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 Croatia Airlines allow pets on your specific route? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Croatia Airlines? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Croatia Airlines? All your answers related to Croatia 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
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? Yes
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is Croatia Airlines based?
Croatia Airlines [IATA:OU] is based out of Zagreb International Airport in Croatia. Most layovers within Croatia Airlines’ network will occur in this airport.
What countries does Croatia Airlines fly to?
Croatia Airlines offers service to pets to the following countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia (Czech Republic), Denmark, France, Greece, Germany, Ireland, Italy, North Macedonia, Norway, Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
*Regulations for dogs flying to the United States have changed. Find new regulations to import a dog to the United States here.
Croatia Airlines Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Croatia 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 Croatia Airlines in the cabin
Small dogs and cats can fly in the cabin on Croatia Airlines. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless, mannerly and accompanied by their owners.
Reservations
Reservations must be made in advance, either by contacting Croatia’s Sales Office or Contact Center. Only 2 dogs or 2 cats are allowed per flight. Dogs and cats are not permitted on the same flight.
Weight requirements
The weight of pets flying in the cabin including their carrier must not exceed 17 lbs. (8 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)
Only soft-sided carriers are accepted. One pet per carrier and one pet per passenger is required. 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 dogs and cats flying to or within the European Union must be microchipped, vaccinated for rabies and accompanied by an EU Pet Passport or an EU Health Certificate. Exceptions: puppies and kittens flying to Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Romania or Switzerland.
The passenger assumes full responsibility and expense for complying with applicable laws, customs and/or other governmental regulations, requirements, or restrictions of the country, state or territory to and from which your pet is being transported. Upon arrival, health certificates, import permits, and other papers may be required by local authorities, depending upon the route on which your pet is traveling.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Route restrictions
No pets are allowed to fly into the United Kingdom in the cabin. They must arrive as air cargo. Pets can fly out of the United Kingdom in the cabin from London Gatwick.
Check in
Dogs and cats should be presented at the ticket counter at the origination airport in their carrier at least 30 minutes before normal check in times for inspection.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Pet fee
- Domestic flights: €20 + VAT (25%)
- International flights (within Europe): €50
- International flights (outside Europe): €70
Refunds are accepted if made prior to departure.
Service dog pet policy
All service dogs 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 disability. Reservations must be made in advance. Maximum weight for service animals is 55 lbs. (25 kg).
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. Muzzles should be available.
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.
Croatia 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 Croatia 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 Croatia Airlines as checked baggage
Dogs and cats are accepted as checked baggage on Croatia Airlines. Owners must accompany their pets.
Reservations
Reservations must be made in advance, either by contacting Croatia’s Sales Office or Contact Center.
Age requirements
Pet crate requirements
Maximum crate size is 49″ x 29.5″ x 33.5″ (125 x 75 x 85 cm). Up to three puppies or kittens from the same litter can fly in the same crate if their individual weight does not exceed 17 lbs. (8 kg). Two adult pets known to each other up to 30 lbs. (14 kg) each can fly in the same crate.
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
Crates measuring 49″ x 29.5″ x 33.5″ (125 x 75 x 85 cm) must be flown on Airbus A-319 and Airbus A-320. No pets are allowed to fly into the United Kingdom as checked baggage. They must arrive as air cargo. Pets can fly out of the United Kingdom as checked baggage from London Gatwick. No pets can fly from Ireland to Croatia as checked baggage.
Forms Required
All dogs and cats flying to or within the European Union must be microchipped, vaccinated for rabies and accompanied by an EU Pet Passport or an EU Health Certificate. Exceptions: puppies and kittens flying to Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Romania or Switzerland.
The passenger assumes full responsibility and expense for complying with applicable laws, customs and/or other governmental regulations, requirements, or restrictions of the country, state or territory to and from which your pet is being transported. Upon arrival, health certificates, import permits, and other papers may be required by local authorities, depending upon the route on which your pet is traveling.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Dogs and cats should be presented at the ticket counter at the origination airport in their carrier at least 30 minutes before normal check in times for inspection.
Pet fee
Prices of pet transport in a carrier with the maximum dimensions up to 31.5″ x 21.6″ x 21.6″ (80 x 55 x 55 cm)
- Domestic flights: €33 + PDV (25 %)
- International flights (within Europe): €100
- International flights (outside Europe): €150
Prices of pet transport in a carrier with the maximum dimensions up to 49″ x 29.5″ x 33.5″ (125 x 75 x 85 cm)
- Domestic flights: €40 + PDV (25 %)
- International flights (within Europe): €200
- International flights (outside Europe): €300
For pets transported as checked baggage on international flights bought on the day of departure in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will incur an additional charge of €10.
Croatia 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.
Pets flown by Croatia Airlines as air cargo
Dogs, cats and other animals can be flown as air cargo on Croatia Airlines.
Reservations
Reservations must be made in advance at (+385-1) 6164-573 or cargo@croatiaairlines.hr.
Check in
Your pet will be checked in at the Croatia Airlines cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.
Pet fee
The cost to fly your pet as air cargo on Croatia Airlines will depend on the size and weight of your pet and its crate as well as its route.
Croatia 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 must be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of your pet crate together. The front of the container must be constructed of welded mesh.
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 Croatia Airlines
The following breeds are classified as brachycephalic (snub-nosed) by Croatia Airlines are not allowed to fly in the cargo hold as checked baggage or air cargo. These breeds are permitted to fly in the cabin if they conform to in-cabin regulations.
DOGS: Affenpinscher, Bulldog (all breeds except American Bulldog), Pug (all breeds), American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Japanese Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Pekinese, Pit Bull, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
CATS: British Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan cat, Persian cat and Scottish Fold.
The following dog breeds have been classified as dangerous by Croatia Airlines and can only be flown in IATA CR82 Crates: American Bulldog, Caucasian Owtscharka, Dogo Argentino, Karabash (Kangal), Rottweiler and Doberman.
Related: CR 82 Crate Requirements for flying aggresive breeds
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 Croatia Airlines 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
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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 Croatia Airlines pet policy.
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