Air France takes pets in the cabin, in the hold, and by cargo — so the first thing to settle is which one your dog or cat falls into, because everything else follows from that. Cooper, at 30kg, has always travelled in the hold with me, and the rules there are strict but clear. Here's what I wish someone had told me before our first Air France booking.
Air France's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.
How Air France treats your pet
Cabin policy
Hold policy
Cargo policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pets accepted | Accepted in the cargo | 90% |
Air France will not let you add a cabin pet at the last minute. The booking must include the animal no later than 48 hours before departure. Treat that 48-hour mark as a hard deadline: confirm the pet space when you book the ticket, not after. Miss it, and the cabin spot may not be available at the airport.
Snub-nosed breeds — pugs, bulldogs, boxers, Pekingese, Shih Tzus, Persian cats — are allowed in the Air France cabin. Because these breeds can experience breathing difficulties under stress, Air France advises consulting your veterinarian before air travel. Book that consultation early in your timeline so any health concern surfaces while there is still time to adjust the booking.
Frequently asked
- How many pets can I bring on Air France?
- Air France allows 1 in the cabin, up to 3 in the hold, per passenger. Each pet needs its own carrier.
- What is the cabin weight limit on Air France?
- In the cabin, your pet plus its carrier must not exceed 8 kg. Heavier pets (up to 75 kg) travel in the hold.
- Can snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds fly Air France?
- Snub-nosed breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats are allowed in the cabin, not accepted in the hold.
- How much does it cost to fly a pet on Air France?
- On flights within Metropolitan France, Air France charges from 70 EUR in the cabin, and 100 EUR in the hold, one way per pet. Longer routes cost more — price your exact itinerary.
- How far in advance must I book my pet on Air France?
- Add your pet to the booking at least 48 hours before departure — do it when you book the ticket, not at the airport.
- What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
- If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.
The pet fare is separate from your ticket. In the cabin on flights within Metropolitan France, Air France charges EUR 70 per pet, one way, payable online or at the airport sales counter. Budget it per direction, not per trip: a round journey means the EUR 70 cabin fee applies twice. Pay it in advance to lock the cabin spot.
Air France gives pets genuine options — cabin, hold, or cargo — but which lane your animal belongs in drives everything else: the weight limit, the fee, and the breed rules. Map it out before you book: confirm the lane, the 48-hour deadline, and the cost for your exact route. Pawgo's plan builder turns all of this into one personalized plan, so build yours and walk into the airport knowing every box is ticked.
Glossary
- ISO chip
- ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
- FAVN
- Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
- Brachycephalic
- Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
- AVIH
- Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.
One more question worth answering
- What happens if I forget a document?
- At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.