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 airline. Does Air Caraibes allow pets in the cabin? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Air Caraibes? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Air Caraibes? All your answers related to Air Caraibes 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 Air Caraibes based?
Air Caraibes is based out of Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport in Guadeloupe. Most layovers within Air Caraibes’ network will occur in this airport or in Paris, France, the location of its second hub.
What countries does Air Caraibes fly pets to?
Air Caraibes offers service to pets to the following countries: France, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Haiti and Mexico.
Air Caraibes Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Air Caraibes’ pet policy to travel in-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 on Air Caraibes in the cabin
Small dogs, cats, dwarf rabbits and guinea pigs are permitted to fly in the cabin. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
All reservations must be made by contacting Air Caraibes at 0 820 835 835 – 0 so that quota limits on the aircraft can be maintained.
Age/Weight requirements
The minimum age for pets flying on Air Caraibes is 8 weeks. The maximum weight for a pet including its carrier flying on domestic flights is 5 kg. For transatlantic flights, the maximum weight is 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)
Maximum carrier measurements for dogs and cats are 17″ x 14″ x 8″ (43 x 35 x 20 cm) (L x W x H). Carriers must be soft-sided. Your pet carrier will count toward baggage allowance.
Exit row or bulkhead seats cannot be reserved when flying with a pet. Pets must remain in carriers for the duration of the flight. Dwarf rabbits and guinea pigs must be transported in rigid plastic crates or fiberglass crates.
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms required
All pets flying with Air Caraibes must be identified with either a legible tattoo or a microchip. Proof of rabies vaccination administered between 30 days and 12 months of flight is required for several routes including Guyana, France, Saint Martin and St. Barthelemy. An import permit is required to import a pet to Saint Martin.
Check in
You should plan to arrive at the airport to check your pet in its carrier at the ticket counter at least 30 minutes before normal check in times.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Cost
- Inter-island: €10 one way
- Transatlantic: €75 one way
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.
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.
Air Caraibes must be notified at least 48 hours prior to departure that you will be flying with a service dog.
Air Caraibes 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 Air Caraibes 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 allowed to fly with Air Caraibes as checked baggage
Dogs and cats are permitted to fly as checked baggage.
Reservations
All reservations must be made by contacting Air Caraibes at 0 820 835 835 – 0 so that quota limits on the aircraft can be maintained.
Age/Weight requirements
The minimum age for pets flying on Air Caraibes is 8 weeks. Maximum weight of pet including the crate is 110 lbs. (50 kg).
Pet crate requirements
The maximum weight of your pet and its crate flying on a transatlantic route is 165 lbs. (75 kg). For inter-islands flights, the maximum weight is 110 lbs. (50 kg). Air Caraibes does not accept wooden crates. Your name and contact information should be attached to your pet’s crate.
Air Caraibes will fly two adult pets of the same species together in the same crate on transatlantic flights, provided that they are of comparable sizes, weigh less than 31 lbs. (14 kg) each, are known to each other. Animals exceeding 31 lbs. (14 kg) must be placed in separate crates.
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
The carriage of pets in the hold is prohibited on St Barthelemy Commuter flights as there is inadequate space in the cargo hold for pets. All layovers served by Air Caraibes must be less than 2 hours, else your pet must be claimed and rechecked.
Forms Required
All pets flying with Air Caraibes must be identified with either a legible tattoo or a microchip. Proof of rabies vaccination administered between 30 days and 12 months of flight is required for several routes including Guyana, France, Saint Martin and St. Barthelemy. An import permit is required to import a pet to Saint Martin.
Check in
You should plan to arrive at the airport to check your pet in its crate at the ticket counter at least 30 minutes before normal check in times.
Cost
The cost per pet to fly as checked baggage on Air Caraibes is €150 each way.
Air Caraibes 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@pettravel.com.
Pets allowed to fly with Air Caraibes as air cargo
Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and other animals.
Reservations
A licensed freight forwarder should assist you to book transportation for your pet as air cargo.
Age requirements
The minimum age for pets flying on Air Caraibes is 8 weeks.
Pet crate requirements
Air Caraibes does not accept wooden crates. Your name and contact information should be attached to your pet’s crate. All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Forms Required
A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) and all forms required for your destination country. An import permit is required to import your pet to Saint Martin.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet will be checked in at the Air Caraibes’ cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.
Cost
Your agent can provide more information on the cost of your pet’s transport.
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. Wooden crates are not permitted.
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. Air Caraibes requires either metal or plastic threaded nuts and bolts to secure both halves of the crate.
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 Air Caraibes
Air Caraibes suggests caution with brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds when flying them in the cabin. The following breeds will not be flown in the cargo hold:
DOGS: Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxers (all breeds), Bulldogs (all breeds), Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Pugs (all breeds), Chow-Chow, Dogues (all breeds), some Spaniels (Tibetan, Japanese, English, King Charles), Brussels Griffon, Lhasa Apso, Mastiffs (all breeds), Neapolitan Mastiff, Pekingese, Petit Brabançon, Shih Tzu, Shar Pei, Staffordshire Bull terrier.
CATS: Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian.
Dog breeds classified as dangerous cannot be handled by a minor or a third-party handler unless legally authorized to handle the dog. Pitbulls, Boerboels and Tosas that are not registered as first category pedigree dogs in a breed registry recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be refused transport.
Staffordshire terrier breeds, American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweilers, Tosas without evidence of pedigree will be refused transport. Those with pedigrees will be accepted with certain stipulations.
All mixes of these breeds will not be accepted.
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 carriage of pets in heat is prohibited. Sedation is not recommended.
The information published here is a guideline for Air Caraibes 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 Air Caraibes? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, Forum, 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 Air Caraibes pet policy.
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