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Flying with Your Pet on EgyptAir: Everything You Need to Know
OK hear me out — I never thought I'd be the person flying across continents with my Australian Shepherd, but here we are. Nala's been on more flights than some humans I know, and EgyptAir has been solid for us. If you're planning to bring your furry (or feathered) friend on an EgyptAir flight, you're in the right place. Let me walk you through exactly what you need to do, what it costs, and what to expect.
EgyptAir accepts cats, dogs, and exceptionally falcons as cabin passengers or in checked baggage. Service dogs get special treatment (more on that below). Here's the real deal on flying with your pet on this airline.
Cabin Travel: Keep Your Pet With You
This is the option I always choose with Nala when possible. Your pet stays in the cabin with you — no cargo hold, no stress about temperature fluctuations. Trust me on this one: cabin travel is the gold standard for pet comfort.
Who Can Fly in the Cabin?
Both dogs and cats are welcome in the cabin on EgyptAir. You can bring a maximum of 1 pet per passenger, and there's a combined limit of 2 pets per cabin class on the flight. Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned.
Important breed restriction: EgyptAir restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. This includes Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, French Bulldogs, and many others. If your breed has a flattened face, check the full brachycephalic breed list and contact EgyptAir directly to confirm before booking.
Carrier Requirements for Cabin
Your pet's carrier must fit under the seat in front of you. Here are the exact dimensions:
- Maximum length: 55 cm (21 inches)
- Maximum width: 40 cm (16 inches)
- Maximum height: 20 cm (8 inches)
- Maximum combined weight (pet + carrier): 8 kg (17 lbs)
You'll need a soft-sided carrier — hard-sided crates won't fit under the seat. The carrier must have mesh ventilation on all sides so your pet can breathe easily. Inside, add an absorbent mat or liner to handle any accidents during the flight. Trust me, this is non-negotiable.
Nala's about 22 kg, so she's way over the cabin weight limit. That's why we use checked baggage for her — more on that below.
Cabin Fees
Cabin pet travel costs USD $150 for domestic flights and USD $200 for some international routes. Important: Pet fees are not available to the United Kingdom, UAE, Bahrain, Yemen, Kenya, or South Africa. If you're flying to or from these destinations, you'll need to use checked baggage instead.
Checked Baggage: For Larger Pets
If your pet is too large for the cabin (like Nala), or if you're flying to a restricted destination, checked baggage is your option. Your pet travels in the hold with your luggage, but it's still a safe, pressurized environment.
Weight and Carrier Limits
For checked baggage, the combined weight of your pet and carrier can be up to 23 kg (50 lbs). The carrier dimensions are the same as cabin:
- Maximum length: 55 cm
- Maximum width: 40 cm
- Maximum height: 20 cm
You can bring up to 2 pets per passenger in checked baggage (compared to just 1 in the cabin).
Carrier Requirements for Checked Baggage
Checked baggage carriers must have:
- Proper ventilation on all sides
- An attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate — this is critical for longer flights
- An absorbent mat or liner inside to manage accidents
- "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on the crate (required by IATA)
Cargo Option for Very Large Dogs
If your dog weighs over 45 kg, EgyptAir Cargo can transport them separately. This requires hard-sided, IATA-compliant crates and advance booking. Cargo travel has stricter temperature embargoes — pets cannot fly if tarmac temperatures exceed 29.4°C (85°F) or drop below -6.7°C (20°F) at origin or destination. Get a vet acclimation certificate if you're traveling in extreme heat or cold.
Service Dogs: Special Rules
If you have a certified service dog, EgyptAir welcomes them in the cabin free of charge. Your service dog doesn't need to occupy a seat and is exempt from weight and carrier requirements. They must be harnessed or leashed at all times.
You'll need to provide 48 hours advance notice and booking confirmation. Documentation is required for travel to the United States, Canada, and other destinations — check with EgyptAir about your specific route.
Health Certificates and Documentation
This is non-negotiable: your pet must have a valid health certificate issued by a vet within 10 days of departure. The certificate must confirm your pet is vaccinated and healthy enough to fly.
Get this as close to your departure date as possible — don't wait until the last minute. I've seen people denied boarding because their certificate was dated too early. Your vet will know the requirements, but make sure they're issuing an official health certificate, not just a vaccination record.
Booking Your Pet's Flight
You must book your pet at least 48 hours before departure. This is not optional — you cannot show up at the airport with a pet and expect to fly.
Contact EgyptAir's reservation department directly by phone to book your pet. You cannot book online. Have your pet's details ready: species, breed, age, weight, and carrier dimensions. They'll confirm availability and collect payment.
If you're connecting flights, each leg requires a separate reservation. Plan accordingly.
