Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is one of the busiest airports in Europe. If you travel with a pet, there are a few extra things to plan before your flight. Your airline decides if your pet can travel in the cabin, aircraft hold or cargo. The country you are travelling to also has its own animal entry rules. At CDG, it is also important to know your terminal because the airport is large and some airlines use different terminal areas.

The simple rule
Check your pet, airline, documents and terminal before you leave home.

Pet Travel Options From Paris CDG

Small and large pets do not travel in the same way.

Travel Type Usually Used For Check Before Travel
Cabin (PETC) Small cats and dogs Pet + carrier weight and carrier size
Aircraft Hold (AVIH) Larger pets Total weight, kennel size and aircraft
Cargo Very large pets or special routes Cargo booking and animal handling rules
Common does not mean universal

Many European airlines use a cabin limit of around 8 kg including the carrier. But this is not a global rule. Korean Air uses a lower cabin limit, while some airlines do not use a simple kilogram limit and instead require the carrier to fit under the seat.

Airline Pet Fees and Weight Limits From Paris CDG

Pet prices can be very different. A short European flight may have a simple cabin fee. A large dog travelling long-haul can cost much more.

Airline Cabin Pet Cabin Limit Larger Pets Published Fee / Price System
Air France Eligible flights Airline rules apply Hold up to 75 kg incl. carrier Route-based
KLM Yes 8 kg incl. carrier Aircraft hold €70–€500 depending on route/service
Lufthansa Yes 8 kg incl. carrier Aircraft hold Route & kennel-size based
SWISS Yes 8 kg incl. carrier Aircraft hold
Europe cabin: around €80
Hold: varies by kennel size
Austrian Airlines Yes 8 kg incl. carrier Aircraft hold
Europe cabin: around €80
Hold: route / size based
Iberia Yes Airline rules apply Aircraft hold Europe cabin: from around €60 online
TAP Air Portugal Yes Airline rules apply Aircraft hold
Europe cabin: from around €70
Seasonal / route pricing
Aegean Airlines Yes 8 kg incl. carrier Aircraft hold
International cabin: €65
Hold: from €110
LOT Polish Airlines Yes 8 kg incl. carrier Aircraft hold Short / mid-haul cabin: from around €65
Turkish Airlines Yes 8 kg incl. carrier AVIH Route & weight based
Emirates Generally no — Hold / Cargo
≤23 kg: $500
24–32 kg: $650
32 kg+: $800
Qatar Airways Restricted — Checked pet / Cargo
≤32 kg: around $350 on many routes
32–75 kg: around $450
Etihad Airways Eligible routes 8 kg incl. carrier Cargo for larger pets Current booking price applies
Air Canada Eligible routes Carrier must fit under seat Hold on eligible routes International cabin: CA/US$100–120
Delta Air Lines Eligible routes Carrier rules apply No normal checked-pet service International cabin: around €200
Korean Air Yes Under 7 kg incl. carrier Hold up to 45 kg
Europe–Asia ≤32 kg: about $300
33–45 kg: about $600
ANA No regular cabin pets — Aircraft hold Europe–Asia: around €300 per cage
Singapore Airlines No regular cabin pets — Checked baggage / Cargo Weight & route based
Royal Air Maroc Eligible routes 8 kg incl. carrier Hold up to 70 kg incl. carrier Route / excess-baggage based

Air France Pet Travel From CDG

CDG is the main Paris hub for Air France, so many pet travellers will use this airline.

Small Pet
Cabin

A small dog or cat may be able to travel in the passenger cabin on an eligible flight.

Larger Pet
Aircraft Hold

Air France uses the aircraft hold for eligible pets that are too heavy for cabin travel. The combined pet and container weight can be up to 75 kg under its hold rules.

Very Large Animal
Cargo

If the animal is too large for normal passenger pet transport, a cargo arrangement may be needed.

Do not wait until check-in to arrange this. Pet space on an aircraft can be limited.

Pet Entry Rules for France

Pet entry rules are different depending on where your journey starts.

From Another EU Country
1 Microchip
2 Rabies vaccination
3 Valid EU pet passport

For a first rabies vaccination, there is generally a waiting period of at least 21 days before travel.

