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 Turkish Airlines? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Turkish Airlines? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Turkish Airlines? All your answers related to Turkish 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 Turkish Airlines based?
Turkish Airlines [IATA:TK] is based out of Istanbul Atatürk Airport (IST) in Istanbul, Türkiye. Most layovers within Turkish Airlines’ network will occur in this airport. News: TK has just opened a 2700 square feet pet lounge for dogs, cats and birds at IST. The lounge includes an indoor space and an outdoor terrace and can accommodate up to 78 animals at a time, including 32 dogs, 36 cats, and 10 birds. So beneficial for furry travelers who transit this airport in the cargo hold.
What countries does Turkish Airlines fly to?
Turkish Airlines offers service to pets to the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, China, Colombia, Republic of Congo, Croatia, Cuba, Czechia, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Hong Kong (cargo), Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius. Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Northern Cyprus, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam and Zambia.
*Regulations for dogs flying to the United States have changed. Find new regulations to import a dog to the United States here.
Turkish Airlines Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Turkish 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 flown by Turkish Airlines in the cabin
Cats, dogs and small songbirds (budgies, canaries) are permitted to fly in the cabin with Turkish Airlines. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly. Parrot and pigeon breeds (except those in CITES List-1) can fly as checked baggage. Other small birds must fly as air cargo.
Reservations
Reservations to fly a pet with Turkish Airlines can be made on their website or their mobile app a minimum of six hours prior to departure. In a situation where a passenger with allergies to animals has made a reservation on the same aircraft as a passenger flying with a pet, the first one to make a reservation will be honored, except in cases of service dogs.
Age requirements
Veterinary approval is required to transport puppies or kittens that are younger than 10 weeks or not weaned, and their nursing mothers. Veterinary approval is also required to transport puppies and kittens between 10 and 12 weeks old. Pregnant pets are not accepted on flights.
Pet carrier requirements
Your pet’s carrier must:
- Have adequate ventilation on at least three sides (domestic) or four 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)
- Must be soft-sided. Hard-sided carriers are not permitted.
The maximum dimensions for pet carriers flown in the cabin are15.7″L x 11.8″W x 9″H (40 x 30 x 23 cm). Two pets of the same species can fly in one carrier if they are known to each other and the combined total weight of the pets including their carrier do not exceed maximum limits.
All passengers flying with pets will be assigned window seats. Exit row or bulkhead seats cannot be reserved when flying with a pet. Pets must remain in their carriers for the duration of the flight.
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms required
All permits, licenses, test results as well as rabies and health certificates must be presented 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
Route restrictions
The following are not permitted to fly on the same aircraft, even in different cabins:
- Cats and dogs or
- Cats and birds
Pets are not permitted to fly in the cabin to Bahrain, the United Kingdom or the United Arab Emirates. Only one carrier per passenger with a maximum of 2 pets of the same breed are permitted on flights from Moldova and Ukraine to the United States.
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
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 visual or mobility tasks for a person with a disability. Service dogs providing psychiatric support will be accepted as service dogs on flight segments involving the United States. Training certificates will be required.
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. Muzzles must be carried in the even this type of behavior happens. Passengers must provide an attestation during check in that their pet will not need to eliminate during flight. Passengers must also carry materials that will be used in the event of an accident (pads, wipes, cleaning cloths, etc.). All passengers are responsible for any damage to the aircraft.
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. 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. To complete the form, you will need:
- Your veterinarian’s name and contact number
- Rabies vaccination date and expiration
- Trainer’s name/organization and contact number
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.
Search and rescue dogs may fly under these regulations when flying to or from emergency areas that require their services.
Turkish 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 on Turkish 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 three hours in length.
Pets flown by Turkish Airlines as checked baggage
Cats, dogs and small household birds can be flown on Turkish Airlines as checked baggage.
Reservations
Reservations to fly a pet with Turkish Airlines can be made on their website or their mobile app a minimum of six hours prior to departure.
Age/Weight requirements
Veterinary approval is required to transport puppies or kittens that are younger than 10 weeks or not weaned, and their nursing mothers. Veterinary approval is also required to transport puppies and kittens between 10 and 12 weeks old. Pregnant pets are not accepted on flights. The maximum weight of your pet including its crate is 110 lbs. (50 kg).
Pet crate requirements
The maximum crate size accepted on Turkish Airlines 49″L x 29.5″W x 27.6″H (125 x 75 x 70 cm). One pet per crate is permitted with the following exceptions:
- Three pets (cats/dogs) aged 10-24 weeks, born to a single mother, can be carried in the same crate.
