Flying with a large dog means cargo is almost always part of the conversation, and Avianca Ecuador is no exception for routes out of South America. After three international moves with Cooper, the thing that catches people off guard isn't the paperwork — it's the booking window. Here's what I wish someone had told me: cabin pet reservations have a hard cutoff that sneaks up fast if you're not watching the calendar.
Avianca Ecuador'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 Avianca Ecuador 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.
In the cabin Accepted
In the hold / cargo Accepted
Snub-nosed breedsNot accepted
Cabin policy
Pets accepted Accepted“Dogs or cats that have an additional fee to be transported in the cabin and must meet the following requirements:”
Advance booking notice48 hours“This service can be booked more than 48 hours before departure through our Contact Center, travel agencies, sales points and airports.”
Advance booking required Yes“onal support dogs Service dogs* *If you add the transport of your service dog on avianca.com, keep in mind that they can only travel in the cabin. Keep in mind: If you are flying with your dog to the United States ,…”
Max pets per passenger1“You may travel with a maximum of one (1) pet in the cabin, which must be transported exclusively in flexible containers (carriers) that can be stored under the seat in front of you on the plane.”
Carrier size55 × 35 × 25 cm“Must travel in a flexible container of no more than 55x35x25 cm (length, width and height).”
Hold & cargo policy
Hold: Pets accepted Accepted“Weight: Service dogs are accepted regardless of their weight or size, as long as they can be placed in the cabin English United States USD Book Offers and destinations Offers and destinations Offers and destinations F”
Hold: Crate must have/bea carrier“t on domestic flights in Colombia, where we accept animals older than 2 months with a vaccination schedule appropriate for their age.</li> </ul> section-type default style grid-items-center, grid-3-9 multitab-group…”
Cargo: Pets accepted Accepted“Dogs or cats that have an additional fee to be transported in the hold.”
Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned Yes“departure of your flight. Important To ensure your pet’s safety and well-being, check the routes with restrictions for pet transport in the cargo hold. Where can I request this service? avianca.com Contact Center…”
Cargo: Advance booking notice48 hours“…https://ayuda.avianca.com/hc/en-us/articles/13091555715739 Book ahead Remember to add this service at least 48 hours before your flight departure. none Flight day tips Make sure you arrive at the airport at least 2…”
Other rules
Service & assistance animals
Pets accepted Accepted“Yes, you may travel with your service dog as long as you comply with the applicable documentation and regulations .”
Esa noteemotional support dog will not be able“Your emotional support dog or pet will not be able to fly with you in the cabin if you are traveling in Business Class on our 787 aircraft.”
Recognized Yes“ze: clamp(0.875rem, 0.36vw + 0.765rem, 1rem); line-height: 1.5;"><b>Weight:</b> Service dogs are accepted regardless of weight or size, as long as they can be accommodated without obstr”
Cabin allowed Yes“o-padding-top rounded-image false Pets on board Find out everything you need to know about traveling with your pet, whether in the aircraft cabin or the hold. section-type default style grid-4-8, grid-justify-center,…”
In the cabin Accepted
In the hold / cargo Accepted
Snub-nosed breedsNot accepted
Cabin policy
Pets accepted Accepted“Dogs or cats that have an additional fee to be transported in the cabin and must meet the following requirements:”
Advance booking notice48 hours“This service can be booked more than 48 hours before departure through our Contact Center, travel agencies, sales points and airports.”
Advance booking required Yes“onal support dogs Service dogs* *If you add the transport of your service dog on avianca.com, keep in mind that they can only travel in the cabin. Keep in mind: If you are flying with your dog to the United States ,…”
Max pets per passenger1“You may travel with a maximum of one (1) pet in the cabin, which must be transported exclusively in flexible containers (carriers) that can be stored under the seat in front of you on the plane.”
Carrier size55 × 35 × 25 cm“Must travel in a flexible container of no more than 55x35x25 cm (length, width and height).”
Hold & cargo policy
Hold: Advance booking notice48 hours“…0.36vw + 0.765rem, 1rem); line-height: 1.5;"><b>Booking:</b> This service can be booked more than 48 hours before departure through our Contact Center, travel agencies, sales points and airports.”
Cargo: Pets accepted Accepted“Dogs or cats that have an additional fee to be transported in the hold.”
Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned Yes“departure of your flight. Important To ensure your pet’s safety and well-being, check the routes with restrictions for pet transport in the cargo hold. Where can I request this service? avianca.com Contact Center…”
Cabin pet bookings on Avianca Ecuador must be made more than 48 hours before departure — and the online booking flow does not cover this. Reservations go through the Contact Center, a travel agency, a sales point, or the airport desk only. Call at minimum 72 hours ahead to leave time for a follow-up if the first attempt stalls.
Avianca Ecuador applies route-specific restrictions to cargo pet transport. Before purchasing any ticket, check each leg on avianca.com to confirm the route accepts pets in the hold. Brachycephalic breeds face additional scrutiny on restricted routes — documentation requirements include microchip verification. Clearing route eligibility first prevents a non-refundable booking on a leg that cannot accommodate the animal.
Frequently asked
- How many pets can I bring on Avianca Ecuador?
- Avianca Ecuador allows 1 in the cabin, per passenger. Each pet needs its own carrier.
- What is the cabin weight limit on Avianca Ecuador?
- In the cabin, your pet plus its carrier must not exceed 10 kg.
- How far in advance must I book my pet on Avianca Ecuador?
- Add your pet to the booking at least 48 hours before departure — do it when you book the ticket, not at the airport.
- 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.
Every trip with a pet is its own puzzle — different airline, different country, different rules. What looks straightforward in a quick search often has a detail buried two pages deep that changes everything. Before Cooper and I finalized our last itinerary, I mapped every requirement in one place. That's exactly what Pawgo's plan-builder does for your trip — give it a try and get a personalized plan before you book a single flight.
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.