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 Corsair allow pets on your specific route? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Corsair? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Corsair? All your answers related to Corsair 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 Corsair based?
Corsair, otherwise known as Corsair International [IATA:SS], is based out of Orly Airport in Paris, France. Most layovers within Corsair’s network will occur in this airport.
What countries does Corsair fly to?
Corsair offers service to pets to the following countries: Benin, Canada, France, Guadeloupe, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mali, Martinique, Mayotte and Reunion.
Corsair Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your small pet meets the requirements listed in Corsair’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 Corsair in the cabin
Small dogs and cats as well as mice, domestic rats, hamsters, dwarf rabbits, ferrets and guinea pigs can fly with Corsair in the cabin. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly. Unaccompanied minors are not permitted to fly with a pet. All pets must be reported to the flight crew when embarking and disembarking.
Reservations
Reservations for your pet must be made more than 72 hours in advance of departure. You can contact Corsair through Customer Service or by phone at 0800 94 10 08.
Age/Weight requirements
The minimum age to fly with Corsair in the cabin is 2 months of age. All pets must be microchipped. The maximum weight of your pet including its carrier may not be more then 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)
- Must not be subject to damage from chewing.
The maximum carrier measurements are: 22″L x 17.7″W x 8″H (56 x 45 x 20 cm). Dimensional measurement (length + width + height) must not exceed 45.2″ (115 cm). One pet is permitted per passenger. One pet is allowed per carrier with the exception of mice, hamsters and guinea pigs which may be transported up to a maximum of 2 per carrier.
Rodents must be placed in a hard plastic carrier with an access hatch on the upper part of the carrier which is not accessible by your pet even when resting on its hind legs. The dimensions of the carrier must not exceed those listed above.
Exit row or bulkhead seats cannot be reserved when flying with a pet. Pets must remain in carriers for the duration of the flight. Passengers flying with pets will not be seated together.
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms required
A health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin dated within 5 days of departure is required. For pets entering the Ivory Coast, the certificate must be dated within 3 days of departure. If your stay is more than 15 days, then an international health certificate must be issued and endorsed by a government veterinarian.
Proof of rabies vaccination is recommended for all pets over 3 months of age and required for traveling internationally. There are other requirements for ferrets.
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.
Route restrictions
No pets are permitted on flights to or from Mauritius.
Check in
Pets should be presented in their carrier to the ticket counter at least 30 minutes more than normal check in times for carrier, pet and document inspection.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Pet fee
- €75 per leg between Paris and Fort-de-France, Pointe-à-Pitre, Mayotte or Reunion Island
- €150 per leg between Paris, Montreal Madagascar or Africa
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. Notice must be provided to Corsair at least 48 hours prior to departure.
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.
Emotional support animals of any kind are not recognized.
All service dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally.
Corsair 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 Corsair 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 Corsair as checked baggage
Small dogs and cats as well as mice, domestic rats, hamsters, dwarf rabbits, ferrets and guinea pigs can fly with Corsair in the cargo hold accompanied by an adult passenger. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
Reservations for your pet must be made more than 72 hours in advance of departure. You can contact Corsair through Customer Service or by phone at 0800 94 10 08.
Age/Weight requirements
The minimum age to fly with Corsair in the cargo hold is 2 months of age. All pets must be microchipped. The maximum weight of your pet including its carrier may not be more then 110 lbs. (50 kg).
Pet crate requirements
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS. Two pets may travel in the same crate, provided that the weight of each pet does not exceed 30.8 lbs. (14 kg), for a total of 28kg, and that they are known to compatible and live in the same household.
Route or aircraft restrictions
No pets are permitted on flights to or from Mauritius.
Forms Required
A health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin dated within 5 days of departure is required. For pets entering the Ivory Coast, the certificate must be dated within 3 days of departure. If your stay is more than 15 days, then an international health certificate must be issued and endorsed by a government veterinarian.
Proof of rabies vaccination is recommended for all pets over 3 months of age and required for traveling internationally. There are other requirements for ferrets.
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
Pets should be presented in their carrier to the ticket counter at least 30 minutes more than normal check in times for carrier, pet and document inspection.
Pet fee
- €150 per leg between Paris and Fort-de-France, Pointe-à-Pitre, Mayotte or Reunion Island.
- €300 per leg between Paris, Montreal, Madagascar, Mauritius island or Abidjan.
Corsair 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 flown by Corsair as air cargo
Dogs and cats as well as mice, domestic rats, hamsters, dwarf rabbits, ferrets and guinea pigs can fly with Corsair as unaccompanied air cargo.
Reservations
Reservations for your pet must be made more than 72 hours in advance of departure. You can contact Corsair through Customer Service or by phone at 0800 94 10 08.
Age requirements
The minimum age to fly with Corsair in the cargo hold is 2 months of age. All pets must be microchipped.
Pet crate requirements
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 by a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin dated within 5 days of departure is required. For pets entering the Ivory Coast, the certificate must be dated within 3 days of departure. If your stay is more than 15 days, then an international health certificate must be issued and endorsed by a government veterinarian.
Proof of rabies vaccination is recommended for all pets over 3 months of age and required for traveling internationally. There are other requirements for ferrets.
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 the Corsair cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.
Pet fee
The cost for transporting your pet as air cargo will depend on the size and weight of your pet and its carrier and the route.
Corsair 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 rigid plastic. Wheels must be removed.
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 must be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of your pet crate together. Corsair 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 Corsair
The following dog breeds will not be flown in the cargo hold as checked baggage or air cargo. They can be flown in the cabin if weight requirements are not exceeded: Pugs (all breeds), English Bulldog, French Bulldog and Boston Terrier.
The following dog breeds are classified as Class 1 Dangerous Dogs by French law: Staffordshire Terrier dogs without LOF registration*, American Staffordshire Terriers dogs (Pit Bulls) without LOF registration*, Tosa dogs without LOF registration* and Mastiffs (Boer Bulls). Mixes of these breeds or other breeds without pedigree* will not be transported.
The following Class 2 dog breeds may be transported as puppies. Their weight including the carrier must not exceed 17 lbs. (8 kg): Staffordshire Terrier dogs with LOF registration*, American Staffordshire Terriers with LOF registration*, Rottweiler dogs, with or without LOF registration*, Dogs with morphological similarities to Rottweilers without LOF registration*, Tosa dogs with LOF registration*.
*LOF stands for the “Livre des origines françaises”. This classification is issued by the Société centrale canine. In other words, French Kennel Club papers. ONLY dogs with LOF papers have a right to be called a pedigree dog according to French Law. Other authorizations include a birth certificate or pedigree papers.
The local council must issue a permit for the dog and the owner (an adult) must produce an insurance policy documenting liability for their dog.
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
Sedation is only accepted under the advice of a veterinarian. The information published here is a guideline for Corsair 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 Corsair? 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 Corsair pet policy.
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