Airline Pet Fees & Weight Limits

Flying with a pet can cost very different amounts depending on the airline, route, pet size and the way the animal travels. Some airlines allow small pets in the passenger cabin, while larger animals may need to travel in the aircraft hold or as cargo. There is no single worldwide pet ticket price. Some airlines publish fixed pet fees, while others calculate the final amount according to the route, weight or size of the pet and carrier. In many cases, airlines also use the combined weight of the pet and carrier, not the weight of the animal alone.

Airline Pet Fees & Weight Limits

Cabin travel

Many European and Turkish airlines use an 8 kg combined pet + carrier limit.

Hold travel

Larger pets may travel as AVIH, checked baggage or cargo, depending on the airline.

Pet fees

Prices may be fixed, route-based, weight-based or quoted separately.

Airline	Pet in Cabin	Cabin Weight Limit	Aircraft Hold / Cargo	Current Published Pet Fee
Turkey & Europe
Turkish Airlines	Yes	8 kg including carrier	Yes Max 50 kg incl. carrier	Route-based International fee calculator
Pegasus Airlines	Yes	8 kg including carrier	Yes	PETC: 900 TRY AVIH 8–15 kg: 1,000 TRY AVIH 15 kg+: 1,100 TRY
SunExpress	Yes	8 kg including carrier	Yes	Domestic: from 599 TRY prepaid Airport: from 650 TRY International: from €89.99
Lufthansa	Yes	8 kg including carrier	Yes	Cabin: €35 Germany Europe: €50 Intercontinental: €70
KLM	Yes	8 kg including carrier	Yes	€70–€500 one way, depending on route
Air France	Eligible routes	Current route rules apply	Yes	Route-based
SWISS	Yes	8 kg including carrier	Yes	Cabin: from €65 Europe: €80 Long-haul: up to €125 cabin
Austrian Airlines	Yes	8 kg including carrier	Yes	Domestic: €65 Europe: €80 Intercontinental: €105–€125
Iberia	Yes	8 kg including carrier	Yes	Spain: from €40 online Europe: from €60 Long-haul: from €180
TAP Air Portugal	Yes	8 kg including carrier	Yes	Domestic: from €50 Europe: from €80 Intercontinental: from €170
Aegean Airlines	Yes	8 kg including carrier	Yes	Cabin domestic: €35 Cabin international: €65 Hold: €50–€190
British Airways	No regular pets	—	Specialist cargo arrangements	Quote-based
North America
American Airlines	Eligible routes	Carrier and aircraft rules apply	Very limited for regular passengers	$150 per carry-on kennel
Delta Air Lines	Eligible routes	No universal kg limit	No regular checked-pet service	U.S./Canada: $150 International: $200
Air Canada	Yes	Carrier must fit under seat	Up to 45 kg pet + kennel	Cabin Canada/U.S.: CA/US $50–$60 International cabin: CA/US $100–$120 International hold: CA/US $270–$324
Middle East
Emirates	Generally no	—	Hold / Cargo	≤23 kg: $500 24–32 kg: $650 32 kg+: $800
Qatar Airways	Restricted	—	Yes Up to 75 kg incl. container	≤32 kg: $200 to/from Qatar Other routes: $350 32–75 kg: $300 / $450
Etihad Airways	Eligible routes	8 kg including carrier	Cargo for larger pets	From $399 per flight in Economy
Asia-Pacific
ANA	No regular cabin pets	—	Yes Max 45 kg incl. cage	International: €200–€300 per cage Japan domestic: from ¥6,000
Korean Air	Yes	Under 7 kg including carrier	Yes Up to 45 kg	From: $150 Long-haul ≤32 kg: $300 33–45 kg: up to $600
Singapore Airlines	No regular cabin pets	—	Checked baggage	Route & weight based Charged under excess baggage rules

Important: Pet fees and acceptance rules can change depending on the route, aircraft, destination, season and booking method. Prices shown above are based on airline-published information checked in September 2026. Always confirm the final fee and pet acceptance rules with the operating airline before travel.

How Much Does It Cost to Fly With a Pet?

There is no single answer to this question. Some airlines charge a fixed amount for pets travelling in the cabin, while others use different prices depending on the route, total weight or transport method.

Fixed Fee

Some airlines publish one clear cabin fee for eligible routes.

