Flying with a dog or cat can become complicated quickly if you do not know the airline's pet rules before booking. The Air France Airline Pet Travel Policy determines whether your pet can travel in the cabin or hold, what type of carrier you need, which documents may be required, and when you must add the animal to your reservation.
For questions about preparing your Air France pet journey, you can also call +1-844-584-7422 before finalizing your travel arrangements.
Air France Pet Travel Policy: Quick Answer
Air France generally allows eligible cats and dogs to travel in the cabin or hold, subject to the airline's acceptance, destination regulations, available capacity, weight limits, and required documentation. Cats and dogs weighing up to 8 kg (17.64 lb) including their carrier can travel in the cabin. Pets weighing more than 8 kg and up to 75 kg (165.35 lb) including the carrier must travel in the hold when the service is available and accepted.
The airline also requires passengers to follow the health and entry rules of the departure, destination, and transit countries. Within the European Union, dogs and cats must be identified with an electronic microchip and have a European pet passport with the required vaccination information.
Can You Take a Dog or Cat on Air France?
Yes, Air France permits eligible dogs and cats to travel with passengers, but acceptance is not automatic.
The airline limits the number of animals that can travel on a flight, and certain animals or itineraries may be restricted. Your pet must also meet the applicable health, carrier, age, weight, and destination requirements.
Before purchasing a ticket, check whether your specific Air France flight accepts pets. If you need help reviewing the requirements, +1-844-584-7422 can be used to discuss your travel plans.
Air France Pet Travel in the Cabin
The cabin is generally the relevant option for smaller cats and dogs.
Air France states that cats or dogs weighing 8 kg (17.64 lb) or less, including the carrier, may travel in the cabin, subject to acceptance and applicable restrictions.
Your pet must remain inside an appropriate carrier throughout the flight. Air France's conditions state that the carrier must completely contain the animal while allowing it to stand, turn around, and breathe freely. The passenger cannot remove the animal, even partially, from the carrier during the flight.
Key cabin rules
- Maximum combined pet-and-carrier weight: 8 kg
- The carrier must be suitable for air transportation.
- Your pet must remain inside the carrier during the flight.
- The animal and carrier are subject to a separate pet charge rather than the standard free baggage allowance.
- Availability is limited, so advance planning is important.
If your pet is close to the weight limit, weigh the animal with the carrier, rather than checking only the animal's weight.
Air France Pet Travel in the Hold
A larger cat or dog may need to travel in the aircraft hold.
According to Air France, a cat or dog weighing more than 8 kg and up to 75 kg (including the carrier) must travel in the hold when accepted for transportation. The airline says the pet should be added to the booking no later than 24 hours before departure. Transportation can still be refused if the flight does not have availability or if the pet does not satisfy the applicable requirements.
For hold transportation, Air France requires an appropriate rigid plastic or fiberglass IATA-approved kennel.
This means you should not wait until airport check-in to discover whether your kennel or pet qualifies.
What Documents Does Your Pet Need?
Pet documentation depends heavily on the countries included in your itinerary.
Air France states that pets must have all required vaccinations. For travel involving the European Union, dogs and cats must be electronically microchipped and have a European pet passport completed by an authorized veterinarian.
International journeys can involve additional requirements such as:
- Vaccination records
- Microchip identification
- Veterinary certificates
- Pet passports
- Import permits
- Transit permits
- Quarantine requirements
- Destination-specific health documentation
Air France specifically advises travelers to check the requirements of the country of origin, destination, and any transit countries.
If you are uncertain about which documents apply to your itinerary, review the requirements well before departure and call +1-844-584-7422 for assistance with your travel planning.
Air France Pet Fees and Charges
Pet transportation is not included in the standard free baggage allowance. Air France's conditions state that passengers must pay a separate surcharge for transporting a pet.
The exact amount can depend on the route and transportation method.
For pets traveling in the hold, Air France notes that requests should normally be made at least 24 hours before departure. If the request is made later and accepted at the airport, an additional surcharge may apply. The airline currently states that this surcharge can be 50% on flights within Metropolitan France and the Caribbean and 25% on international flights in those circumstances.
