Marco · with Mochi (French Bulldog, 6kg) “Mochi judges the queue length, not me.” Meet all guides →
About this guide ↓
This guide was generated by Pawgo's AI using verified data from official sources. Marco is a fictional persona — the data is real.
Ciao, Marco here. Air India is one of those carriers where the cabin is your best friend, especially if you fly with a small dog like my Mochi. The headline you actually need: cabin travel caps out at 10 kg, and that number decides everything about how your trip is going to go. Get the weight right first, and the rest gets a lot less scary.
Air India'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 India handles your pet
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.
In the cabin✓ Accepted
In the hold / cargo✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breedsNot accepted
Cabin policy
Pets accepted✓ Acceptedverified 2026-08-13
Minimum age8 weeksverified 2026-08-14
Advance booking notice48 hoursverified 2026-08-20
Advance booking required✓ Yesverified 2026-08-25
Max pets per passenger1verified 2026-08-14
Max pets per flight2verified 2026-08-25
Booking methodThrough customer support or airport countersverified 2026-07-14
Max per flight2verified 2026-08-13
Embargoed routesPetsverified 2026-07-14
Advance notice hours48 hoursverified 2026-07-14
Aircraft restrictions✗ Yesverified 2026-06-19
Pregnant animals accepted✓ Yesverified 2026-08-21
Carrier size46 × 46 cmverified 2026-08-20
Max weight (pet + crate)10 kgverified 2026-08-14
Crate must have/behard-sided ok, soft-sided ok, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrierverified 2026-08-20
Health certificate required✓ Yesverified 2026-08-14
Health certificate validity7 daysverified 2026-08-13
Health certificate · Required✓ Yesverified 2026-07-14
Health certificate · Validity days7 daysverified 2026-08-21
Other rules
Minimum age8 weeksverified 2026-08-13
Air India requires cabin pet reservations at least 48 hours before departure. Book the pet in cabin inside that window, never at the gate. The 48-hour rule applies to dogs under 10 kg riding in the cabin. Call to confirm the booking is on the record. Miss the 48-hour cutoff and the dog stays home while the flight leaves.
Snub-nosed and flat-faced breeds are barred from Air India's cargo compartment. A French Bulldog, pug, or boxer cannot ride in cargo on this carrier. Route brachycephalic dogs to the cabin only. Check the breed against the flat-faced list before booking. For a flat-faced dog above the cabin weight limit, cargo is simply not an option here.
Air India does not publish a one-way cargo fee figure. Request the cargo price directly from the airline before booking anything. A passenger using wheelchair assistance or travelling with an infant should not carry a pet in the cabin. Reassign that pet to another passenger on the booking. Confirm the final cargo charge in writing before paying.
So that's Air India, minus the surprises that once ambushed me at a customs window. Small dog, cabin, 48 hours ahead, weight double-checked, done. Don't wing it from a forum thread, though. Build a personalized plan for your exact route with Pawgo's plan-builder, and let it flag the fine print for your dog and your ticket before you pay. Buon viaggio, and give your pup a treat from Mochi.
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.
Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: August 29, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my dog in the cabin on Air India?
Yes, Air India allows dogs in the cabin. Your pet and carrier combined must weigh under 10 kg. For your specific pet's eligibility, check Pawgo at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does Air India allow brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds?
Air India bans brachycephalic breeds from cargo. Breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Persian cats are affected. Verify your breed at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does Air India require a health certificate for pets?
Yes, Air India requires a health certificate for pets. It must be issued within 7 days of travel. Your destination country may have additional requirements — check www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Can I ship my dog as cargo on Air India?
Yes, Air India offers cargo pet transport. Confirm the carrier's specific crate and documentation requirements with the airline directly before booking. Get the full details at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
In the cabin, your pet plus its carrier must not exceed 10 kg. Heavier pets (up to 32 kg) travel in the hold.Build my pet's travel plan →
Can snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds fly Air India?
Snub-nosed breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats are not accepted in the cabin, not accepted in the hold.Build my pet's travel plan →
How far in advance must I book my pet on Air India?
Add your pet to the booking at least 48 hours before departure — do it when you book the ticket, not at the airport.Build my pet's travel plan →
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.Build my pet's travel plan →
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.Build my pet's travel plan →
Flying Air India?
Get a personalized travel checklist for your pet on Air India.
