Pets

We’ve been transporting pets of all shapes and sizes since the 1950s as the cargo handling arm of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling and LEVEL. With our support and expertise, we’ll make sure your pets are comfortably transported to wherever your travels take you.

Strictly adhere to IATA Live Animal Regulations for moving live animals by air

Strictly adhere to IATA Live Animal Regulations for moving live animals by air

Fully trained and passionate personnel with vast experience in animal transport

Fully trained and passionate personnel with vast experience in animal transport

Specialised facilities and vets

Specialised facilities and vets

Trusted by some of the world’s most prestigious zoos and animal charities

Trusted by some of the world’s most prestigious zoos and animal charities

Preparing your pet for travel

The worldwide standard for animal air travel is IATA’s Live Animal Regulation. You can read more about this here. You may also find some useful information from IATA on the Traveler’s Pet Corner page about preparing your pet for travel.

We work with specialist pet travel agents around the world to ensure the highest level of care for your pet. Just like a travel agent, they will help you make a booking and prepare your pet for travel.

Flying your pet from the UK?

We have partnered with Pet Air UK to take care of all pets that are departing from the UK. The expert team at Pet Air UK can assist with quotations and export bookings.

If you are departing from Ireland, please use this form.

Flying your pet from a different country (Not the UK)?

For all other pets flying from countries outside the UK, simply click the link below and fill out the Pets form. We will share your details and put you in touch with our trusted pet travel partners who can assist you and provide a quotation.

FAQs

Prior to your journey you should give your pet only a light meal and the opportunity to urinate and defecate before it’s placed in its container.

During the flight your pet will be stored in the aircraft's hold, where it will be safe and secure in a temperature-controlled environment. The hold is unlit as our experience shows that pets quickly settle down and travel better in the dark.

Provided that your pet complies with the pre-entry requirements, there should be no difficulties when it comes to re-entry. However, it is also advisable to have your vet check that the microchip is readable, as sometimes these migrate around the body.

For information on travelling with guide dogs or assistance dogs check the airline policy: British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, LEVEL.

Some dangerous dog breeds and snub nosed breeds of cats and dogs may not be accepted, please fill in the enquiry form above and your pet travel agent will advise.

Read the full guidelines for dog containers .

  • Minimum requirement for cats departing from the USA and Canada only, is a 200 kennel (200 series kennel = L27" x W20" x H19", L68cm x W50cm x H48cm).

  • For all other countries, series 100 kennels are acceptable.

  • Minimum requirement for snub-nosed dogs and cats is a 10% larger container than the minimum.

  • The container must be strong enough to protect your pet during transport, be secure enough to contain it and have sufficient ventilation on all four sides, to ensure the air quality in the container will not deteriorate.

  • The door must be secured in such a manner that it will not open accidentally or your pet cannot open it during handling and transport.

  • Your pet's nose and paws should not be able to fit through any ventilation opening or door mesh.

  • The container must have a water pot accessible from the outside.

  • The water pot must be secured and in proportion to the size of the pet but not take up too much of the floor space.

  • Fibreboard, wire mesh and wicker containers are not suitable for air transportation.

  • These dimensions are the minimum internal dimensions, please allow extra room if you are placing a blanket or bedding into the kennel. Pets must be able to stand and sit erect without touching the top of the kennel and turn around comfortably.

Live Animals

Our Live Animals service ensures the safe, comfortable and caring transportation of species of all shapes and sizes, exotic animals and endangered species.