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 KM Malta Airlines allow pets? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on KM Malta Airlines? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for KM Malta Airlines? All your answers related to KM Malta 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 KM Malta Airlines based?
KM Malta Airlines is based out of Luqa Airport in Malta.
What countries does KM Malta Airlines fly to?
KM Malta Airlines offers service to pets to the following EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and also provides service to and from the United Kingdom (cargo only inbound).
KM Malta Airlines does not permit pets to transit Malta on the way to other countries.
KM Malta Airlines Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in KM Malta Airlines’ pet policy to travel in-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 on KM Malta Airlines in the cabin
Small dogs and cats only. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly. Pets are accepted in only one row of Business Class.
Reservations
Pet owners must contact KM Malta Airlines customer service to make a reservation for their pet at least 5 working days in advance of departure.
Age/Weight requirements
Pets must be a minimum of 15 weeks of age and weaned from their mother. The weight of your pet and its carrier must not exceed 22 lbs. (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 measurements of your pet’s carrier must not exceed 15.7″L x 13.4″W x 7″H (40 x 34 x 18 cm). Carrier must be soft-sided. One carrier is permitted per passenger. Two pets of the same species can fly in one carrier if there is adequate room and weight maximums are not exceeded. Carriers will be charged as excess baggage.
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
All pets must have proof of inspection by a licensed veterinarian within 72 hours of departure. Pets should fly with official EU Pet Passports.
Route restrictions
No pets will be permitted to fly in the cabin to the United Kingdom. Pets are not permitted to fly out of Gatwick to Malta. Pets are permitted to fly out of Heathrow to Malta.
Check in
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Cost
€70 each direction
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.
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 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.
KM Malta 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 Air Dolomiti 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 3 hours in length.
Pets allowed on KM Malta Airlines as checked baggage
Dogs and cats only are permitted to fly on KM Malta Airlines as checked baggage.
Reservations
Pet owners must contact KM Malta Airlines customer service to make a reservation for their pet at least 5 working days in advance of departure.
Age requirements
Pets must be a minimum of 15 weeks of age and weaned from their mother. The weight of your pet and its crate must not exceed 70 lbs. (32 kg).
Pet crate
One crate is permitted per passenger. Two pets can fly in one carrier if they are from the same species, there is room for them and maximum weight limits are not exceeded. All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see step 4.
Route or aircraft restrictions
Pets cannot fly to the United Kingdom as checked baggage. Pets cannot be flown to Malta from Gatwick as checked baggage.
Temperature Restrictions
See step 5.
Forms Required
KM Malta Airlines requires pet owners flying their pets as checked baggage to complete a specific form and submit it to petstravel@kmmaltairlines.com at least 5 days prior to departure. The airline will confirm your pet’s reservation via email.
Check in
Pet owners should report to the ticket counter with their pet in its crate a minimum of 2 hours prior to departure.
Cost (non-refundable)
- Dogs and cats weighing between 1-10KG: €70 per way per container
- Dogs and cats weighing between 11-20KG: €100 per way per container
- Dogs and cats weighing between 21-32KG: €150 per way per container
KM Malta 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 allowed to fly as air cargo on KM Malta Airlines
Dogs, cats and other animals.
Reservations
Reservations should be made with KM Malta Airlines at:
- Flights out of Malta: MLA@network-airline.com.
- Flights into Malta: inbound (into Malta) flights: KMMaltaCargoTCM@network-airline.com.
Pet crate requirements
Maximum crate height size is 43″ (110 cm). See step 4 for more information on pet crate requirements.
Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier
Route Restrictions
Transits are not permitted on KM Malta flights carrying live animals in checked baggage or cargo.
Temperature Restrictions
See step 5.
Forms Required
A health certificate issued within 72 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) and all forms required for your destination country.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet will be checked in at the KM Malta Airlines’ cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.
Cost
Cost will depend on weight of your pet and crate, dimensions of crate and desired route.
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. KM Malta requires either metal or plastic threaded nuts and bolts to secure both halves of the crate.
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 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 KM Malta Airlines
Pet owners flying brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs or cats should contact KM Malta Airlines to confirm carriage of their pet.
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 KM Malta 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
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 KM Malta Airlines pet policy.
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