A Guide to Air Transat Pet Policy
Taking the plane with your pet requires thorough preparation, especially since each airline has its own set of rules. This guide is designed to help you understand the key steps for arranging your pet’s journey with Air Transat and rules to follow, so you can travel with complete peace of mind.
Which Animals Are Accepted on Air Transat Flights?
Only cats and dogs are permitted to travel on Air Transat flights, subject to specific conditions relating to size, weight and breed:
- Weight limit: The animal, including its carrier, must not exceed 8 kg in order to travel in the cabin.
- Minimum age requirement: For most destinations, animals must be at least 12 weeks old. For flights to the United States, the minimum age is 6 months, while for flights to Guyana, it is 4 months.
- Travel carrier: In the cabin, animals must be transported in an approved soft-sided carrier or crate, which must fit under the seat in front of you. In the hold, animals must travel in a rigid IATA-compliant crate.
Brachycephalic (flat-nosed) breeds, such as Bulldogs, Pugs and Persians, are subject to specific restrictions for health and safety reasons.
Certain breeds are strictly prohibited from transport. These include Mastiffs (e.g. Dogo Argentino, Bandog, Boerboel, Fila Brasileiro, Cane Corso), Pit Bulls (e.g. American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier) as well as Akitas. The full list of restricted breeds can be found on the Air Transat website.
Air Transat does not accept to transport exotic pets such as rabbits, ferrets, reptiles or birds. Only cats and dogs may travel—either in the cabin, provided they meet the airline’s weight and size criteria, or in the hold in an approved crate.
Special Case: Travelling with an Assistance or Emotional Support Dog
Air Transat allows certified service dogs in the cabin. These dogs must be individually trained by a recognized organization or professional to perform tasks related to the passenger’s disability. If you plan to travel with a service dog, please follow these steps:
- Contact Air Transat’s Customer Contact Center before or at the time of booking. Please note that the airline requires at least 48 hours’ notice prior to departure.
- Provide a completed Service Dog Transport Request Form along with an identification card or certificate from the organization or professional that trained the dog.
At the request of passengers with a mental or cognitive disability, Air Transat also accepts emotional support dogs, provided the following conditions are met:
- The Customer Contact Center must be contacted before booking or during the booking process. As with service dogs, the airline requires 48 hours’ advance notice to process your request.
- You must submit a completed Emotional Support Dog Transport Request Form at the time of booking.
- Your dog must undergo a behavioral assessment at the Air Transat check-in counter.
For more details about traveling with service or emotional support animals, please visit Air Transat’s official website.
Air Transat Pet Transport Options
Air Transat offers three options for transporting your pet, depending on its size, weight, breed, and the regulations applicable in the country of destination:
- In the cabin: for small animals that meet the authorized maximum weight.
- In the hold: in a specially designed, pressurized and air-conditioned compartment, ensuring safety and comfort.
- By cargo: a mandatory solution for certain large animals, specific breeds, or for destinations that require transport via cargo.
In the Cabin
If you wish to travel with your pet in the cabin, several strict conditions must be met:
Weight and required conditions
The combined weight of the pet and its carrier must not exceed 8 kg.
In addition, the minimum age requirement is 12 weeks (and the animal must be fully weaned). This rule applies to most destinations, except for the United States, where the minimum age is 6 months, and Guyana, where it is 4 months.
Before departure, passengers are required to complete and submit a specific Air Transat form regarding the transport of their pet.
Transport bag
The carrier must meet several specific requirements:
- Be approved, well-ventilated, and leak-proof.
- Allow the animal to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
- Be flexible enough to fit under the seat in front of you, where it must remain for the entire duration of the flight.
- Not exceed the maximum dimensions of 25 cm high x 24 cm wide x 43 cm long.
Carry-on luggage
When traveling with a pet in the cabin, the carrier counts as your cabin baggage. This means you will not be allowed to bring an additional carry-on item.
Animal’s behavior
To be accepted on board, the pet must be calm, quiet, and must not cause discomfort to other passengers. If the animal displays disruptive or aggressive behavior, the airline reserves the right to refuse transport.
In the Hold
If your pet weighs more than 8 kg (including the carrier) and up to 75 kg (including the crate), it must travel in the cargo hold. Air Transat transports animals in specially designed, pressurized, ventilated, and temperature-controlled areas to ensure their safety and comfort throughout the flight.
Traveling in the cargo hold requires the use of a sturdy, IATA-approved crate that is well-ventilated and spacious enough for the animal to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. At check-in, the maximum weight allowed is 45 kg (99 lb), including the crate, and the maximum crate dimensions are 122 cm x 81.3 cm x 89 cm / 48 in x 32 in x 35 in (L x W x H).
Need help choosing the right crate for your pet? Check out our guide on the right crate size for your pet.
Some destinations may prohibit cargo hold transport during periods of extreme heat to protect animal welfare. It is therefore essential to check in advance and plan your travel for appropriate dates.
In Cargo
Transport by cargo is mandatory in certain specific cases:
- For animals weighing over 75 kg (including the crate)
- For breeds prohibited from traveling in the cargo hold for safety or health reasons
- When the animal is traveling unaccompanied by a passenger
Air Transat provides this service through its dedicated division, Expair Cargo. Through its network of specialized partners, Air Transport Animal can organize cargo transport on your behalf, ensuring logistical coordination, document compliance, and your pet’s comfort throughout the journey.
How to Travel with Pets on Air Transat?
Traveling with a pet requires careful preparation. Air Transat has several requirements in place to ensure the safety of the animal, passengers, and crew on board. Here are the key points you need to know:
Documents
Before traveling, you must present a set of essential documents for your pet to be accepted on board:
- Air Transat form: A specific form must be completed and submitted to the airline prior to the flight. It is available directly [here].
