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 GOL Airlines? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on GOL Airlines? What documents will I need? What are the carrier and crate requirements for GOL Airlines? All your answers related to GOL Airlines 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? No (Suspended)
Where is GOL Airlines based?
GOL Airlines officially known as Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A [IATA:G3] is based in Rio Janeiro, Brazil.
What countries does GOL Airlines fly to?
GOL Airlines offers service to pets to the following countries: Argentina, Aruba, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Paraguay, Suriname, United States and Uruguay.
*Regulations for dogs flying to the United States have changed. Find new regulations to import a dog to the United States here.
GOL Airlines Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in GOL Airlines’ 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 flown by GOL Airlines in the cabin
Dogs and cats can fly on GOL Airlines in the cabin with a passenger over 12 years of age. Passengers with wheelchairs cannot board with pets unless their pet is a trained service dog. Passengers carrying an infant on their lap are not permitted to board with a pet. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
Reservations can be made online or with the Customer Relation Center a minimum of three hours in advance of departure for domestic flights and four hours in advance for international flights.
Age/Weight requirements
The minimum age to fly in the cabin on GOL Airlines is six months. The weight of your pet including its carrier cannot exceed 10 kg.
Pet carrier requirements
Your pet’s carrier must:
- Have adequate ventilation on at least three sides (domestic) 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)
The maximum dimensions for pet carriers flown in the cabin are 43 x 32 x 24 cm) for soft-sided carriers and 43 x 32 x 22 cm for hard-sided carriers. Four pets are permitted per flight. One carrier is permitted per passenger. Passengers cannot purchase an extra seat for a second carrier.
Exit row or bulkhead seats cannot be reserved when flying with a pet. Pets must remain in their carriers for the duration of the flight.
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms required
Original health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within ten days of travel* and proof of rabies vaccination are required. Pets must wait for a minimum of 30 days after their rabies vaccination to fly. Passengers must also complete a Requirement for the Transport of Animals in the Client’s Cabin form at check in.
*Health certificates must be issued within 5 days of travel to flights to the United States and Suriname.
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
Online check in is not available for pets. Your pet should be presented at the departure airport ticket counter in its carrier at least one hour prior to departure for domestic flights and two hours prior to departure for international flights.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Pet fee
The cost to fly a dog or cat in the cabin with GOL Airlines is $70 USD for domestic flights and $170 for international flights.
Service/Emotional Support 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 the airline 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 will not be seated in exit rows and will be seated in window seats. They must be clean, mannerly and not show any signs of aggression toward other passengers or the flight crew.
Emotional support dogs
All the documents listed below should be sent via email to medif@voegol.com.br for examination, at least 72 hours before the flight.
- An original medical information form, known as MEDIF, signed and completed by your medical provider. Our attendants will contact you to ensure that all procedures were carried out correctly and all applicable documents meet the requirements for approval.
*The passenger’s diagnosis must be recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. - A health certificate, vaccination records and other health documents for the animal must also be presented.
For flights to or from the United States and Cancun, a 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 service and emotional dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally. All required documentation required for the destination country must be provided at check in.
GOL Airlines 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 GOL Airlines 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 three hours in length. GOL Airlines will not interline pets on codeshare and interline flights between other airlines.
Pets flown by GOL Airlines as checked baggage
Dogs and cats who do not meet conditions to fly in the cabin or are flying unaccompanied can fly as checked baggage on GOL Airlines.
Reservations
Reservations to fly a pet as checked baggage can be made by contacting GOL Airlines at crc.cargas@voegol.com.br or by telephone 0300 101 2001.
Age requirements
The minimum age to fly in the cabin on GOL Airlines is six months. The weight of your pet including its carrier cannot exceed 30 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 below.
Route or aircraft restrictions
Pets are not permitted to fly as checked baggage to Miami, Orlando, Punta Cana, Cancun or Quito.
Forms Required
Original health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within ten days of travel* and proof of rabies vaccination are required. Pets must wait for a minimum of 30 days after their rabies vaccination to fly.
*Health certificates must be issued within five days of travel to flights to the United States and Suriname.
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
Online check in is not available for pets. Your pet should be presented at the departure airport ticket counter in its crate at least one hour prior to departure for domestic flights and two hours prior to departure for international flights.
Pet fee
The cost to fly a pet as checked baggage on GOL Airlines is R$ 650,00 for domestic flights and R$ 800,00 for international flights. Refunds for cancellations will not be issued unless contacting GOL Airlines well in advance of departure.
GOL Airlines Pet Policy – Air Cargo
GOL has suspended air cargo service for all live animals.
GOL Airlines 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 or rigid plastics. Crates made of wood, composite or plywood will not be accepted. Crates must be sterilized and have absorbent material on the floor.
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. GOL Airlines 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.
Cold-blooded animals are exempt from these restrictions.
Related: Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold
Breeds Banned by GOL Airlines
GOL Airlines will not fly snub-nosed animals in the cargo hold of their aircraft. Such breeds include:
Dogs: Boston Terrier, boxer, American Bulldog, Ffrench bulldog, English Bulldog, American Bully, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow-Show, Dogue de Bordeaux, Brussels Griffon, Lhasa apso, Pug, Chinese pug, Dutch Pug, Pekingese, Shih-Tzu etc.
Cats: Burmese, Exotic, Himalayan, Persian, etc.
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 GOL Airlines 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
Have a comment or question about flying with GOL Airlines? 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 GOL Airlines pet policy.
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