If you have a little fur family, and are flying with more than one pet, there are some airlines that allow you to travel with more than one cat or dog per passenger. However, in general, most airlines stipulate a maximum of ‘one pet per passenger’ clause for cats and dogs flying in the cabin. If your pet will be travelling in the hold of the plane, airlines sometimes allow you to take more than one animal. In addition to restrictions for the number of pets each passenger may take on a flight, every airline also has a maximum number of pets they permit onboard. The number of pets allowed to travel onboard in the cabin or hold vastly varies between each pet friendly airline, and is also dependant on the route and aircraft used for your pet flight. Of course, if you’re flying with multiple pets, the restrictions also depend on whether your cat or dog will be flying in the cabin or hold, or as cargo.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Table of contents
How many Pets can Fly on a Plane?
As you may have now realised, there is no set maximum by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regarding how many pets can fly on a plane. As a general rule, the majority of pet friendly airlines allow one pet per passenger to fly in the cabin. However, some airlines allow each passenger to take a maximum of two pets of the same species travelling in the same carrier. When this is the case, your pets must not exceed the maximum weight and dimensions stipulated by the airline.
The maximum number of pets allowed to fly in the hold is different for each airline. For instance, Aegean Airlines permits you to travel with a total of five items as ‘checked baggage‘, which includes pets. So, if you have one suitcase checked into the baggage compartment, you may also take four pets in the hold. Other airlines usually allow one or two pets to travel in the hold with each passenger.
In addition to the number of pets permitted to fly with an individual, your chosen pet friendly airline will also have space for a restricted number of kennels in the hold of each aircraft. Sometimes, this is as little as two pet kennels on a flight. So, booking onboard space for your pet(s) as early as possible is advisable.
What’s the Difference between Flying a Pet as Checked Baggage or Cargo?
Airlines differentiate between taking your pet in the hold as checked baggage or cargo. To clarify the terminology used when you fly with your pet in the hold:
- When your pet flies in the hold as checked baggage, you make the reservation for your cat or dog directly with the airline. On travel day, you will take your pet to the check-in desk at the airport and deal directly with the airline assistants, who will check your pet in for travel, then direct you to the drop off point in the airport. Ground staff at the airport will transport your pet to and from the aircraft hold. Pets travelling as checked baggage must fly on the same flight as their owner.
- When your pet flies as cargo, you make the reservation for your cat or dog with the cargo company appointed by the airline. On travel day, you will take your pet to the airport area advised by the cargo company. The airline staff won’t check in your pet, your cat or dog will only be handled by the cargo company. This includes checking in your pet, and transporting your pet to and from the aircraft hold. Pets travelling as cargo can fly on a different flight from their owner.
So, in both cases, your pet is travelling in the same designated area of the aircraft, but the logistics are handled by the airline when flying as checked baggage, or by a specialised cargo company when flying as cargo.
Also remember that your destination country may have their own regulations in place about the number of pets allowed to enter on each flight. And some countries require that all dogs and cats arrive as manifest cargo only, not checked baggage.
Airline Breed Restrictions for Cats & Dogs
As well as limitations on the number of pets allowed per passenger, and per flight, remember to look out for any breed restrictions in place. For instance, airlines don’t allow snub-nosed breeds of cats and dogs, such as Pekinese, French Bulldogs and Boxers, to travel in the aircraft hold. This is for safety reasons, as brachycephalic breeds can have difficulty breathing in the type of environment utilised in the cargo hold of planes.
Most airlines also refuse to carry dog breeds classed as ‘dangerous’ in either the cabin or hold. But you may be able to transport your dog with an airline cargo courier, instead of directly with the airline.
Airline Rules for Number of Pets Permitted
Always clarify thoroughly with your chosen airline if you’re planning on flying with more than one pet. To help you narrow down the rules for taking multiple pets on a plane, we’ve summarised the maximum number of cats and dogs permitted per passenger by popular pet friendly airlines. You can click on the link to view the full pet travel policy for each airline.
| Airline | No. of Pets Per Passenger in Cabin | No. of Pets Per Passenger in Hold |
|---|---|---|
| Aegean Airlines | Maximum of two pets of the same species in the same carrier, weighing no more than 8kg in total | Five pets per passenger, but includes any other checked baggage items |
| Air Dolomiti | One cat or dog per passenger in cabin Maximum of three pets in total flying in the cabin | One pet per passenger in the hold Maximum of two pets in total flying in the hold |
| Air France | One pet per passenger in cabin Maximum of four pets in total flying in the cabin | Three pets per passenger for travel in the hold |
| American Airlines | One pet per passenger in cabin | Two pets for in service US Military Personnel only may travel as ‘checked baggage’ All other pets must travel as cargo, you can take more than one cat or dog with PetEmbark |
| Icelandair | No pets are allowed in the cabin, except Assistance or Service Dogs | One or two small cats or dogs may share a kennel Maximum of four pets in total flying in the hold |
| KLM | One pet per passenger in cabin Some routes only permit one pet flying in the cabin in total | Two pets per passenger in the hold |
| Lufthansa | One or two cats or dogs in ONE travel carrier, provided total weight doesn’t exceed 8kg | One or two cats or dogs may share a kennel |
| Qantas | No pets in cabin on international flights | No maximum on international flights |
| Tap Air Portugal | One cat or dog per passenger | One or more pets in ONE travel carrier, not exceeding maximum weight & dimensions |
| Transavia | One pet in the cabin per passenger Maximum of four pets in total in the cabin | Two pets per passenger in the hold Maximum of two pets in total flying in the hold |
| Volotea | One pet in the cabin per passenger Maximum of two pets in total in the cabin | No pets in the hold |
| Vueling | One pet in the cabin per passenger Maximum of two pets in total in the cabin | No pets in the hold |
As you can see, there are many differences across airline pet travel policies regarding how many pets are permitted on a plane, but it is possible to fly with more than one pet. However, the likelihood is that if you are flying as a solo passenger with multiple pets, they’ll have to travel in the hold as checked baggage or as cargo.
Always remember to protect your pet when travelling to a foreign destination, and remember to leave a review for your next pet travel adventure!
