Here's what nobody tells you about Caribbean Airlines: dogs actually ride in the cabin, which for a brachy little tank like Mochi is the whole ballgame. I learned the hard way that cabin acceptance isn't a given, so seeing it here made me exhale. Read on before you book, because the details around this one decision are where people trip themselves up.

Caribbean Airlines'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 Caribbean Airlines 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

Cabin policy

Pets accepted Accepted“Travelling With Pets Pets are permitted to travel as checked baggage only, with the exception of service animals.”
Advance booking notice72 hours“…customer’s passenger ticket reservation that a live animal is to accompany the passenger, but not later than 72 hours in advance of travel.”
Cold-weather embargo-6.6°C“Pets may be accepted at temperatures below 45°F with an acclimation certificate , however, no pet will be transported at temperatures lower than 20°F (-6.6°C).”
Crate must have/bewater bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, a carrier“Separate food and water troughs must be provided, either fixed inside the container or attached to it so that they are accessible for replenishment purposes”

Hold & cargo policy

Hold: Pets accepted Accepted“Pets in Cargo Animals who are too large to travel as checked baggage can travel as cargo instead.”
Hold: Advance booking notice72 hours“Reservations Passengers flying with pets must notify Caribbean Airlines a minimum of 72 hours prior to departure Reservations Passengers flying with pets must notify Caribbean Airlines a minimum…”
Hold: Cold-weather embargo-6.6°C“Pets may be accepted at temperatures below 45°F with an acclimation certificate , however, no pet will be transported at temperatures lower than 20°F (-6.6°C).”
Hold: Heat embargo29.4°C“Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary.”
Hold: Advance notice hours72 hours“Passengers flying with pets must notify Caribbean Airlines a minimum of 72 hours prior to departure.”
Hold: Crate must have/bewater bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, live-animal label, a carrier“Separate food and water troughs must be provided, either fixed inside the container or attached to it so that they are accessible for replenishment purposes.”
Cargo: Pets accepted Accepted“Pets in Cargo Animals who are too large to travel as checked baggage can travel as cargo instead.”
Cargo: Advance booking notice72 hours“Reservations Passengers flying with pets must notify Caribbean Airlines a minimum of 72 hours prior to departure.”
Cargo: Cold-weather embargo7.2°C“Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary.”
Cargo: Heat embargo29.4°C“Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary.”
Cargo: Crate must have/behard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, live-animal label, a carrier“The crate must be made of fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics, solid wood or plywood.”

Other rules

Pets accepted Accepted“Pets are permitted to travel as checked baggage only, with the exception of service animals.”
Assistance animals accepted Yes“Travelling With Pets Pets are permitted to travel as checked baggage only, with the exception of service animals.”

Service & assistance animals

Fee waived Yes“Service dog pet policy All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge”
Recognized Yes“Pets are permitted to travel as checked baggage only, with the exception of service animals.”
Cabin allowed Yes“Service dog pet policy All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge.”
Esa recognized Yes“Emotional support dogs Emotional support dogs are accepted on domestic flights within Trinidad and Tobago.”
Caribbean Airlines requires notification a minimum of 72 hours before departure for passengers flying with a pet. Contact reservations at least 72 hours ahead to register the dog on the booking. Missing that 72-hour window risks the pet being refused at check-in. Call to confirm the reservation shows the pet before arriving at the airport.

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.
So that's the shape of it: cabin travel is on the table, but the fine print is where trips get won or lost. Don't wing it like I once did at the SGN customs window. Build your personalized plan with Pawgo's plan-builder for your exact route and dates, and let it flag the deadlines and paperwork before they flag you. Go check yours now.
Get YOUR personalized plan for Caribbean Airlines →

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.