Jules · with Nala (Australian Shepherd, 22kg) “Nala has opinions about layovers.” Meet all guides →
About this guide ↓
This guide was generated by Pawgo's AI using verified data from official sources. Jules is a fictional persona — the data is real.
Arik Air just quietly moved cats into manifest cargo, and if you're routing a cat through Lagos or Abuja you can finally book it end-to-end. Sam and I have shipped Nala plenty of times, but the cat side of West Africa was a hole until this update. The airline still won't take pets in the cabin, so book the crate, print the vet paperwork, and treat this like the freight run it is.
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. Tap the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.
The allowed value for Arik Air changed from 'None' to 'True'. Verify against the latest official source.
Grab Arik Air's cargo booking window, wire in your USDA health certificate lead time, and confirm the destination's import letter is on file before you buy the ticket. Once those three things line up, the flight is a normal freight leg — long, but straightforward. Build a personalized plan around the cargo hand-off hours and you'll spend the day sipping coffee at the airport, not chasing paperwork at 5am.
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.
What changed recently
The rule for a requirement changed from 'None' to 'True'. Plan accordingly.
Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: August 18, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Flying Arik Air?
Get a personalized travel checklist for your pet on Arik Air.
