Air France Pet Travel Policy (2026 Guide)
Air France enables companion pets to travel in the passenger cabin (up to 8 kg / 17.6 lbs total weight) or in the ventilated, heated cargo hold (up to 75 kg / 165 lbs combined weight). Pets transiting Paris CDG benefit from direct EU border inspection protocols.
Can I fly with a pet on Air France? Yes. Air France allows small dogs and cats in the passenger cabin provided the pet and carrier weigh no more than 8 kg and fit in a compliant carrier. Larger pets may travel in the cargo hold up to 75 kg.
Carrier Sizing & Dimension Mandates
46 × 28 × 24 cm (18.1 × 11.0 × 9.4 in), flexible closed bag mandatory
Must be waterproof, bite-proof, ventilated on at least 3 sides, and capable of stowing completely under the seat in front of you without compressing your pet.
Rigid plastic or fiberglass with metal bolts and nuts
Wooden crates and plastic side-latches are strictly rejected. The crate must feature 4-sided ventilation, attachable two-compartment food/water dishes accessible from the exterior, and allow the pet to stand fully upright with at least 5 to 7 cm (2–3 in) of ear clearance.
Air France Boarding & Flight Regulations
- ✓Travel reservations for pets must be made by telephone at least 48 hours prior to departure.
- ✓Snub-nosed animals are strictly barred from the cargo hold.
- ✓In the cabin, rigid pet carriers are prohibited; you must use a flexible, leak-proof travel bag with dimensions not exceeding 46 × 28 × 24 cm.
- ✓Passengers traveling with a pet in the cabin cannot be seated in emergency exit rows or in Business Class on Boeing 777/787 long-haul aircraft.
Brachycephalic (Snub-Nosed) & Restricted Breeds
Due to elevated risks of respiratory failure, heatstroke, and anatomical airway obstruction during flight changes in cabin pressure, airlines maintain strict breed restrictions:
Step-by-Step Booking Checklist for Air France
Verify European Union Regulation 576/2013 entry compliance (microchip, rabies vaccine with 21-day latency, Annex IV certificate).
Contact Air France Customer Service by phone to secure pet quota confirmation.
Download and sign the Air France "Conditions of Transport for a Dog or Cat in the Hold" document if traveling via hold.
Check in at Paris CDG or departure airport at least 3 hours prior to long-haul departure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air France
What is the maximum weight for a dog in cabin on Air France?
The combined weight of the dog (or cat) and the transport bag must not exceed 8 kg (17.6 lbs).
Does Air France accept pets on layovers in Paris?
Yes, companion pets can transit through Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Paris Orly (ORY), provided transit time exceeds minimum connection windows and transfer stays within Schengen borders.
What crate is required for the hold on Air France?
You must use a rigid plastic or fiberglass IATA-compliant kennel fastened with metal bolts. Wheels must be removed or taped, and doors must feature central multi-point locking.
Airport Layover Station
Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) live animal transit: Handled in compliance with IATA Live Animal Regulations with ramp transfers conducted via dedicated temperature-monitored vans.
Check IATA Crate Sizing
Airlines inspect crates at check-in with strict mathematical formulas (Snout-to-tail length + half leg height).
Launch Free Compliance Check→Upload Pet Documents
Upload vaccination records, microchip paperwork, or rabies titer certificates to check if they fulfill destination country laws before paying airline cargo deposits.
Instant OCR Document Scan↓