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 Middle East Airlines allow pets on your specific route? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Middle East Airlines? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Middle East Airlines? All your answers related to Middle East 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 Middle East Airlines based?
Middle East Airlines [IATA:ME] is based out of Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon. Most layovers within Middle East Airlines’ network will occur in this airport.
What countries does Middle East Airlines fly to?
Middle East Airlines offers service to pets to the following countries: Armenia, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom.
Middle East Airlines Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Middle East 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 Middle East Airlines in the cabin
Small dogs and cats can fly on Middle East Airlines in the cabin. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly. Sedated pets are not accepted.
Reservations
MEA Sales Offices & Special Services Unit should be advised ahead of time, please contact Special Services for reservation and further information at specialsvcs@mea.com.lb or +961 1 629999.
Age/Weight requirements
Pets must be a minimum of 8 weeks of age; however, the minimum age for transport will depend on pet import requirements of the destination country. For example, pets entering EU Member States or Switzerland from Lebanon must be a minimum of 7 months of age to conform to requirements.
The maximum weight of any pet flying in the cabin is 15.7 lbs. (7 kg). The maximum weight of a pet including its carrier is 22 .bs. (10 kg).
Pet carrier requirements
Your pet’s carrier must:
- Have adequate ventilation on at least 3 sides (domestic US) or 4 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 carrier measurement for in-cabin service is 15.7″L x 9.5″W x 9.5″H (40 x 24 x 24 cm). Carriers exceeding these measurements will not be boarded. One pet is permitted per carrier.
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
An Indemnity Form and Acceptance Checklist must be completed prior to check in. All required documentation must be available at check in (proof of microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, EU Pet Passport, etc.)
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
Route restrictions
Pets cannot be carried in the cabin on flights to the United Arab Emirates or the United Kingdom. They must fly as air cargo.
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.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Pet fee
If the weight of your pet and its carrier is 3 kg or less, the cost to fly your pet in the cabin will be between $25 and $75 USD depending on your pet’s route. If the weight of your pet and its carrier is between 3 kg and 10 kg, the cost to fly your pet in the cabin will be between $55 and $150 USD depending on your pet’s route.
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 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. Service dogs 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 as regular dogs when traveling internationally.
Middle East 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 in an air-conditioned cargo hold on Middle East 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 3 hours in length.
Pets flown by Middle East Airlines as checked baggage
Dogs and cats can be carried as checked baggage on Middle East Airlines. Pets must be healthy, clean, non-aggressive, and not sedated.
Reservations
MEA Sales Offices & Special Services Unit must be advised ahead of time, please contact Special Services for reservation and further information at specialsvcs@mea.com.lb or +961 1 629999.
Age/Weight requirements
Pets must be a minimum of eight weeks of age; however, the minimum age for transport will depend on pet import requirements of the destination country. For example, pets entering EU Member States or Switzerland from Lebanon must be a minimum of 7 months of age to conform to requirements.
The maximum weight of any pet flying as checked baggage including its crate is 163 lbs. (75 kg).
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
Pets cannot be carried as checked baggage on flights to the United Arab Emirates or the United Kingdom. They must fly as air cargo.
Forms Required
An Indemnity Form and Acceptance Checklist must be completed prior to check in. All required documentation must be available at check in (proof of microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, EU Pet Passport, etc.)
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.
Middle East 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. 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 Middle East Airlines as air cargo
All sorts of animals are flown on Middle East Airlines as air cargo.
Reservations
Bookings must be made by licensed agents of freight forwarders.
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.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet will be checked in at the Middle East Airlines’ cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, not at the airport terminal.
Pet fee
Your agent can advise you of the cost to fly your pet as air cargo.
Middle East 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. Middle East Airlines 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 Middle East Airlines
The following dog breeds and their mixes have been classified as dangerous by Middle East Airlines and will not be permitted to fly either in the cabin or cargo hold:
American Bully, American Pitbull, American Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Anatolian Shepherd dog, Bandog Tosa Inu, Boerboel breeds, Boxer, Bull Terrier, Caucasian (all breeds), Chow-Chow, Doberman Pinschers, Dogue De Bordeaux, pit Bull (all breeds), Staffordshire (all Breeds), Staffordshire Terrier, Cane Corso, Fila Brazileiros, Karabash (Aka
Kangal), Mastiff (all Breeds), Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Shar-Pei, Dogo Argentino, Tosa, Wolf Dog.
The following dog breeds and mixes have been classified by Middle East Airlines as brachycephalic (snub- or flat-nosed) and will be accepted only in the cabin with an Indemnity Form:
DOGS: Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Brussels Griffon (Petite Brancon), Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, English Toy Spaniel, French Bulldog, French terrier, Japanese Chin (Japanese Spaniel), Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Pugs (All Breeds), Shih Tzu, Small Brabant, Tibetan Spaniel.
CATS: British Shorthair, Birman, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian and Scottish Fold.
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 Middle East Airlines 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
Have a comment or question about transporting a pet with Middle East Airlines? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
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 Middle East Airlines pet policy.
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