The Brussels Airlines pet policy for 2024 includes various options for flying with dogs or cats in the cabin and hold, or with other animals as cargo or freight. In fact, Brussels Airlines is one of the few pet friendly airlines that permits pets in the cabin from the United Kingdom (UK). Pets must be at least 12 weeks old, for flights to the USA, the minimum age for cats and dogs is 16 weeks. When flying with dogs and cats in either the cabin or cargo hold with Brussels Airlines, pets must be able to move around within their carrier. The price for flying your pet in a Brussels Airlines cabin or cargo hold varies, depending on the route, method of travel and the size of your pet. Brussels Airlines pet travel rules do not allow for cats and dogs on certain flights, or to specific international destinations. In addition, the Brussels 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 Brussels Airlines, and most other airlines. Only professionally trained Assistance and Service Animals are permitted. ESAs must travel under the standard Brussels Airlines Pet Travel Policy, however Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSVDs) can fly to and from the USA. Note that there is currently a ban on dogs arriving in the USA from more than 100 high risk rabies countries. You can also check out Brussels Airlines pet travel reviews before you book. And, remember to leave a pet travel review for Brussels Airlines if you’ve flown your cat or dog in the cabin or hold! Read on for the full Brussels Airlines pet policy for 2024.
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Table of contents
- Does Brussels Airlines Allow Pets in the Cabin?
- Does Brussels Airlines Allow Pets in the Hold as Checked Baggage?
- Brussels Airlines Pet Policy for Dogs and Cats in the Hold as Cargo
- Brussels Airlines Snub Nosed Cat & Dog Breed Policy
- Banned Dog Breeds with Brussels Airlines
- Brussels Airlines Pet Policy 2024 for Assistance & Service Dogs
- Brussels Airlines Policy for Emotional Support Animals & Psychiatric Service Dogs
- Pet Travel Documentation & Vaccines
- Brussels Airlines Excluded Pet Flight Routes
- Are Pets Safe on Planes?
- 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 Brussels Airlines Allow Pets in the Cabin?
Dogs and cats flying in the cabin are accepted by Brussels Airlines in their travel bag, up to a combined weight of 8kg. A maximum of four pet carriers are permitted in the cabin on each Brussels Airlines flight.
Your pet’s travel bag must meet the Brussels Airlines specifications outlined in their pet travel policy, therefore the carrier can’t exceed the maximum dimensions of L 55 x W 40 x H 23 cm. 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.
Two adult cats or dogs may travel in the same airline travel bag, as long as their maximum weight doesn’t exceed 8 kg. The same applies to two puppies or kittens from the same litter, under the age of six months old.
IATA Regulations for Cats & Dogs Flying in the Cabin
While you need to ensure that your pet’s travel crate meets the maximum dimensions set by Brussels Airlines to fly in the cabin, remember that you must also adhere to the Live Animal Regulations (LAR) set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This includes calculating the minimum inner crate dimensions allowed by the IATA LAR for your cat or dog to fly in the cabin. In addition, the airline pet travel carrier must adhere to the criteria set by the IATA LAR, in terms of ventilation, design etc.
If you’re new to pet travel, check out 8 IATA Compliant Airline Pet in Cabin Carriers.
Brussels Airlines Pet in Cabin Price
The fee charged by Brussels Airlines for your cat or dog to fly in the cabin is charged per pet carrier, per flight.
| Route | Pet in Cabin Cost |
|---|---|
| Within Europe | €60 |
| Egypt, Israel and Morocco | €80 |
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo | €90 |
Angola, Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, Uganda | €100 |
United States (East Coast), Canada (East Coast) | €100 |
Within Africa | €50 |
Does Brussels Airlines Allow Pets in the Hold as Checked Baggage?
If your cat or dog weighs more than 8kg, they must travel in the hold in accordance with the Brussels Airlines international pet travel policy. Brussels accepts pets in the hold of Airbus 319, 320 and 321 aircraft only.
Animals may not be accepted to travel in the aircraft hold if you have a flight connection exceeding three hours.
The maximum crate dimensions allowed for a pet to travel with Brussels Airlines as checked baggage in the hold are L 125 x W 75 x H 85.
Two pets weighing up to 14 kg each, who are familiar to each other, may travel in the same kennel.
IATA Requirements for Pets Flying in Hold
For the safety of your pet during air transport, the airline travel kennel must meet the legal requirements of the Live Animal Regulations (LAR) set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Therefore, in addition to ensuring that your cat or dog in their travel crate adheres to the maximum weight and dimensions set by Brussels Airlines, the minimum inner kennel dimensions defined by the IATA LAR must also be met.
You can calculate the minimum inner space permitted by the IATA LAR, in addition to learning about the required construction, design etc for the pet in hold travel crate.
Should you need a new travel kennel, check out 4 Popular IATA Compliant Pet in Hold Crates.
Brussels Airlines Pet in Hold Price
The cost of flying a pet in the hold with Brussels Airlines depends on the route, and the dimensions of the travel crate. The pet fees are different for Medium and Large pet kennels.
| Route for Medium Pet Crate Max Dimensions L 60 x W 45 x H 40 cm | Pet in Cabin Cost |
|---|---|
| Within Europe | €100 |
| Egypt, Israel and Morocco | €130 |
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo | €150 |
Angola, Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, Uganda | €170 |
United States (East Coast), Canada (East Coast) | €170 |
Within Africa | €80 |
| Route for Large Pet Crate Max Dimensions L 125 x W 75 x H 85 cm | Pet in Cabin Cost |
|---|---|
| Within Europe | €200 |
| Egypt, Israel and Morocco | €260 |
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo | €300 |
Angola, Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, Uganda | €340 |
United States (East Coast), Canada (East Coast) | €340 |
Within Africa | €160 |
Brussels Airlines Pet Policy for Dogs and Cats in the Hold as Cargo
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 doesn’t permit pets to arrive in the cabin. Your dog will also have to travel as cargo if they exceed the maximum kennel size dimensions of L 105 x W 75 x H 85.
