Okay, so you're eyeing Arik Air with a dog in tow? Same energy. Before you get excited about those West African routes, the one thing that makes or breaks the whole trip is their pet policy, and it's not the free-for-all you might hope for. Nala and I have learned the hard way that the fine print is where adventures live or die, so let's break down exactly what Arik lets fly.

Arik Air'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 Arik Air handles your pet

Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Hover the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.

Cabin policy

Advance booking required Yes“1 No animals will be accepted by us for carriage without our prior agreement at the time of booking and in compliance with procedures and conditions as specified by us”verified 2026-07-09

Hold & cargo policy

Hold: Advance booking required Yes“r personal property accompanying you in connection with your trip. Unless otherwise specified by us, it consists of both your checked and unchecked baggage. “Baggage Check” means those portions of the Ticket which…”verified 2026-07-09
Cargo: Advance booking required Yes“1 No animals will be accepted by us for carriage without our prior agreement at the time of booking and in compliance with procedures and conditions as specified by us”verified 2026-07-09

Health & documents

Health certificate required Yes“are responsible for obtaining all required passports, travel documents, visas, health certificates and for complying with all laws, regulations, orders, demands and travel requir This means that even if you have a…”verified 2026-07-09

Service & assistance animals

Pets accepted Accepted“On flights to or from the United States, service dogs accompanying passengers with disabilities”verified 2026-07-09
Fee waived Yes“United States, service dogs accompanying passengers with disabilities will be carried free of charge subject”verified 2026-07-07
Recognized Yes“8.9.3 On flights to or from the United States, service dogs accompanying passengers with disabilities will be carried free of charge subjec”verified 2026-07-07
Documentation required Yes“Such illness must be attested to by an official medical certificate confirming the facts of the illness and stating when you will be fit to continu”verified 2026-07-09

Frequently asked

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.
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.
Here's the deal: knowing Arik Air's rules is step one, but your actual route, your crate, your pup's weight all shift the math. Don't guess and hope. Build a personalized plan with Pawgo's plan-builder and get the real answer for your exact trip, not a generic maybe. Sam and I plan every leg down to the customs window, and honestly? It's the difference between smooth boarding and a very expensive lesson.
Get YOUR personalized plan for Arik Air →

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.