Okay, El Al fans, here's the good news that made me grin: dogs ride in the cabin, full stop. If your pup tips the scale at or under 9 kg, they board with you instead of getting handed off below. That single fact reshapes how we pack, board, and time everything. Nala has opinions about layovers, and a cabin seat keeps those opinions right next to me the whole flight.
El Al's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.
How El Al handles your pet Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the
🐕 Dog 🐈 Cat
In the cabin ✓ Accepted
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breeds Not accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedPets in the Cabin Small dogs, cats, and exotic birds can travel in the cabin if the combined weight of the pet and carrier does not exceed 20 lbs (9 kg). verified 2026-07-20 Advance booking required ✓ YesPassengers must notify EL AL and obtain all required veterinary and governmental approvals at least 2 business days prior to departure. verified 2026-07-20 Booking method make a reservation If you plan to bring your pet in the passenger cabin, it's important to make a reservation at least 2 days before your flight. verified 2026-07-20 Embargoed routes Pets Pets are not permitted to travel in the cabin on flights to London or Dubai, where transport is allowed only as registered cargo with a bill of lading verified 2026-07-20 Aircraft restrictions ✗ YesPets are not accepted in Business Class on B777 aircraft. verified 2026-07-20 Carrier size 33 × 33 cm On the Dreamliner (787) in Economy Class, the carrier should not exceed 33 cm (13”) x 20.32 cm (8”) x 20.32 cm (8”). verified 2026-07-20 Max weight (pet + crate) 9 kg Up to two pets who are known to each other may fly in one carrier if there is room and their combined weight including that of the carrier does not exceed 9 kg. verified 2026-07-20 Crate must have/be soft-sided ok, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, a carrier On the Dreamliner (787) in Economy Class, the carrier should not exceed 33 cm (13”) x 20.32 cm (8”) x 20.32 cm (8”). verified 2026-07-20 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedDogs, cats, and exotic birds weighing over 20 lbs (9 kg) and up to 220 lbs (100 kg), including the carrier, may be transported as checked baggage in the aircraft hold, subject to approval and required permits. verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesSnub-nosed (brachycephalic) dog and cat breeds are not accepted as checked baggage or cargo. verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Max weight (pet + crate) 9 kg Weight requirements Checked baggage service for pets whose weight including their crate is between 9 kg and 100 kg. verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Crate must have/be ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier For pets traveling in the hold, carriers should be sturdy enough to prevent escape and provide proper ventilation on all four sides. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ Acceptedlive animals to the following destinations: UK, Hong Kong, South Africa and Australia must be transported in the cargo holds accompanied by an airway bill even if the owners are on the same flight. verified 2026-06-14 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesSnub-nosed (brachycephalic) dog and cat breeds are not accepted as checked baggage or cargo. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Max weight (pet + crate) 100 kg Pets in Cargo Animals and carriers that have a combined weight more than 220 lbs (100 kg) must be transported by freight. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Crate must have/be ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier For pets traveling in the hold, carriers should be sturdy enough to prevent escape and provide proper ventilation on all four sides. verified 2026-07-20 Health & documents Downloadable forms 📄 Other form Airline-owned PDF auto-paired by pair_airline_pdfs_to_downloadable_forms — classified as other_form from URL keywords. verified 2026-06-14 Health certificate required ✓ YesA health certificate documenting rabies vaccination, rabies titer test and other attestations is required. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate validity 10 days Forms Required A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (rabies-carrying mammals) and all forms required for your destination country. verified 2026-07-20 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Required ✓ YesA health certificate documenting rabies vaccination, rabies titer test and other attestations is required. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Required ✓ YesAll required documentation must be presented including a current health certificate documenting rabies vaccination. verified 2026-07-20 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ YesAll required documentation must be presented including a current health certificate documenting rabies vaccination. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate valid within days · Health certificate valid within days 10 days Forms Required A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (rabies-carrying mammals) and all forms required for your destination country. verified 2026-07-20 Service & assistance animals Esa note emotional support dogs are only permitted on El Al Airlines flights to/from the USA emotional support dogs are only permitted on El Al Airlines flights to/from the USA verified 2026-07-20 Fee waived ✓ YesEurope and Middle East: $100 North America and Far East: $150 Service dog pet policy All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge verified 2026-07-20 Recognized ✓ YesAll service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge. They must be trained by a person or organization that specializes in service dog training to provide specific tasks for a person with a disability verified 2026-07-20 Cabin allowed ✓ Yesbin, it will need an airline-compliant pet carrier unless you are flying with a service dog who is trained to assist you in a task required to address a physical or medical disability. Pets allowed flown by El Al in the… verified 2026-07-20 Esa recognized ✓ YesIt's important to note that emotional support dogs are only permitted on El Al Airlines flights to/from the USA. verified 2026-07-20 In the cabin ✓ Accepted
