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 British Airways? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on British Airways? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for British Airways? All your answers related to British Airways 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 (Service dogs only)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? No
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is British Airways based?
British Airways [IATA:BA] is based out of Heathrow Airport in London, England. Most layovers within British Airways’ network will occur in this airport.
What countries does British Airways fly to?
British Airways offers service to pets to the following countries: Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium. Bermuda, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, KLenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turks and Caicos, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States.
*Regulations for dogs flying to the United States have changed. Find new regulations to import a dog to the United States here.
British Airways Pet Policy – In Cabin
Pets flown by British Airways in the cabin
British Airways does not permit pets to travel in the cabin with the exception of medically approved service dogs. (Seven-day notice required) First point of entry must be London Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester (accompanied pets only).
Service dog pet policy
British Airways will accept service dogs must have been certified by an organization that is a member of Assistance Dogs
International or International Guide Dog Federation trained to assist a disabled person. Notification to the Animal Reception Center should be provided at least seven days in advance. A pre-approval letter will be issued that must be presented by the ARC must be present at check-in, along with all required documentation to enter the United Kingdom.
All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge. Passengers will need to contact British Airways directly to notify them of their service dog. Reservations cannot be made online.
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 will not be seated in exit rows. 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 form and a Relief Attestation Form must be completed and submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure. If flights involve the United States, Department of Transportation form and a Relief Attestation Form must be completed and submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure. To complete the form, you will need:
- Your veterinarian’s name and contact number
- Rabies vaccination date and expiration
- Trainer’s name/organization and contact number
All required documentation required for the destination country must be provided at check in.
All service dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally.
British Airways Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
Pets flown by British Airways as checked baggage
British Airways does not offer checked baggage service for any live animals.
British Airways 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. British Airways contracts air cargo services through IAG Cargo. If you need a licensed agent to arrange your pet’s transport, send us an email at info@pettraveltransport.com.
Pets flown by British Airways as air cargo
Dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, hamsters, monkeys, ferrets, snakes, tropical fish and other animals can be flown on British Airways as air cargo. Larger animals (cattle, horses, etc.) will be handled by an approved agent.
Age requirements
Kittens and puppies must be at least 10 weeks old. Pregnant dogs and cats are not permitted to travel past 6 weeks of their gestation period.
Pet crate requirements
Small (series 100) crates are not permitted on flights from the US or Canada. Minimum crate requirements are 27″L x 20″W x 19″H (68L x 50W x 48H cm). Maximum crate measurements depend on the aircraft serving the route.
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS below.
Forms Required
A health certificate issued within ten days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) 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 an IAG Cargo facility (not reservations desk) 4 hours prior to international flights and 2 hours prior to domestic flights. Health certificates issued shortly prior to travel will be required. Consigners will be asked to sign a Form of Indemnity to cover British Airways against any costs arising from any pet not passing the PETS checks on arrival and having to go into quarantine.
British Airways 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. Wood or plywood must be minimum thickness of 12mm for dogs and 6mm for cats. Be sure than your pet’s crate is suitably sized. There should be three inches of clearance between your pet’s head (or ears if erect) and the top of the crate. British Airlines is very strict on crate measurements.
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. British Airways 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. All food and water should be provided.
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.
Related: Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold
Breeds Banned by British Airways
Snub-nosed animals will need to fly in crates 10% size larger than normally required. The following breeds are examples of snub-nosed breeds: Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffin, Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin and Pekinese.
British Airways will not transport any dog breeds that are banned for import to the United Kingdom or the destination country.
Related: Risks for snub-nosed pets flying in the cargo hold
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 British Airways 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
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 British Airways pet policy.
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