Citilink Pet Travel Policy

Flying with Pets on Citilink: What You Need to Know

I see pet travel rejections every week at my clinic. Most come down to one thing: people don't know their airline's actual rules until they're at the airport. Here's what I tell my clients about Citilink specifically.

Citilink accepts both cats and dogs, but the way you travel with them matters enormously. The airline operates different rules for cabin, cargo, and checked baggage travel. Let me walk you through exactly what applies to your situation.

Can Your Pet Fly with Citilink?

Cats: Yes, allowed in cabin and cargo.

Dogs: Yes, but cargo only — not in cabin or checked baggage. This is the most common mistake I see with Citilink specifically. People assume their small dog can travel like it would on other airlines, then get turned away.

Service dogs: We're still verifying Citilink's service animal policy — contact them directly before booking.

Cabin Travel (Cats Only)

If you're flying with a cat in the cabin, here's what applies:

• Minimum age: 8 weeks old, fully weaned
• Advance booking required: Book at least 24 hours before departure. Don't show up at the airport hoping for a spot — Citilink limits pets per flight
• Fee: No cabin pet fee on Citilink
• Maximum combined weight: 8 kg (pet + carrier together). My Pixel weighs 7 kg, so she fits comfortably, but measure your cat plus the carrier before booking
• Pregnant cats: Not accepted. If your cat is visibly pregnant, contact Citilink before attempting to book

Cabin Carrier Requirements

The most common mistake I see is buying a carrier that's technically "airline-approved" but doesn't fit under the seat. Here are the exact dimensions:

• Length: 45.7 cm (18 inches) maximum
• Width: 27.9 cm (11 inches) maximum
• Height: 27.9 cm (11 inches) maximum
• Type: Soft-sided carrier required (hard-sided won't fit under the seat)
• Ventilation: Mesh sides on at least two sides for airflow
• Absorbent liner: Required inside the carrier to manage accidents

Measure your carrier before you buy it. Bring a tape measure to the pet store. I've seen people show up with carriers that are 2 cm too long and get denied boarding.

Cargo Travel (Dogs & Cats)

This is where most dogs travel on Citilink. Cargo is handled through Citilink Cargo, a separate operation.

• Minimum age: 10 weeks old, fully weaned
• Advance booking required: Book well in advance — cargo slots fill up faster than cabin
• Pregnant animals: Not accepted
• Temperature restrictions:
  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) — if it's hotter than this at origin or destination, your pet cannot fly
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) — if it's colder, you'll need a vet-issued acclimation certificate

Cargo Carrier Requirements

Cargo carriers are completely different from cabin carriers. Here's what's required:

• Type: Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate only. Soft-sided carriers are not accepted
• Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides (IATA requirement)
• Water bowl: Attached to the outside of the crate so handlers can fill it without opening the door
• Absorbent liner: Required inside to manage accidents during transport
• Live Animals label: Required on the crate with orientation arrows showing which way is up

I cannot stress this enough: buy an IATA-certified crate. Don't improvise. The label should say "IATA LAR compliant" or equivalent. If you're unsure, ask the seller before purchasing.

Breed Restrictions: The Brachycephalic Ban

This applies to both cabin and cargo travel. Citilink restricts snub-nosed breeds due to respiratory risks during flight.

Restricted breeds include:

• Bulldogs (all types: English, French, American)
• Pugs (all types)
• Boxers
• Boston Terriers
• Shih Tzus
• Pekingese
• Chow Chows
• Japanese Chin
• Lhasa Apso
• Shar Pei
• Pit Bull and related breeds (American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier)
• Mastiffs (all types)
• Cane Corso
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — yes, even my Pixel is technically on this list

If your breed is on this list, contact Citilink directly before booking. Some airlines make exceptions with vet documentation, but I've seen rejections happen at check-in. Don't risk it.

Health Certificate: Non-Negotiable

This is where I see the most rejections. A health certificate is required by Citilink, even if it's not prominently listed on their website.

• Issued by: A licensed veterinarian (that's me, or your vet)
• Validity: Must be issued within 10 days of departure. Some destinations require 7 days. Get it as close to your flight as possible
• What it covers: General health status, vaccinations (especially rabies), and fitness to fly
• Cost: Typically €30–60 depending on your vet

Here's what I tell my clients: book your vet appointment for 5–7 days before departure. This gives you a buffer if there are any health issues, and the certificate will still be valid. Don't wait until the day before.

Sedation: Absolutely Not Allowed

IATA regulations (which Citilink follows) prohibit sedating pets during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies. This applies worldwide, not just Citilink.

If your pet is anxious about flying, talk to your vet about calming supplements or training, but not sedation. I've had clients ask about this repeatedly, and the answer is always no.

Key Numbers at a Glance

What You Need to Do: Step-by-Step Checklist

4–6 Weeks Before Travel

• Check if your pet's breed is on the restricted list. If yes, contact Citilink before proceeding
• If traveling with a dog, confirm it's cargo-only on Citilink (not cabin)
• Measure your pet + carrier to ensure it meets weight and dimension limits
• Book your pet with Citilink (don't assume availability)

2 Weeks Before Travel

• Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate (5–7 days before departure)
• Confirm your carrier meets all requirements (soft-sided for cabin, hard-sided IATA for cargo)
• For cargo travel: ensure your crate has water bowl, absorbent liner, and Live Animals labels
• Check weather forecasts for your origin and destination — if temperatures exceed embargoes, your pet may not be able to fly

5–7 Days Before Travel

• Visit your vet for the health certificate
• Get the certificate in writing (not just verbal confirmation)
• Confirm the certificate lists your pet's microchip number (if applicable) and vaccination dates

24 Hours Before Travel

• Double-check your booking confirmation with Citilink
• Ensure your health certificate is with you (print a copy if digital)
• For cargo: confirm your crate is properly labeled and packed
• Arrive at the airport early — pet check-in may take longer than standard baggage

Common Mistakes I See (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake 1: Assuming your dog can travel in cabin. On Citilink, dogs are cargo-only. Period. Book accordingly.

Mistake 2: Buying a carrier without measuring first. I've seen people show up with carriers that are 3 cm too long. Measure before you buy.

Mistake 3: Getting the health certificate too early. If it's dated more than 10 days before your flight, it may be rejected. Get it 5–7 days before, not 3 weeks before.

Mistake 4: Not booking in advance. Citilink limits pets per flight. Show up without a pre-booking and you'll be denied.

Mistake 5: Forgetting the absorbent liner in the carrier. This is required. Accidents happen during flight, and the airline needs protection.

International Travel with Citilink

If you're flying internationally, your destination country may have additional requirements beyond Citilink's rules. Import permits, quarantine periods, and microchip registration vary by country. Check with your destination's customs authority before booking.

For example, the Australia and New Zealand have strict quarantine requirements. The United Kingdom requires specific health documentation. Research your destination early.

Need More Help?

For a comprehensive overview of pet travel costs, see our pet travel costs guide. If your pet is a brachycephalic breed, read our brachycephalic breed flying guide. And always review our pet travel documents checklist before departure.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — it walks you through every step specific to your pet and destination.

Contact Citilink Directly

For questions not covered here, contact Citilink at their official website or customer service. Cargo inquiries should go to Citilink Cargo specifically.

Data last verified: January 2025. This guide is based on Citilink's official Conditions of Carriage and industry-standard IATA Live Animals Regulations. Policies change — always confirm directly with Citilink before booking.

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