Air Astana Pet Travel Policy

Can You Fly with Pets on Air Astana?

Yes — Air Astana allows both dogs and cats to travel in the cabin, checked baggage, and cargo. I've flown Cooper, my 28kg Golden Retriever, on three international moves, and I know how stressful pet travel can feel. The good news: Air Astana has clear, straightforward pet policies. The better news: you can prepare properly if you know the rules upfront.

This guide covers everything you need to know about flying your pet on Air Astana (airline code KC), based on their official carriage policies.

Key Numbers at a Glance

• Cabin pet fee: USD $145 one-way (international)
• Domestic cabin fee: KZT 15,000
• Hold/cargo fees: KZT 18,000–68,000 or USD $175–$230
• Max cabin weight (pet + carrier): 8 kg combined
• Cabin carrier dimensions: 47 cm L × 30 cm W × 27 cm H (must fit under seat)
• Minimum age: 8 weeks (cabin), 10 weeks (cargo/checked baggage)
• Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
• Advance booking required: At least 24 hours before flight

Cabin Travel: Flying with Your Pet in the Cabin

This is the option I always choose for Cooper when possible. Your pet stays with you in the pressurized cabin — safer, less stressful, and you can monitor them throughout the flight.

Cabin Carrier Requirements

Air Astana requires a soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. Here are the exact dimensions:

• Length: 47 cm (18.5 inches)
• Width: 30 cm (12 inches)
• Height: 27 cm (10.5 inches)
• Combined weight (pet + carrier): Maximum 8 kg

The carrier must have mesh ventilation on all sides so your pet can breathe properly. Include an absorbent mat or liner inside to manage any accidents during the flight — this is required by Air Astana.

Pro tip: When I flew Cooper internationally, I tested the carrier dimensions at the airport before booking. Some soft-sided carriers compress differently than hard cases. Measure your pet's carrier at home, then bring it to the airport early to confirm it fits under the seat.

Who Can Fly in the Cabin?

• Dogs and cats aged 8 weeks or older
• Fully weaned puppies and kittens only
• Maximum 1 pet carrier per passenger
• NOT brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds — see restrictions below
• Not visibly pregnant

Brachycephalic Breed Restrictions

Air Astana restricts snub-nosed breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. Restricted breeds include:

• Dogs: Bulldogs (all types), Pugs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, French Bulldogs, Mastiffs (all types), Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, Chow Chows, Japanese Chins, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Lhasa Apsos, and others with flattened faces
• Cats: Persians, Exotic Shorthairs, Himalayans, British Shorthairs, Burmese, Scottish Folds

If your pet is on this list, contact Air Astana directly before booking. Some airlines make exceptions with vet documentation. Read our brachycephalic breed flying guide for more details.

Cabin Fees

• International flights: USD $145 one-way
• Domestic flights: KZT 15,000

Cargo & Checked Baggage Travel

If your pet is too large for cabin travel (like Cooper at 28kg), cargo or checked baggage is the alternative. Your pet travels in the pressurized hold with temperature and humidity controls, but you won't see them during the flight.

Cargo Carrier Requirements

Cargo requires a hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate — not soft-sided. Your carrier must have:

• Hard plastic or metal construction (no soft carriers)
• Ventilation openings on at least three sides per IATA standards
• An attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate
• An absorbent mat or liner inside to manage accidents
• "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on all sides

When I shipped Cooper internationally, I invested in a proper IATA-certified crate. It cost more upfront but gave me peace of mind knowing it met every safety standard.

Who Can Travel in Cargo/Checked Baggage?

• Dogs and cats aged 10 weeks or older (2 weeks older than cabin minimum)
• Fully weaned only
• NOT brachycephalic breeds (same restrictions as cabin)
• Not visibly pregnant

Temperature Embargoes

Air Astana will not accept pets in cargo if temperatures are outside safe ranges:

• Cold embargo: Below -6.7°C (20°F) at origin or destination
• Heat embargo: Above 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination

If your destination is too cold, your vet can issue an acclimation certificate to allow travel. Always check the forecast before booking.

Cargo & Checked Baggage Fees

• Range: KZT 18,000–68,000 or USD $175–$230 one-way
• Exact fee depends on pet weight and route

Health Certificates & Documentation

This is non-negotiable. Air Astana will check your health certificate at the airport, and you cannot board without it.

