Unlike elsewhere in Europe, most airlines in the United Kingdom don’t allow pet dogs and cats to fly in the cabin or even as check-in baggage. While most European airlines allow pets to fly in the cabin,this is not allowed on most UK airlines, due to government regulations. So, what are the rules when it comes to flying with dogs and other pets in UK, both in the cabin and as cargo?
Do Any UK Airlines Allow Pets in the Cabin?
Unfortunately, no UK airline allows pets to fly in the passenger cabin (at least any commercial flight that flies in and out of commercial airports). The only animals that are permitted to fly in the cabin are registered assistance dogs.
The rules and processes are slightly different for each airline, but check out these guidelines from British Airways for an example. Assistance dogs may still not be allowed on all routes (for example, only on international routes flying to approved airports).
Additionally, emotional service dogs are specifically excluded by at least British Airways and Wizz Air UK.
This restriction also applies to airlines from other countries flying into the UK. The pet travel rules state that pet dogs and cats are not permitted to fly in the cabin on any flight into the UK, or even as checked baggage.
However, there are a small handful of airlines that allow dogs to fly in the cabin or as checked baggage when leaving the UK. (Many airlines simply don’t allow pets in both directions.) I’ve listed them in this post, but make alternative plans for the return journey.
Note: Some small airlines that can only fly less than 20 passengers, that I didn’t include in this article, may allow pets to travel in the cabin. An example is the Skybus to the Isles of Scilly, off Cornwall, England. Click here for more details. Chartered jets are another exception.
Do Any UK Airlines Allow Pets as Checked Baggage?
The regional Scottish airline Loganair allows pets to travel as checked baggage on most of its domestic flights, that operate within the common travel area of the UK, including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, and the Republic of Ireland. Only dogs and cats are permitted, with a weight limit of 32kg including their crate.
The advantage of flying with a pet as checked baggage is that you can simply drop off and pick up your pet at the passenger terminal, rather than at the separate cargo facilities. Pets still fly in the hold of the aircraft.
Which UK Airlines Accept Pets as Cargo?
Out of the remaining UK airlines, less than half allow pets to travel as manifest cargo, both on domestic flights and international flights in and out of the country. This includes: Aer Lingus UK, BA CityFlyer, BA EuroFlyer, British Airways and TUI Airways. (Virgin Atlantic previously flew pets as cargo, but this is temporarily unavailable.)
In contrast, all pets except for assistance dogs, are not permitted on flights operated by these un-pet-friendly airlines: Eastern Airways, EasyJet, Jet2.com, Norse Atlantic UK, Ryanair UK, Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air UK.
Note that if you are transporting your pet as cargo on a plane, usually you will need to book separately for your pet through the cargo company that handles the airline’s cargo.
Plus, you will need to drop off and pick up your pet at the cargo terminal, which is usually not adjacent to the passenger terminal. Allow extra time and be aware of the procedures.
Flying with a Dog on UK Airlines
Aer Lingus UK
Pets Allowed Onboard? Cargo only
Aer Lingus UK is a subsidiary of Aer Lingus, the Irish flag-carrier, headquartered in Belfast and with operations based at Manchester Airport. It launched in October 2021 and currently operates flights to the USA and seasonal flights to Barbados.
Like parent airline Aer Lingus, pets are not allowed in the cabin, only trained service dogs, subject to requirements. Pets are only accepted for travel in the hold as cargo, with bookings through IAG Cargo.
Click here for the full pet policy of Aer Lingus.
British Airways (including BA CityFlyer and BA EuroFlyer)
Pets Allowed Onboard? Cargo only
The British flag-carrier airline, British Airways flies to a long list of both domestic and international destinations, reaching every part of the globe. They also operate two subsidiary airlines, the regional airline BA CityFlyer that operates out of London City Airport and BA EuroFlyer that operates out of London Gatwick Airport.
Unfortunately, British Airways, including BA CityFlyer and BA EuroFlyer, doesn’t allow pets to travel in the cabin or as checked baggage. Only recognised assistance dogs are allowed to fly in the cabin, for no charge.
All other pets, including emotional support animals, need to travel in the climate-controlled hold of their planes as cargo. This can be booked through PetAirUK for pets departing the UK and IAG Cargo for pets flying to the UK.
The one exception is on flights operated within Europe by SUN-AIR under the British Airways brand. One small pet in a very small carrier up to 6kg is allowed in the cabin, except for on flights to the UK.
Click here for full details of the British Airways pet policy.
Eastern Airways
Pets Allowed Onboard? No
A small airline headquartered at Humberside Airport in North Lincolnshire, Eastern Airways operates a range of routes across the British Isles, France and Denmark, plus seasonal flights to and from Jersey.
Eastern Airways does not permit any pets on board their flights, other than guide dogs for passengers for disabilities.
For further details on their baggage policy, click here.
EasyJet
Pets Allowed Onboard? No
The largest airline in the UK based on passenger numbers, the low-cost airline Easyjet services over 900 routes to over 150 airports in 34 countries.
Unfortunately, you can’t take your pet along on their discounted flights, with no animals allowed apart from recognised registered guide and assistance dogs.
Click here for their policy.
