If you are planning to fly with a dog, cat, bird, or another animal, understanding the Emirates Airline Pet Travel Policy before booking is essential. Emirates generally does not allow ordinary pets in the passenger cabin. Depending on the route, animal, journey time, and destination rules, pets may need to travel as checked baggage in the aircraft hold or as manifested cargo.

For help checking your pet-travel arrangements, you can call +1-844-584-7422 before finalizing your plans.

Emirates Pet Travel Policy: Quick Answer

Can you take a pet on Emirates? Yes, but regular pets cannot normally travel in the passenger cabin. Emirates allows eligible animals to travel either as checked baggage in the aircraft hold or as cargo, depending on the itinerary and applicable country regulations. Animals must generally be at least 4 months old, and Emirates asks passengers to submit the required paperwork at least one week before departure.

There is an important exception for certain falcon travel between Dubai and specific destinations in Pakistan. Service and guide dogs also have separate rules that differ from ordinary pet travel.

Does Emirates Allow Pets in the Cabin?

For ordinary household pets, Emirates does not permit pets in the passenger cabin. The airline states that pets generally have to travel as cargo or checked baggage in the aircraft hold, depending on the circumstances.

This means placing your dog or cat in a carrier underneath the seat, as some airlines allow, is generally not an option on Emirates.

If you are traveling with a service dog, different rules may apply. Emirates states that guide dogs and psychiatric assistance dogs can travel in the cabin on certain routes when the applicable requirements are met.

Because route restrictions can change the way an animal must travel, verify the itinerary before purchasing the ticket. You can also call +1-844-584-7422 to discuss the applicable pet-travel requirements.

How Do Pets Travel on Emirates?

There are two main possibilities for eligible animals:

1. Checked Pet Travel

On qualifying routes, cats, dogs, birds, and other eligible animals may travel in a designated area of the aircraft hold as checked baggage.

However, this option is not available for every destination. Emirates specifically states that animals traveling to Dubai must travel as cargo. Certain other destinations also require cargo transportation.

2. Manifested Cargo

Your pet may need to travel as cargo when the route, destination, animal type, carrier size, or total journey time makes checked pet travel unavailable.

For example, Emirates says animals must travel as cargo when the total journey time exceeds 17 hours. Animals transiting Dubai also need to travel as cargo if the connection time is more than 6 hours.

This distinction is one of the most important parts of the Emirates pet policy because simply knowing that Emirates accepts animals does not mean your particular itinerary qualifies for checked pet travel.

Emirates Pet Travel Fees

Pet transportation charges are based on the combined weight and dimensions of the animal and its container. Emirates lists the following charges for animals traveling as checked baggage:




























Combined animal + container Listed charge
Up to 23 kg and up to 150 cm USD 500
24–32 kg and 150–300 cm USD 650
Over 32 kg and 150–300 cm USD 800
Container over 300 cm Manifested cargo


These charges apply even if you do not have any other checked baggage.

Important: Pet transportation pricing is separate from ordinary baggage allowances. Your normal checked-baggage allowance does not automatically cover your pet.

For route-specific pricing and arrangements, call +1-844-584-7422 before your departure date.

Emirates Pet Carrier Size and Weight Rules

The carrier is a major part of the calculation.

Emirates considers the animal and container together when determining the applicable weight and size category. If the total carrier dimensions exceed 300 cm (118 inches), the animal must travel as manifested cargo.

Before leaving for the airport, measure:

Do not rely only on the dimensions printed on a carrier listing. Measure the actual container you intend to use.

What Documents Does Your Pet Need?

Pet travel is not simply an airline booking issue. Your destination country may have its own veterinary, import, vaccination, microchip, permit, and quarantine requirements.

Emirates specifically advises passengers to complete required procedures such as permits, tests, and vaccinations before the airline can make final arrangements. The airline also recommends completing the paperwork and submitting it at least one week before the flight.

Depending on your itinerary, you may need documents such as:

Country requirements can be more restrictive than airline requirements, so check both before traveling. Read More.

Emirates Pet Age Requirement

Emirates states that animals traveling under its pet-travel arrangements must generally be older than four months.

This is particularly important when traveling with puppies and kittens.

Do not assume that an animal can travel simply because it meets the airline's age requirement. The destination country may impose additional minimum-age requirements or vaccination timelines.

Can Two Pets Travel in One Carrier?

In certain circumstances, Emirates permits two adult animals of comparable size weighing up to 14 kg each to travel in the same container, provided they are accustomed to living together.

Animals weighing more than 14 kg each must travel in separate containers.

Country regulations may impose additional restrictions on the number of animals that can enter or leave a country.

For example, Emirates notes that India restricts the import of animals to two pets per customer.

Are Service Dogs Treated Like Regular Pets?

No. Service and guide dogs have separate rules.

Emirates states that guide dogs and psychiatric assistance dogs can travel in the cabin on certain routes, subject to the relevant conditions. Service animals may also travel as checked baggage or manifested cargo depending on the route.

Emotional-support or therapy animals that do not qualify as service animals are treated as normal pets under Emirates' rules.

Therefore, passengers should not assume that an emotional-support animal automatically receives the same treatment as a trained service dog.

Emirates Pet Travel Checklist

Before your flight, use this quick checklist:

1. Check the destination rules.
Find out whether your destination permits your type of animal to enter.

2. Confirm whether your pet can travel as checked baggage.
Some routes require cargo transportation.

3. Measure the carrier.
Check the total length, width, and height.

4. Weigh your pet and carrier.
This determines the applicable fee category.

5. Complete veterinary requirements.
Vaccinations, testing, permits, and certificates may be required.

6. Contact Emirates early.
Emirates recommends submitting documentation at least one week before departure.

7. Reconfirm before traveling.
Country and route requirements can affect the final arrangement.

If you need to clarify your itinerary, pet type, carrier measurements, or required paperwork, call +1-844-584-7422 before heading to the airport.

Common Questions About Emirates Pet Travel

Can I take my dog on Emirates?

Yes, eligible dogs can travel on Emirates, but ordinary dogs generally cannot travel in the passenger cabin. Depending on the route and regulations, they may travel as checked baggage in the aircraft hold or as cargo.

Can I take my cat on Emirates?

Eligible cats can travel on Emirates on qualifying routes. However, ordinary cats are not permitted in the passenger cabin and may need to travel in the hold or as cargo depending on the itinerary.

How much does Emirates charge for pets?

For eligible checked pet travel, Emirates lists charges ranging from USD 500 to USD 800, depending on the combined weight and dimensions of the animal and container. Larger containers may require cargo transportation.

How early should I arrange pet travel?

Emirates recommends providing the required paperwork at least one week before departure. Since permits and veterinary procedures can take time, starting much earlier is advisable.

Can pets travel in the Emirates cabin?

Regular pets generally cannot travel in the passenger cabin. Certain service dogs and specific falcon itineraries have separate rules.

Final Takeaway

The Emirates Airline Pet Travel Policy depends heavily on your animal, route, destination-country requirements, journey duration, and carrier size. The biggest point to remember is that ordinary pets generally cannot travel in the passenger cabin.

Before booking, confirm whether your pet qualifies for checked transportation or must travel as cargo, prepare the required veterinary and import documents, and submit the paperwork within Emirates' required timeframe.

For itinerary-specific questions, you can call +1-844-584-7422 before making final arrangements.


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