Gio traveling with Tafoukt the Border Collie mix (rescue from Morocco)
Gio · with Tafoukt (Border Collie mix (rescue from Morocco), 20kg)
“I rescued Tafoukt from a shelter in Morocco and brought her home to Paris.”
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EasyJet Pet Travel: What You Need to Know

I've made the journey from Morocco to Paris with rescue dogs more times than I can count. Each time, I learn something new about what airlines actually require versus what people assume. EasyJet operates across Europe with a straightforward pet policy—but "straightforward" doesn't mean simple. Let me walk you through exactly what you need to know before booking your flight with your companion.

The reality is this: EasyJet does not allow pets in the cabin. This is different from some other European carriers, and it's the first thing to confirm before you book. Whether you're traveling with a small rescue like Tafoukt or a larger dog, your pet will not be sitting beside you on an EasyJet flight. But that doesn't mean you can't fly together—it just means understanding your options.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin pets allowed: No
  • Cargo/checked baggage pets: Allowed (with restrictions)
  • Cabin fee: €0 (not applicable)
  • Minimum age: 8 weeks (cabin), 10 weeks (cargo/checked baggage)
  • Cabin carrier dimensions: 45.7 cm L × 27.9 cm W × 27.9 cm H (18" × 11" × 11")
  • Cabin carrier weight limit: 8 kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) tarmac temperature
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) tarmac temperature

Cabin Travel: Not an Option on EasyJet

Let's be direct: EasyJet's policy states "no cabin pets." This means your dog or cat cannot travel in the main cabin with you, even if they're small enough to fit under a seat. This applies to all passengers—there are no exceptions for small breeds or lap dogs.

Service dogs are the only animals exempt from carrier requirements and may travel at their handler's feet, but we're still verifying EasyJet's specific service dog policy—contact them directly to confirm documentation needed.

If cabin travel is essential for your pet's comfort or health, you may want to explore Air France, British Airways, or other carriers that do allow cabin pets. But if EasyJet's route and price work for you, cargo or checked baggage travel is your path forward.

Cargo and Checked Baggage: Your Real Options

EasyJet does accept pets in cargo and checked baggage, though the specifics of which option applies to your route we're still verifying—contact EasyJet directly to confirm availability for your flight.

Both cargo and checked baggage travel require hard-sided, IATA-compliant crates. This is non-negotiable. The crate must have:

  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides
  • An attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside
  • An absorbent mat or liner inside to manage accidents
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on the exterior

I learned this the hard way years ago when transporting a rescue from Tangier. A soft-sided carrier—the kind I use for cabin travel on other airlines—won't work. You need a proper travel crate, the kind you'd use for a long car journey, but built to IATA standards.

Temperature Restrictions: Plan Around the Weather

This is critical and often overlooked. EasyJet will not transport pets in cargo or checked baggage if:

  • Tarmac temperature exceeds 29.4°C (85°F) at either origin or destination
  • Tarmac temperature drops below -6.7°C (20°F) at either origin or destination

Summer travel from Paris to southern Europe? You might hit the heat embargo. Winter flights to northern destinations? Cold embargo applies. This is why spring and autumn are the safest seasons for pet air travel in Europe.

If you need to travel in extreme temperatures, a vet can issue an acclimation certificate that may allow travel in colder conditions. For heat, there's no workaround—the airline simply won't accept your pet.

Age Requirements

Your pet must be at least:

  • 8 weeks old for cabin travel (not applicable on EasyJet, but good to know for other airlines)
  • 10 weeks old for cargo or checked baggage travel

Both must be fully weaned. If you're rescuing a young animal, like I did with Tafoukt, you'll need to wait until they're old enough and healthy enough to fly.