- Up-to-date vaccination record or European pet passport, depending on the destination.
- Health certificate: Issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of departure.
- Proof of rabies vaccination: Required for most international destinations.
Veterinary Protocol
In addition to documentation, certain health and safety rules must be strictly followed:
- Required vaccinations: Mandatory vaccines vary by destination. It is essential to verify the specific requirements of each country.
- Pet identification: Pets must be identified with a microchip or clearly legible tattoo (recognized in certain countries).
- Carrier requirements: Pets must travel in an IATA-approved crate, appropriate to their size, comfortable, well-ventilated, and secure.
- Prohibited accessories: For safety reasons, certain items are strictly forbidden in the crate, such as locks, spiked collars, toys, etc.
Finally, some destinations may require additional customs procedures or specific veterinary certificates. It is therefore highly recommended to gather this information well in advance to avoid any delays or complications.
Crate Requirements
Pets must travel in a carrier or crate that meets Air Transat and IATA regulations. Requirements differ for cabin and hold transport.
In the Cabin
- Soft-sided, leak-proof, ventilated carrier only; hard-sided carriers are not permitted.
- Must fit under the seat: max 25 cm (H) x 24 cm (W) x 43 cm (L).
- Must allow the pet to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably.
- One animal per carrier.
In the Hold
- Rigid, IATA-approved crate required; plain plastic is mandatory. Wire cages or crates with top openings are not accepted.
- Doors must be secured; Air Transat applies cable ties for safety.
- Maximum weight (including crate): 45 kg (99 lbs).
- Maximum crate size: 122 x 81.3 x 89 cm); larger crates require cargo transport.
- Must provide space for the animal to stand, turn, and lie down.
- One animal per crate
Crate Sizing Guidelines
- Length = nose to tail + half elbow height
- Width = twice shoulder width
- Height = standing height of pet
- Include ventilation for airflow.
How Much Does It Cost to Fly a Dog or a Cat on Air Transat?
The cost of transporting your pet may vary depending on the mode of transport selected (cabin, hold or cargo) as well as the country of arrival. Below is an overview of the options offered by Air Transat and the applicable charges:
In the Cabin
Indicative examples of Air Transat cabin transport fees:
- Europe and Africa: from €80 (€90 if paid at the airport)
- South destinations: from €80 (€90 if paid at the airport)
- United States: from €40 (€60 if paid at the airport)
- Within Canada: €40 (€60 if paid at the airport)
As these charges are subject to change, we recommend visiting the Air Transat website to check the applicable rates at the time of your journey.
In the Hold
Indicative examples of Air Transat hold transport fees:
- Europe and Africa: from €220 (€240 if paid at the airport)
- South destinations: from €220 (€240 if paid at the airport)
- United States: from €120 (€140 if paid at the airport)
- Within Canada: from €80 (€90 if paid at the airport)
As these charges are subject to change, we recommend visiting the Air Transat website to check the applicable rates at the time of your journey.
In Cargo
Cargo transport is mandatory in certain cases (e.g. animals not permitted in the cabin or hold, or for specific destinations).
The cost is calculated on the basis of volumetric weight (crate weight and dimensions) and the route. This mode of transport requires a personalized quotation.
Additional fees
Additional charges may apply, including but not limited to:
- Flight changes or modifications
- Purchase or rental of an approved crate
- Ancillary services (escort services, customs formalities, health procedures, etc.)
Would you like a more accurate estimate of the budget required to transport your pet with Air Transat? Contact us today to receive a personalized quotation!
How to Book Pet Travel on Air Transat?
Transporting a pet with Air Transat must be organized in advance and follows a clearly defined procedure. Several booking options are available, and certain steps must be completed within specific timeframes. Here is what you need to know:
Early booking strongly recommended
The number of pets accepted per flight is limited, whether in the cabin or hold. It is therefore strongly advised to book as early as possible. Reservations can be made:
- By phone directly with Air Transat
- Through a specialized agency, such as Air Transport Animal
Bookings should be made at least 24 hours prior to departure.
Before booking, you can also check online for the availability of pet spaces in the cabin or hold on your flight on the Air Transat website.
Information to provide at the time of booking
When making your request, you will need to specify:
- The breed, weight, and size of your pet
- The type of carrier or crate being used (compliant with the required standards)
Validation and confirmation
Once your request is accepted, you will receive official confirmation along with specific instructions to follow on the day of travel.
Payment of fees
Pet transport fees may be paid at the time of booking or at airport check-in, depending on the booking channel used.
For any questions or special requirements (customs, veterinary formalities, cargo transport, etc.), please contact Air Transat directly or your logistics provider.
How to Prepare Your Pet for Its Flight?
Proper preparation is essential to ensure your pet’s comfort and minimize stress:
- Acclimate your pet to its carrier or crate several weeks before departure, including favorite toys or blankets.
- Adjust feeding routines, avoiding large meals immediately before the flight, and provide regular exercise in the days leading up to travel to keep your pet calm and relaxed.
- Veterinary consultation is mandatory to obtain a health certificate and confirm your pet is fit to travel.
- Ensure comfort during the flight: include a soft cloth in the crate, a spill-proof water bowl, and, if necessary, a veterinarian-prescribed sedative.
These precautions help make the journey as smooth and stress-free as possible for your companion.
Conclusion
Traveling with your pet on Air Transat requires careful planning, diligence, and preparation. By following airline regulations and taking the necessary steps to prepare your pet, you ensure a safe and comfortable journey, whether in the cabin, hold, or via cargo.
For any questions or specific requests, please do not hesitate to contact us.