Which are Europe’s best pet-friendly airlines?

For pet owners, planning a holiday can involve a lot more than booking flights and hotels. There’s the quandary of whether their furry friend can board a plane with them, and exactly where they’d be allowed to travel to.

Fortunately across Europe, it’s common for airlines to allow pets in the cabin. Things get trickier though when a cat or dog is on the larger side. How willing are European airlines to put pets in the hold or ship them separately in cargo?

AirAdvisor, a global flight and baggage compensation service, reviewed the pet policies of 22 European airlines, investigating whether pets are allowed in the cabin, can be flown as baggage or in the aircraft’s hold and if four-legged travellers can accompany their owners into branded lounges.

The company found that certain dog breeds, such as bulldogs and pugs, may face additional restrictions, while pets younger than 12 weeks old are usually not permitted to board.

Premium and business class cabins are typically not favourable to pet owners. Codeshare journeys, where a carrier’s partner airline operates the flight and crew in its place, aren’t great for pets either. Connections involving different airlines can also be a challenge.

According to AirAdvisor, pet owners should be mindful of destinations, including the UK, USA, Australia and Hong Kong, where some airlines only allow pets to travel separately as freight.

So, which carriers in Europe get the tail-wagging seal of approval?

How Europe’s best pet-friendly airlines compare

Aegean Airlines

Passengers on Aegean Airlines’ flights are permitted to travel with a dog or cat in the cabin, with the pet and carrier weighing no more than 8kg combined. This will cost passengers between €35 on domestic flights within Greece to €65 for long-distance intercontinental flights.

Heavier four-legged travellers can travel in the hold, with costs ranging from €50 to €90 for direct domestic flights to €110 to €180 for direct international flights. The additional cost depends on the pet’s weight and there is a small additional charge if travelling on a connection.

The Greek carrier also allows pets in its branded lounges, so long as they are kept in their carriers.

Air France-KLM Group

On board Air France, passengers are allowed one dog or cat to accompany them in the cabin, so long as they weigh no more than 8kg. Pets weighing between 8kg and 75kg must travel in the hold, while any that weigh over this limit are not allowed at all.

Whether travelling in-cabin or in-hold internationally, pets must be at least 15 weeks old, although pets eight weeks and above are allowed to travel within France and Corsica or from France to Guadeloupe, Martinique or Réunion in the cabin.

The cost for in-cabin travel ranges from €70 to €250 and from €100 to €750 in the hold. Air France only accepts soft-sided carriers and welcomes pets to its lounge, so long as they are kept in their carrier.

KLM follows many of the same policies as Air France, however, the Dutch carrier’s additional costs range from €70 to €500 each way.

Austrian Airlines

Passengers flying with Austrian Airlines are allowed two cats or dogs in the cabin, so long as the weight doesn’t exceed 8kg. It costs between €65 for domestic flights within Austria to €125 for long-distance intercontinental flights.

Pets must be kept in a soft, bite-proof carrier in the cabin as well as when visiting Austrian Airlines lounges.

Brussels Airlines

Passengers are allowed to travel with up to two small cats or dogs in Brussels Airlines’ cabins, where the weight limit is 8kg, including the pet’s carriers. This can cost between €80 to €115, depending on the flight route.

However, passengers travelling with rabbit, fish, rodent or bird companions must have them travel as cargo in the hold. Here, additional costs vary depending on the pet’s carrier size, with medium carriers ranging between €100 and €190 and larger ones fetching fees from €200 and €380.

Finnair

With Finnair, cats and dogs can travel either in the cabin or in the hold across all the carrier’s routes. Also, pet hedgehogs, tortoises and rabbits can be transported from any EU country, either in cabin or the hold. Ferrets, however, can travel in the hold from any country. Passengers can bring two pets of the same species in one carrier, so long as the weight does not go beyond 8kg.

In-cabin fees are €60 within Europe and €120 for intercontinental flights, and hold fees are €140 within Europe and €650 for intercontinental flights. It does work out more cost-effective to book pets on board at least seven days before departure. Pets are also welcome in Finnair lounges, so long as they are kept in their carrier.

LOT Polish Airlines

Cats, dogs and ferrets can travel in LOT’s cabins, or in the hold. In-cabin travel is limited to two pets of the same species, with a weight limit of 8kg. Additional in-cabin costs are €44 for domestic flights within Poland, €70 for short-haul flights and €100 for long-haul.

LOT welcomes passengers and their furry friends to its lounges and allows them to roam around under their human’s constant supervision.

Lufthansa

Lufthansa flights allow passengers to travel with up to two pets, either in the cabin, the hold or separately as cargo. In-cabin pet fares will vary due to route and the animal’s size, ranging from €50 to €110 one-way. Cargo hold fees range from €80 to €380.

The Cologne-based carrier allows pets in its branded lounges, but they must be kept in their carriers at all times.

SAS Scandinavian Airlines

SAS allows up to two pets per traveller, with a weight no more than 8kg if in-cabin. Pets must be at least eight weeks old to travel and will require a vet’s certificate if under 14 weeks. Additional in-cabin fees start at €55 for domestic flights within its inter-Scandinavian network, rising to €149 on routes to China. Hold fees range from €90 for domestic flights to €725 on China routes.

The airline also allows pets in its lounges, but they have to be kept in their carriers.

TAP Air Portugal

TAP only allows cats and dogs to travel onboard. A passenger is allowed up to two pets that are at least 10 weeks old to fly in the cabin. The in-cabin weight limit is 8kg, while it’s 32kg in the hold.

On TAP, passengers can expect to pay an additional €40 on domestic flights across Portugal booked online during the low season, all the way up to €170 on intercontinental flights booked online during the high season. Hold prices range from €78 to €247.