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 Avianca allow pets on your specific route? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Avianca? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Avianca? All your answers related to Avianca 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? Yes
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is Avianca based?
Avianca [IATA:AV] is based out of El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia. Most layovers within Avianca’s network will occur in this airport.
What countries does Avianca fly to?
Avianca offers service to pets to the following countries: Argentina, Aruba, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, México, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Spain, United Kingdom, United States and Venezuela.
Avianca Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Avianca’s 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. Avianca also accepts emotional support dogs, but they must fly in a carrier.
Pets allowed flown by Avianca in the cabin
Avianca will fly small dogs and cats in the cabin on most routes. See route restrictions. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
Passengers must make reservations a minimum of 48 hours prior to departure but are encouraged to contact Avianca through their customer center, at the airport or through a travel agent when they make their reservations. There is a limit of 6 pets per flight in the cabin including service and emotional support dogs.
Age/Weight requirements
All pets flying in the cabin must be a minimum of four months of age. Note that requirements of the destination country may affect the minimum age of your pet. Maximum weight of your pet and its carrier is 22 lbs. (10 kg).
Pet carrier requirements
Your pet’s carrier must:
- Have adequate ventilation on at least three sides (domestic US) or four 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)
- Have sufficient structure to keep the carrier from collapsing.
- Must have your contact information and name of your pet attached to the carrier.
Maximum carrier size is 22″ x 14″ x 10″ (55 x 35 x 25 cm). Soft-sided carriers are accepted. Only one carrier is permitted pet passenger.
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, health certificate and all required documentation for your destination country. Avianca will require a declaration form be submitted at check in for pets flying in the cabin.
Route restrictions
Pets are not permitted to fly in the cabin to the United Kingdom.
Check in
Passengers traveling with pets should plant to check in at the ticket counter with their pet in its carrier more than normal check in times.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Pet fee
The cost to fly a pet in the cabin on Avianca will depend on whether the pet fee is prepaid or paid at the airport. Note that prices may increase during peak season.
Flights in Colombia
- Prepay: from COP 75.000
- Paid at the airport: from COP 115.000
Flights in Ecuador
- Prepay: from USD 45
- Paid at the airport: from USD 70
In the United States
- Prepay: from USD160
- Paid at the airport: from USD 165
To Europe
- Prepay: from USD 180
- Paid at the airport: from USD 200
From Europe
- Prepay: from EUR 160 or GBP 135
- Paid at the airport: from EUR 180 or GBP 155
Service dog pet policy
All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge. They must be trained by an organization that specializes in service dog training to provide specific tasks for a person with a disability. A maximum of 2 service dogs can fly with a disabled passenter.
Service dogs must be suitably marked, harnessed and leashed. 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.
Emotional support dog pet policy
All emotional support dogs must fly with their passenger with an emotional condition. Dogs must be flown in an airline-compliant pet carrier and not be more than eight inches in height.
Passengers flying with emotional support pets must present documentation from a licensed medical health professional attesting the need for the emotional support dog.
All service and emotional support dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Avianca 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 Avianca 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 Avianca as checked baggage
Dogs and cats that do not conform to in cabin requirements can be flown as checked baggage on Avianca.
Reservations
Passengers must make reservations a minimum of 48 hours prior to departure but are encouraged to contact Avianca through their customer center, at the airport or through a travel agent when they make their reservations. The maximum number of pets that be flown in the cargo hold will depend on the type of aircraft serving the route.
Age requirements
The minimum age for pets flying on Avianca as checked baggage is four months. The maximum weight of your pet and its crate must not exceed 154 lbs. (70 kg).
Pet crate requirements
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For further information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Route or aircraft restrictions
Pets are not permitted to fly as checked baggage to the United Kingdom. No pets are permitted to fly in the cargo hold on Embraer 190 and ATR aircraft.
Forms Required
Proof of rabies vaccination, health certificate and all required documentation for your destination country. Avianca will require a declaration form be submitted at check in for pets flying in the cargo hold.
Check in
Passengers traveling with pets should plant to check in at the ticket counter with their pet in its crate more than normal check in times.
Pet fee
The cost to fly a pet as checked baggage on Avianca will depend on whether the pet fee is prepaid or paid at the airport. Note that prices may increase during peak season.
Flights in Colombia
- Prepay: from COP 220.000
- Paid at the airport: from COP 280.000
Flights in Ecuador
- Prepay: from USD 60
- Paid at the airport: from USD 70
In the United States
- Prepay: from USD 210
- Paid at the airport: from USD 222
To Europe
- Prepay: from USD 215
- Paid at the airport: from USD 216
From Europe
- Prepay: from EUR 190 or GBP 160
- Paid at the airport: from EUR 235
Avianca 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 Avianca as air cargo
Dogs, cats and other animals can be flown on Avianca as air cargo. Endangered species covered by CITES will not be flown. Dangerous and harmful animals will not be accepted. Avianca will not transport squirrels, beavers, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, porcupines, rats and mice, from all species including lab rats or rodents.
Reservations
Reservations to fly a pet on Avianca must be made by a licensed agent or known shipper.
Age requirements
Minimum age is 8 weeks of age; however, this minimum may change depending on requirements of the destination country.
Pet crate requirements
Crate restrictions per Avianca. For further requirements, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Route or aircraft restrictions
Avianca does not have facilities to board pets overnight in origin, transit or destination locations. Agents should take this into consideration when routing live animals.
Forms Required
A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination. Shippers are responsible for the provision of all required documentation for the layover and destination countries.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet will be checked in at the Avianca cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal. Animals must not be checked in more than 4 hours prior to flight departure.
Pet fee
Your agent will provide you the cost to transport your pet as air cargo.
Avianca 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. Avianca 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.
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 Avianca
Snub-nosed animals may only be transported as air cargo. Four breeds of snub-nosed dogs will no longer be allowed in the cabin or cargo hold as checked baggage or air cargo on KLM aircraft: English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, American Bulldog, and Dutch Pug. Other snub-nosed breeds should travel in a crate that is size larger than required.
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
Animals that have given birth in the 48 hours previous to flight are not permitted. Pregnant pets must be accompanied by a letter on the letterhead of a medical professional attesting that the pet will not give birth during the flight.
The information published here is a guideline for Avianca 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 Avianca? Post it below and we will respond.
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 Avianca pet policy.