Can You Fly with Pets on China Southern?

Yes, China Southern Airlines (CZ) allows both dogs and cats to travel with you. Cats are confirmed to be allowed in the cabin on most routes. Dogs can travel, though we're still verifying cabin eligibility — contact China Southern directly to confirm your dog's eligibility for cabin travel.

You have three travel options for your pet: cabin (with you), checked baggage (in the hold), or cargo. Each has different rules, carrier requirements, and temperature restrictions. This guide covers everything you need to know to travel safely with your furry companion.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin carrier dimensions: 45.7 cm (L) × 27.9 cm (W) × 27.9 cm (H) — roughly 18" × 11" × 11"
  • Cabin weight limit: 8 kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Minimum age for cabin: 8 weeks old
  • Minimum age for checked/cargo: 10 weeks old
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) — no travel if temperatures exceed this
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) — no travel in extreme cold without vet acclimation certificate
  • Maximum pets per passenger: 1 pet carrier in cabin

Cabin Travel with Your Pet

If your pet is small enough, traveling in the cabin means your pet stays with you throughout the flight — the safest and least stressful option for most animals.

Carrier Requirements for Cabin

Your carrier must be soft-sided and fit under the seat in front of you. Hard-sided carriers are not suitable for cabin travel on China Southern.

  • Maximum dimensions: 45.7 cm long × 27.9 cm wide × 27.9 cm high
  • Maximum combined weight: 8 kg (your pet + the carrier together)
  • Ventilation: Must have mesh sides or adequate ventilation openings
  • Interior: Must include an absorbent mat or liner to manage accidents

Measure your pet and carrier carefully before booking. If your pet is over 8 kg combined with the carrier, you'll need to use checked baggage or cargo instead.

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic (Snub-Nosed) Dogs & Cats

China Southern, like most airlines, restricts brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. These breeds are not permitted in the cabin:

  • Dogs: Bulldogs (all types), Pugs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, French Bulldogs, Mastiffs (all types), Pit Bulls and related breeds, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Chow Chows, Japanese Chins, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Lhasa Apsos, Brussels Griffons, and others with shortened muzzles
  • Cats: Persian cats

If your pet is on this list, check with China Southern — some airlines make exceptions, but most enforce the ban strictly. See our brachycephalic breed flying guide for alternatives.

Age Requirements

Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned to fly in the cabin. Younger animals are not accepted.

Health & Documentation for Cabin

You must have a health certificate issued by a veterinarian. This is non-negotiable — you will not be allowed to board without it.

  • Validity: The certificate must be issued within 10 days of your departure date
  • What it covers: Confirmation that your pet is healthy and fit to fly
  • Timing: Get it as close to your departure date as possible — don't get it too early

Even if China Southern's website doesn't explicitly mention it, health certificates are checked at the airport. Don't risk being denied boarding.

Pregnant Animals & Animals in Heat

China Southern does not accept visibly pregnant animals for cabin travel due to health risks. If your pet is pregnant, contact the airline directly before booking. We're still verifying the policy on animals in heat — contact China Southern to confirm.

Sedation is Prohibited

Do not sedate your pet for air travel. IATA regulations prohibit sedation because 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 the airline.

Advance Booking is Required

You cannot show up at the airport with a pet and expect to board. You must pre-book your pet before your flight. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight, so book as early as possible. Contact China Southern's customer service to add your pet to your reservation.

Checked Baggage Travel (Hold)

If your pet is too large for cabin travel, you can check them in the hold. This is less ideal than cabin travel, but it's a viable option for larger animals.

Carrier Requirements for Checked Baggage

Checked baggage carriers have stricter requirements than cabin carriers:

  • Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides (per IATA standards)
  • Water bowl: Must have an attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate
  • Live animal label: Must display "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on the crate
  • Absorbent liner: Must include an absorbent mat inside to manage accidents

We're still verifying specific dimension and weight limits for checked baggage on China Southern — contact the airline directly for exact requirements.

