Arik Air Pet Travel Policy

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

Look, I've been there. I showed up at the airport with Mochi, my 11kg French Bulldog, thinking we were good to go. Turns out, I missed a critical detail about brachycephalic breeds and airline restrictions. Here's what I learned the hard way—and what you need to know before booking with Arik Air (W3).

Can You Fly with Pets on Arik Air?

Yes, but with serious caveats. Arik Air allows both dogs and cats to travel, but the rules depend heavily on your pet's breed, size, and how you want to travel. Let me break down your options.

Cabin Travel: The Good News (If Your Pet Qualifies)

Dogs and cats under 8kg can fly in the cabin with you. This is the option most people prefer—your pet stays with you, not in cargo. But here's the catch: there are restrictions, and they're strict.

Size & Carrier Requirements for Cabin Travel

• Maximum combined weight: 8kg (pet + carrier together). Mochi weighs 11kg, so he's already over the limit. If your dog or cat is heavier, you're looking at checked baggage instead.
• Carrier dimensions: Your carrier must fit under the seat in front of you. That means roughly 28cm wide × 28cm high × 46cm long (11" × 11" × 18"). Measure twice—airlines don't mess around with this.
• Soft-sided carriers only: Hard-sided crates won't fit under the seat. You need a soft-sided, collapsible carrier with mesh ventilation on all sides.
• Absorbent liner required: Put an absorbent mat or pad inside the carrier. Accidents happen, and you don't want to be that person.

The Brachycephalic Breed Problem (My Mochi Moment)

Here's where I got burned. Arik Air restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. This is an industry-wide standard, but it's devastating if your breed is on the list.

Restricted breeds include: French Bulldogs, Pugs, Bulldogs (all types), Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, Lhasa Apsos, Japanese Chins, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Shar-Peis, Chow Chows, and many others. If your dog has a flat face, check the full list below—or call Arik Air directly at 0700003592745 to confirm.

I wish someone had told me this before I booked. Mochi couldn't fly cabin, and cargo wasn't an option either (more on that below). We had to reschedule entirely.

Minimum Age for Cabin Travel

Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned. Puppies and kittens younger than this aren't cleared for flight.

One Pet Per Passenger

You can bring one pet carrier per passenger in the cabin. If you're traveling with two pets, you'll need two passengers, or one pet goes to checked baggage.

Pre-Booking is Mandatory

Do not show up at the airport with a pet without booking first. Arik Air limits the number of pets per flight. You must call their reservations team at 0700003592745 to arrange cabin pet travel in advance. There's no online booking option for pets—it's phone only.

Checked Baggage: The Larger Pet Option

If your dog or cat is over 8kg, or if you're traveling with a brachycephalic breed that's been denied cabin access, checked baggage is your alternative. Your pet travels in the cargo hold with the luggage.

Carrier Requirements for Checked Baggage

• Hard-sided crate only: Soft carriers won't work. You need a rigid, IATA-compliant crate.
• Attached water bowl: The crate must have a water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside. Your pet needs access to water during the flight.
• Ventilation on three sides: IATA requires ventilation openings on at least three sides of the crate.
• Absorbent liner: Line the bottom with absorbent material to manage accidents.
• "Live Animals" labels: Your crate must display "Live Animals" stickers with orientation arrows showing which way is up. This is non-negotiable.

Minimum Age & Weight

Pets traveling as checked baggage must be at least 10 weeks old (older than cabin pets). There's no maximum weight listed, but confirm with Arik Air.

Temperature Restrictions

Here's something critical: Arik Air will not accept pets if temperatures are too extreme.

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

If it's hot or cold at your departure or destination airport, your pet may be refused. A vet can issue an "acclimation certificate" to allow travel in colder conditions, but heat is harder to work around. Check the weather before you book.

Pre-Booking Required

Like cabin travel, you must pre-book checked baggage pet travel. Call Arik Air's reservations team in advance.

No Cargo Service for Live Animals

Arik Air does not offer a separate cargo service for live animals. Your only options are cabin (under 8kg) or checked baggage (over 8kg). If you need to ship a pet internationally with specialized cargo handling, you'll need a different airline.

