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

Where is Kenya Airways based?

Kenya Airways [IATA:KQ] is based out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya. Most layovers within Kenya Airways’ network will occur in this airport.

What countries does Kenya Airways fly to?

Kenya Airways offers service to pets to the following countries:

Kenya Airways Pet Policy – In Cabin

Kenya Airways does not offer in-cabin services to any live animal other than service and emotional support dogs.

Service/Emotional 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.

Passengers flying with an emotional support dog for a mental or psychiatric condition may be required to present certain documentation from a licensed medical health professional that is treating the passenger, dated within one year, stating that the emotional support dog is necessary for the passenger’s mental health or treatment during air travel or the need for the dog at the passengers’ destination.

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

Kenya Airways Pet Policy – Checked Baggage

Kenya Airways does not offer checked baggage services to any live animal.

Kenya Airways 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 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 Kenya Airways as air cargo

Dogs, cats and other animals.

Reservations

Bookings should be made at least 48 hours before flight departure.

Weight requirements

Maximum weight of your pet including its carrier is 330 lbs. (150 kg).

Pet crate requirements

Maximum crate dimensions are 94.5″L x 44.9″W x 29.9″H (240 x 114 x 76 cm). All crates must be marked with the consignor’s name, address and 24-hour contact information. The pet’s name (common and scientific), species, number of pets in the crate and feeding and watering instructions. Crates of animals that bite must be marked as such. All documentation for the transport (export/import/transit) must be attached to the crate.

All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see step 4.

Temperature Restrictions

See step 5.

Forms Required

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 Kenya Airways 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 be determined by the weight of your pet and its crate, dimensions of the crate and your pet’s route.

Kenya Airways 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. Kenya Airways 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 – 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.

Breeds Banned by Kenya Airways

Breeds that are restricted by the transit or destination countries will not be carried. Snub-nosed animals will need to fly in crates one size larger than normally required.

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 allowed only when allowed your pet is accompanied by a veterinarian on board the aircraft.

The information published here is a guideline for Kenya Airways pet policy. For more airline pet policies, click the banner below.

Comments

2 responses to “Kenya Airways Pet Policy”

Ironelis Alcantara

April 21, 2025

Estoy preparándome para que mi gatita viaje conmigo. Me gustaría saber si la línea aérea le dará comida durante el viaje.

1. Susan
  
  April 21, 2025
  
  Hola, si tu viaje es largo, coloca la comida de tu gato en la parte superior de la jaula dentro de una bolsa con cierre hermético. Si tienes una escala, la aerolínea llenará el bebedero como mínimo y alimentará a tu gato si se lo indicas. Si viajas en un vuelo directo, la tripulación no tendrá acceso a la bodega.