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. Can my pet fly in the cabin on Singapore Airlines? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Singapore Airlines? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Singapore Airlines? All your answers related toSingapore 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? No (Service dogs only)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? Yes
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is Singapore Airlines based?
Singapore Airlines [IATA:SQ] is based out of Changi Airport in Singapore. Most layovers within Singapore Airlines’ network will occur in this airport.
What countries does Singapore Airlines fly to?
Singapore Airlines offers service to pets to the following countries: Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Cambodia, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam.
*Regulations for dogs flying to the United States have changed. Find new regulations to import a dog to the United States here.
Singapore Airlines Pet Policy – In Cabin
Singapore Airlines does not offer in-cabin services to any live animals except service dogs.
Service dog pet policy
All service dogs over four months of age 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. Notice must be provided to the airline at least 48 hours prior to departure.
Service dogs must be suitably marked, harnessed and leashed. (The provision of a muzzle is recommended.) An absorbent pad should be provided. Service dogs must fit in the space provided at their passenger’s lap or 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 form and a Relief Attestation Form 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 requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally.
Singapore Airlines Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
Your pet dog or cat will be transported as checked baggage on Singapore 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 Singapore Airlines as checked baggage
Pregnant pets will not be accepted.
Reservations
Reservations must be made at least 14 days prior to departure. When contacting Singapore Airlines, passengers should have their pet’s breed, gender, name, age, color, weight as well as the weight and dimensions of their crate available.
Age/Weight requirements
Pets must be a minimum of 3 months of age to fly as checked baggage with Singapore Airlines. Note that the minimum age may change depending on the pet import requirements of the destination country. The maximum weight of your pet including its crate must not exceed 70 lbs. (32 kg).
Pet crate requirements
The maximum crate height is restricted on some aircraft:
- 27.5″ (70 cm) on A350 aircraft,
- 23.6″ (60 cm) on A380 aircraft,
- 37.7″ (101 cm) on B777 aircraft and
- 43.7″ (111 cm) on B787 aircraft.
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS below.
Route or aircraft restrictions
No pets can fly in the cargo hold of B737 aircraft as it is not temperature controlled. Pets are not permitted on flight numbers SQ21 or SQ23.
Forms Required
All licenses, indemnity form, health and rabies certificates, test results and other required documentation of your pet’s destination country should be available at check in.
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 two hours prior to departure.
Pet fee
The fee will depend on the class of service you are flying under and your route.
Singapore 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 Singapore Airlines as air cargo
Racehorses, livestock, household pets or live tropical fish can fly as air cargo on Singapore Airlines. The airline will not fly pigs, birds, primates or racing greyhounds.
Reservations
Contact Singapore Airlines cargo department for booking details.
Singapore 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. Singapore Airlines requires either metal or plastic nuts and bolts threaded with metal inserts to secure both halves of the crate. Plastic clips are not permitted.
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 Singapore Airlines
The following breeds have been classified by Singapore Airlines as brachycephalic (snub- or flat-nosed) and will not fly them in the cargo hold as checked baggage or air cargo.
DOGS: Akita, Boerboel, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon (Petit Brabancon), Bull Dogs, including American, French, and English Bull Dogs, Chow Chow, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Chin (Chin, Japanese Spaniels, Japanese Pug)
Lhasa Apso, Mastiffs, including Neapolitan, and Dogue de Bordeaux, Perro De Presa Canario, Pit Bull (American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bull Dog, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier), Pugs, including Carlino, Chinese, Mopshond, Mops Hund, and Pekingese, Shar-Pei, Shih Tzu, Spaniel, including Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, English Toy Spaniel (King Charles Spaniel), and Tibetan Spaniels.
CATS: British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian and Scottish Fold.
Related: Risks for snub-nosed pets flying in the cargo hold
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 Singapore 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
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 Singapore Airlines pet policy.
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