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 SriLankan Airlines? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on SriLankan Airlines? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for SriLankan Airlines? All your answers related to SriLankan 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 SriLankan Airlines based?
SriLankan Airlines [IATA:UL] is based out of Bandaranaike International Airport in Sri Lanka.
What countries does SriLankan Airlines fly to?
SriLankan Airlines offers service to pets to the following countries: Australia, Bangladesh, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka. Thailand, United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.
SriLankan Airlines Pet Policy – In Cabin
Sri Lankan Airlines does not offer in-cabin services to any live animal except service dogs.
Service dog pet policy
All service dogs may fly in the cabin in Business or Economy Class 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 visual or audio disability. Notice must be provided to the airline at least 48 hours prior to departure. Passengers flying with a service dog should check in at least three 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. If room is not available, passengers will be relocated to other seats (flights involving the United States) or service dogs will be carried in the cargo hold at no charge in a crate the passenger provides.
Service dogs will not be seated in bulkhead or 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.
SriLankan Airlines Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
Your pet will be transported as checked baggage on SriLankan 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 SriLankan Airlines as checked baggage
Dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and ornamental fish can fly as checked baggage on most SriLankan Airlines.
Reservations
Pet owners must contact SriLankan reservations or email at reservations@srilankan.com to confirm that the aircraft that serves their route can accommodate live animals in the cargo hold. Not all of their aircraft are equipped to fly live animals.
Pet crate requirements
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
All pets flying to Australia, the United Kingdom or the United Arab Emirates must do so as air cargo.
Forms Required
All permits, licenses, health and rabies certificates as well as other required documentation for the destination country must be provided 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 1 hour before normal check in times.
SriLankan 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 SriLankan Airlines as air cargo
Dogs, cats, other small mammals, monkeys, non-poisonous snakes, reptiles and more.
Reservations
Contact SriLankan Cargo for an estimate for your pet’s transport.
SriLankan 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. SriLankan Airlines 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.
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
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 SriLankan 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 SriLankan 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 SriLankan Airlines pet policy.
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