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 Kuwait Airways allow pets on your specific route? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Kuwait Airways? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Kuwait Airways? All your answers related to Kuwait 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 dogs only)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? Yes
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is Kuwait Airways based?
Kuwait Airways [IATA: KY] is based out of Kuwait International Airport. Most layovers within Kuwait Airways’ network will occur in this airport.
What countries does Kuwait Airways fly to?
Kuwait Airways offers service to pets to the following countries: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, China, Ethiopia, Egypt, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Netherlands, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (cargo), United Kingdom (cargo) and the United States.
Kuwait Airways Pet Policy – In Cabin
Kuwait Airways does not permit any live animal to fly in the cabin with the exception of trained service dogs.
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 disability, whether physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or mental. Notice must be provided to the airline at least 48 hours prior to departure. Emotional support animals are no longer recognized and must fly as checked baggage or air cargo.
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 pet import requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Kuwait Airways Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
Kuwait Airways does fly pets as checked baggage if they are 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 flown by Kuwait Airways as checked baggage
Dogs, cats and other animals are permitted to fly as checked baggage on Kuwait Airways.
Reservations
It is advised to make a reservation for your pet at the same time or just after making your reservation as there are a limited number of pets allowed per flight.
Age requirements
The minimum age for pets to fly as checked baggage will depend on the import regulations of the destination country. For example, dogs must be at least 6 months to enter the United States and 7 months to enter the United Kingdom from some countries. Dogs must be old enough to be vaccinated for rabies (minimum 3 months of age) and should wait for 30 days for optimum effectiveness.
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 pets must fly inbound to the United Kingdom or the United Arab Emirates as air cargo; however, pets can fly on outbound flights as checked baggage or air cargo.
Forms Required
All pets flying as checked baggage must have a valid health certificate, proof of rabies vaccination and all required documentation for their destination country.
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 30 minutes before normal check in times. Pet owners will pay for their pet’s carriage at check in.
Pet fee
The fee to fly a pet as checked baggage on Kuwait Airlines varies from 25 KWD to 105 KWD. Oversize and weights over 32 kg will incur the following price increase:
- 24-32 kg = 1x the overweight charges
- 33-41 kg = 2x the overweight charges
- 42-50 kg = 3x the overweight charges
- 51-72 kg = 4x the overweight charges
Kuwait 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 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. If you need a licensed agent to arrange your pet’s transport, send us an email at info@pettraveltransport.com.
Pets flown by Kuwait Airways as air cargo
Dogs, cats and other animals can be flown as air cargo on Kuwait Airways.
Reservations
It is advised to make a reservation for your pet at the same time or just after making your reservation as there are a limited number of pets allowed per flight. Transporters can contact Kuwait Airways cargo offices, reach them on WhatsApp at +965 22200171 or by telephone at +965 24345555 ext. 171 or by email at cargo@kuwaitairways.com.
Age requirements
The minimum age for pets to fly as checked baggage will depend on the import regulations of the destination country. For example, dogs must be at least 6 months to enter the United States and 7 months to enter the United Kingdom from some countries. Dogs must be old enough to be vaccinated for rabies (minimum 3 months of age) and should wait for 30 days for optimum effectiveness.
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 pets must fly inbound to the United Kingdom or the United Arab Emirates as air cargo; however, pets can fly on outbound flights as checked baggage or air cargo.
Forms Required
All pets flying as checked baggage must have a valid health certificate, proof of rabies vaccination and all required documentation for their destination country.
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.
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 Kuwait Airlines’ cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.
Pet fee
The cost to fly a pet as air cargo on Kuwait Airways will depend on the weight of your pet and its crate, the measurements of the crate and the route.
Kuwait 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. Kuwait 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.
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 Kuwait Airways
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
The information published here is a guideline for Kuwait Airways pet policy. For more pet friendly 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 Kuwait Airways pet policy.
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