Flying with a pet from Dubai International Airport (DXB) needs some planning. Dubai has special rules for animals, and airline pet policies can be very different. Your pet may travel in the cabin, in the aircraft hold or as cargo. The correct option depends on your airline, destination, pet and route. If you are bringing a dog or cat into Dubai, there are also UAE government rules to follow. An import permit, microchip, vaccinations and health documents may be needed.

Pet Travel Options at Dubai Airport 

There is no single pet rule for every airline at Dubai International Airport. Your pet may travel in one of three ways:

Cabin
Some airlines allow small pets to travel with the passenger. The pet normally stays inside an approved carrier under the seat.
Aircraft Hold
Some airlines accept larger pets in a special part of the aircraft hold. Weight and carrier limits apply.
Cargo
Some pets must travel as cargo. This is especially important when bringing animals into Dubai.
The route matters too. An airline may accept cabin pets on one route but not on another. Do not choose a flight only because an airline normally accepts pets.

Airline Pet Fees and Rules at Dubai Airport 

Many international airlines fly from DXB, and their pet policies are very different. The table below gives a quick comparison of pet travel options, weight limits and published fee information.

Airline Cabin Pet Cabin Limit / Rule Larger Pets Published Fee / Status
Emirates Generally no — Hold / Cargo $500 / $650 / $800
Depending on weight and carrier
flydubai No regular pets — Cargo Cargo arrangement
Turkish Airlines Yes 8 kg incl. carrier AVIH Route & weight based
Qatar Airways Restricted Mainly falcons Hold / Cargo From $350 on many non-Qatar routes
Lufthansa Yes 8 kg incl. carrier Aircraft hold Route / size based
KLM Yes 8 kg incl. carrier Aircraft hold Route-based
Air France Eligible flights Airline rules apply Aircraft hold Route-based
British Airways No regular cabin pets — Cargo Quote-based
Air Canada Eligible flights Under-seat carrier Aircraft hold Route-based
Singapore Airlines No regular cabin pets — Hold / Cargo Route & weight based
SWISS Yes 8 kg incl. carrier Aircraft hold Route / size based
Korean Air Yes Under 7 kg incl. carrier Aircraft hold Route & weight based
Cathay Pacific No regular cabin pets — Cargo Quote-based
Air India Eligible routes Up to 10 kg incl. carrier Aircraft hold Route-based
Ethiopian Airlines Yes 8 kg incl. carrier Aircraft hold Route & weight based
Pegasus Airlines Eligible routes 8 kg incl. carrier Limited by route From €65 international PETC
Aegean Airlines Yes 8 kg incl. carrier Aircraft hold €65 international cabin
Austrian Airlines Yes 8 kg incl. carrier Aircraft hold Route / size based
LOT Polish Airlines Yes 8 kg incl. carrier Aircraft hold From €65 on some international routes
United Airlines Eligible routes In-cabin carrier rules apply Limited Route-based
Important: These are general airline rules. A pet service may not be available on every flight to or from Dubai. Always check your exact route with the operating airline before booking.

Emirates Pet Travel From Dubai

Emirates is the main airline at DXB, but its pet rules are different from many European airlines. Regular pets cannot normally travel in the Emirates passenger cabin. There are limited exceptions, including certain falcon journeys.

Animal + carrier
≤23 kg
$500
Animal + carrier
24–32 kg
$650
Animal + carrier
32 kg+
$800
Carrier dimensions
300 cm+
Cargo
Flying From Dubai ≠ Flying Into Dubai
Journey Starts in Dubai

Eligible cats, dogs, pet birds and falcons may travel in the hold when the destination allows this and the complete journey is under 17 hours.

Journey Ends in Dubai

If your Emirates journey ends in Dubai, your pet must travel as cargo.

Dubai Pet Entry Costs

IMPORT PERMIT
AED 200
per pet
DOG RELEASE
AED 500
per dog
CAT RELEASE
AED 250
per cat
Airline transport
Airline Fee
≠
Government charges
UAE Entry Fee

Check Your Pet's Documents

Your documents are one of the most important parts of a Dubai pet journey. Depending on your pet and country of origin, you may need:

  • UAE import permit
  • Microchip information
  • Vaccination records
  • Rabies vaccination
  • Veterinary health certificate
  • Rabies antibody test when required
  • Parasite treatment records when required
  • Airline pet booking confirmation

Rabies Rules for Pets Entering Dubai

The country your pet comes from can change the UAE entry process.