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breeds Not accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedPets in the Cabin Small dogs, cats, and exotic birds can travel in the cabin if the combined weight of the pet and carrier does not exceed 20 lbs (9 kg). verified 2026-07-20 Advance booking required ✓ YesPassengers must notify EL AL and obtain all required veterinary and governmental approvals at least 2 business days prior to departure. verified 2026-07-20 Booking method counter …in Business Class on B777 aircraft. Check in Your pet should be presented at the departure airport ticket counter in its carrier at least 30 minutes before normal check in times. verified 2026-07-20 Embargoed routes Pets Pets are not permitted to travel in the cabin on flights to London or Dubai, where transport is allowed only as registered cargo with a bill of lading verified 2026-07-20 Carrier size 41 cm For pets traveling in the cabin, carriers should not exceed 16" H x 7.5" W x 15" D (41 cm x 38 cm x 19 cm) in Economy Class and 12" H x 12" W x 7 rrier, and its measurements. verified 2026-06-30 Max weight (pet + crate) 9 kg Up to two pets who are known to each other may fly in one carrier if there is room and their combined weight including that of the carrier does not exceed 9 kg. verified 2026-07-20 Crate must have/be soft-sided ok, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, a carrier For pets traveling in the cabin, carriers should not exceed 16" H x 7.5" W x 15" D (41 cm x 38 cm x 19 cm) in Economy Class and 12" H x 12" W x 7 rrier, and its measurements. verified 2026-06-30 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedDogs, cats, and exotic birds weighing over 20 lbs (9 kg) and up to 220 lbs (100 kg), including the carrier, may be transported as checked baggage in the aircraft hold, subject to approval and required permits. verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesSnub-nosed (brachycephalic) dog and cat breeds are not accepted as checked baggage or cargo. verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Advance booking required ✓ YesFor further details and prices of transportation , please contact by Email : Contact Email Days and hours of work Veterinary Services Department, Ben Gurion Airport Cargostore@elal.co.il Sunday / Tuesday / Thursday… verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Max weight (pet + crate) 9 kg Weight requirements Checked baggage service for pets whose weight including their crate is between 9 kg and 100 kg. verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Crate must have/be ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label ) Soft-sided carriers can exceed this measurement only by 4 cm. Hard-sided carriers must have a metal door and adequate ventilation on three -sides. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ Acceptedlive animals to the following destinations: UK, Hong Kong, South Africa and Australia must be transported in the cargo holds accompanied by an airway bill even if the owners are on the same flight. verified 2026-06-14 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesSnub-nosed (brachycephalic) dog and cat breeds are not accepted as checked baggage or cargo. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ YesNotice must be provided to the airline at least 48 hours prior to departure. Service dogs must be suitably marked, harnessed and leashed. They must fit in the space provided at their passenger’s feet without intruding… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Crate must have/be ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier For pets traveling in the hold, carriers should be sturdy enough to prevent escape and provide proper ventilation on all four sides. verified 2026-07-20 Health & documents Downloadable forms 📄 Other form Airline-owned PDF auto-paired by pair_airline_pdfs_to_downloadable_forms — classified as other_form from URL keywords. verified 2026-06-14 Health certificate required ✓ YesThe cage must have fasilities to water the animal Veterinary documents : All animals must be accompanied by health certificates signed by the privet Veterinary as well as the government Veterinary. verified 2026-07-28 Health certificate validity 10 days Forms Required A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (rabies-carrying mammals) and all forms required for your destination country. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Validity days 10 days Forms Required A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (rabies-carrying mammals) and all forms verified 2026-07-20
Frequently asked
What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity? If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays. What happens if I forget a document? At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
So that's El Al, wide open across cabin, cargo, and hold, with a clean 9 kg cabin ceiling. Weigh your dog honestly, book early, and confirm the carrier dimensions before you show up. Then let Pawgo build your personalized plan for the exact route and dog you're flying, so nothing gets guessed at the counter. Bring more water than you think, map your customs window, and go chase that trip. Your plan is one click away.
Glossary
ISO chip ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard. FAVN Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations. Brachycephalic Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk. AVIH Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.
