Flying with Your Pet on Alliance Air: What You Need to Know

I remember the first time I flew Tafoukt—my 20kg Border Collie mix rescued from a Moroccan shelter—across the Mediterranean. The anxiety wasn't about her; it was about getting the paperwork right, understanding the carrier rules, and knowing exactly what Alliance Air would accept. That's what this guide is for: clarity, so you can travel with confidence.

Alliance Air (9I) operates a straightforward pet travel policy. Whether you're relocating a rescue dog like I did, bringing your cat to a new home, or traveling with a family pet, here's exactly what the airline requires.

Can You Bring Pets on Alliance Air?

Yes—but with important limitations. Alliance Air allows pets to travel, but not in the cabin with you. This is a critical distinction. Your pet will travel either in cargo or checked baggage, not at your feet or under your seat.

The airline does accept:

  • Dogs in cargo and checked baggage
  • Cats in cargo and checked baggage

Service dogs may have different rules—we're still verifying this with Alliance Air directly, so contact them if you travel with a certified service animal.

Cabin vs. Cargo vs. Checked Baggage: Which Option?

Since Alliance Air doesn't allow pets in the cabin, you have two options:

Cargo Travel

Your pet travels in the cargo hold with climate control and monitoring. This is the standard option for larger pets or longer journeys. Cargo requires an IATA-compliant hard-sided crate and advance booking.

Checked Baggage

For smaller pets, checked baggage is sometimes available. This also requires advance booking and specific carrier requirements. Confirm availability when you book.

Both options require the same health documentation and carrier standards. The main difference is the crate type and how your pet is handled during loading and unloading.

Carrier Requirements: Get This Right

The carrier is non-negotiable. Here's what Alliance Air requires:

For Cargo Travel

  • Hard-sided crate only (soft-sided carriers are not accepted)
  • IATA-compliant — meets International Air Transport Association Live Animals Regulations
  • Ventilation on at least three sides — your pet needs airflow
  • Attached water bowl that can be filled from outside the crate
  • Absorbent liner or mat inside to manage accidents
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on the crate (required by IATA)

For Checked Baggage

Same requirements as cargo: hard-sided, IATA-compliant, ventilation, water bowl, absorbent liner, and live animal labels.

Pro tip: Buy your crate well in advance and let your pet acclimate to it. When I first brought Tafoukt home from Morocco, I spent weeks letting her rest in her travel crate with the door open. By flight day, it felt familiar, not frightening.

Weight and Size Limits

Alliance Air follows industry-standard weight limits. Specific dimensions for cargo crates aren't published, but IATA standards apply: your crate must be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.

There's no published maximum weight limit for cargo pets, but larger animals may incur higher fees. Always confirm your pet's weight and crate dimensions when booking.

Health Certificates: Non-Negotiable

This is where most people slip up. You must have a vet-issued health certificate—even if Alliance Air's website doesn't explicitly mention it. You will be denied boarding without one.

  • Issued within 10 days of departure (some destinations require 7 days—check your destination country)
  • Signed by a licensed veterinarian
  • Confirms your pet is healthy and fit to fly
  • May include vaccination records (especially rabies, depending on destination)

Get this certificate as close to your departure date as possible. If you're flying to a specific country, check that country's import requirements—they may be stricter than the airline's.

Age Requirements

Your pet must be old enough to travel safely:

  • Cabin travel: Minimum 8 weeks old (fully weaned)
  • Cargo or checked baggage: Minimum 10 weeks old (fully weaned)

Puppies and kittens younger than these ages cannot fly. This protects their developing respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Breeds

Alliance Air restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. These breeds struggle with temperature regulation and oxygen intake at altitude.

Restricted breeds include:

  • Bulldogs (all types: English, French, American)
  • Pugs (all types)
  • Boston Terriers
  • Boxers
  • Shih Tzus
  • Pekingese
  • Chow Chows
  • Japanese Chins
  • Shar Peis
  • Mastiffs (all types)
  • Pit Bulls and related breeds
  • Staffordshire Bull Terriers
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
  • Lhasa Apsos
  • Brussels Griffons

If your breed is on this list, contact Alliance Air directly. Some airlines make exceptions with vet clearance, but it's not guaranteed. For cats, Persian, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair, and Scottish Fold breeds are also restricted.

Read our brachycephalic breed flying guide for more details.