Health Certificates: Non-Negotiable

You must have a vet-issued health certificate. This is required by virtually all airlines, and Arik Air will check it at the airport. No certificate = no boarding.

Certificate Requirements

• Issued within 10 days of departure: Get it as close to your flight date as possible. Some destinations require 7 days, so don't wait.
• Vet signature: It must be signed by a licensed veterinarian.
• Health status: The cert confirms your pet is healthy and fit to fly.

Book your vet appointment early. Don't assume you can get one the day before your flight.

Sedation: Absolutely Not Allowed

Do not sedate your pet for air travel. IATA regulations prohibit sedation because a sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide. If your vet or the airline tells you sedation is okay, get a second opinion—they're wrong.

Animals in Heat & Pregnant Pets

Arik Air does not accept visibly pregnant animals due to health risks during flight. Animals in heat are also typically restricted. If your pet is pregnant or in heat, contact Arik Air directly to confirm—but expect to be denied.

Key Numbers at a Glance

• Cabin weight limit: 8kg (pet + carrier)
• Cabin carrier dimensions: 28cm W × 28cm H × 46cm L (11" × 11" × 18")
• Checked baggage minimum age: 10 weeks
• Cabin minimum age: 8 weeks
• Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
• Heat embargo: Above 29.4°C (85°F)
• Cold embargo: Below -6.7°C (20°F)
• Arik Air reservations (pet bookings): 0700003592745

What You Need to Do

Before you book your flight:

• Check if your pet's breed is on the brachycephalic restricted list. If yes, cabin travel is not an option.
• Weigh your pet + your intended carrier. If it's over 8kg, plan for checked baggage instead.
• Call Arik Air at 0700003592745 to pre-book pet travel. Do not assume availability.
• Check the weather forecast for your departure and destination. If temperatures are extreme, your pet may be refused.

2-3 weeks before departure:

• Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate. Aim for 7-10 days before your flight.
• If traveling as checked baggage, order or purchase an IATA-compliant hard-sided crate. Test-fit it to make sure your pet is comfortable.
• If traveling in cabin, get a soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat. Measure it carefully.

1 week before departure:

• Pick up your health certificate from the vet.
• Prepare your carrier: add absorbent liner, ensure ventilation is clear, attach water bowl (if checked baggage).
• For checked baggage, print and attach "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows.
• Confirm your pet booking with Arik Air one final time.

Day of travel:

• Arrive early. Pet check-in may take extra time.
• Bring your health certificate and any other documentation.
• Keep your pet calm and hydrated before boarding.

Full List of Restricted Brachycephalic Breeds

If your pet is any of these breeds, cabin travel is restricted. Checked baggage may also be restricted—confirm with Arik Air:

Affenpinscher, American Bully (all breeds), American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), British Shorthair, Brussels Griffon, Bull Terrier (all breeds), Bulldog (all breeds including English, French, American, Old English, Shorty), Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all breeds), Pekingese, Persian, Presa Canario, Pug (all breeds including Dutch and Japanese), Shar-Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel.

Still Have Questions?

Arik Air's pet policies aren't fully detailed online, and some specifics are still being verified. For questions about:

• Exact pet fees (not publicly available)
• Specific breed approvals beyond the restricted list
• Embargoed routes or special restrictions
• Booking and payment methods

Contact Arik Air directly at 0700003592745. Be prepared with your pet's breed, weight, age, and travel dates.

For comprehensive guidance on traveling with your specific pet type, check out our flying with a dog guide or pet travel documents checklist. If you have a brachycephalic breed, read our brachycephalic breed flying guide for alternatives and workarounds.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to ensure you're not missing anything.

Final Thoughts

Flying with pets isn't simple, and Arik Air has real restrictions—especially for flat-faced breeds like my Mochi. But if your pet qualifies, the process is manageable with proper planning. Call ahead, get your health certificate, and prepare your carrier correctly. Don't wing it. I learned that lesson the expensive way.

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Data last verified: April 17, 2026. Pet travel policies are auto-verified from official airline sources and updated regularly. Always confirm directly with Arik Air before booking, as policies can change.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 21, 2026