Between airline requirements, administrative formalities and the dog's wellbeing during the flight, flying with your pet requires considerably more thorough preparation than a simple car trip.

Cabin or hold: a decisive distinction

In the cabin: generally reserved for small dogs (weight limits vary by airline, often around 8 kg including the carrier), travelling in a soft carrier placed under the seat.

In the hold: for heavier dogs, in an approved rigid crate meeting strict ventilation and sturdiness standards (see our article on transport crates). The hold is climate-controlled and pressurised on most modern commercial flights, but remains a stressful experience for many dogs.

Administrative formalities to plan ahead for

  • EU pet passport and up-to-date rabies vaccination, with strict legal deadlines to meet before departure
  • Mandatory electronic identification microchip
  • Health certificate, sometimes required depending on the destination, to request well in advance from an approved vet
  • Checking the specific requirements of the destination country, as some impose quarantine or additional preventive treatments

Preparing the dog for the trip

As mentioned in our article on managing transport stress, gradually desensitising the dog to the carrier before the trip considerably reduces its anxiety on the day itself. Getting the dog used to increasingly long periods in its carrier, in a positive context, remains the best possible preparation.

On the day of the flight

  • Avoid a heavy meal in the hours before the flight
  • Favour a walk and good hydration just before check-in
  • Avoid any medicated sedation without precise veterinary advice — some sedatives can dangerously affect breathing at altitude
  • Provide a familiar object (blanket, toy) in the carrier to reassure the dog

A project to plan well in advance

Between vaccination deadlines, administrative formalities and desensitisation to the carrier, a flight with a dog is ideally prepared several weeks, or even several months, in advance depending on the destination — last-minute improvisation remains the main avoidable source of stress, both for the animal and for its owner.

Also available in English: harness or collar: which to choose depending on use, ticks and parasites: protecting the active dog all year round and paw pad care: protecting the active dog's feet. More translations are added over time.