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 Bulgaria Air allow pets on your specific route? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Bulgaria Air? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Bulgaria Air? All your answers related to Bulgaria Air 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 Bulgaria Air based?
Bulgaria Air [IATA:FB] is based out of Sofia Airport in Sofia, Bulgaria. Most layovers within Bulgaria Air’s network will occur in this airport.
What countries does Bulgaria Air fly to?
Bulgaria Air offers service to pets to the following countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.
Bulgaria Air Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Bulgaria Air’s pet policy to fly in the 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 flown by Bulgaria Air in the cabin
Small dogs and cats can fly in the cabin on direct flights only. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly. Pets must fly with their owners and the purpose of the transport may not be commercial in nature (adoption, resale, transfer of ownership, etc.)
Reservations
All reservations must be made in advance by contacting Bulgaria Air’s Customer Service Centre at +35924020400 or by email at callfb@air.bg. Pets owners can also make a reservation for their pet during the process of booking a flight online to a selected destination or with an already purchased ticket through the “Check Booking” option on the website or mobile application.
Age/Weight requirements
Minimum age of transport is three months; however, many EU destinations will require that pets are 15 weeks of age to conform to country requirements. Maximum weight of the pet including the carrier is 17 pounds (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 size is 48 x 35 x 22. Carriers may not be included in the free 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.
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms required
EU Pet Passports (resident pets) or EU Health Certificates (non-resident pets) must be provided on all intra EU flights. All information must include date of microchip placement, Name of pet, type, breed, sex or pet, pet’s date of birth, owner details, veterinarian details, rabies vaccination details and date of rabies titer test.
Route restrictions
Pets are not permitted on flights to or from the United Kingdom regardless of their class of service.
Check in
Pets can be checked in at the airport ticket counter in their carriers. Pet owners should check in their pets at least 30 minutes prior to normal check in times.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Pet fee paid in advance
- Domestic within Bulgaria: €50
- International: €70
- Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Tel Aviv*, Amsterdam, Paris: €80
Pet fee paid at the airport
- Domestic within Bulgaria: €60
- International: €90
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.
All service dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally.
Bulgaria Air 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 Bulgaria Air 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 flown by Bulgaria Air as checked baggage
Larger dogs and cats can fly in the cabin on direct flights only. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly. Pets must fly with their owners and the purpose of the transport may not be commercial in nature (adoption, resale, transfer of ownership, etc.)
Reservations
All reservations must be made in advance by contacting Bulgaria Air’s Customer Service Centre at +35924020400 or by email.
Age requirements
Minimum age of transport is three months; however, many EU destinations will require that pets are 15 weeks of age to conform to country requirements.
Pet crate requirements
Maximum crate is 110 x 65 x 70 cm. There is no weight limit. 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 are not permitted on flights to or from the United Kingdom regardless of their class of service.
Forms Required
EU Pet Passports (resident pets) or EU Health Certificates (non-resident pets) must be provided on all intra EU flights. All information must include date of microchip placement, Name of pet, type, breed, sex or pet, pet’s date of birth, owner details, veterinarian details, rabies vaccination details and date of rabies titer test.
Check in
Pets can be checked in at the airport ticket counter in their crates. Pet owners should check in their pets at least 30 minutes prior to normal check in times.
Bulgaria Air 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.
Pet owners who wish to fly their pet as air cargo should contact cargoair at +359 2 8144 555 or sales@cargoair.bg.
Bulgaria Air 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, 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. Bulgaria Air requires either metal or plastic threaded nuts and bolts 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.
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 Bulgaria Air
The following dog breeds will only be accepted when flying as air cargo: American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Karabash (Kangal), Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Caucasian Ovcharka (Caucasian Shepherd Dog), Rottweiler, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Doberman, Cane Corso, 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
The information published here is a guideline for Bulgaria Air 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 Bulgaria Air? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, 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 Bulgaria Air pet policy.
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