Checked Baggage Pet Policy

If your pet is too large to fit under the seat, it is an animal other than a dog or cat, or if it is a very long flight, Emirates may transport your pet in the cargo section of the aircraft according to its regulations. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin.

Pets Allowed:

Falcons, cats, dogs (breed restrictions apply - see below) and pet birds (restrictions apply - see below) as long as the flight time is less than 15 hours. If the flight time exceeds 15 hours, then the pet must fly as air cargo. (see step #3)

Age:

Dogs and cats must be older than 4 months of age.

Route Restrictions:

When transiting Dubai as checked baggage, the connection time must not exceed 6 hours. The total transportation time for birds must not exceed 17 hours. Between May 1 and September 30, birds will not be transported, with the exception of falcons.

Route must be less than 7 hours.

Pets are not permitted to fly as checked baggage into the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, Australia, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.

Breed Restrictions:

See step #6 Banned Breeds.

Crate Requirements:

Your pet must fly in an IATA-compliant pet crate. Metal hardware should be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of the crate together. Click here for crate requirements.

Need an IATA compliant pet crate? Have a crate already? Need accessories for your crate?

*Length of crate = length of the pet + 50% of leg length + 7 cm (min. 17 cm additional)
Width=3 x pet width
Height = pet height + 10 cm.

Bird Restrictions

Emirates will not permit the transport of non-acclimated, wild caught birds. Any species subject to CITES requirements must be transported in cargo with prior approval.

Air Cargo Pet Policies

Pets Allowed:

In addition to unaccompanied dogs and cats (breed restrictions below), Emirates Airlines will transport warm blooded animals as manifest cargo with the exception of poisonous animals including reptiles and insects unless transported between quialified agencies. Additionally, animals known to product offensive odors such as skunks and minks will not be permitted. Sheep and goats will be accepted, however, only in limited numbers. Pigs of any size or breed will not be accepted.

Forms Required:

Health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination and all forms required for your destination country.

Comfort Stops

All warm blooded animals whose total transportation time exceeds 17 hours will be subject to mandatory transit rest arrangements at the Dubai International Airport. Charges will apply and will be the responsibility of the shipper/consignee.

Sedation

Emirates will not accept pets who have been sedated or tranquilized unless being transported between qualified agencies with a certificate from qualified veterinarian.

Temperature Restrictions:

See checked baggage policies above.

Breed Restrictions:

See step #6 Banned Breeds.

Crate Requirements:

See checked baggage policies above. More info on crate requirements.
Have a crate already? Need accessories for your crate?

Airports Served

Emirates serves over 140 locations worldwide in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, North and South America.

Emirates is also approved to fly into London Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester (accompanied pets) as well as Glasgow (accompanied pets), and Dublin (accompanied pets).

Puppies and Kittens

The age of your puppy or kitten permitted to fly on Emirates depends on age requirements of your destination country. Puppies and kittens should not be flown in the cargo hold prior to 15 weeks of age.

Banned Breeds

Emirates will not transport the followiung breeds at any time: English and French Bulldogs.

Emirates will only permit the transport of the following breeds between November 1 and April 30 under an indemnity waiver and only in a container 1 size bigger than the animal’s normal measurement. Mixes will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the local SkyCargo office.

Dogs Emirates classifies as snub-nosed: American Cocker Spaniel, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all types), Bullmastiff, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua (Apple Headed), Chow Chow, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeauz, English and French Bulldogs, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Lowchen, Neopolican Mastiff, Newfoundland, Pekinese, Pit Bull Terrier, Pub (all types), Shar-Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel.

Cats: Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Exotic Fold (Foldex), Himalayan, Persian, Scottish Fold, Selkirk Rex.

The following breeds will be accepted providing they are not being imported to the United Arab Emirates, are not banned either by the origination or destination countries, have the appropriate licenses or permits, and travel in reinforced crates such as CR 82 crates: Mastiff Dogs (Fila Braziliano / Brazilian Mastiff, Dogo Argentino / Argentinian Mastiff, any Mastiff or hybrid), Tosa (Japanese Tosa or hybrid), ottweiler breeds or hybrid, Doberman Pinschers, anario presa, Karabash (aka Kangal), Caucasian Ovchark or any mixed breed of the breeds of dog mentioned above, or hybrids.

Greyhounds that have been rescued or will be domesticated pets will be transported. Greyhounds used for racing will not.

Other Animals

Emirates Airlines will transport warm blooded animals as manifest cargo with the exception of poisonous animals including reptiles and insects unless transported between quialified agencies. Additionally, animals known to product offensive odors such as skunks and minks will not be permitted. Sheep and goats will be accepted, however, only in limited numbers. Pigs of any size or breed will not be accepted.

 

Need more information?

The information published here is a guideline for airline pet policies for Emirates Airlines. Further detail on airline pet policies as well as pet passport information are available at minimal cost at PetTravelStore.com. We also stock all the equipment and accessories you will need for traveling with your pet. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 4:00 PM EST.

 

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