- Pets of the same breed, each weighing a maximum of 14 kg, close in size and accustomed to each other, can be kept in a single crate. If the weight of any of your pets is greater than 14 kg, they must travel in their own crate.
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
Food and feeding instructions must be taped to the crate for itineraries over eight hours in duration or layovers over four hours. Pets are not permitted to fly as checked baggage to Bahrain, the United Kingdom or the United Arab Emirates.
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
Your pet should be presented at the departure airport ticket counter in its carrier at least 30 minutes before normal check in times.
Pet fee
Turkish 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 Turkish Airlines as air cargo
Dogs, cats, household birds, rodents (squirrels, rabbits, beavers, mice, rats, hamsters and chinchillas can fly on Turkish Airlines as air cargo. Wildlife will be accepted only if their transport is for purposes of conservation. Ferrets must be transported in a cargo only aircraft. Poisonous pets will not be transported.
Reservations
Reservations can be made online or by contacting Turkish Airlines Cargo at +90 850 333 0 777.
Age/Weight requirements
Pets must be at least 10 weeks old and weaned. If traveling to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cypress, the minimum age is three months. The maximum weight of pets including their carriers cannot exceed 110 lbs. (50 kg).
Pet crate requirements
The maximum crate size accepted on Turkish Airlines 49″L x 29.5″W x 27.6″H (125 x 75 x 70 cm). 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
African gray parrot, within the scope of CITES-1 and whose scientific name is Psittacus Erithacus, are not permitted on Turkish Airways flights.
Forms Required
A health certificate issued within ten 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 Turkish Airlines cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.
Turkish 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. Turkish 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. 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 Restricted by Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines has classified the following breeds as brachycephalic (snub-or flat-nosed) and they must fly in the cabin (if small enough and less than six months of age) or as air cargo in a crate meets the following conditions:
- The pet must fly in a crate that is one size larger than the cage that is normally required.
- The crate must have ventilation on all four sides.
- “Indemnity Letter” must be submitted by the shipper.
- The temperature at the place of origin and destination must be below 27°C.
DOGS: Affenpinscher, Boxer, Boston Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (All breeds), Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles, Spaniel, Chihuahua, Chongqing Dog, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Neapolitan Mastiff, Pekingese, Perro de Presa Mallorquin, Pug (all breeds), Shih Tzu, Shar Pei, Small Brabant and Tibetan Spaniel.
CATS: Burmese, Bombay, British Longhair, British Shorthair, Burmese, Burmilla, Chinchilla, Exotic, Exotic Longhair, Foldex, Himalayan, Munchkin, Persian, Scottish Fold and Selkirk Rex.
Related: Risks for snub-nosed pets flying in the cargo hold
Turkish Airlines has classified these breeds and their mixes as dangerous and, as such, will only be flown as air cargo in a Container Requirements (CR) 82 compliant pet crate:
Alano Español, Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog, American Bulldog, Anatolian Shepherd, Assyrian Shepherd, Boxer, Broholmer, Bullmastiff, Bully Kutta, Campeiro Bulldog, Cane Corso, Cão Fila de São Miguel, Caucasian Ovcharka, Chongqing Dog, Chiihuahua, Cimarrón Uruguayo, Continental Bulldog, Doberman, Dogo Guatemalteco, Dogue Brasileiro, Dogue de Bordeaux, Mastiff (All breeds), Great Dane, Neapolitan Mastiff, Olde English Bulldogge, Perro de Presa Canario, Perro de Presa Mallorquin, Rottweiler, Serrano Bulldog, Tosa and Wolf Dog Hybrids,
Note that the following breeds and their mixes are not permitted to enter some countries and, as such, will not be permitted for carriage on Turkish Airlines:
American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pitbull terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Pitbull Terrier and American Bully.
Breeds such as Sivas Kangal, the Angora Cat and the Van Cat, which are indigenous to Türkiye and under protection, are accepted on international flights departing from Türkiye provided that approval is obtained prior to the flight from the relevant directorates of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye.
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
Sedated pets will not be accepted except in exceptional circumstances and only under veterinarian request and guidance.
Turkish Airlines has a pet lounge in Istanbul International Airport for pets flying in the cargo hold. Pets can access the lounge if their departing flight (from IST) has a layover of more than 69 minutes, or their connecting flight has a layover of more than 75 minutes prior to departure.
The information published here is a guideline for Turkish 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 Turkish 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 Turkish Airlines pet policy.
Leave a Reply