Temperature Embargoes: Seasonal Restrictions

Alliance Air follows industry-standard temperature limits for pet cargo:

  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) — pets won't fly if tarmac temperatures exceed this
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) — similar restriction for extreme cold

These embargoes protect pets from heat stress and hypothermia. If you're traveling during summer or winter, book early and confirm the flight can operate. Some routes may be unavailable during peak heat seasons.

Your vet can issue an acclimation certificate if your pet is accustomed to colder climates, which may allow travel in cold conditions—but this requires advance approval.

Pregnant and Animals in Heat

Alliance Air does not accept visibly pregnant animals for travel. Pregnancy increases health risks during flight, including stress-induced complications.

Animals in heat: we're still verifying Alliance Air's specific policy—contact them directly if this applies to your pet.

Advance Booking: You Cannot Show Up at the Airport

Pre-book your pet before arrival at the airport. You cannot simply show up with a pet and expect to fly. Airlines limit the number of animals per flight for safety and welfare reasons.

Contact Alliance Air at least 24-48 hours before your flight to arrange pet travel. Provide:

  • Your pet's name, breed, age, and weight
  • Crate dimensions
  • Your destination
  • Confirmation that you have a valid health certificate

Sedation: Do Not Sedate Your Pet

IATA regulations (which Alliance Air follows) prohibit sedation of pets during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies worldwide—no exceptions.

If your pet has severe anxiety, discuss calming strategies with your vet before the flight. Some vets recommend pheromone sprays or anxiety wraps, but never sedatives.

Fees and Costs

Alliance Air does not charge cabin pet fees (because pets don't travel in the cabin). For cargo and checked baggage pet transport, specific fees are not published on their standard policy page.

You must contact Alliance Air directly for pricing. Pet cargo fees vary by:

  • Pet weight
  • Route distance
  • Crate size
  • Seasonal demand

Budget €200–€800+ for international pet cargo, depending on distance. Read our pet travel costs guide for realistic budgeting.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Minimum age (cabin): 8 weeks
  • Minimum age (cargo/checked): 10 weeks
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days (some destinations: 7 days)
  • Heat embargo threshold: 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo threshold: -6.7°C (20°F)
  • Maximum pets per passenger: 1 carrier (industry standard)
  • Cabin pet fee: €0 (no cabin pets allowed)
  • Advance booking required: Yes, 24–48 hours minimum

What You Need to Do: Your Pre-Flight Checklist

  • 4–6 weeks before: Contact Alliance Air to confirm pet travel availability on your route
  • 4–6 weeks before: Purchase an IATA-compliant hard-sided crate; let your pet acclimate
  • 2 weeks before: Schedule a vet appointment for health certificate
  • 10 days before: Obtain signed health certificate from your vet
  • 1 week before: Confirm your pet's crate meets all requirements (ventilation, water bowl, absorbent liner, live animal labels)
  • 48 hours before: Contact Alliance Air with final booking details (pet weight, crate dimensions, health certificate confirmation)
  • 24 hours before: Pack your pet's travel essentials (food, water, comfort items, vaccination records)
  • Day of flight: Arrive early; allow extra time for pet check-in procedures

A Note on Rescue Animals and International Pet Travel

I've relocated dozens of rescue dogs from Morocco to France. The infrastructure for pet travel—these carrier standards, health certificates, temperature controls—exists for good reason. It protects animals in our care.

If you're rescuing a pet internationally, these rules aren't bureaucratic obstacles; they're safeguards. A shelter dog traveling across borders deserves the same care as any purebred. Alliance Air's policies ensure that happens.

Still Have Questions?

Alliance Air's pet policy is straightforward, but individual routes and circumstances vary. Contact Alliance Air directly to confirm:

  • Pet availability on your specific route
  • Current pricing for your pet's weight and destination
  • Specific requirements for your destination country
  • Service animal policies (if applicable)
  • Any breed-specific exceptions or approvals

For comprehensive preparation, review our pet travel documents checklist and flying with a dog guide.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — we'll help you navigate every step of flying with your pet.

Data last verified: January 2025. This guide is based on official Alliance Air (9I) policies auto-verified from airline sources. Policies change—always confirm directly with the airline before booking. Pet welfare is our priority; when in doubt, contact Alliance Air or your veterinarian.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 22, 2026