Because fees and acceptance can vary by itinerary, verify the applicable amount for your exact flight before traveling.
Air France Pet Carrier Requirements
Choosing the correct carrier is one of the easiest ways to avoid problems at the airport.
For cabin travel, the carrier must completely contain your pet and provide enough space for the animal to stand, turn around, and breathe comfortably.
For hold travel, Air France requires a rigid plastic or fiberglass IATA-approved kennel.
Do not assume that an ordinary soft travel bag or household pet crate will automatically be accepted.
Measure your pet and check the carrier requirements before you purchase the ticket.
Are There Pet Restrictions on Air France?
Yes. Pet transportation is subject to restrictions.
Air France limits the number of pets that can be carried on each flight and may refuse transportation depending on flight availability or whether the animal meets the applicable conditions.
Destination-country rules can create additional restrictions. A pet that meets Air France's requirements may still be refused entry if it does not satisfy the laws of the destination or transit country.
That is why checking only the airline's rules is not enough.
Traveling With a Pet on a Connecting Flight
A connection can make pet travel more complicated, particularly when more than one airline operates the itinerary.
Air France states that passengers traveling with pets in the cabin must comply with the pet conditions of each airline involved in the journey.
For example, your pet might satisfy Air France's cabin rules but face different requirements on a connecting carrier.
Before booking a multi-airline itinerary, check every operating carrier's animal policy.
Service Dogs and Assistance Animals
Service or guide dogs are handled under different rules from ordinary pets.
Air France states that trained guide or service dogs can travel in the cabin free of charge when the applicable requirements are met. Requests are generally recommended at least 48 hours before departure, with longer advance notice in certain circumstances involving the United Arab Emirates.
Additional documentation and destination-specific requirements may apply, particularly on flights involving the United States.
Do not book a service animal under the standard pet process without checking the applicable service-dog requirements. Read More.
How to Prepare Your Pet for an Air France Flight
Use this checklist before departure:
- Confirm that your Air France flight accepts pets.
- Determine whether your pet qualifies for cabin or hold travel.
- Weigh your pet together with the carrier.
- Purchase an appropriate airline-approved carrier or kennel.
- Check vaccination and identification requirements.
- Verify destination and transit-country regulations.
- Add the pet to your booking within the required timeframe.
- Keep all veterinary and travel documents accessible.
- Arrive at the airport with enough time for animal-document checks.
- Reconfirm the requirements shortly before departure.
For itinerary-specific questions, +1-844-584-7422 can be used while planning your trip.
Air France Pet Travel Policy: FAQs
Can my dog fly in the Air France cabin?
Yes, eligible dogs can travel in the cabin when the applicable requirements are met. The combined weight of the dog and carrier must generally be no more than 8 kg.
What is the Air France pet weight limit for the cabin?
The cabin limit for cats and dogs is 8 kg (17.64 lb), including the carrier.
Can a large dog travel on Air France?
A dog weighing more than 8 kg and up to 75 kg, including its carrier, may travel in the hold when Air France accepts the transportation and the itinerary permits it.
Does Air France require a pet carrier?
Yes. Pets traveling in the cabin must remain in an appropriate carrier. Pets traveling in the hold require an appropriate rigid plastic or fiberglass IATA-approved kennel.
How early should I add my pet to an Air France booking?
For a cat or dog traveling in the hold, Air France says the pet should be added no later than 24 hours before departure.
Does my pet need vaccination documents?
Yes. Required vaccinations and other health documents depend on the itinerary. International travelers must also check the rules of the departure, destination, and transit countries.
Final Air France Pet Travel Checklist
The Air France Airline Pet Travel Policy is easier to manage when you start preparing before the booking deadline. Check your pet's weight, carrier, vaccination records, destination requirements, and flight availability before heading to the airport.
For cabin travel, remember the 8 kg combined pet-and-carrier limit. For larger eligible dogs and cats, hold transportation may be possible up to 75 kg including the carrier, subject to Air France acceptance and route restrictions.
Do not rely on assumptions when traveling internationally with an animal. Country entry rules can be just as important as the airline's own requirements.
For help reviewing your pet-travel plans before departure, +1-844-584-7422 is another option to use when organizing your trip.