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 Thai Airways? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Thai Airways? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Thai Airways? All your answers related to Thai 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? Yes (Certain Flights)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? Yes
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is Thai Airways based?
Thai Airways [IATA:TG] is based out of Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. Most layovers within Thai Airways’ network will occur in this airport.
What countries does Thai Airways fly to?
Thai Airways offers service to pets to the following countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.
Thai Airways Pet Policy – In Cabin
Thai Airways 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 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, audio or mobility 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 documentation required for the destination country must be provided at check in.
Thai Airways 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 on Thai Airways 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 Thai Airways as checked baggage
Dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, and ferrets. No sick or pregnant pets are permitted. There are no birds, rodents, reptiles, skunks, minks, soft-shelled turtles permitted.
Reservations
Contact Thai Airways to make reservations for your pet.
Pet crate requirements
Passengers flying with pets should contact Thai Airways for specifications on crate size on the aircraft that serves their route. 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
Pets will not be permitted on flights to Australia, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.
Forms Required
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
Check-in at reservation desk where you will pay excess baggage charge. A limited number of pets are permitted on each flight.
Thai 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 Thai Airways as air cargo
Reservations
Bookings must be registered with Thai Airways to book pets as air cargo.
Thai 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. Thai 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 food and water should be provided.
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 Thai Airways
Thai Airways has classified the following breeds as brachycephalic (snub- or flat-nosed) and will not be transported as checked baggage. Owners of these breeds should contact Thai Airways Cargo for confirmation of passage.
DOGS: Affenpinscher, American Bulldog / Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer (All Breeds), Brussels Griffon, Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Cavalier Spaniel, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chinese Pug, Chow Chow, Dogue De Bordeaux, Dutch Pug, English Bulldog, English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, English Toy Spaniel, French Bulldog, Japanese Chin, Japanese Pug, Japanese Spaniel, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (All Breeds), Olde English, Bulldog, Pekingese, Pit Bull, Pug, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Spanish Alano, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Tibetan Spaniel.
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 Thai 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 Thai Airways pet policy.
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