From Outside the EU

A pet entering the EU from a non-EU country normally needs an EU animal health certificate.

This document must generally be issued by an official veterinarian no more than 10 days before entry into the EU.

Depending on the country of departure, a rabies antibody titration test may also be required.

One document list does not work for every journey
Your departure country changes the rules.

The Animal Station at Paris CDG

The words “Animal Station” can sound like a place where passengers take their dogs or cats during a trip. It is not a normal pet lounge.

Pet Relief Area

A place for an animal to take a toilet break.

Animal Station

A specialist facility connected to live-animal transport, control and handling.

The CDG Animal Station is part of the airport's system for handling live animals. It can be used for animals travelling internationally and for veterinary and border-control procedures. Most passengers travelling with a small cabin pet will not simply take their animal to the Animal Station for a break.

Finding Your Way Around Paris CDG

At some airports, knowing the airline is almost enough. At Charles de Gaulle, it is better to know four things before arriving.

01
Airline
02
Terminal
03
Check-in Area
04
Gate

Terminal 2 is especially important because it has several sections. If you travel with a pet, finding this information before arriving can save time. You may need extra time for pet documents, carrier checks or special baggage procedures.

Pet Travel on Connecting Flights at CDG

Example journey
Istanbul Paris CDG New York

Your pet is accepted on the first flight. This does not mean it is automatically accepted on the second flight.

Flight 1 Check the first airline's pet rules.
CDG Transfer Check terminal changes and connection procedures.
Flight 2 Check the second airline's pet rules.
Final Destination Check animal-entry requirements.

This is especially important when two different airlines operate the flights. Also check the operating airline, not only the airline name shown on your ticket.

Pet Travel Documents for Paris CDG

Instead of preparing every possible pet document, start with the documents that apply to your journey.

Usually Check
  • Microchip
  • Rabies vaccination
  • Pet passport or EU animal health certificate
  • Airline pet reservation
You May Also Need
  • Rabies antibody test
  • Extra veterinary documents
  • Import documents
  • Destination-specific paperwork
The destination decides the final document list
For travel within the EU, dogs, cats and ferrets generally use an EU pet passport. For entry from a non-EU country, an EU animal health certificate is generally used instead.

Planning Your Pet's Journey From CDG

Several Weeks Before the Flight
Check the entry rules of your destination. Make sure vaccinations and tests can be completed on time.
When You Book
Tell the airline you are travelling with a pet. Do not assume you can add the animal at the airport.
A Few Days Before
Check the documents again. Confirm your pet booking and CDG terminal.
Before Leaving Home
Weigh your pet with the carrier if your airline uses a combined weight limit.
At Paris CDG
Go to the correct terminal and check-in area. Keep the pet documents easy to reach.

Check the Total Weight Before You Fly

One of the easiest mistakes is weighing only the animal.

7 kg
Pet
+ 1.5 kg
Carrier
= 8.5 kg
Total Travel Weight

If the airline says maximum cabin weight: 8 kg including carrier, this example is above the limit. Always check whether the published weight means pet only or pet + carrier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, many airlines allow eligible small pets in the cabin. The rules depend on the airline, route, aircraft and destination.

It is common, especially among European airlines, but it is not universal. Always check the rule of your airline.

For many airlines, yes. The published limit often means the combined weight of the animal and carrier.

Yes, Air France offers pet transport on eligible flights. The travel method depends on the animal, weight, route and other conditions.

Potentially. Depending on the airline, a larger dog may travel in the aircraft hold or as cargo.

There is no single CDG pet price. Some airlines charge a fixed cabin fee, while others calculate the price using the route, weight or kennel size.

It is a specialist facility for live-animal handling and controls. It is not simply a pet lounge for passengers.

It depends on where the journey starts. Pets travelling between EU countries normally use a valid EU pet passport. Pets arriving from non-EU countries generally need an EU animal health certificate instead.

Yes, on eligible journeys. Check the rules for every flight because the first and second airlines may have different pet policies.

Yes. Airlines can limit the number of pets on a flight, and some pet services need advance arrangements.