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 Air Tahiti Nui allow pets? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Air Tahiti Nui? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Air Tahiti Nui? All your answers related to Air Tahiti Nui 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? Yes (Certain Flights)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? No
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is Air Tahiti Nui based?
Air Tahiti Nui [IATA:TN] is based out of Faa’a International Airport in the island of Tahiti in French Polynesia. Most layovers within Air Tahiti Nui’s network will occur in this airport.
What countries does Air Tahiti Nui fly to?
Air Tahiti Nui offers service to pets to the following countries: France, French Polynesia (air cargo), Japan (air cargo) and the United States (in-cabin/air cargo).
*Regulations for dogs flying to the United States have changed. Find new regulations to import a dog to the United States here.
Air Tahiti Nui Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Air Tahiti Nui’s pet policy to travel in-cabin, it will need an airline-compliant pet carrier unless you are flying with a service dog who is trained to assist you in a task required to address a physical or medical disability.
Pets allowed flown by Air Tahiti Nui in the cabin
Small cats and dogs. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
Pet owners can make reservations for their pets either through a travel agency, by contacting Air Tahiti Nui customer service on the phone, or at the airport (Papeete and Paris only). Required forms (see topic below) must be sent to the airline more than 48 hours of departure.
Age/Weight requirements
Pets must be at least 4 months of age at minimum. The weight of the pet including its carrier must not exceed 17 lbs. (8 kg).
Pet carrier requirements
Your pet’s carrier must:
- Have adequate ventilation on at least 3 sides (domestic US) or 4 sides (international)
- Be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably
- Be able to accommodate your entire pet. No part of your pet can extend out of the carrier
- Be able to fit under the seat in front of you
- Have a waterproof bottom and absorbent pet pad
- Have secure fasteners (heavy duty zippers are recommended)
Maximum carrier measurements are 15.7″L x 13.8″W x 7.9″H (40L x 35W x 20H cm). One carrier is permitted per passenger. Two pets of the same breed are allowed if they are known to each other, there is room in the carrier and the weight measurements are not exceeded.
Exit row or bulkhead seats cannot be reserved when flying with a pet. Pets must remain in carriers for the duration of the flight.
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms required
All pets must have an official EU Pet Passport or health and vaccination certificates including the weight, size, and breed or your pet. All pets flying with Air Tahiti Nui must be identified with a microchip. It is the passenger’s responsibility to comply with all import requirements regulations of the destination country.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Route restrictions
In-cabin service for dogs and cats is only provided on flights to/from Paris (CDG) from Los Angeles (LAX) or Seattle (SEA) or Papeete (PPT) to Paris (CDG).
Check in
Pet owners should allow extra time to check their pet in at the ticket counter. There will be a form to sign, and owners will pay for their pet’s passage at the time of check in.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Cost
Pet carriers are subject to additional baggage fees. These fees will be refunded only if the owner’s ticket is of the classification of refundable or if the owner decides not to fly their pet.
- From Los Angeles / Seattle to Paris : 150 USD
- From Paris to Los Angeles / Seattle : €150
- From Papeete to Los Angeles / Seattle : 14 000 XPF
- From Papeete to Paris : 24 000 XPF
Service dog pet policy
All service dogs or cats may fly in the cabin at no charge. They must be trained by a person or organization that specializes in service dog training to provide specific physical and psychological tasks for a person with a disability. Here are examples of disabilities addressed by a service dog: Agoraphobia, Autism, Epilepsy, Mobility impairment, post-traumatic stress disorder, Psychiatric syndrome, Deafness, Vision impairment and loss of vision. There is a limit of 2 service dogs and/or cats per disabled passenger.
Service dogs or cats must be suitably marked, harnessed, leashed and muzzled. They must fit in the space provided at their passenger’s feet without intruding on cabin operations or other passengers. They must be clean, mannerly and not show any signs of aggression toward other passengers or the flight crew.
If flights involve the United States, Department of Transportation forms must be completed and submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure. All required documentation required for the destination country must be provided at check in.
Air Tahiti Nui Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
Air Tahiti Nui does not offer checked baggage service for any live animal.
Air Tahiti Nui 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. Many airlines require that an agent books the transport. If you need a licensed agent to arrange your pet’s transport, send us an email at info@pettraveltransport.com.
Pets flown by Air Tahiti Nui as air cargo
Dogs, cats and other animals.
Reservations
Pet owners should contact the Air Tahiti Nui cargo department with details of itinerary, sender (consignor) and receiver (consignee) information, photos of their pet, dimensions of the crate in cm, weight of carrier including the pet in kg.
Age requirements
Minimum age is 4 months.
Pet crate requirements
Crates must be premanufactured sturdy plastic with 2 halves (top and bottom). All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For further details, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Route or aircraft restrictions
Dogs and cats are flown as air cargo to/from the following airports: Paris (CDG), Papeete (PTT), Auckland, NZ (AKL), Los Angeles (LAX) and Narita, Japan (NRT).
Forms Required
A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) and all forms required for your destination country. Pets must be identified with a microchip and be fully vaccinated for rabies.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet will be checked in at the Air Tahiti Nui cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.
Cost
The cost of transport will depend on the itinerary, weight of the crate and pet and the dimensions of the crate.
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. Air Tahiti Nui requires either metal or plastic threaded nuts and bolts to secure both halves of the crate.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
All pets should be acclimated to their crates prior to travel. This may take weeks or even months to accomplish; however it is the best thing you can do for pet before flying.
Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier
Temperature Restrictions – Checked Baggage and Air Cargo
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.
Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary. Pets may be accepted at temperatures below 45°F with an acclimation certificate, however, no pet will be transported at temperatures lower than 20°F (-6.6°C).
Note that the temperature restrictions for summer travel are lower for brachycephalic (snub-nosed) pets.
Cold-blooded animals are exempt from these restrictions.
Related: Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold
Breeds Banned by Air Tahiti Nui
Air Tahiti Nui will not transport the following breeds or their mixes: Staffordshire Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Pitbulls, Buldog, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Broholmer, Mastiff (all breeds), Cane Corso and Boerboel, Rottweiler or Tosa.
Air Tahiti Nui will not transport brachycephalic breeds as air cargo due to their snub-nosed characteristics. Examples of these breeds include but are not limited to: Affenpinscher, Brussels Griffon, Dogue de Bordeaux, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Brasileiro, Pekingese, French Bulldogs, Bulldogs, Boxers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Boston Terriers, Mastiffs, and Pugs.
Females in advanced stages of pregnancy will not be permitted.
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 Air Tahiti Nui 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 Air Tahiti Nui? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, Forum, 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 Air Tahiti Nui pet policy.
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