Weight-Based

Larger pets may cost more when airlines use AVIH weight categories.

Route-Based

International prices may change according to the origin and destination.

For example, Pegasus currently publishes clear domestic pet prices in Türkiye. A pet travelling in the cabin costs 900 TRY, while AVIH transportation costs 1,000 TRY for 8–15 kg and 1,100 TRY above 15 kg. SunExpress also publishes starting prices. Domestic cabin pet transportation starts from 599 TRY when prepaid, while airport payment starts from 650 TRY. International cabin pet travel starts from €89.99 one way.

Cabin Weight Limits: Why the Carrier Matters

One of the most common mistakes is checking only the pet's body weight. For many airlines, the cabin limit includes both the animal and its carrier.

6.5 kg

Pet

+ 2 kg

Carrier

= 8.5 kg

Total travel weight

An 8 kg cabin limit does not mean an 8 kg pet.

If the pet and carrier together exceed the limit, the animal may need to travel in the aircraft hold or may not be accepted on that flight.

Passengers should also check carrier dimensions. A pet may meet the weight limit but still be unable to travel in the cabin if the carrier is too large to fit under the seat.

Pet in Cabin, Aircraft Hold or Cargo?

Pet in Cabin (PETC)

PETC means that the animal travels inside the passenger cabin. This option is normally available only for small pets. The animal usually needs to remain inside an approved carrier during the flight, and the carrier is placed under the seat in front of the passenger.

Aircraft Hold (AVIH)

AVIH means that the pet travels in an approved kennel inside an appropriate section of the aircraft hold. This option is often used for animals that are too large or too heavy for the passenger cabin.

Cargo

Cargo is different from normal checked pet transportation. The animal is handled through a cargo service rather than as part of the passenger's standard baggage booking. This may be required for very large animals, oversized kennels or certain destinations.

Why Do Airline Pet Fees Vary?

Cabin, hold or cargo
Pet + carrier weight
Carrier dimensions

Domestic or international route
Departure and destination
Advance booking or airport payment

A small cat travelling in the cabin on a short domestic flight may cost much less than a large dog travelling in the hold on an international route.

Airlines With Fixed or Clear Published Pet Prices

Pegasus Airlines

Clear domestic PETC and AVIH categories

Fixed published fees

American Airlines

$150 carry-on pet fee on eligible routes

$150

Emirates

Clear weight-based hold prices

$500–$800

Turkish Airlines & Lufthansa

Prices depend on the route and booking conditions

Route-based

What If an Airline Does Not Allow Pets in the Cabin?

Not every airline accepts regular pets inside the passenger cabin. A small pet is not automatically eligible for PETC travel.

British Airways

Regular pets are normally transported through specialist cargo services rather than inside the passenger cabin.

Emirates

Normal pets are generally not accepted in the cabin. Depending on the route and animal, hold or cargo transport may be required.

Before Booking a Flight With Your Pet

Before buying your ticket, check whether your pet is accepted on the exact route you plan to fly.

Weigh your pet together with the carrier.

Measure the carrier or kennel.

Check the current pet fee.

Confirm cabin or hold availability.

Check breed restrictions.

Review aircraft-specific rules.

Reserve your pet in advance if required.

Check destination-country entry rules.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Usually, airlines charge a separate pet transportation fee rather than selling a normal passenger ticket for the animal.

Often, yes. Many airlines calculate the cabin limit using the combined weight of the pet and carrier.

Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, SunExpress, Lufthansa and KLM are examples of airlines that currently use an 8 kg combined cabin limit.

Yes, depending on the airline. The animal may need to travel in the aircraft hold or as cargo.

It depends on the airline and route. Current published prices range from relatively low domestic fees to several hundred dollars or euros for larger animals travelling in the hold.

They often can. International flights may have higher transportation fees and additional requirements such as veterinary documents, permits or cargo procedures.

It depends on the airline. Some allow airport payment, while others offer different prices for advance payment or require the pet to be booked before travel.

No. British Airways does not normally carry regular pets in the cabin, while Emirates also generally does not offer normal cabin pet transportation.

Yes. Airlines can also apply restrictions based on carrier size, breed, animal type, route, aircraft, destination rules or available pet capacity.

Yes. Many airlines limit the number of animals carried on each flight, so arranging pet travel early is recommended.