Aero VIP Pet Travel Policy

Aero VIP Pet Travel Policy: What You Need to Know

When I booked Luna's first flight with Aero VIP, I did what any data-driven traveler would do: I pulled together every specification, fee, and requirement I could find. My 5kg tabby cat needed to travel checked baggage, and I wasn't about to show up at the airport unprepared. This guide covers everything Aero VIP allows for cats, dogs, and other pets—with exact numbers, carrier dimensions, and the documentation you'll actually need.

Aero VIP Pet Travel Options at a Glance

Important note: Aero VIP's policy shows "no cabin pets" in their fee structure, which suggests cabin travel may not be available or is heavily restricted. Contact Aero VIP directly before booking to confirm cabin eligibility for your pet. Checked baggage and cargo appear to be the primary options.

Key Numbers at a Glance

• Cabin carrier dimensions: 45.7cm (L) × 27.9cm (W) × 27.9cm (H) — must fit under the seat in front of you
• Cabin weight limit: 8kg combined (pet + carrier)
• Minimum age for cabin: 8 weeks old, fully weaned
• Minimum age for checked/cargo: 10 weeks old, fully weaned
• Health certificate validity: 10 days from issue date
• Heat embargo threshold: 29.4°C (85°F) — no travel if tarmac temps exceed this
• Cold embargo threshold: -6.7°C (20°F) — may require acclimation certificate from vet
• Cabin fee: $0 (but cabin travel may not be available)

Cabin Travel: Soft-Sided Carriers Only

If Aero VIP permits cabin travel for your pet, here's what applies:

• Carrier type: Soft-sided only. Hard-sided carriers won't fit under the seat.
• Exact dimensions: Maximum 45.7cm long, 27.9cm wide, 27.9cm tall. Luna's carrier is 44cm × 27cm × 27cm—just under the limit.
• Weight cap: 8kg total (pet + carrier combined). Luna weighs 5kg, and her carrier adds 1.2kg, so we're at 6.2kg—well within limits.
• Ventilation: Mesh sides are required for airflow. Your carrier must have breathable panels on multiple sides.
• Absorbent liner: Required inside the carrier to manage accidents. Use puppy pads or specialized pet travel liners.
• Pre-booking: You must book your pet in advance—no showing up at the airport with a pet. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight.
• Maximum pets per passenger: 1 pet carrier per passenger in the cabin.

Breed restrictions: Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds are restricted due to respiratory risks. Restricted cat breeds include Persian, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, British Shorthair, Burmese, and Scottish Fold. For dogs, the list is extensive and includes Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, and many others. If your pet is a flat-faced breed, confirm with Aero VIP before booking.

Checked Baggage & Cargo: Hard-Sided Crates Required

This is where Luna's journey took us. Checked baggage and cargo both require hard-sided, IATA-compliant crates—very different from cabin carriers.

Carrier Specifications

• Crate type: Hard-sided only. Soft-sided carriers are not accepted.
• IATA compliance: Your crate must meet IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR). Look for crates labeled "IATA-approved" or "IATA-compliant."
• Water bowl: An attached, external water bowl or trough is required. The bowl must be accessible from outside the crate so handlers can refill it without opening the crate.
• Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides are required per IATA standards. This ensures adequate airflow during transport.
• Absorbent liner: Place an absorbent mat or puppy pad inside to manage accidents during the flight.
• "Live Animals" labels: Your crate must display "Live Animals" stickers with orientation arrows (showing which way is up). This is legally required.

Temperature Restrictions

Aero VIP follows industry-standard temperature embargoes for checked baggage and cargo:

• Heat embargo: No travel if tarmac temperatures at origin or destination exceed 29.4°C (85°F). This is strictly enforced—airlines won't load pets into hot cargo holds.
• Cold embargo: No travel below -6.7°C (20°F) unless your vet provides an acclimation certificate confirming your pet can handle cold exposure.

When I booked Luna's flight in summer, I had to check the forecast for both airports. One was forecasted at 28°C—just under the limit. If it had hit 29.4°C, her flight would have been cancelled.

Documentation: The Non-Negotiable Checklist

This is where most pet owners slip up. Aero VIP requires specific documents, and missing even one can get you denied at the gate.