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Breeds Are Banned

EasyJet restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. The industry-standard restricted list includes:

  • Bulldogs (all types: English, French, American)
  • Pugs (all types)
  • Boxers
  • Boston Terriers
  • Shih Tzus
  • Pekingese
  • Chow Chows
  • Shar Peis
  • Japanese Chins
  • Mastiffs (all types)
  • Pit Bulls and related breeds (American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier)
  • And many others

If your dog is on this list, they cannot fly on EasyJet in any capacity. This is an industry-wide safety standard, not EasyJet being difficult. The risk of respiratory distress at altitude is real. For more detail, see our brachycephalic breed flying guide.

Health Certificates: Non-Negotiable

You must have a vet-issued health certificate for your pet. This is required by virtually all airlines, even if EasyJet's website doesn't explicitly state it—you will be checked at the airport.

Critical timing: The certificate must be issued within 10 days of your departure date. Some destinations require 7 days. Get it as close to departure as possible, but not so close that you can't resolve issues if the vet finds a problem.

The certificate confirms your pet is healthy enough to fly and up-to-date on vaccinations. For international travel, you may also need import permits for your destination country. Check our documents checklist for your specific route.

Pregnant Animals and Animals in Heat

EasyJet does not accept visibly pregnant animals for travel due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, confirm directly with the airline before booking—don't assume.

Animals in heat: we're still verifying EasyJet's specific policy—contact them directly.

Pre-Booking Is Essential

You cannot show up at the airport with a pet and expect to fly. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight, and you must pre-book. Most airlines require this arrangement well in advance, though we're still verifying EasyJet's specific advance booking window—contact them to confirm how far ahead you need to arrange pet travel.

This is especially important for rescue animals. When I coordinate relocations from Morocco to France, I book pet travel weeks in advance. It's not just logistics—it's respect for the animal's welfare.

No Sedation Allowed

IATA regulations prohibit sedating pets during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. Do not sedate your pet unless explicitly instructed by both your vet and the airline—which is extremely rare.

I understand the impulse. You want your companion calm and comfortable. But the regulations exist because sedation actually increases risk. Trust the process, trust your pet's resilience.

What You Need to Do: Pre-Flight Checklist

  • Confirm pet travel availability: Call EasyJet directly to confirm whether cargo or checked baggage pet travel is available on your specific route
  • Check temperature forecasts: Verify tarmac temperatures at origin and destination won't exceed 29.4°C or drop below -6.7°C on your travel date
  • Verify your pet's age: Ensure they're at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned
  • Check breed restrictions: Confirm your pet isn't a banned brachycephalic breed
  • Schedule vet appointment: Get a health certificate issued within 10 days of departure
  • Research destination requirements: Check if your destination country requires import permits or additional documentation
  • Obtain IATA-compliant crate: Purchase or rent a hard-sided, IATA-approved travel crate with water bowl and absorbent liner
  • Pre-book with EasyJet: Contact the airline to arrange pet travel and confirm all requirements
  • Acclimate your pet: If traveling in cold weather, ask your vet about an acclimation certificate
  • Arrange ground transport: Plan how your pet will get to the airport and from the destination airport safely

A Broader Perspective on Pet Travel

When I rescue dogs from shelters in Morocco, I'm not just moving animals—I'm opening possibilities. A dog that might have spent years in a shelter suddenly has a family, a home, a future. International pet travel infrastructure makes this possible.

But it's not just for purebreds or pets with wealthy owners. Shelters across Europe, Africa, and beyond need this infrastructure too. Every time you fly with a rescue, you're proving that the system works for animals that matter most—the ones nobody else wanted.

EasyJet's policy is restrictive compared to some carriers, but it's clear and enforceable. That clarity protects your pet. Respect it, follow it, and your journey together will be safe.

Still Have Questions?

We're still verifying several EasyJet-specific details: service dog documentation, exact cargo vs. checked baggage availability by route, and animals in heat policies. Contact EasyJet directly before booking to confirm all details for your specific flight.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo—we'll help you navigate the specifics for your route and pet.

Data auto-verified from official EasyJet sources. Last updated: January 2025. Policies subject to change—always confirm directly with the airline before booking.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 23, 2026