When transporting a pet by a commercial airline, it is extremely important to understand their pet policy. These policies vary between airlines. Some allow small pets to fly in the cabin and others don’t. It is important to know the answers to all your questions before making your decision to fly your pet on any commercial airline. Does Aer LingusE allow pets? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Aer Lingus? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Aer Lingus? All your answers related to Aer Lingus pet policy are answered below.
Note: It is important to mention that the pet policy of the airline that operates your pet’s route will preside over the policy of the airline that owns the route. This is important to note because if the operating airline changes during your trip, then you will likely need to claim and recheck your pet on the next airline. This will cause you to clear customs and enter the layover country. You will need time and extra documentation to accommodate this process during the layover unless flying domestically.
Classes of service offered to pets by commercial airlines
- In-Cabin: Pets traveling in the cabin must fly with an adult passenger and travel in an airline compliant
carrier stowed under the seat. - Checked Baggage: Pets traveling with a passenger that are not permitted in the cabin due to size or breed can be transported as checked baggage in the cargo hold.
- Air Cargo: Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.
Can my pet fly with me in the cabin? No
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? No
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is Aer Lingus based?
Aer Lingus is based out of Dublin International Airport (DUB) in Dublin, Ireland.
What countries does Aer Lingus Islands fly to?
Aer Lingus offers services to pets on flights to Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.
Aer Lingus Pet Policy – In Cabin
Aer Lingus does not accept pets in the cabin of the aircraft with the exception of
trained and certified assistance dogs. Assistance dogs flying within the EU must be trained by an organization associated with Assistance Dogs International or International Guide Dog Federation serving disabled passengers.
Pets allowed on Aer Lingus in the cabin
Service animals only.
Service dog pet policy
Service dogs are permitted to travel in the cabin with their disabled passenger without charge. Passengers should provide notice to the airline at least 48 hours in advance.
Service dogs must fully conform to requirements to enter all destinations on their route. If transiting the EU, additional documentation will be required. Notification must be provided to the Departure of Agriculture if your dog is entering or leaving Ireland in the cabin.
They must be able to sit at their passenger’s feet and not interfere with cabin operations or other passengers.
All assistance dogs must provide an Assistance Dog Identification Card. No restricted dog breeds will be
accepted as assistance dogs.
Service dogs must not display any type of aggressive behavior at any time.
Reservations
Reservations must be made a minimum of 48 hours in advance of departure.
Aer Lingus Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
Pets are not permitted to fly Aer Lingus as accompanied checked baggage.
Aer Lingus Pet Policy – Air Cargo
All live animals flying as air cargo travel under an airline manifest or air waybill and are tracked throughout the entire flight. The airlines are responsible for caring for your pet during layovers as well. Unlike checked baggage, pets are generally checked in and claimed at the airline’s cargo facility. This facility is located on airport grounds; however, not the terminal.
Pets allowed on Aer Lingus
Dogs and cats are permitted to fly as air cargo on Aer Lingus.
Age Requirements
Pets must be a minimum of 15 weeks of age.
Reservations
Reservations must be made for your pet a minimum of 48 hours prior to departure.
Forms Required
All pets must be accompanied with a health certificate issued 10 days or less prior to travel as well as all documentation required for their destination country. Dogs and cats flying to other EU Member States served by Aer Lingus must be accompanied with an EU Pet Passport reflecting a microchip and the rabies vaccination administered no sooner than 12 weeks of age and at least 21 days prior to travel.
Crate Requirements
The maximum weight of a pet including its crate must not exceed 64kg/141lbs. One pet is permitted per crate.
Temperature Restrictions
When temperatures rise above or drop under certain levels, commercial airlines will prohibit the transport of live animals in the cargo hold. These restrictions are implemented for the safety of your pet. It is important to note that the risk from high or low temperatures is not when your pet is airborne. The risks come during preflight holding, loading on the tarmac and taxiing to the take-off runway.
Aer Lingus Airlines will not permit the transport of live animals when temperatures at any point of the itinerary exceed the following temperatures anywhere on the route including origin, layover and destination airports:
- 80°F (27°C) Maximum for live animal shipments
- 20°F (-7°C) Minimum for live animal shipments (acclimation certificate required)
Note that the temperature restrictions for summer travel are more stringent for brachycephalic (snub-nosed) pets. Consider an airline acclimation certificate for dogs and cats that are accustomed to cooler temperatures.
Related: Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold
Pet Crate Requirements
All pet crates must conform to regulations set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The container must be large enough for your pet(s) to stand, turn around, and lie down. The crate must be made of fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics, weld metal mesh, solid wood or plywood.
The crate door must have a secure, spring-loaded, all-around locking system with the pins extending beyond the horizontal extrusions above and below the door. The floor must be waterproof. The crate must not have wheels attached when checking your pet. Metal hardware should be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of your pet crate together. Delta requires either metal or plastic threaded nuts and bolts to secure both halves of the crate.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier
Breeds Banned by Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus will not transport the following breeds or their crosses: Akita, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brazilerios, Mastiff, American Pitbull, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler or Japanese Tosa.
The following snub-nosed breeds will not be accepted: All Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, and Persian/Exotic Cats.
Private Jet Charter
Another option for pet owners who do not want their pet to fly in the cargo hold is a pet-friendly private jet charter. Your pet can fly in your lap, at your feet or beside you comfortably without being confined. We can arrange flights from anywhere in the world to anywhere you need to go on your time schedule, without the crowds or commotion of a commercial airport.
Other Information
The information published here is a guideline for Aer Lingus airline pet policy. For more airline pet policies, click the banner below.
Further Reading
How to keep your pet safe when flying in the cargo hold
Tips for airline pet travel
Requirements for a pet transiting a country by air
When do you need a pet transporter?
Routing your pet’s flight
Flying with a snub-nosed breed
More information on airline pet travel
Have a comment or question about flying with Aer Lingus? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given airline may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to deny your pet boarding privileges at the time of check in. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Aer Lingus pet policy.
Leave a Reply