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. Can my pet fly in the cabin on Philippine Airlines? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Philippine Airlines? What documents will I need? What are the carrier and crate requirements for Philippine Airlines? All your answers related to Philippine 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 routes)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? Yes
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is Philippine Airlines based?
Philippine Airlines [IATA:PR] is based out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. Most layovers within Philippine Airlines’ network will occur in this airport.
What countries does Philippine Airlines fly to?
Philippine Airlines offers service to pets to the following countries: Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan,
Philippine Airlines Pet Policy – In Cabin
Effective for bookings after December 1, 2025, Philippine Airlines will allow small dogs to fly in the cabin with their owners on routes between Manila and top destinations like Boracay, Bohol, and Siargao. They call this service FurPal. The fee for this service is P2,500 for each direction.
Only small dog breeds weighing up to 10 kg including their carrier, at least twelve weeks old, and fully weaned are eligible for the service. Each passenger may bring one pet, with a limit of three small dogs allowed per flight.
Reservations
Reservations for your pet can be made online at the time of your booking or at the PAL Ticket Offices or on the PAL app. Pet owners can also go to Manage My Booking on the PAL website to add their pet. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours prior to flight departure. An Electronic Miscellaneous Document (EMD) will be issued for your dog upon successful payment. The EMD is Non-transferable, Non-Endorsable, and Non-Refundable.
Requirements
- Dogs must remain fully contained in their carriers for the duration of the flight.
- Pet owners should provide their own muzzle in case of miss-behavior.
- Feeding is not permitted, although water should always be available to your dog.
- Dogs must wear diapers from the time of check in to deplaning. Pet owners are responsible for their dog’s hygiene.
- Check in will occur at the ticket counter where the dog and its carrier will be inspected.
- Passengers traveling with pet dogs will be assigned specific window seats to ensure proper stowage of the pet carrier under the seat in front and to facilitate a clear evacuation path for all passengers.
- Dogs appearing sick, injured, aggressive, or distressed will not be accepted.
- Pet sedation is not allowed.
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 17” x 11” x 9.5”. Soft sided carriers are required. One carrier per passenger is allowed.
Forms Required
Health certificates and proof of rabies vaccinations administered within 12 months of flight are also mandatory. Pet owners must present a veterinary certificate, vaccination card, the PAL Waiver and Declaration Form, and shipping permit form issued by Bureau of Animal Industry.
Service dog pet policy
All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge – one per passenger on non-US flights. They must be trained by a person or organization that specializes in service dog training to provide specific tasks for a person with a hearing, visual or mobility disability. Notice must be provided to Philippine Airlines at least 48 hours prior to departure. Emotional support animals are not recognized and must fly in the cargo hold.
Service dogs must be suitably marked, harnessed and leashed. They must be clean, mannerly and not show any signs of aggression toward other passengers or the flight crew. Service dogs must fit in the space provided at their passenger’s feet without intruding on cabin operations or other passengers. If room is not available, service dogs will be flown in the cargo hold at no charge. They will not be seated in exit rows.
If flights involve the United States, dogs addressing psychiatric disabilities will be recognized. Two service dogs will be allowed. 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 in advance or at check in.
Passengers on non-US flights will require a Service Dog Air Transportation Form and a Relief Attestation Form which must be submitted in advance. Rabies vaccination certificates must be available.
All service dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally. All forms and documents required by the destination country must be presented at check in.
Philippine 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 Philippine 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 three hours in length.
Pets flown by Philippine Airlines as checked baggage
Dogs and cats can be flown as checked baggage on Philippine Airlines. The total weight of the pet and kennel as checked-in baggage must not exceed 32 kg for checked baggage transport. See breeds below for restrictions.
Reservations
Passengers with pets must contact the Philippine Airlines before making their booking as not all of their aircraft will accept live animals in the cargo hold. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance.
Age requirements
Minimum age is 3 1/2 months. Dogs and cats can fly no sooner than 14 days after their rabies vaccination.
Pet crate requirements
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Forms Required
Proof of rabies vaccination, health certificate and any local shipping permit must be provided.
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.
Pet fee
The cost to fly your pet as checked baggage on Philippine Airlines depends on your route and the weight and dimension of your crate. More details on the cost to fly a pet on Philippine Airlines.
Philippine 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 Philippine Airlines as air cargo
Dogs, cats and other animals can fly as air cargo on Philippine Airlines.
Reservations
Contact Philippine Airlines Cargo Department to make reservations for your pet. Note that not all of their aircraft will accept live animals in the cargo hold.
Age requirements
Minimum age is 3 1/2 months. Dogs and cats can fly no sooner than 14 days after their rabies vaccination.
Pet crate requirements
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Forms Required
Proof of rabies vaccination, health certificate and any local shipping permit must be provided, and all forms required for your destination country. For those pets protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), those permits must also 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 will be checked in at the Philippine Airlines cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.
Philippine 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. Puppies require height of their crate be approximately 50% greater than that of adults of the same species.
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. Philippine Airlines requires either metal or plastic nuts and bolts threaded with metal inserts 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 your 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 Philippine Airlines
The following breeds have been classified by Philippine Airlines as brachycephalic (snub- or flat-nosed) and, due to the heightened risk of flying these breeds, they are not accepted as checked baggage or air cargo.
Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Cocker Spaniel, American Pitbull, Bernese Dog, Bichon Frise, Boxer, Brussels Griffon or Griffon Bruzellois, Bulldog (all breeds), Cane Corso, Chihuahua (Apple Head), Chow Chow, Coton De Tulear, Havanese, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel (English Toy Spaniel or Cavalier King Charles), Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Mastiff (all breeds) (e.g. Boerboel, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso), Papillon, Pekingese, Pug (all breeds), Rottweiler, Russian Tsvetnaya, Bolonka, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Tibetan Spaniel, Tosa, Terrier (e.g., American Staffordshire, Australian Silky, Yorkshire/Biewer/Yorkie, Norwich and Boston).
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 Philippine Airlines pet policy. For more pet friendly 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 transporting a pet with Philippine Airlines? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, 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 Philippine Airlines pet policy.
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