Jet2.com
Pets Allowed Onboard? No
Jet2.com is the third-largest scheduled airline in the UK. A low-cost leisure airline based out of Leeds Bradford Airport, it flies from 10 airports across the UK to over 60 popular destinations across Europe.
While Jet2.com used to permit pets on-board, this airline no longer allows any pets to fly on their flights. Only registered assistance dogs are permitted on all UK domestic flights and international flights where permitted, booked through their Assistance Team.
Click here for further information on their policy.
Loganair
Pets Allowed Onboard? Checked baggage
A Scottish regional airline servicing destinations in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, the Republic of Ireland, Denmark and Norway, Loganair is the most pet-friendly airline in the UK.
Loganair is the only UK airline that permits pets to travel as checked baggage. This applies on nearly all of their “domestic flights”, where domestic flights are defined as those operating within the common travel area of the UK, including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, and the Republic of Ireland.
There are a small number of domestic flights where pets are not carried. Pets are not accepted on the routes to Barra, Tiree and Campbeltown, where the flights are flown by small Twin Otter aircraft. Pets are also not accepted on routes to and from London City Airport.
Additionally, Loganair does not fly pets on any of its international routes – basically its routes to and from Denmark and Norway. This is not surprising given that pets can only fly into the UK as cargo, not as checked baggage.
Only dogs and cats are accepted, with a minimum age of 12 weeks and some snort-nosed breeds excluded. Bookings are subject to available space – only a single crate is accepted per flight, with a maximum weight of 32kg. However, in some cases two pets from the same family can travel in the same crate.
There is also an embargo on pet carriage on most flights over the festive period, roughly between the 17th December and 3rd January inclusive, due to the higher amounts of luggage typically carried.
To fly with your dog or cat as checked baggage on Loganair, there is a charge of £50 one-way. They need to fly in a suitable, leakproof container and you will also need to complete a form at the airport.
Note that assistance dogs accompanying disabled passengers can travel in the cabin, on both domestic and international flights, as long as it legal for them to arrive at your destination.
For the complete Loganair pet policy, click here. Further details are also listed in the Carriage Conditions.
Norse Atlantic UK
Pets Allowed Onboard? No
Norse Atlantic UK is a subsidiary of Norse Atlantic Airways, a low-cost long-haul Norwegian carrier. Based at Gatwick Airport, it commenced flights in March 2023, primarily to destinations in the United States plus in the Caribbean.
Initially, they had no policy for flying with pets, but now they have a clear policy stating no pets are allowed, in the cabin or in the cargo hold. Only trained served dogs are permitted to fly in the cabin free of charge on all flights.
Click here for their policy.
Ryanair UK
Pets Allowed Onboard? No
Ryanair UK is a subsidiary of Ryanair, the Irish low-cost carrier, based at Stansted Airport.
Like parent airline Ryanair, pets are not allowed on any Ryanair UK flights. Only guide and assistance dogs are allowed on the majority of their routes.
Click here for their policy.
TUI Airways
Pets Allowed Onboard? Cargo only
Formerly known as Thomson Airways, TUI Airways is the largest charter airline in Europe, mainly operating flights on behalf of tour operators.
Pets can be carried on most TUI flights in the cargo hold, except for snub-nosed and dangerous breeds, including cross-breads. The cargo hold is temperature and pressure controlled. Bookings should be made through their Cargo Department run by ECS Group.
Additionally, assistance dogs can travel in the cabin free of charge, presuming all the requirements of TUI Airways have been met.
For more information, click here.
Note that TUI Airways in the UK is not the same as TUI fly in Europe, that does allow animals up to 10kg to be carried in the cabin and larger animals to fly in the hold as checked baggage.
Virgin Atlantic
Pets Allowed Onboard? No
Virgin Atlantic is a full-service airline flying to destinations scattered around the globe, although diminished in size since the events of 2020.
Up until 2020, while Virgin Atlantic didn’t permit pets to fly in the cabin or as checked baggage, it did transport pets as cargo, even operating a Flying Paws scheme. Bookings were organised through Virgin Atlantic Cargo, with pets transported in a secured, heated and air-conditioned compartment.
Bookings were only permitted to and from selected destinations, with some restrictions on time of the week from some destinations (e.g. no pet transport on flights leaving the UK on a Saturday or Sunday). Some destinations also required the use of an agent, and certain breeds were excluded.
However, as of late 2023, the pet product of Virgin Atlantic Cargo remains unavailable, although it states this is still only temporary. Only assistance animals can fly on Virgin Atlantic planes, in the cabin on all routes.
Click here and here for their latest pet policy.
Wizz Air UK
Pets Allowed Onboard? No
Wizz Air UK is a subsidiary of the Hungarian budget airline, Wizz Air. Headquartered at London Luton Airport, it also operates from Gatwick Airport in the UK, in conjunction with its parent company.
Just like its parent company, pets are not permitted on Wizz Air UK flights. The only exception is for guide dogs accompanied by the required documentation. Emotional support animals are also explicitly excluded.
Click here for more details.
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- How to Travel with a Dog Between the UK and Europe
- How to Travel with a Dog to the UK from Outside Europe
- Taking a Dog to the USA from the UK
About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.
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