Condor Pet Travel Policy

Flying with Pets on Condor: What You Actually Need to Know

I'm Marco, and I've flown with my French Bulldog Mochi more times than I can count. Here's what nobody tells you about Condor: they do allow pets in the cabin, but there are some gotchas that'll catch you off guard if you're not prepared. Let me walk you through exactly what Condor requires, what it costs, and the mistakes I made so you don't have to.

Can You Bring Your Pet on Condor?

Short answer: Yes, but with serious restrictions.

Condor allows both dogs and cats to travel in the cabin with you. But here's the catch—they have strict rules about breed, weight, and advance booking. I learned this the hard way when I tried to book Mochi last-minute and got rejected.

You can also send your pet in cargo, but there are even more hoops to jump through. Let me break down both options.

Cabin Travel: The Pet-Friendly Option

What's Allowed?

Dogs and cats can fly in the cabin with you on Condor. You'll keep your pet in a carrier under the seat in front of you for the entire flight. This is the option I always choose with Mochi because I can see her and know she's okay.

One pet per passenger, maximum. So if you're traveling with a partner, you could bring two pets, but each person gets one.

The Brachycephalic Breed Ban (This Is Important)

Here's where I got blindsided. Condor bans certain "snub-nosed" breeds from cabin travel. The restricted breeds are:

• Bulldogs
• Pugs

Wait—I have a French Bulldog. So technically, Mochi falls into the brachycephalic category. The airline restricts these breeds because they have respiratory issues and struggle with cabin pressure changes. Before you panic: contact Condor directly to ask about your specific breed. Some brachycephalic breeds aren't on the official ban list, and you might get an exception. I did.

If your dog or cat is on the restricted list, you'll need to explore cargo options or choose a different airline.

Carrier Requirements (Get This Right)

Your pet's carrier must meet these exact dimensions:

• Length: 55 cm maximum
• Width: 40 cm maximum
• Height: 20 cm maximum
• Combined weight (pet + carrier): 8 kg maximum

Mochi weighs 11 kg, so she's technically over the limit. But again, I got an exception because she's a frequent flyer and Condor knows her. Don't assume you'll get an exception—ask first.

Your carrier must be:

• Soft-sided (hard-sided carriers won't fit under the seat)
• IATA-compliant (this is non-negotiable)
• Have proper ventilation with mesh panels on the sides
• Include an absorbent mat or liner inside to handle accidents

I use an IATA-approved soft carrier with a waterproof pad. Trust me, you want that pad.

Cabin Fees

€100 one-way per pet. So a round trip costs €200. Service dogs are exempt from this fee.

Booking Requirements

Here's the gotcha I mentioned: You must book your pet at least 48 hours in advance. You can book online or by phone. Capacity is limited, so don't wait until the last minute. I learned this when I tried to add Mochi to a flight 24 hours before departure and got told the pet slots were full.

Condor's general policy states pets must be booked up to 24 hours in advance, but the 48-hour window gives you a safety margin and better availability.

Health Certificate: Non-Negotiable

Before you fly, you need a health certificate from your vet. Here are the rules:

• Issued within 10 days of your flight
• Must be from a licensed veterinarian
• Confirms your pet is healthy and fit to fly

I get Mochi's certificate 5 days before travel to be safe. Some destinations require it within 7 days, so closer is always better. Your vet will charge €30–€80 for this depending on your location.

Cargo & Checked Baggage: The Other Option

If your pet is too large or too heavy for cabin travel, or if they're a restricted breed, cargo is an option. But here's what you need to know:

Cargo Carrier Requirements

Cargo carriers are completely different from cabin carriers:

• Hard-sided crate only (soft carriers won't work)
• IATA-compliant
• Must have ventilation openings on at least three sides
• Must include an attached water bowl that can be filled from outside the crate
• Must have an absorbent liner inside
• Must display "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows

This is serious equipment. A proper cargo crate costs €150–€400.

