South African 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. Can my pet fly in the cabin on South African Airways? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on South African Airways? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for South African Airways? All your answers related to South African 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 South African Airways based?

South African Airways [IATA:SA] is based out of O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. Most layovers within South African Airways’ network will occur in this airport.

What countries does South African Airways fly to?

South African Airways offers service to pets to the following countries: Australia, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mauritius, Namibia, South Arrica, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

South African Airways Pet Policy – In Cabin

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

Service dog pet policy

All service dogs or service dogs in training 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 hearing or visual 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.

All service dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally. All required documents for the destination country must be provided at check in.

South African Airways Pet Policy – Checked Baggage

South African Airways will transport dogs, cats and birds as checked baggage on domestic flights 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 South African Airways as checked baggage

Dogs, cats and birds can be flown as checked baggage on flights within South Africa. Pets must be clean, non-aggressive, and mannerly.

Weight requirements

The maximum weight of pets flying as checked baggage on South African Airways must not exceed 50.7 lbs. (23 kg).

Pet crate requirements

The maximum measurement for crates must not exceed 39″ x 39″ (99 x 99 cm). All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS below.

Forms Required

All required documents for the destination country must be provided. When flying domestically, original rabies vaccination certificates must 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.

Check in

Your pet should be presented at the departure airport ticket counter in its carrier at least 90 minutes prior to departure.

South African 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 South African Airways as air cargo

All pets flying internationally must do so as air cargo on South African Airways.

Reservations

Contact SAACargoCharterServiceCentre@flysaa.com to inquire about a booking for your pet.

South African 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. South African Airways requires either metal or plastic nuts and bolts threaded with metal inserts 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 South African Airways

Snub-nosed dogs, such as Boxers, Bulldogs, Pekinese and Pugs should be transported in a crate with an open mesh door that extends the height of the crate. Adequate ventilation must be provided. The pet must not display respiratory issues.

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

Pregnant dogs and cats must have an attestation on the health certificate that certifying that the pet is fit to travel, and there is no risk of birth during the journey. Females with suckling young and unweaned puppies and kittens will not be accepted for carriage.

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