Gulf Air Pet Policy

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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 Gulf Air allow pets on your specific route? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Gulf Air? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Gulf Air? All your answers related to Gulf 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? No (Service dogs only)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? No
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes

Where is Gulf Air based?

Gulf Air [IATA:GF] is based out of Bahrain International Airport in Bahrain. Most layovers within Gulf Air’s network will occur in this airport.

What countries does Gulf Air fly to?

Gulf Air offers service to pets to the following countries: Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Georgia, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Philippines, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States and Vietnam.

Gulf Air Pet Policy – In Cabin

Gulf Air does not offer services to any live animals in the cabin except service dogs.

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 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. 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.

Gulf Air Pet Policy – Checked Baggage

Gulf Air does not offer checked baggage services to any live animal.

Gulf 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.

Pets flown by Gulf Air as air cargo

Healthy pets may fly with Gulf Air with their Falcon Cargo program as air cargo if they are not pregnant.

Reservations

Reservations for your pet must be made and confirmed prior to flight departure by a licensed agent.

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

Air waybill, import permit, proof of microchip and rabies vaccination (dogs and cats), health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and IATA Live Animal Checklist, 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.

Check in

Your pet will be checked in at the Gulf Air’s cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.

Pet fee

The cost to transport your pet as air cargo will depend on your pet’s weight, dimensions and weight of the crate and the route.

Gulf 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, 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. Gulf 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.

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.

Temperature Restrictions – 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.

Breeds Banned by Gulf Air

Gulf Air will not fly dog and cat breeds or their mixes that are recognized as brachycephalic (snub- or flat-nosed).

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 Gulf Air airline pet policy. For more airline pet policies, click the banner below.

Comments

2 responses to “Gulf Air Pet Policy”

Raja Sekhar Reddy

April 23, 2026

Hi, please advise is TOY POODLE is allowed in Gulf Air flights from Kuwait to Bangalore, India. if yes does it allowed as check in or as cargo.

any additional information or requirements will be appreciated

1. Susan
  
  April 25, 2026
  
  Raja – our information indicates that Gulf Air only offers air cargo service for live animals. They are not permitted to fly in the cabin or as checked baggage. If you need an agent to book the carriage, you can search for one at IPATA.org.