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 El Al allow pets on your specific route? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on El Al? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for El Al? All your answers related to El Al 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 El Al based?
El Al, otherwise known as EL AL Israel Airlines is based out of Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. Most layovers within El Al’s network will occur in this airport.
What countries does El Al fly to?
El Al offers service to pets to the following countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, France, Georgia. Germany, Greece, Hong Kong (cargo), Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Servia, South Africa (cargo), Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom (cargo) and United States.
El Al Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in El Al’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.
Pets allowed flown by El Al in the cabin
Small dogs, cats and exotic birds can be flown in the cabin. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
Reservations for your pet can be made at El Al’s Service Center.
Age requirements
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)
Maximum carrier measurements for hard-sided carriers are as follows:
- B787 Economy class: 13″L x 8″W x 8″H (33 x 20.32 x 20.32 cm).
- B787 Premium Class: 17″L x 7″W x 7″H (43 x 17.78 x 17.78 cm)
- B787 Business Class: 17″L x 10″W x 9″H (43 x 25.4 x 22.86 cm)
- B737 Economy Class: 16″L x 15″W x 7″H (41 x 38 x 17.7 cm).
- B737 Business Class: 12″L x 12″W x 7.5″H (30 x 30 x 19cm)
Soft-sided carriers can exceed this measurement only by 4 cm. Hard-sided carriers must have a metal door and adequate ventilation on three -sides. No part of your pet should protrude from the carrier. Soft-sided carriers are also accepted if they are secure enough.
Up to two pets who are known to each other may fly in one carrier if there is room and their combined weight including that of the carrier does not exceed 9 kg.
Exit row or bulkhead seats cannot be reserved when flying with a pet. El Al has designated seats for passengers flying with pet carriers. Pets must remain in carriers for the duration of the flight and are not permitted on passenger’s laps.
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms required
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
Pets cannot be flown in the cabin to Johannesburg, London or Hong Kong. Pets can be accepted in Business Class on B737 and 787 aircraft. Pets are not accepted in Business Class on B777 aircraft.
Check in
Your pet should be presented at the departure airport ticket counter in its carrier at least 30 minutes before normal check in times. This is when your pet and its carrier will be weighed and payment for your pet’s transport will be made.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Pet fee
The cost to fly a pet in the cabin depends on the origination and destination.
- Europe and Middle East: $100
- North America and Far East: $150
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 such as the Israel Service Dogs Training Center or the Israel Guide Dog Center for The Blind. Also, a soldier from the Israel Defense Force suffering from a mental disability are also eligible for canine assistance. Notice must be provided to the airline at least 48 hours prior to departure.
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 will not be seated in exit rows. They must be clean, mannerly and not show any signs of aggression toward other passengers or the flight crew.
All service dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally. All required documentation must be presented including a current health certificate documenting rabies vaccination. Veterinarians will need to attest that the dog will not have sanitary needs during the flight.
Service dogs flying to London Heathrow Airport must register 14 days prior to the date of the flight with the Heathrow Animal Reception Center.
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.
El Al 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 El Al if it is flying with an adult passenger. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin. Pets will be claimed at the Arrival Hall.
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 El Al as checked baggage
Reservations
Pet owners should contact El Al’s Service Center more than two business days before departure.
Weight requirements
Checked baggage service for pets whose weight including their crate is between 9 kg and 100 kg.
Pet crate requirements
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS. For crate dimension limitations, contact El Al’s Service Center for the aircraft that serves your pet’s route.
Route or aircraft restrictions
Pets cannot be flown in the cabin to Johannesburg, London or Hong Kong.
Forms Required
Prenotification must be provided to El Al for pets flying as checked baggage. A health certificate documenting rabies vaccination, rabies titer test and other attestations is required. Crate measurements should be available.
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
Your pet should be presented at the departure airport ticket counter in its carrier at least 30 minutes before normal check in times. This is when your pet and its carrier will be weighed and payment for your pet’s transport will be made.
Pet fee
The cost to fly a pet as checked baggage depends on the origination and destination.
Weight of pet and its crate is between 9 kg and 50 kg:
- Europe and Middle East : $200
- North America and Far East: $250
Weight of your pet and its crate is between 51 kg and 100 kg:
- Europe and Middle East: $400
- North America and Far East: $450
El Al 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 El Al as air cargo
Dogs, cats and other animals can fly as air cargo on El Al.
Reservations
Reservations should be made by contacting El Al Cargo Division at +972-3-9716679.
Pet crate requirements
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
Live animals cannot be flown as air cargo to the following cities: Bangkok, Amsterdam, Boston, Mumbai, Brussels, Larnaca, Frankfurt, Moscow, Munich, Madrid, Berlin, Prague, Warsaw, Toronto, Vienna, Budapest, Kyiv, and Rome.
Forms Required
A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (rabies-carrying mammals) and all forms required for your destination country.
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
Your pet will be checked in at the El Al 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 will depend on your pet and its crate’s weight, the crate’s dimensions and the route it will be flying.
El Al 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. El Al 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 El Al
El Al has announced that they will no longer be transporting snub-nosed pets in the cargo hold. If you suspect that your dog or cat to fall into this classification, it is advised to contact EL Al for direction.
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 El Al 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 El Al pet policy.
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