Only cats and dogs can travel in the Brussels Airlines cabin or hold, so if you’re flying with any other species, they must be transported as cargo. This includes:
- amphibians
- birds
- ferrets
- reptiles
- spiders and other invertebrates
- tropical fish
- rabbits
- reptiles
- rodents
To transport your pet as cargo, you will need to contact Lufthansa Cargo as they are responsible for pets flying as cargo with Brussels Airlines.
Note that flying pets as cargo is significantly more expensive than flying them as checked baggage.
Brussels Airlines Snub Nosed Cat & Dog Breed Policy
Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) animals, such as French Bulldogs, Pugs and Persian Cats, can have trouble breathing during the flight, due to high temperatures and stress. To ensure their well-being, most snub-nosed (brachycephalic) animals may not be transported in the hold. This means that these pets can only fly in the Brussels Airlines cabin, they aren’t allowed to travel as checked baggage in the hold of the plane. When flying with a snub-nosed pet in the cabin, remember that you need to add 10% to your IATA compliant pet carrier calculation.
Banned Dog Breeds with Brussels Airlines
The following dog breeds classed as dangerous aren’t permitted to fly in the cabin, or in the hold as checked baggage:
- Caucasian Ovcharka
- Doberman
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brazileiros
- Japanese Tosa
- Karabash
- Mastino Napoletano
- Rottweiler
- Tosa Inu
However, you can contact Brussels Airlines Cargo to find out if your pet can travel as cargo.
Under IATA regulations, these breeds must fly in a special airline travel crate, so check out 4 IATA Pet in Hold Kennels for an example of a suitable crate.
Brussels Airlines Pet Policy 2024 for Assistance & Service Dogs
You may travel with your Assistance or Service Dog in the cabin free of charge with Brussels 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.
Brussels Airlines Policy for Emotional Support Animals & Psychiatric Service Dogs
Brussels 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 (PSVDs) are classified as Assistance or Service Dogs,, and they can travel under the Brussels Airlines Assistance Dog policy. Psychiatric Service Dogs differ from ESAs, as they have been trained to perform a specific task, or tasks, for their owner, therefore they can travel with Brussels Airlines.
To travel with a PSVD, you must complete the USDOT Application Form, attesting to your dog’s training and behaviour, and send it to Brussels Airlines prior to travel.
All pets other than Assistance & Service Dogs, including Emotional Support Animals, must adhere to the standard Brussels Airlines pet policy for 2024, and comply with the size, weight and breed restrictions.
Pet Travel Documentation & Vaccines
Brussels Airlines is a Belgian international pet friendly airline, so for flights within the EU, your cat or dog has to meet the EU Pet Travel Scheme criteria. This means that you’ll need to arrange either a Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate, and ensure that your cat or dog is microchipped and vaccinated against Rabies.
You can also check out the laws for taking a cat or dog to Belgium, as well as other worldwide destinations in 2024.
Brussels Airlines Excluded Pet Flight Routes
Due to government pet travel rules, you can’t fly your cat or dog in the cabin to certain countries. These rules are in place in some pet friendly destinations that are currently rabies free, in order to protect their borders. For example, when flying to the UK (Scotland, England, Wales & Northern Ireland), all pets arriving on a plane must travel as cargo in the hold.
However, you can fly your pet in the cabin from the UK with Brussels Airlines.
At present, the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) has extended the ban on dogs travelling to the USA from more than 100 high risk rabies countries. If your dog has visited any of these countries in the last six months, the same rules apply.
Are Pets Safe on Planes?
If you’re worried about your furry travel companion’s wellbeing when flying, check out our comprehensive post regarding pet safety on planes. While in the USA, a monthly report is provided for airline pet incident rates, there isn’t an equivalent in Europe at the moment. So, there’s no data available for incidents when flying pets in the hold with Brussels Airlines. Note that even the airline pet incident reports submitted in the USA are only for cats and dogs flying in the hold, and don’t include any in cabin events.
No doubt, at some point your trip will involve a car ride, so have a look at our 12 Essential Pet Car Safety Tips too. Should your cat or dog suffer from motion sickness, we’ve also compared some of the treatments, strategies and medications for pet travel nausea.
It’s important to be aware that you can’t sedate or tranquilize your cat or dog for their flight, whether your pet, or pets, are travelling in the Brussels Airlines cabin or hold.
In addition, to protect your pet’s health and wellbeing in a new country, be sure to keep your cat or dog safe from vector-borne diseases. In particular, Heartworm from mosquitoes and Leishmaniasis from sandflies pose a serious pet threat in Southern Europe.
You might also want to check out 10 Pet Friendly Airlines in the EU, Pets in Cabin from the UK and 7 Transatlantic Pet Friendly Airlines.
And don’t forget the all important Essential Pet Travel Accessories!
Prior to booking, always view the Brussels Airlines pet travel policy on their website for any recent changes. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, some airlines are frequently amending their rules for pets on planes.
Have a safe and wonderful trip, and remember to leave a pet travel review for Brussels Airlines if you fly your pet cat or dog, in the cabin or hold!
