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 Hong Kong Airlines allow pets on your specific route? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Hong Kong Airlines? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements? All your answers related to Hong Kong 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? Yes
Where is Hong Kong Airlines based?
Hong Kong Airlines {IATA: HX] is based out of Hong Kong International Airport in on the island of Chek Lap Kok in western Hong Kong. . Most layovers within Hong Kong Airline’s network will occur in these airports.
What countries does Hong Kong Airlines fly to?
Hong Kong Airlines offers service to pets to the following countries: Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Hong Kong Airlines Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Hong Kong 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 allowed flown by Hong Kong Airlines in the cabin
Small dogs and cats can fly in the cabin with their owners on specific routes (see ROUTE RESTRICTIONS below). Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly. Passengers flying with their pet must be at least 18 years of age.
Reservations
Reservations for international flights on Hong Kong Airlines cannot be made online. Reservations for both directions must be made through Pet Holidays. (Phone: +852 2287 8363 or WhatsApp: +852 5266 6395).
Weight requirements
The maximum weight of a pet including the carrier is 8 kg.
Pet carrier requirements
Your pet’s carrier must:
- Have adequate ventilation covering at least 16% or the total area of the carrier
- 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) and no other metal parts\
- Zippers must be zip tied or strapped closed with a maximum of 2 cm gap between zippers
Maximum crate dimensions can be no larger than 45 x 21 x 37 cm. One pet is permitted per crate and one crate per passenger.
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
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. A consent letter is also required.
All pets must be microchipped, vaccinated for rabies, have rabies titer test results, entrance permits, and all other documentation required for the destination country.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Route restrictions
Pets are permitted to fly in the cabin on flights TO Tokyo (NRT), Osaka (KIX) or Nagoya (NGO). On return flights to Hong Kong, pets must fly as air cargo.
Aircraft Restrictions
- A320 and A321: Maximum of two pets are allowed in the economy class cabin per flight per aircraft.
- A320 (32H): Maximum of two pets are allowed in the economy class cabin per flight per aircraft (this aircraft type also applicable to business class cabin).
- A330: Maximum of six pets are allowed in the economy class cabin per flight per aircraft.
Passengers on A330 aircraft may fly with their pet in Business Class.
Check in
Your pet should be presented at the departure airport ticket counter in its carrier at least 2 hours before flight time.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Pet fee
The service fee is calculated per pet for each one-way flight sector from Hong Kong to Tokyo/Osaka/Nagoya. Pet Holidays must arrange the return trip and will advise you on the fee for their services.
Service dog pet policy
All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge. They must be trained by an organization that specializes in service dog training to provide specific tasks for a person with a hearing, mobility or a vision 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. Maximum of two service dogs per flight.
All service dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally.
Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong 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.
Pets flown by Hong Kong Airlines as checked baggage
Domestic dogs and cats are accepted as checked baggage when flying with an adult passenger.
Reservations
Reservations for domestic and international flights on Hong Kong Airlines can be made online. Pet owners should contact the airline to make reservations for their pets.
Pet crate requirements
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
All live animals on inbound flights to Hong Kong must fly as air cargo.
Forms Required
Dogs must have proof of rabies vaccination. All pets should travel with a health certificate. Release of Liability must be completed.
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 should be presented at the departure airport ticket counter in its carrier at least two hours before departure where you will pay your pet fee and submit all required documentation.
Hong Kong Airlines 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.
Pets flown by Hong Kong Airlines as air cargo
Domestic dogs and cats.
Reservations
All reservations are made through Pet Holidays (Phone: +852 2287 8363 or WhatsApp: +852 5266 6395).
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 Shipper’s Declaration for domestic transports or the Shipper’s Declaration for international transports must be prepared by the transporter or agent.
A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of microchip and rabies vaccination, results of rabies titer test 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 the Hong Kong Airlines cargo facility which is located on airport grounds.
Pet fee
The cost to transport your pet as air cargo on Hong Kong Airlines will depend on the weight of your pet and crate and dimensions of crate and your pet’s route.
Hong Kong 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, 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. Hong Kong Airlines strongly recommends 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 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 Hong Kong Airlines
Hong Kong Airlines will not accept:
- Any breeds of fighting, brachycephalic (snub-nosed, short snout or flat face) dog or cat due to legal regulations, and possible health risks
- Any dog /cat in pregnancy
- Un-weaned dog/cat and age under 8 weeks
- Sick, injured or debilitated dog/cat
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 Hong Kong Airlines 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
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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 Hong Kong Airlines pet policy.
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