What You Need

• Vet-issued health certificate dated within 10 days of departure
• Certificate must confirm your pet is fit to fly
• Some destinations require 7-day validity — check your destination country's import rules

My advice: Get the certificate as close to your departure date as possible. I schedule my vet appointment 3–5 days before flying. This gives you a buffer if the vet finds any health issues and maximizes the certificate's validity window.

Important: No Sedation Allowed

IATA regulations (which Air Astana follows) prohibit sedation during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies. Do not sedate your pet unless explicitly instructed by both your vet and Air Astana — which is extremely rare.

If your pet is anxious, talk to your vet about calming supplements or training techniques instead. Read our pet travel documents checklist for a complete list of what you'll need.

Booking Your Pet's Flight

Advance Booking Required

You must pre-book your pet at least 24 hours before departure. You cannot show up at the airport with a pet without prior arrangement. Air Astana limits the number of pets per flight, so early booking is essential.

How to Book

We're still verifying the exact booking method — contact Air Astana directly to arrange your pet's travel. Have ready:

• Your flight booking reference
• Pet's name, age, breed, and weight
• Carrier dimensions (if cabin travel)
• Confirmation that your pet meets all health and breed requirements

What You Need to Do: Step-by-Step Checklist

6–8 Weeks Before Departure

• Confirm your pet meets Air Astana's breed and age requirements
• If brachycephalic, contact Air Astana to ask about exceptions
• Research your destination country's pet import rules (quarantine, permits, etc.)
• If cargo travel, check temperature forecasts for your travel dates

4–6 Weeks Before Departure

• Purchase or confirm you have the correct carrier (soft-sided for cabin, hard-sided IATA-compliant for cargo)
• Test carrier dimensions — ensure it fits under the seat (cabin) or meets IATA specs (cargo)
• Order absorbent mats and "Live Animals" labels if needed
• Schedule your vet appointment for the health certificate

2 Weeks Before Departure

• Confirm your pet's weight — ensure it meets Air Astana's limits
• Book your pet's flight with Air Astana (24+ hours before departure)
• Reconfirm your destination's import requirements with your vet

3–5 Days Before Departure

• Visit your vet for the health certificate (dated within 10 days of departure)
• Confirm the certificate covers all required information
• Make copies of the certificate

Day Before Departure

• Pack your pet's essentials: food, water, bowls, medications, comfort items
• Ensure your carrier has the absorbent mat inside
• Attach "Live Animals" labels (cargo only)
• Confirm your flight details with Air Astana

Day of Departure

• Arrive at the airport early (at least 3 hours for international flights)
• Have your health certificate and booking confirmation ready
• Check in your pet with the airline
• Keep a copy of all documents with you

Costs: What to Budget

Pet travel adds up quickly. Here's what to expect:

• Cabin fee: USD $145 (international) or KZT 15,000 (domestic)
• Cargo/checked baggage: USD $175–$230 or KZT 18,000–68,000
• Health certificate: USD $50–$200 (vet fee, varies by location)
• Carrier: USD $50–$300+ (soft-sided cabin carriers are cheaper; IATA-compliant cargo crates are pricier)
• Destination import permits: USD $0–$500+ (country-dependent)

Read our complete pet travel costs guide for budgeting tips.

Special Situations

Pregnant Pets

Air Astana does not accept visibly pregnant animals. If your pet is pregnant, confirm directly with the airline before booking — but expect a "no."

Animals in Heat

We're still verifying Air Astana's policy on animals in heat — contact them directly.

Service Animals

We're still verifying Air Astana's service animal policy — contact them directly. Most airlines allow certified service dogs to travel at the handler's feet without a carrier or fee, but this varies.

Final Reminders

• Book 24+ hours in advance. Don't wait until the last minute.
• Get your health certificate within 10 days of departure. This is checked at the airport.
• Measure your carrier before booking. Dimensions matter.
• Check temperature embargoes for cargo travel. Summer and winter can be risky.
• Never sedate your pet. IATA regulations prohibit it.
• Contact Air Astana directly for any questions. Policies can change, and they'll have the most current information.

Flying with a pet is stressful, but it's manageable with proper planning. I've done it three times with Cooper, and each time got smoother because I prepared early and stayed organized. You've got this.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — they'll help you navigate destination-specific rules and create a custom timeline for your move.

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Data last verified: January 2025. This guide is based on Air Astana's official pet carriage policies. Policies change — always confirm directly with Air Astana before booking. For destination-specific rules, consult your country's agricultural or customs authority.

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