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Pets are becoming an increasingly important part of our lives and in Spain, it’s not uncommon for our furry friends to accompany us to bars, restaurants and even some beaches. It stands to reason, then, that many people who want to travel would like to bring their dog or cat with them, but a lot of uncertainty still surrounds the rules and regulations for travelling with pets on a plane.

 

In fact, several airlines including Vueling, Iberia and British Airways now allow animals on board, although this is mostly limited to cats and dogs and each carrier has its own rules.

 

 

Here’s how to take your dog, cat, birds or turtle on a flight to Spain in the airplane cabin or in the hold, although rodents and ferrets are still not permitted and must be transported by land. Each company has slightly different regulations and fees, so it’s advisable to check with your airline, but in general, small dogs and cats can travel with their humans, provided they don’t exceed 8 kilos in weight.

 

One of the requirements that most airlines have in common is that, if you want your pet to stay with you in the cabin, it must fit in a carrier that does not exceed 45 centimetres in length, 35 in width and 25 in height, since it must be able to fit under the seat in front of you, just like hand luggage.

 

The pet carrier must of course be well ventilated and secure, and it should also have a waterproof base.

 

Two animals are usually allowed to travel in the same cage, as long as the combined weight doesn’t exceed 8 kilos.

 

 

With regard to cost, domestic flights within Spain generally charge around 40 euros to carry a pet in the cabin, while this creeps up to 50 euros for the Canary Islands and the rest of Europe. It’s more expensive to travel further afield, and a flight for your dog or cat will cost in the region of 150 euros to go to the US or Asia.

 

 

Flights aren’t off-limits for larger animals, but they will have to travel in the hold of the plane rather than in the cabin. It’s important to note however that many airlines won’t take brachycephalic dog breeds, such as bulldogs and pugs, for safety reasons.

 

To fly in the hold of the plane, the combined weight of the pet and its carrier must not exceed 45 kilos for most airlines, and the cage must be large enough to allow the dog or cat to stand comfortably, turn around and lie down. Similar to the requirements in the cabin, the pet carrier must be well ventilated and secure but it must also have an insulating layer on the bottom that prevents contact with the aircraft floor.

 

 

The price of travelling with your dog or cat in the hold is around 80 euros for domestic flights, 120 if you travel to the Canary Islands or any other European country, and rises to 300 if it’s a long-distance trip to America or Asia.

 

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