Travelling with Pets

Before you travel with your cat or dog, make sure you:

• Check all entry and exit regulations for the countries you’re flying to and from. 

• Ask your vet about any medication your pet may need for the journey.

• Have a leash and a suitable harness or collar available.

• Carry dry pet food in a sealed container in your cabin baggage.

• Bring all the original documents for your pet for verification.

• Familiarise your pets with their travel bag or kennel.

If you have more queries about the guidelines, visit our frequently asked questions. 

• Passengers can raise a request through the Contact Support Page by uploading all the documents. 
• Once all the documents are approved, our customer support will reach out to the passenger and assist in creating the booking. 
• Booking can also be made via airport and city reservation counters. 
• For reservations of pet in cabin (under 10 kg), passengers must book their travel at least 48 hours prior to the flight departure. 
• Beyond this window, the carriage will be dealt subject to the time and resources available for accepting pets, and Air India’s compliances and destination country regulations.
• Pets are only allowed in Economy class, and are seated in the aisle seats of the last five rows.
• The combined weight of the pet and the soft kennel/pet carrier must not exceed 10 kg. 
• For weight more than 10 kg, and up to 32 kg, pets must be booked separately as baggage or cargo.
  
• For pets above 32 kg, they must be booked as cargo.
• Have a question? Our Customer Support  is ready to assist.

For Domestic travel: 

• Document/pet passport with an up-to-date record of vaccinations.
• Valid health and rabies vaccination certificate (duly signed and stamped) by a registered veterinarian.
• Health certificate stating  that the pet is fit to travel by air
• Certificate must be issued within 7 days before departure or as per the rules of the destination state/country.
• Passenger must carry any additional vaccinations required by the destination state or country which must be officially certified and included in the health certificate.
• Downloaded & filled indemnity form. Two copies of the indemnity form to be carried for direct flights and four copies for connecting flights.
• All original documents will be verified at the time of check-in at airports. 

For international travel:  

• In addition to the documents listed above in the domestic section, passengers must carry all required entry permits and other documents (e.g., import licenses) as mandated by the countries of entry or transit. For complete details, please refer to AQCS, US CDC, and IATA Program & Policy

For pets in cabin (Below 10 kg)

The combined weight of the pet and the carrier must not exceed 10 kg / 22 lb to travel in the cabin. 

Cabin travel charges

• Domestic – INR 7,500
  (within India)

• Short Haul International flights (SHI) - USD 140
  (UAE*, Oman, Turkey, Maldives, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, China, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Singapore, Kenya, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Qatar, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Mauritius, Malaysia, and Indonesia) 

• Medium Haul International flights (MHI) - USD 160
  Europe (excluding UK) and Israel
  

*For flights departing from United Arab Emirates (UAE), you will be able to transport your pet in the cabin (based on the destination-specific regulations). However, pets are not permitted in the cabin on flights departing India and arriving in the UAE. Pets in Cabin (PETC) are not allowed on flights to America, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Note: The charges are applicable per sector, that is, you will be charged separately for every segment of your trip.

For pets as checked baggage (Above 10 kg, below 32 kg)

The combined weight of the pet and the carrier must not exceed 32 kg.  Pets weighing more than 32 kg must be booked separately as cargo. 

• Domestic – INR 16,000 (within India)

• Short Haul International flights (SHI) – USD 350 (Far East Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East Asia, and SAARC)*

• Medium Haul International flights (MHI) - USD 350 (Europe (excluding UK) and Israel)

• International Routes – USD 350 (International to International routes)

*For flights departing from United Arab Emirates (UAE), you will be able to transport your pet (based on the destination-specific regulations). However, pets are not permitted on flights departing India and arriving in the UAE.

Note: 

• Taxes Applicable. The Paws on Board service is non-refundable and non-transferable, except in cases where the pet is unable to travel in the cabin due to conditions established by the airline.

Below are the passenger restrictions you need to follow:

• Unaccompanied minors: Travel with pets is not permitted for unaccompanied minors under any circumstances.

• Passengers requiring special assistance: Customers who require wheelchair assistance or are travelling with an infant are not permitted to carry pets in the cabin. In such cases, pets may be transported in the aircraft's cargo compartment, subject to applicable guidelines.

• Cabin eligibility: Domesticated dogs and cats are eligible for cabin travel.

• Cargo restrictions: Snub-nosed or flat-faced breeds (brachycephalic) are not permitted in the cargo compartment due to the increased risk of respiratory issues and temperature sensitivity.

• Veterinary approval: Passengers travelling with brachycephalic breeds in the cabin are advised to consult a licensed veterinarian prior to travel to ensure the pet’s fitness.

