Global flight comparison and deals publishing platform, Cheapflights, knows that man’s best friend is a four-pawed pal, and with an estimated 8.5 million dogs in the UK, many Britons won’t budge unless Rover can roam with them. With Crufts - the world’s greatest dog show, pulling in a TV audience of 6.7 million - on the horizon (10-13 March), Cheapflights provides its top tips for holidaying with a pet.
‘Woofly’ 24 per cent of Britons own a dog and PETS (Pet Travel Scheme) allows dogs (as well as cats and ferrets) to enter the UK without spending time in quarantine as long as they comply with the government’s regulations. Travellers can Instagram Spot in Seville, ‘pawse’ with Poppy over a Parisian coffee, or let Lola ‘off-lead’ in Lisbon: it’s enough to set tails wagging across the land.
Low fares airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair only carry service dogs (to assist hearing or sight impaired fliers), but full-service carrier British Airways positively welcomes four-pawed passengers (in the temperature-controlled hold), even on long-haul flights to destinations including the USA and the Caribbean. KLM and Lufthansa, even let dogs travel in the cabin, but holidaymakers are urged to book in advance with Monarch as they only allow six dogs per plane. Whilst Wow air doesn’t allow any animals on board, Virgin Atlantic operates the Flying Paws scheme that means furry friends can even earn loyalty points with the airline.
Before booking, Cheapflights advises dog owners to:
‘Woofly’ 24 per cent of Britons own a dog and PETS (Pet Travel Scheme) allows dogs (as well as cats and ferrets) to enter the UK without spending time in quarantine as long as they comply with the government’s regulations. Travellers can Instagram Spot in Seville, ‘pawse’ with Poppy over a Parisian coffee, or let Lola ‘off-lead’ in Lisbon: it’s enough to set tails wagging across the land.
Low fares airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair only carry service dogs (to assist hearing or sight impaired fliers), but full-service carrier British Airways positively welcomes four-pawed passengers (in the temperature-controlled hold), even on long-haul flights to destinations including the USA and the Caribbean. KLM and Lufthansa, even let dogs travel in the cabin, but holidaymakers are urged to book in advance with Monarch as they only allow six dogs per plane. Whilst Wow air doesn’t allow any animals on board, Virgin Atlantic operates the Flying Paws scheme that means furry friends can even earn loyalty points with the airline.
Before booking, Cheapflights advises dog owners to:
- Check the pet-friendly airline options for their chosen destination at http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/news/flying-with-pets
- Ensure the dog is fit to fly with a full vet’s check up
- Check rabies vaccination (within 21 days of travel)
- Confirm pet passport is up to date and the microchip is working
- Make sure the pet is prescribed medication to protect against sandflies, ticks, tapeworm etc.
- Only book if the dog is happy to remain in its carry-case for the duration of the flight
He added: “If your pooch has to stay put, you’ll need someone to take care of them so be prepared to barter or even bribe some friends, with anything from a stocked fridge, to an exotic cooking lesson.”
| Airline | Dogs welcome | Notes |
| Aer Lingus | Yes | Travel in hold only |
| Air France | Yes | Dogs up to 8kg (inc. case) – check-in in France for travel to Corsica and the French Caribbean |
| Alitalia | Yes | |
| American Airlines | Yes | Only on flights under 12 hours – and not on routes from the UK |
| British Airways | Yes | |
| Delta | Yes | |
| easyJet | No | |
| Germanwings | Dogs not allowed on flights from UK | |
| KLM | Yes | Dogs up to 6kg (inc. case) may travel in cabin under seat in front |
| Lufthansa | Yes | Dogs up to 8kg (inc. case) may travel in cabin |
| Monarch | Yes | Maximum six dogs per flight so book in advance |
| Ryanair | No | |
| SWISS | Yes | Switzerland is not an EU country; check regulations prior to booking |
| Virgin Atlantic | Yes | Register pets for Flying Paws and earn points |
| Wizzair | No | |
| WOW air | No |