Age & Health Requirements

Pets traveling in checked baggage must be at least 10 weeks old (older than cabin pets). All other health and documentation requirements are the same as cabin travel: you need a health certificate issued within 10 days of departure.

Temperature Embargoes

China Southern will not accept pets in checked baggage if temperatures are extreme:

  • Heat embargo: No travel if tarmac temperatures at origin or destination exceed 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo: No travel if temperatures drop below -6.7°C (20°F) — unless your vet provides an acclimation certificate

Check the weather forecast for your travel dates. If temperatures are borderline, contact China Southern to confirm whether your pet can travel.

Cargo Travel

For very large pets or special circumstances, cargo is an option. Cargo carriers have the strictest requirements.

Cargo Carrier Requirements

  • Hard-sided crate only: Soft-sided carriers are not accepted for cargo
  • IATA compliance: Must meet IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) container standards
  • Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides
  • Water bowl: Attached water bowl or trough, fillable from outside
  • Live animal labels: Required with orientation arrows
  • Absorbent liner: Required inside the crate

Cargo travel is more expensive and stressful for your pet. Use it only if cabin or checked baggage options aren't available.

Age, Health & Temperature Rules

Cargo pets must be at least 10 weeks old. Health certificates, breed restrictions, and temperature embargoes are the same as checked baggage.

Cats on China Southern

Cats are allowed in the cabin on most China Southern routes and follow the same rules as dogs:

  • Soft-sided cabin carrier, max 8 kg combined weight
  • Minimum 8 weeks old
  • Health certificate required (within 10 days of departure)
  • Advance booking required
  • Persian cats are restricted (brachycephalic breed)
  • No sedation allowed
  • Pregnant cats not accepted

Cats can also travel in checked baggage or cargo under the same conditions as dogs.

Assistance Animals

Service dogs and other assistance animals follow a separate policy from regular pets. Documentation is required. We're still verifying specific requirements for China Southern — contact the airline directly with your assistance animal's credentials and documentation.

What You Need to Do

Before you book your flight:

  • Confirm with China Southern that your pet's breed is allowed (especially if it's a flat-faced breed)
  • Measure your pet and your carrier to ensure they meet weight and dimension limits
  • Decide whether you want cabin, checked baggage, or cargo travel
  • Check the weather forecast for your travel dates — confirm no temperature embargoes apply

1-2 weeks before departure:

  • Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate (must be issued within 10 days of departure)
  • Ensure your pet's vaccinations are current
  • Pre-book your pet with China Southern — don't wait until the airport

Before you leave for the airport:

  • Confirm your pet's booking with China Southern
  • Pack your health certificate and any other required documents
  • Ensure your carrier has an absorbent liner and proper ventilation
  • For checked baggage/cargo: confirm your carrier has a water bowl and "Live Animals" labels
  • Bring food, water, and comfort items for your pet

International Travel & Destination Rules

If you're flying to another country, that country may have additional import requirements beyond China Southern's rules. For example, United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia all have strict pet import rules. Research your destination's requirements early — some require import permits, microchipping, or quarantine.

Fees & Pricing

We're still verifying China Southern's pet travel fees. Fees are typically quoted in CNY for domestic routes and USD or other currencies for international routes. Contact China Southern directly for current pricing.

Still Have Questions?

China Southern's pet policies can vary by route and are subject to change. Always confirm directly with the airline before booking. Key things to verify:

  • Whether dogs are allowed in the cabin on your specific route
  • Exact carrier dimensions and weight limits for your booking
  • Current pet travel fees
  • Any route-specific restrictions or embargoes
  • Requirements for your destination country

For a comprehensive pre-travel checklist, see our pet travel documents checklist and flying with a dog guide.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — we'll help you navigate airline policies and destination requirements.

This guide is based on verified data extracted from official China Southern Airlines sources as of April 2026. Policies change frequently. Always confirm current requirements directly with China Southern before booking. Last updated: April 11, 2026.

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