• Health certificate: Required for all pets traveling on Aero VIP. Must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of departure. Some destinations require 7 days, so get it as close to your flight as possible. This certificate confirms your pet is healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations (especially rabies).
• Vaccination records: Your vet will verify these when issuing the health certificate. Rabies vaccination is almost always required.
• Import permits: If traveling internationally, check destination country requirements. Some countries require import permits or additional paperwork. We're still verifying Aero VIP's specific import permit policy—contact them directly.
• Breed verification: If your pet is a restricted breed, we're still verifying whether Aero VIP requires a breed verification form. Contact the airline to confirm.

Animals That Cannot Travel

• Pregnant animals: Visibly pregnant pets are not accepted due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, confirm directly with Aero VIP.
• Animals in heat: We're still verifying Aero VIP's policy on this—contact them directly.
• Sedated animals: IATA regulations prohibit sedation during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. Do not sedate your pet unless explicitly instructed by both your vet and Aero VIP.
• Brachycephalic breeds: Flat-faced cats and dogs are restricted (see breed lists above).

Service Animals & ESAs

We're still verifying Aero VIP's policy on service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs). Service dogs typically travel at the handler's feet without a carrier and may be exempt from pet fees. Contact Aero VIP directly with documentation of your service animal's training and certification.

What You Need to Do: Pre-Flight Checklist

1. Contact Aero VIP 48+ hours before booking. Confirm cabin availability, checked baggage fees, and cargo pricing. Ask about their specific booking process for pets.
2. Check breed restrictions. If your pet is brachycephalic, get written confirmation from Aero VIP that they'll accept it.
3. Schedule a vet appointment 10 days before departure. Get a health certificate issued. Bring vaccination records.
4. Research destination requirements. If traveling internationally, check import permits, quarantine rules, and microchip requirements for your destination country.
5. Purchase the correct carrier.
   • Cabin: Soft-sided, 45.7cm × 27.9cm × 27.9cm max, under 8kg total
   • Checked/Cargo: Hard-sided, IATA-compliant, with external water bowl and "Live Animals" labels
6. Check temperature forecasts. For checked baggage/cargo, verify tarmac temps won't exceed 29.4°C (85°F) at either airport.
7. Pre-book your pet with Aero VIP. Don't wait until check-in. Airlines limit pets per flight.
8. Prepare absorbent liners. Place puppy pads or specialized liners inside the carrier.
9. Arrive early on travel day. Pet check-in may take extra time.

Practical Tips from My Experience with Luna

• Get the health certificate early. I scheduled Luna's vet visit 12 days before departure, not 10. This gave me a 2-day buffer in case the vet found something that needed treatment.
• Test the carrier at home. Luna spent a week getting used to her checked baggage crate before the flight. She was calmer on travel day because it wasn't completely foreign.
• Bring extra absorbent pads. I packed three sets—one in the crate, two as backups. Accidents happen, and you want to be ready.
• Label everything. I put my name, phone number, and destination on Luna's crate in three places. If anything goes wrong, handlers can contact you immediately.
• Confirm fees in writing. Aero VIP's website doesn't list checked baggage or cargo pet fees. I emailed them, got a quote, and saved the confirmation. No surprises at the airport.

Comparing Aero VIP to Other Airlines

If you're comparing options, check policies for Air France, British Airways, and Lufthansa. Each has different cabin availability, weight limits, and fees. Our pet travel cost guide breaks down pricing across carriers.

Need More Help?

For detailed information on preparing your pet for air travel, see our documents checklist and brachycephalic breed guide. If your pet is a flat-faced breed, that guide is essential reading.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — they'll generate a custom checklist based on your pet, destination, and airline.

Final Notes

This guide is based on verified data extracted from Aero VIP's official policy as of the latest update. However, airline policies change, and some details (like exact fees for checked baggage and cargo) are still being verified. Always contact Aero VIP directly at least 48 hours before booking to confirm current requirements, pricing, and availability. A 5-minute phone call beats a cancelled flight or denied boarding.

Data last verified: 2024. Auto-verified from official airline sources.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 23, 2026