Important Restrictions and Rules
No Sedation
Do not sedate your pet before flying. IATA regulations prohibit sedation because a sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies. Unless your vet and EgyptAir explicitly instruct you otherwise, leave the sedatives at home.
Pregnant and Heat Animals
EgyptAir does not accept visibly pregnant animals due to health risks during flight. Animals in heat are also restricted. If your pet is pregnant or in heat, contact the airline directly — they may refuse carriage.
Seating Restrictions
Passengers traveling with pets cannot be seated in exit rows. This is a safety requirement.
Temperature Embargoes
For checked baggage and cargo, pets cannot fly if tarmac temperatures exceed 29.4°C (85°F) or fall below -6.7°C (20°F). If you're traveling during extreme heat or cold, check the weather forecast at your origin and destination airports. A vet acclimation certificate may allow travel in colder conditions — ask your vet.
Baggage Allowance
Pet weight and carrier weight are not included in your free baggage allowance. You'll pay the pet fee separately, and your luggage allowance is calculated independently.
Key Numbers at a Glance
- Cabin pet fee: USD $150 domestic, USD $200 some international
- Cabin carrier max weight: 8 kg (pet + carrier)
- Cabin carrier dimensions: 55 cm L × 40 cm W × 20 cm H
- Checked baggage max weight: 23 kg (pet + carrier)
- Checked baggage dimensions: 55 cm L × 40 cm W × 20 cm H
- Minimum pet age: 8 weeks (cabin), 10 weeks (checked/cargo)
- Advance booking required: 48 hours before departure
- Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
- Max pets per passenger (cabin): 1
- Max pets per passenger (checked): 2
- Temperature embargo (checked/cargo): 29.4°C max, -6.7°C min
What You Need to Do
At least 2 weeks before your flight:
- Check if your pet's breed is restricted (brachycephalic breeds)
- Confirm your destination isn't on EgyptAir's restricted list for cabin pets (UK, UAE, Bahrain, Yemen, Kenya, South Africa)
- Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate
- Measure your pet and weigh them to confirm they meet carrier requirements
- Purchase or prepare an appropriate carrier (soft-sided for cabin, with water bowl for checked baggage)
10 days before departure:
- Get your health certificate from your vet
- Confirm the certificate is valid and includes vaccination records
48+ hours before departure:
- Call EgyptAir's reservation department to book your pet
- Provide species, breed, age, weight, and carrier dimensions
- Confirm the fee and payment method
- Get a booking confirmation
Day of travel:
- Arrive early to check in your pet
- Bring your health certificate and booking confirmation
- Ensure your carrier has absorbent lining and (for checked baggage) a filled water bowl
- Keep your pet calm and comfortable
Pro Tips from My Experience with Nala
Flying with a pet is doable, but it requires planning. Here's what I've learned:
- Practice with the carrier beforehand. Let your pet spend time in it at home so they're not stressed on flight day.
- Exercise your pet before the flight. A tired pet is a calm pet. I always take Nala for a long hike or swim the day before we fly.
- Bring familiar items. A blanket or toy with your scent helps your pet feel secure.
- Don't feed right before flying. A light meal a few hours before departure reduces nausea and accidents.
- Arrive extra early. Pet check-in takes time, and you want to be relaxed, not rushed.
- Confirm everything twice. Call EgyptAir the day before to confirm your pet is booked and the flight is on schedule.
Restricted Routes and Special Cases
Cabin pet travel is not available to the United Kingdom, UAE, Bahrain, Yemen, Kenya, or South Africa. If you're flying to these destinations, use checked baggage instead.
EgyptAir reserves the right to refuse carriage or offload your pet due to operational reasons or insufficient ventilation. This is rare, but it's in their terms. Make sure your carrier meets all requirements.
Comparing EgyptAir to Other Airlines
If you're considering alternatives, check out how EgyptAir compares to other carriers. Air France, British Airways, and other international airlines have different pet policies. EgyptAir's cabin fees are competitive, and their checked baggage weight allowance (23 kg) is generous for larger pets like Nala.
For a comprehensive comparison, check out our pet travel costs guide and flying with a dog guide.
Final Thoughts
Flying with your pet on EgyptAir is absolutely doable if you plan ahead and follow the rules. The 48-hour advance booking requirement and health certificate are non-negotiable, but everything else is straightforward. Whether you're taking a small cat in the cabin or a large dog in checked baggage, EgyptAir has options.
The key is preparation. Get your health certificate early, book your pet's seat as soon as you book yours, and invest in a quality carrier. Your pet will thank you for the smooth journey.
Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — we'll help you navigate every detail of flying with your pet, from documentation to destination-specific requirements.
Data last verified: April 18, 2026. This guide is auto-verified from official EgyptAir sources and updated regularly. For the most current information, contact EgyptAir directly at their reservation department.
Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 21, 2026