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 airBaltic allow pets? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on airBaltic? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for airBaltic? All your answers related to airBaltic 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
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? Yes
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is airBaltic based?
airBaltic is based out of Riga International Airport in Latvia. Most layovers within airBaltic’s network will occur in this airport.
What countries does airBaltic fly to?
airBaltic offers service to pets to the following countries including but not limited to Azerbaijan, Egypt, EU Member States, Georgia, Israel, Lebanon, Moldova, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
airBaltic Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in airBaltic’s 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 airBaltic in the cabin
airBaltic will fly small dogs and cats only in the cabin. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
As there is a limit as to the number of pets permitted per flight, you should contact airBaltic by telephone as soon as possible after your booking to make a reservation for your pet. You can pay for your pet’s passage online.
Age/Weight requirements
To conform to EU and other country regulations, the minimum age to fly on airBaltic is 15 weeks of age. Pets who are not vaccinated for rabies will not be accepted. Maximum weight of the pet and its carrier cannot exceed 17 lbs. (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)
One carrier per passenger is permitted. Maximum measurements for carriers is 21.6″ x 15.7″ x 9″ (55 x 40 x 23 cm) (L x W x H). Two pets of the same species are permitted in the carrier if there is adequate space for them to stand up and turn around.
Exit row or bulkhead seats cannot be reserved when flying with a pet. Pets must remain in carriers for the duration of the flight. Your pet’s carrier will count towards your carry-on allowance.
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms required
All dogs and cats must travel with EU Pet Passports or original versions of EU Health Certificates proving a microchip and current rabies vaccination administered after the microchip and more than 21 days prior to travel. Health checks are advised.
Route restrictions
Pets will not be allowed in the cabin on flights to or from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland or the United Arab Emirates.
Check in
You should check your pet into the ticket counter at the airport leaving an additional 30 minutes to normal check in times.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Cost
The cost to fly a pet in the cabin on airBaltic is €79. Itineraries with layovers of more than 24 hours will be subject to another pet fee of €70.
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.
airBaltic 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 airBaltic if it is flying with an adult passenger. 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 airBaltic as checked baggage
Dogs and cats only are permitted to fly with airBaltic as checked baggage.
Reservations
As there is a limit as to the number of pets permitted per flight, you should contact airBaltic by telephone as soon as possible after your booking to make a reservation for your pet. You can pay for your pet’s passage online.
Age requirements
To conform to EU and other country regulations, the minimum age to fly on airBaltic is 15 weeks of age. Pets who are not vaccinated for rabies will not be accepted.
Pet crate requirements
Maximum crate size is 56″ x 33″ x 33″ (142 x 84 x 84 cm) (L x W x H). Maximum weight of the pet and its carrier cannot exceed 165 lbs. (75 kg). Exception: maximum weight for AMS is 70 lbs. (32 kg). Two pets can travel in the same crate if they are the same species and no more than 30.8 lbs. (14 kg) each. Three puppies or kitten can travel in the same crate if they are less than 6 months of age.
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
Pets must fly as air cargo to the following countries: the United Kingdom, Iceland, Iceland and the United Arab Emirates. When departing from Iceland and the United Arab Emirates, pets can fly as checked baggage.
Forms Required
All dogs and cats must travel with EU Pet Passports or original versions of EU Health Certificates proving a microchip and current rabies vaccination administered after the microchip and more than 21 days prior to travel. Proof of health checks are advised.
Check in
You should check your pet into the ticket counter at the airport leaving an additional 30 minutes to normal check in times.
Cost
The cost to fly a pet with weight less than 32 kg (including crate) is €110. The cost to fly a pet with weight between 32 and 75 kg (or 32 kg when flying to or from AMS) is €220.
airBaltic 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 allowed to fly with airBaltic as air cargo
Domestic dogs, cats and other animals are permitted to fly as air cargo. Booking should be done by a licensed agent.
Reservations
Age requirements
To conform to EU and other country regulations, the minimum age to fly on airBaltic is 15 weeks of age. Pets who are not vaccinated for rabies will not be accepted.
Pet crate requirements
Maximum crate size is 56″ x 33″ x 33″ (142 x 84 x 84 cm) (L x W x H). Any crate over 70 lbs. (32 kg) should have 2 “handles” for moving. All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, please see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Route or aircraft restrictions
Pets must fly as air cargo to the following countries: the United Kingdom, Iceland, Iceland and the United Arab Emirates.
Forms Required
A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of microchip and rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) and all forms required for your destination country. EU Pet Passports can be used as proof of microchip and rabies vaccination.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet will be checked in at the airBaltic cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.
Cost
Your agent can advise you as to the cost of transporting your pet as air cargo.
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. airBaltic 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 airBaltic
airBaltic does not mention specific breeds that they classify as brachycephalic (snub-nosed). They do require that all breeds that are flying in the cargo hold with snub-nosed characteristics fly in a crate one size larger than required. Crates must also be ventilated on all four sides.
Related: Flying with a snub-nosed breed
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
airBaltic will not transport laboratory animals or animal “trophies” of any kind. They will also not transport poultry. Sedation of any pet before or during flight is strongly discouraged.
The information published here is a guideline for airBaltic 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 AirBaltic? 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 airBaltic pet policy.
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