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 Air China allow pets? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Air China? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Air China? All your answers related to Air China 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? No (Assistance dogs only)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? Yes
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is Air China based?
Air China’s [IATA:CA] hub airports are based in Beijing (Beijing Capital International Airport) and Chengdu. Most layovers within Air China’s network will occur in this airport. Air China is the result of a merger of China Eastern, China Southern, China Northern, China Southwest, and China Northwest.
What countries does Air China fly to?
Live animal transportation is applicable to Air China-operated one-way direct flights, as well as domestic-to-domestic and domestic-to-international connecting flights through Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu with transit time of more than 2.5 hours.
Air China serves the following countries: Bangladesh, Belarus, Cambodia, Canada, China, Cuba, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Sweden Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States and Vietnam.
*Regulations for dogs flying to the United States have changed. Find new regulations to import a dog to the United States here.
Air China Pet Policy – In Cabin
Air China does not offer in-cabin service to any type of live animal with the exception of trained service animals assisting disabled passengers.
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.
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.
Air China Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
All dogs and cats traveling with an adult passenger will be transported as checked baggage on Air China. Live animals are checked in by reservation employees and are checked in at the airport terminal. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin.
Be sure to tell the captain of the aircraft that your pet is flying in the cargo hold so that they can be sure to keep the temperature at the proper level. The airline will move your pet between aircraft in their fleet during layovers if the layovers are not over about 3 hours in length.
Pets flown on Air China as checked baggage
Dogs and cats.
Reservations
Pet owners must submit an application to Air China in advance of the flight. Reservations should be made more than 24 hours prior to the flight.
Age requirements
It is not wise to fly a puppy or kitten in the cargo hold less than 15 weeks of age; however, the minimum age of transport is 8 weeks of age when flying with Air China.
Pet crate requirements
Each flight and to one crate and each passenger may transport only one pet. Maximum weight of pet and crate must not exceed 32 kg. If the weight is more than 32 kg, the transport must be as air cargo.
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
If the transit time is more than 4 hours, the live animals must be claimed at transit airport and put under personal custody before checked in again for further transportation.
Forms Required
Health and rabies certificates and all documentation required for the destination country.
Check in
You will present your pet in its crate at the airport ticket office a minimum of 2 hours prior to flight departure. You will pay for the cost of transport at this time.
Air China 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 China as air cargo
Dogs, cats and other animals.
Reservations
Contact Air China Cargo Department.
Age requirements
It is not wise to fly a puppy or kitten in the cargo hold less than 15 weeks of age; however, the minimum age of transport is 8 weeks of age when flying with Air China.
Pet crate requirements
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier
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.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet will be checked in at the Air China cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.
Pet Crate Requirements
Air China’s regulations for specifications for pet crates they carry are based on the National Standards GBT26543-2011, People’s Republic of China – General Requirements on the Packing of Live Animals for Air Transportation:
Hard plastic containers (except foldable containers) are fit for the carriage of most canine animals. Large hard plastic containers must be fitted with at least two security latches. If the container has wheels, they should be removed or arranged in such a way that makes them unable to rotate.
The crate must be big enough to allow your pet to stand up, move about, lie down and breathe comfortably in it. No part of your pet’s body may extend outside the container, and that the ventilation holes must be fitted with metal meshes.
Crate Ventilation
The ventilation holes on the crate must be in the upper half of three walls of the crate without a door. The diameter of the hole shall be at least 1″ (2.5cm), and the distance from one hole to another shall be 3.9″ (10cm). The total area of the ventilation holes shall be at least 16% of that of the container’s four walls. All ventilation holes must be conceived in such a way as to prevent your pet from poking its nose or paws outside the container.
The door of the crate must be locked with a metal chain. In the case of containers for large dogs, the door should contain two layers, spaced .4″ (1 cm) apart, of meshes of closely connected metal bars. The door should be fitted with additional metal chains or two or three latches to ensure absolute safety for your pet.
Crate Interior
The container must have two handles on its two side walls for easy operations. The container’s floor must be solid and is able to prevent any waste from leaking. The passenger shall provide absorbent materials – materials that can take up and retain moisture – as the cushion for the animal, ensuring that the container can remain clean and dry. Straws should not be used as such absorbent materials. A pet pad or shredded newspaper is advised.
Food and water bowls should be attached to the crate or crate door which is ample enough to prevent water from spilling. Your pet’s food can be attached to the top of the crate. Its contents should not be in violation to any state or country regulations.
The crate must be wrapped with a cotton or linen mesh that can prevent the animal from escaping in case the container is damaged. The holes of the mesh can be just small enough to prevent the animal from sticking out its head outside the mesh.
Crate Acclimation
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 China
Due to their brachycephalic characteristics, the following breeds will not be transported:
Terriers, Boxers, Bulldogs, Spaniels, Pugs, Mastiffs, American Staffordshires, American Howlers, Boston Beagles, Brussels Griffins, Mastiffs. Spanish Hounds, British Touchka, British Spaniel, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bullmastiff, Belgian Brussels Griffon, Affenpinscher, Chrysanthemum, Peking Dog, Chow, Japanese chin, Japanese Spitz, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, American Pit Bull Terrier, Tosa, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, Samoyed.
Cats: Birman, Himalayan Cat, Persian cat, exotic short-haired cat, etc.
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
Pregnant or lactating pets are not permitted to fly with Air China.
The information published here is a guideline for Air China 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 China? 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 China pet policy.
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