Air India reserves the right to refuse carriage of pet(s) for any of the below mentioned reasons:

• For reasons of safety or security, arising out of condition of the kennel/pet carrier.  
• Non-compliance with applicable laws, regulations, or orders of the state. 
• Non-compliance by the owner travelling with the pet.
• Non-compliance of the size of the kennel, or age of the pet.
• If the pet is sedated or tranquilized or pregnant.  
• Animals showing aggression or are of an overtly aggressive nature.
• Demonstration of offensive behaviour showing excessive signs of chewing or cage destruction at the time of lodgement.  
• Prohibited from being transported under specific ordinances, laws and regulations of the state. 
• Due to inconvenience to fellow passengers, including risk of allergies. 

• We allow pets on direct, transit, and connecting flights.
• Pets are only allowed on connecting flights (Air India to Air India),  and to/from sectors on Air India where Pet in cabin (PETC) is allowed currently.  
• We do not accept pets from other airlines on Air India flights. 
• If the customers are connecting to another airline [interline carriage] from Air India, they must comply with the other airlines’ rules and regulations for pet travel. 
• We must request customers to get in touch with the respective airline for more details. 

The process of connecting flights will be as follows:  

• The checklist for pet in cabin travel (PETC) completed at the origin station, must be scanned by the origin station, and sent to the connecting station [by an e-mail] either upon completion of the boarding process or at the latest after door close, followed by a call to avoid any miscommunication.
• The connecting station will  present the same checklist to the operating captain from their station as per defined guidelines by the ground staff. 
• This checklist needs to be accepted by the operating captain of the flight from the connecting station. 
•  Completed and signed indemnity forms for each flight segment must be obtained.

• Pets are not allowed in cabin on Ultra Long Haul (ULH) flights to safeguard the well-being of pets during extended flight durations.

Pet travel policies vary by route, with cabin access restricted on select international and long-haul flights.For destination-specific regulations and documents required for pet travel, please refer to IATA Travel Centre.

The owner must ensure their pets meet all quarantine requirements. Your pet may be subjected to quarantine at the destination. The quarantine period may vary and would be at the discretion of the veterinary authorities in the destination country.

We are not responsible if your pets are refused entry into or passage through any country or territory.

Due to specific destination restrictions and operational reasons, we are currently unable to transport your pet into or out of the destinations below in the cabin and/or as checked baggage:

• USA

• Canada

• Australia

For flights from United Arab Emirates (UAE), you will be able to transport your pet in the cabin (based on the destination-specific regulations). However, pets are not permitted in the cabin on flights departing India and arriving in UAE. 

In the UK, pets can be carried only as cargo when travelling to or from the London Heathrow (LHR) and London Gatwick (LGW) Airports. However, this service is unavailable at the Birmingham Airport (BHX).

For more information, please reach out to our customer support executive.

Country specific guidelines

There may be additional guidelines for the travel of pets based on the country they are arriving.

Import and export of pets to or from India

If you intend to import or export your pet to/from India:

You will need a ‘No Objection Certificate’ or ’Pre-import Clearance’ from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS). Please click here for more information and to download the required certificates and clearance forms.  

The import and export service of pets is allowed only at these airports:

• Bangalore

• Chennai

• Delhi

• Kolkata

• Mumbai

• Hyderabad 

You can import or export your pet only from the airport mentioned in your permit. For instance, if the AQCS office in Delhi granted you pet import permission, your pet can depart or arrive only at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi.

To ensure the safety and health of your pet, they will only be accepted when they are correctly yet comfortably kept in their isolated bag, kennel, or cage.

Your pet must have valid documentation from its country of origin certifying that it is free from diseases like rabies, distemper, and leptospirosis.

We understand that this may be a lot of paperwork. But take it as our commitment to the well-being of your furry companion.

Oman

Learn more about Oman’s guidelines for the carriage of pets.

Middle East and Gulf countries

The carriage of pet animals into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by air follows the terms and conditions outlined in the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Live Animals Regulations (LARS).

Pets may feel anxious in unfamiliar surroundings, but a few simple steps can help ease their stress:

• Acclimatise your pet to the travel container a few weeks before departure by placing them inside for short periods and rewarding them with treats.

• On the day of travel, provide a light meal and water two hours before placing your pet in the container.

• Use a familiar blanket and absorbent mat inside the container and walk your pet before heading to the airport. 

• Remove the leash before placing your pet in the container and avoid using sedatives or tranquillisers.

A maximum of 2 pets are allowed in the economy cabin per flight.

If you intend to import or export your pet to/from India:

You will need a ‘No Objection Certificate’ or ’Pre-import Clearance’ from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS). You can get more information and download the required certificates and clearance forms from the website.  

The import and export service of pets is allowed only at the below-mentioned airports:

• Bangalore

• Chennai

• Delhi

• Kolkata

• Mumbai 

• Hyderabad

You can import or export your pet only from the airport authoritative office mentioned in your permit.