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 Austrian Airlines allow pets on your specific route? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Austrian Airlines? What documents will I need? What is the carrier or crate requirements for Austrian Airlines? All your answers related to Austrian Airlines 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 (Military on PSC Orders Only)
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is Austrian Airlines based?
Austrian Airlines (otherwise known as Austrian) [IATA:OS] is the flag carrier of Austria and a subsidiary of Lufthansa Airlines.
What countries does Austrian Airlines fly to?
Austrian Airlines offers service to pets to the following countries: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lithuania, Maldives, Mauritius, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Servia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States*.
New bookings for dogs to the USA are only accepted for the airports in Washington DC, New York (JFK), Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.
Austrian Airlines Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Austrian Airlines’ pet policy to fly in the 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 Austrian Airlines in the cabin
Small dogs and cats can be flown in the cabin on Austrian Airlines to most destinations (see route restrictions). Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
Passengers must contact Austrian Airlines by telephone at +43 51 766-1000 or by completing this form after making their booking. The following information should be available: your pet’s age and species, carrier measurements and the itinerary of travel. Staff will confirm that there is room available for your pet.
Age/Weight requirements
Minimum age to fly Austrian Airlines in the cabin is 12 weeks and weaned from the mother. Note that the minimum age may depend on the requirements of the destination country. Maximum weight of your pet including the carrier must not exceed17 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
- Be insulated against odors
- Have secure fasteners (heavy duty zippers are recommended)
- Be sturdy enough so that your pet cannot compromise the carrier by clawing or biting
Maximum carrier size is 21.6″L x15.7″W x 9″H. (55 x 40 x 23 cm). Total carrier measurements (L+W+H) must not exceed 46.5″ (118 cm). Up to two pets can travel in one carrier if there is room for them and the weight restriction is not violated.
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
Proof of rabies vaccination and a current health certificate or EU Pet Passport will be required. All required documentation for the destination country should be available.
Route restrictions
Pets cannot fly to either the United Kingdom, Iceland or South Africa in the cabin.
Check in
Pets must be checked in at the ticket counter in their carriers between two and three hours prior to departure.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Pet fee
- Domestic flights within Austria: €50
- Europe: €60
- Short Haul (Middle East): €80
- Medium Haul (Maldives, Canada, US East Coast airports): €100
- Long Haul (Thailand, South Africa, Los Angeles, Mauritius, China, Japan): €110
Service dog pet policy
All service dogs that are a minimum of four months of age 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 tasks for a person with a visual, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability.
**Examples of such organizations are Messerli Research Institute, Assistance Dogs International (ADI), Assistance Dogs Europe (ADEu) or International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF). If certifications from these organizations are not available, then a letter from a professional dog trainer or otherwise accredited training institution can be provided stating the name and address, details of the nature and duration of the training, and the task for which the dog has been trained and has successfully completed. Note that programs where you teach your dog or online training programs will not be accepted.
Service dogs must be suitably marked, harnessed and leashed. A muzzle must be available. 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. All service dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally.
Austrian Airlines Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
If the size of your pet is too large to fit in an airline-compliant pet carrier, or it is a pet other than a cat or dog, it will be transported as checked baggage on Austrian Airlines if it is flying with an adult passenger. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin.
Live animals are checked in by reservation employees and are checked in at the airport terminal. The airline will move your pet between aircraft in their fleet during layovers if the layover is not over about 3 hours in length.
Pets flown by Austrian Airlines as checked baggage
Small dogs and cats can be flown as checked baggage on Austrian Airlines to most destinations (see route restrictions). Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
Passengers must contact Austrian Airlines by telephone at +43 51 766-1000 or by completing this form after making their booking. The following information should be available: your pet’s age and species, carrier measurements and the itinerary of travel. Staff will confirm that there is room available for your pet.
Age/Weight requirements
Minimum age to fly Austrian Airlines in the cabin is 12 weeks and weaned from the mother. Note that the minimum age may depend on the requirements of the destination country. Maximum weight of your pet including the carrier must not exceed 17 lbs. (8 kg).
Pet crate requirements
Maximum crate measurements depend on the airline serving your route. Up to two pets per crate are allowed if they are under 31 lbs. (14 kg) and known to each other. All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Route or aircraft restrictions
Pets cannot fly to either the United Kingdom, Iceland or South Africa in the cabin.
Forms Required
Proof of rabies vaccination and a current health certificate or EU Pet Passport will be required. All required documentation for the destination country should be available.
Check in
Pets must be checked in at the ticket counter in their crate between two and three hours prior to departure.
Pet fee
For crates measuring up to 23.6″L x 17.7″W x 15.7″H (60 x 45 x 40 cm)
- Domestic flights within Austria: €80
- Europe: €100
- Short Haul (Middle East): €130
- Medium Haul (Maldives, Canada, US East Coast airports): €170
- Long Haul (Thailand, South Africa, Los Angeles, Mauritius, China, Japan): €190
For crates measuring more than 23.6″L x 17.7″W x 15.7″H 60 x 45 x 40cm
- Domestic flights within Austria: €160
- Europe: €200
- Short Haul (Middle East): €260
- Medium Haul (Maldives, Canada, US East Coast airports): €340
- Long Haul (Thailand, South Africa, Los Angeles, Mauritius, China, Japan): €380
Austrian Airlines 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.
All pets that must be flown as air cargo will be flown by Lufthansa Airlines.
Related: Lufthansa pet policy.
Austrian Airlines 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. Austrian Airlines requires either metal or plastic threaded nuts and bolts to secure both halves of the crate.
All crates must be labeled with LIVE ANIMAL stickers and a Shipping Declaration that includes feeding and watering instructions. All water containers must be spill proof.
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
Austrian Airlines Breed Restrictions
The following breeds are not permitted to fly in the cargo hold due to their snub-nosed characteristics:
DOGS: Affenpinschers, American Bully, Bulldogs (all breeds except American Bulldogs), Pugs (all breeds), American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Brussels Griffons, Bull Mastiffs, Bull Terriers, Chow Chows, English Toy Spaniels, Japanese Chins, Japanese, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Pit Bulls, Shar Pei, Shih Tzus and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
CATS: British Shorthairs, Exotic Shorthairs, Himalayan cats, Persian cats and Scottish Fold cats.
The following breeds and their mixes have been classified as dangerous by Austrian Airlines must fly in the cargo hold in special crates that conform to IATA CR 82 requirements:
American Bully (prohibited in principle due to potential snub-nosed characteristics), American Bulldogs, Dogo Argentino, Karabash (Kangal) (Anatolian Shepherd dog), Caucasian Ovcharka (Caucasian Shepherd dog) and Rottweilers.
Note that this restriction does not apply to pets that are between three and six months of age.
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 Austrian Airlines 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
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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 Austrian Airlines pet policy.
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