Can You Fly with Pets on EVA Air?

Yes, EVA Air allows both dogs and cats to travel with you. You have two main options: bring your pet in the cabin with you, or check them in cargo hold. Each option has different rules, carrier requirements, and costs. The choice depends on your pet's size, age, and your comfort level with the travel method.

Before booking, understand that advance booking is mandatory — you cannot simply show up at the airport with a pet. EVA Air limits the number of pets per flight, so early planning is essential.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin pet fee: $125 USD (one-way, route-dependent)
  • Cabin carrier max weight: 12.5 kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Cabin carrier dimensions: 45.7 cm L × 27.9 cm W × 27.9 cm H (must fit under seat)
  • Minimum pet age (cabin): 8 weeks old
  • Minimum pet age (cargo): 10 weeks old
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
  • Heat embargo (cargo): 29.4°C (85°F) — no travel above this temperature
  • Cold embargo (cargo): -6.7°C (20°F) — no travel below this temperature

Cabin Travel: Flying with Your Pet Beside You

Cabin travel is the preferred option for most pet owners because your pet stays with you throughout the flight. This reduces stress and lets you monitor their comfort.

Who Can Fly in the Cabin?

Your pet must meet these requirements:

  • Be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned
  • Weigh no more than 12.5 kg combined with the carrier
  • Not be visibly pregnant (confirm with EVA Air if unsure)
  • Not be a brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breed — see the breed restrictions below

Brachycephalic Breed Restrictions

EVA Air restricts many flat-faced dog and cat breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. If your pet is any of these breeds, they cannot fly in the cabin:

Dogs: Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all types including English, French, American), Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Presa Canario, Pug (all types), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Cats: Persian cats

For a detailed explanation of why these breeds are restricted and your options, see our brachycephalic breed flying guide.

Cabin Carrier Requirements

Your carrier must be soft-sided (not hard plastic) and fit these exact dimensions:

  • Length: 45.7 cm (18 inches) maximum
  • Width: 27.9 cm (11 inches) maximum
  • Height: 27.9 cm (11 inches) maximum
  • Combined weight (pet + carrier): 12.5 kg maximum

The carrier must fit completely under the seat in front of you. Before purchasing, measure your target seat space or ask EVA Air for confirmation.

Essential carrier features:

  • Mesh or ventilated sides for airflow
  • Absorbent mat or liner inside to manage accidents
  • Secure closures so your pet cannot escape

Cabin Travel Costs

The cabin pet fee is $125 USD per one-way flight. However, this is route-dependent and varies by destination country and whether your flight is domestic or international. Confirm the exact fee when you book, as it may differ from this baseline.

Cargo Hold Travel: For Larger Pets

If your pet is too large for cabin travel or is a restricted breed, cargo hold is an alternative. Your pet travels in a climate-controlled cargo area but not with you in the cabin.

Who Can Fly in Cargo?

  • Be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned
  • Not be visibly pregnant
  • Not be a brachycephalic breed (same restrictions as cabin)
  • Travel must occur when temperatures are within safe ranges (see embargoes below)

Cargo Carrier Requirements

Cargo carriers are much more heavily regulated than cabin carriers. Your crate must be:

  • Hard-sided only (soft carriers are not accepted)
  • IATA-compliant — meets International Air Transport Association Live Animals Regulations
  • Have ventilation openings on at least three sides
  • Include an attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside
  • Have an absorbent mat or liner inside
  • Display "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on all sides

IATA-compliant crates are widely available from pet supply retailers. When ordering, specify "IATA-approved pet cargo crate" to ensure compliance.

Temperature Embargoes for Cargo

EVA Air will not accept pets in cargo if temperatures exceed safe ranges:

  • Heat embargo: No travel when tarmac temperature exceeds 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination
  • Cold embargo: No travel when temperature drops below -6.7°C (20°F)

These restrictions exist to prevent heat stress or cold exposure. If your destination is in a hot climate, book flights during cooler months. For cold destinations, ask your vet about obtaining an acclimation certificate, which may allow travel in colder conditions.

Health Certificates & Documentation

A veterinary health certificate is mandatory for all pet travel on EVA Air. This is non-negotiable and will be checked at the airport.

Health Certificate Requirements

  • Issued by a licensed veterinarian
  • Dated within 10 days before departure (some destinations require 7 days — check with EVA Air)
  • Confirms your pet is healthy and fit to fly
  • Includes vaccination records (especially rabies, if required by destination)

Pro tip: Schedule your vet appointment as close to your departure date as possible. A certificate issued 10 days early is safer than one issued 2 weeks early, as it demonstrates your pet's current health status.

For international travel, your destination country may have additional import requirements. Check our pet travel documents checklist and contact the destination country's customs authority before booking.

Advance Booking & Restrictions

You must book your pet in advance. EVA Air limits the number of pets allowed per flight, and availability fills quickly. Do not assume you can add your pet at the airport.

  • Maximum of 1 pet per passenger in the cabin
  • Book your pet when you book your flight, or as soon as possible after
  • Contact EVA Air directly to confirm availability and complete pet booking

What You Cannot Do

Do not sedate your pet. IATA Live Animals Regulations prohibit sedation during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide. Only sedate your pet if explicitly instructed by both your veterinarian and EVA Air — which is extremely rare.

What You Need to Do: Pre-Travel Checklist

  • 4-6 weeks before departure: Contact EVA Air to confirm pet travel is available on your flight and book your pet
  • 3 weeks before: Purchase or confirm you have an appropriate carrier (soft-sided for cabin, hard IATA-compliant for cargo)
  • 2 weeks before: Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate
  • 10 days before: Obtain your health certificate from your vet
  • 1 week before: Confirm all documentation with EVA Air and your destination country's import rules
  • Day before: Pack your pet's essentials: food, water, medications, comfort items, and waste bags
  • Day of travel: Arrive early and inform check-in staff that you're traveling with a pet

Assistance Animals

Service animals and emotional support animals follow a separate policy from regular pets. If you travel with an assistance animal, contact EVA Air directly, as different rules and documentation requirements apply.

Questions? Contact EVA Air

EVA Air's pet policies can vary by route and destination. For specifics about your flight, contact their customer service directly before booking. Key topics to confirm:

  • Pet availability on your specific flight
  • Exact pet fee for your route
  • Destination country import requirements
  • Carrier specifications for your pet's size

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — we'll help you navigate EVA Air's requirements and prepare all necessary documents.

This guide is based on EVA Air's official pet travel policies, verified as of April 2026. Policies can change, and route-specific rules may apply. Always confirm directly with EVA Air before booking. For more information on pet air travel generally, see our flying with a dog guide and pet travel costs guide.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 11, 2026