Icelandair 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 Icelandair allow pets on your specific route? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Icelandair? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Icelandair? All your answers related to Icelandair 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 (cargo-only planes)

Where is Icelandair based?

Icelandair [IATA:FI] is based out of Keflavík International Airport in Reykjavík, Iceland. Layovers within Icelandair’s network will occur in this airport.

What countries does Icelandair fly to?

Icelandair offers service to pets to the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States.

The regulations to import a dog to the United States has changed. Current dog import requirements here.

Icelandair Pet Policy – In Cabin

Icelandair does not offer in-cabin service to any live animal 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 are classified by Icelandair as guide dogs, hearing dogs, diabetic alert dogs, mobility assistance dogs and autism service dogs.

No documentation is required for service dogs flying domestically within Iceland. Flights transiting Iceland with a service animal must have approval in advance. Flights to or from the United States with a service animal must have a completed and submitted US Department of Transportation form. Flights between Canada and the EU via Iceland must have a completed and submitted Service Animal Transportation Form. Flights to or from the UK carrying a service animal must have authorization that the dog was trained by a UK-approved organization.

A maximum of 2 service dogs may accompany their passenger. Any layovers in Reykjavík must be less than 3 hours. During layovers, service dogs will be taken to a secluded area by airport staff where they will remain until boarding their next flight.

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.

All service dogs are subject to the same requirements and documentation as regular dogs when traveling internationally.

Icelandair Pet Policy – Checked Baggage

As of November 1, 2024, Icelandair will no longer fly pets as checked baggage. Live animals will be flown only on cargo-only freighter aircraft (see air cargo).

Icelandair 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. Icelandair Cargo will assist in the transport of live animals on outbound flights from Iceland. All transports into or through Iceland must be handled by a licensed agent.

Pets flown by Icelandair as air cargo

Reservations

Contact Icelandair cargo office at +354 5050 549 to details on flying your pet on Icelandair Cargo. Note that all pets must be flown on cargo only freighters which are flown out of Los Angeles (LAX) and Liège in Belgium.

Age requirements

Icelandair will not fly dogs or cats that are less than eight weeks of age.

Pet crate requirements

Puppies or kittens of the same litter that are younger than 6 months old, may travel together in the same crate (maximum 3 puppies / kittens). Two animals of the same species may travel together in a crate if they are familiar with each other and if their combined weight is not more than 14 kg.

All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.

Forms Required

It is the transporter’s responsibility to make sure that the right health documents are enclosed. A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) 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 Icelandair cargo facility no more than four hours prior to transport.

Pet fee

From Keflavik (Iceland) to Belgium

Combined weight of pet and crate is 0-15 kg: ISK 76.500
Combined weight of pet and crate is16-30 kg ISK 93.800
Combined weight of pet and crate is31-50 kg ISK 117.000
Combined weight of pet and crate is51+ kg ISK 129.000

From Keflavik (Iceland) to USA

Combined weight of pet and crate is 0-15 kg: ISK 87.500
Combined weight of pet and crate is16-30 kg ISK 108.900
Combined weight of pet and crate is31-50 kg ISK 130.000
Combined weight of pet and crate is51+ kg ISK 147.000

Icelandair 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. Collapsible metal crates or folding fabric crates are not permitted.

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. Icelandair 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 your 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 Icelandair

Snub-nosed and aggressive breeds will not be transported on Icelandair. Here are examples of breeds commonly classified as snub-nosed:

Dogs: Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all breeds), Bull Mastiff, Canary Prey dog, Cane Corso, Cavalier Spaniel, Chihuahua, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Japanese Spaniel, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Mastiff, Miniature Pinscher, Pekingese, Pit Bull, Pug, Saint Bernard, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Tibetan Spaniel, Yorkshire Terrier.
Cats: Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian.

Here are some examples of dog breeds that are commonly classified as aggressive include but are not limited to:

Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Doberman, Argentine Dogo, Mastiff, Tosa, Akita and any mixes of these breeds.

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