The Austrian Airlines pet policy for 2024 includes various options for flying with dogs or cats in the cabin and hold, or with multiple pets as cargo. Details of the Austrian Airlines pet policy for travelling on international and transatlantic flights with your cat or dog are included. Note that Austrian Airlines is one of the few that transports pets in the cabin from the United Kingdom (UK). For dogs and cats in the cabin or hold, or those travelling as cargo, pets must be at least 12 weeks old. When flying with dogs and cats in either the cabin or cargo hold with Austrian Airlines, pets must be able to move around within their carrier, and they have to travel with an adult passenger. The price for flying your pet in a Austrian Airlines cabin or cargo hold varies, depending on the route, method of travel and the size of your pet. Austrian Airlines pet travel rules do not allow for cats and dogs on certain flights, or to specific international destinations. In addition, the Austrian Airlines dog policy doesn’t accept certain breeds either in the cabin or cargo hold. From 2021, Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are no longer recognised by Austrian Airlines, and most other airlines. Only professionally trained Assistance and Service Animals are permitted. ESAs must travel under the standard Austrian Airlines Pet Travel Policy. You can also check out reviews for Austrian Airlines by fellow pet travellers to discover how their pet policy is experienced in practice.
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Table of contents
- Does Austrian Airlines allow pets in the cabin?
- Does Austrian Airlines allow pets in the hold?
- Austrian Airlines Pet Policy for dogs and cats as cargo or freight
- Non-permitted dog breeds with Austrian Airlines
- Austrian Airlines policy for Assistance & Service Dogs
- Austrian Airlines Policy for Emotional Support Animals & Psychiatric Service Dogs
- Related Pages
| Dogs & Cats in the Cabin of the Plane | ✅ |
| Dogs & Cats flying as Checked In Baggage | ✅ |
| Pets flying in Cargo Hold | ✅ |
| Assistance Dogs in Cabin | ✅ |
| Psychiatric Service Dogs in Cabin | ✅ |
| Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) in Cabin | ❌ |
Does Austrian Airlines allow pets in the cabin?
Dogs, cats and ferrets flying in the cabin are accepted by Austrian Airlines in their travel bag, up to a combined weight of 8kg. A one pet per passenger rule is in place, but more than one pet of the same species may travel together in the same travel crate, as long as they don’t weigh more than 8kg whilst in their carrier.
The travel bag or kennel must meet the Austrian Airlines specifications outlined in their pet travel policy. On the flight, the travel bag will be stowed underneath the seat in front of you, you can’t remove your cat or dog during the flight for safety reasons.
Be aware that if you are travelling with an infant, you can’t take a pet in the cabin with you.
Snub-nosed animals such as Boxers, Pekinese and Persian cats can have trouble breathing during the flight, due to high temperatures and stress. To ensure their well-being, most snub-nosed animals may not be transported in the hold. However, they may be transported in the cabin or as cargo.
English and French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers and Pugs may only be transported in the cabin.
Austrian Airlines pet in cabin price
- Domestic Flights €50
- Europe (Incl. Morocco & Armenia) €60
- Between Europe and Jordan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq and Israel €80
- Between Europe and Chicago, Maldives, Miami, Canada, New York and Washington D.C. €100
- Between Europe and Thailand, South Africa, Los Angeles, Mauritius, China and Japan €110
Does Austrian Airlines allow pets in the hold?
If your feline or canine weighs more than 8kg, they must travel in the hold in accordance with the Austrian Airlines international pet travel policy. Rodents can’t travel with Austrian Airlines, but, for transport in the hold, the accepted species is extended to:
- dogs
- cats
- ferrets
- amphibians
- reptiles
- birds
- rabbits
For the safety of your pet, the travel kennel must meet the legal requirements of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Also, if your pet kennel has wheels, make sure that the wheels can be dismantled or locked before travel so that the kennel is not able to roll around in the hold.
A maximum of two pets are permitted to travel in the Austrian Airlines hold within the same travel crate, provided that they are familiar with each other. In this case, each pet can’t weigh more than 14kg.
Animals may not be accepted to travel in the aircraft hold if you have a flight connection exceeding 3 hours. Like other airlines, Austrian Airlines doesn’t allow brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds of cats and dogs to travel in the aircraft hold. This is due to respiratory issues they may face in the controlled ventilation within the hold of the plane.
Austrian Airlines pet in hold price
The cost of flying a pet in the hold with Austrian Airlines depends on their weight and the chosen route. Flights for pets are charged for each segment of the journey, if it includes connections, and a service charge is also payable. In addition to the rates below, an additional service charge for an Austrian Airlines pet flight is calculated depending on the place of departure.
Also be aware that if you’re travelling via Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Zurich or Geneva, an additional transfer surcharge of €150 (CHF 175 or $175) will be added to your booking.
Pet Crates with dimensions up to 60 x 45 x 40 cm
- Domestic Flights €80
- Europe (Incl. Morocco & Armenia) €100
- Between Europe and Jordan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq and Israel €130
- Between Europe and Chicago, Maldives, Miami, Canada, New York and Washington D.C. €170
- Between Europe and Thailand, South Africa, Los Angeles, Mauritius, China and Japan €190
Pet Crates with dimensions over 60 x 45 x 40 cm
- Domestic Flights €160
- Europe (Incl. Morocco & Armenia) €200
- Between Europe and Jordan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq and Israel €260
- Between Europe and Chicago, Maldives, Miami, Canada, New York and Washington D.C. €340
- Between Europe and Thailand, South Africa, Los Angeles, Mauritius, China and Japan €380
Austrian Airlines Pet Policy for dogs and cats as cargo or freight
In some cases, your pet may have to fly as cargo, rather than as ‘checked baggage’. For instance, if you’re travelling on a different flight as your pet, or flying to a country that requires pets to arrive as freight.
To transport your pet as cargo, you will need to contact Lufthansa Airlines Cargo, a Star Alliance partner of Austrian Airlines, and the cargo branch that handles pet travel.
Non-permitted dog breeds with Austrian Airlines
The following breeds aren’t permitted to fly in the cabin, or in the hold as checked baggage or cargo.
- Affenpinschers
- American pit bull terriers
- American Staffordshire terriers
- Bull mastiffs
- Bull terriers
- Pit bulls
- Staffordshire bull terriers
Austrian Airlines policy for Assistance & Service Dogs
You may travel with your Assistance or Service Dog in the cabin free of charge with Austrian Airlines. It’s recommended that you make the request during booking and no less than 48 hours before your departure. But try to make the reservation as far in advance as possible.
Your Assistance or Service Dog must be fully trained and accredited, and their original documentation has to be provided at check in. Your Dog must also wear their identifying harness and vest.
Austrian Airlines Policy for Emotional Support Animals & Psychiatric Service Dogs
Austrian Airlines no longer accepts Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) for travel. Only registered and professionally trained Assistance & Service Dogs are accepted to travel in the cabin free of charge. Note that trained Psychiatric Service Dogs are classified as Assistance or Service Dogs,, and they can travel under the Austrian Airlines Assistance Dog policy on flights to and from the USA. Psychiatric Service Dogs differ from ESAs, as they have been professionally trained to perform a specific task, or tasks, for their owner.
All pets other than Assistance & Service Dogs, including Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), must adhere to the standard Austrian Airlines pet policy, and comply with the size, weight and breed restrictions.
Remember the two golden rules when flying with your pet:
- Protect your pet against vector borne diseases when travelling
- Leave a review if you fly your cat or dog with Austrian Airlines!