Lower-Risk Origin

Standard entry documents

Follow the UAE requirements for your country and make sure the microchip, vaccinations and health documents are ready.

Higher-Risk Origin

Extra rabies requirements may apply

A rabies antibody titration test may be required. Check this early because some tests and documents cannot be completed just before the flight.

Terminal 1, 2 or 3?

Dubai Airport is very large. Your terminal depends on your airline, so check it before travelling to the airport.

T1
International Airlines
Many international airlines use Terminal 1, including Air France, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and Air India.
T2
Regional & Other Flights
Terminal 2 is used by a number of regional and international services. flydubai can operate from Terminal 2 or 3.
T3
Emirates Hub
Terminal 3 is the main Emirates terminal. Some other airlines, including Air Canada, are also listed there.

With a pet carrier, documents and luggage, going to the wrong terminal can make the airport journey much more difficult.

Connecting Through Dubai With a Pet

DXB is one of the world's largest international connection hubs, so many pets travel through Dubai without Dubai being their final destination.

Flight 1
Connection Time
Pet Handling
Flight 2
Emirates connection rule: If an animal is travelling through Dubai and the connection is more than six hours, Emirates requires the animal to travel as cargo. Animals that need food, water or medication during a connection of at least six hours must also be booked as cargo.

When Cargo Is the Only Option

Cargo may sound unusual if your pet normally travels in the cabin, but at Dubai it can be a normal part of pet transport.

Dubai is your final destination on Emirates → Cargo

Emirates carrier is over 300 cm → Cargo

Emirates journey is over 17 hours → Cargo

Dubai connection is over six hours in applicable journeys → Cargo

Destination does not accept checked pets → Cargo

Dubai Heat and Pet Travel

Dubai's climate can affect some animal transport. One clear Emirates restriction applies to birds.

Because of high temperatures and humidity in the UAE, Emirates does not accept birds, except some falcons, for transit through Dubai as checked baggage or cargo between 1 May and 30 September. This does not mean that every dog and cat is banned during the Dubai summer.

Plan Your Emirates Pet Booking Early

1
week

Do not plan Emirates pet travel at the last minute.

Emirates asks passengers to provide information about their pet at least one week before departure. The airline needs time to check the documents and transport arrangements. A normal passenger booking can be quick. A pet booking may not be.

Before You Go to Dubai Airport With Your Pet

A Few Days Before Travel

Confirm the pet booking with the airline
Check UAE or destination-country entry rules
Check your pet's microchip and documents
Confirm the correct carrier size
Check the total pet + carrier weight

Before Leaving Home

Check your DXB terminal
Keep important documents easy to reach
Bring the airline booking confirmation
Check your connection time
Check for any seasonal pet restrictions
One final rule: Airline approval does not automatically mean country-entry approval. You need both parts of the journey to be ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, some airlines allow eligible small pets in the cabin from Dubai. However, the rules depend on the airline, route and destination. Emirates does not normally allow regular pets in the passenger cabin.

Regular pet dogs cannot normally travel in the Emirates passenger cabin. Different rules apply to eligible service dogs.

For eligible animals travelling as checked baggage, Emirates currently publishes prices of $500, $650 or $800, depending on the combined weight and dimensions of the animal and carrier. Larger carriers must travel as cargo.

Dogs and cats entering the UAE need an import permit. The current MOCCAE permit is valid for 90 days from the issue date.

The current federal import permit fee is AED 200 per animal. There is also a release fee of AED 500 for a dog or AED 250 for a cat.

Yes. Microchip information is part of the UAE pet-entry requirements and must match the animal's documentation.

Yes, depending on the airline and journey. On Emirates, animals connecting for more than six hours must travel as cargo.

Emirates primarily operates from Terminal 3 at Dubai International.

No. For journeys ending in Dubai, Emirates states that animals must be transported as cargo.

Yes. Pet space and transport arrangements should be confirmed before the journey. Emirates asks for at least one week's notice for pet transport arrangements.