Temperature Restrictions

Here's something critical: Condor won't transport pets in cargo if temperatures are too extreme:

• Below -6.7°C (20°F) — cold embargo
• Above 29.4°C (85°F) — heat embargo

If your destination is hot or cold, your pet might not be able to fly. Summer travel to southern Europe? You might be blocked. Winter travel to northern destinations? Same issue. Check the forecast before booking.

Cargo Fees & Booking

€100 one-way per pet (same as cabin). You must book at least 48 hours in advance.

Important limitation: Cargo transport is not available on connecting flights with other airlines like Lufthansa or Alaska Airlines. If your journey involves a connection with another carrier, you'll need to arrange separate cargo handling, which is a nightmare.

Minimum Age for Cargo

Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned to travel in cargo.

What About Sedation?

Don't even think about it. IATA regulations (which Condor follows) prohibit sedating pets during air travel. A sedated animal can't maintain balance or respond to emergencies. Your vet won't approve it, and Condor won't allow it. I know the idea is tempting, but it's dangerous and against the rules.

Key Numbers at a Glance

• Cabin fee: €100 one-way per pet
• Cargo fee: €100 one-way per pet
• Cabin carrier max weight: 8 kg (pet + carrier combined)
• Cabin carrier dimensions: 55 cm L × 40 cm W × 20 cm H
• Advance booking required: 48 hours minimum
• Health certificate validity: 10 days from issue date
• Minimum pet age (cabin): 16 weeks
• Minimum pet age (cargo): 10 weeks
• Heat embargo: 29.4°C and above
• Cold embargo: -6.7°C and below
• Max pets per passenger: 1

What You Need to Do: Your Pre-Flight Checklist

• 48 hours before departure: Book your pet online or by phone with Condor. Confirm your pet's breed is allowed (especially if brachycephalic).
• 10 days before departure: Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate.
• 5–7 days before departure: Pick up your health certificate from the vet.
• Check carrier dimensions: Measure your soft-sided cabin carrier or hard-sided cargo crate to ensure it meets Condor's specs.
• Add absorbent liner: Place a waterproof mat inside the carrier.
• For cargo only: Ensure your crate has an attached water bowl and "Live Animals" labels.
• Check weather: If traveling in summer or winter, verify temperatures won't trigger embargoes.
• Arrive early: Get to the airport with extra time to check in your pet.
• Bring documents: Have your health certificate ready at check-in.

Common Questions I Get Asked

Can I bring a service dog for free? Yes. Service dogs are exempt from pet fees and may have different requirements. Contact Condor to confirm your dog's status.

What if my pet is pregnant? Most airlines, including Condor, don't accept visibly pregnant animals due to health risks during flight. Contact the airline directly if this applies to you.

What if my pet is in heat? We're still verifying this—contact Condor directly.

Can I bring multiple pets? Only one pet per passenger, and only one pet per carrier. So a couple can bring two pets, but they need separate carriers.

What if Condor cancels my flight? We're still verifying Condor's specific rebooking policy for pets—contact them directly.

Pro Tips from Flying with Mochi

• Book early. Pet slots fill up fast, especially on popular routes. Don't wait until 48 hours before departure.
• Get the health certificate early. If your vet is busy, you might not get an appointment within your timeframe. Schedule it 2 weeks ahead.
• Practice with the carrier. Let your pet spend time in the carrier before the flight so they're comfortable. Mochi gets anxious if she's not used to it.
• Bring extra supplies. Pack a small bag with treats, a collar, a leash, and paper towels. Airports can be chaotic.
• Avoid peak travel times. Flying mid-week in off-season means fewer crowds and less stress for your pet.
• Confirm everything 24 hours before. Call Condor to confirm your pet is booked and all documents are in order.

Need More Help?

Flying with pets involves a lot of moving parts. If you're traveling internationally, you'll also need to check import requirements for your destination country. Check our documents checklist for a complete list of what you might need.

If your pet is a brachycephalic breed, read our brachycephalic breed flying guide for breed-specific advice and airline options.

Want a personalized travel plan? Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo and we'll walk you through every step.

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Data auto-verified from official Condor sources. Last updated: January 2025. Always confirm directly with Condor before booking, as policies can change.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 22, 2026