived products in all forms (food products, jewelry, tourist souvenirs, remedies, etc.). For other species, transport is highly regulated and always requires a CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species) permit.
The Washington Convention is currently in force in 175 countries, including France and its overseas departments and territories. The customs authorities in the signatory countries are responsible for enforcing the convention, notably in the airports.
Adopted in 1973, the Washington Convention prohibits or greatly restricts the international trade – and thus transport – of 5,000 animal species and 28,000 plant species that are either endangered or overexploited. International trade is therefore prohibited for many species (gorillas, elephants, sea turtles, coral, shells, plants, etc.), as well as for all derived products in all forms (food products, jewelry, tourist souvenirs, remedies, etc.). For other species, transport is highly regulated and always requires a CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species) permit.
The Washington Convention is currently in force in 175 countries, including France and its overseas departments and territories. The customs authorities in the signatory countries are responsible for enforcing the convention, notably in the airports.