El Al Pet Travel Policy

El Al Pet Travel: What's Allowed

El Al allows both cats and dogs in the cabin and cargo hold. Here's the straightforward breakdown:

• Cabin: Yes — dogs and cats allowed
• Cargo: Yes — dogs and cats allowed
• Checked baggage: Not available as a pet travel option
• One pet per passenger maximum in the cabin

The most common mistake I see is passengers assuming their pet can travel without advance booking. You must book your pet at least 48 hours before departure. I learned this the hard way with Pixel when I nearly missed a connection because I didn't pre-arrange her cabin spot.

Key Numbers at a Glance

Cabin Carrier Max Dimensions	40cm (L) × 25cm (H) × 20cm (W)
Cabin Pet + Carrier Max Weight	8 kg total
Cabin Pet Fee	~$200 USD (varies by route)
Cargo Pet Fee	$500–$2,000+ (weight & destination)
Minimum Age	16 weeks (cabin); 10 weeks (cargo)
Health Certificate Validity	10 days before travel
Advance Booking Required	48 hours minimum
Heat Embargo Threshold	29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination
Cold Embargo Threshold	−6.7°C (20°F) at origin or destination

Cabin Travel: Soft-Sided Carriers Only

If your pet is small enough (under 8 kg with carrier), cabin travel is the safest option. Here's what you need:

• Soft-sided IATA-compliant carrier — hard-sided crates won't fit under the seat
• Exact dimensions: 40cm long × 25cm high × 20cm wide maximum
• Mesh ventilation on all sides (required by IATA)
• Absorbent liner or mat inside to manage accidents
• Your pet stays with you in the cabin during flight

Here's what I tell my clients: measure your carrier before you buy it. Pixel's carrier is exactly 38cm × 23cm × 19cm — snug but compliant. Many soft-sided carriers sold online are oversized and will be rejected at check-in.

Cargo Travel: Hard-Sided Crates Required

Larger pets or long-haul journeys often use cargo. The requirements are stricter:

• Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate only — soft-sided carriers are rejected
• Ventilation openings on at least three sides (IATA LAR standard)
• Attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside
• Absorbent liner inside the crate
• "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on all sides
• Your pet travels in the pressurized hold with climate control

Cargo fees vary significantly by weight and destination — expect $500–$2,000+ one-way. Contact El Al's cargo department directly for a quote.

Brachycephalic (Snub-Nosed) Breeds: Banned

This is non-negotiable. El Al does not allow brachycephalic breeds in cabin or cargo due to respiratory risks during flight.

Banned breeds include:

• Bulldogs (English, French, American)
• Pugs
• Persian cats
• Other flat-faced breeds

If you own a brachycephalic pet, you'll need to explore alternative travel arrangements or stay home. I've had to turn away Pug owners at my clinic — it's heartbreaking, but the risk of heat stroke and respiratory failure in flight is real. Read more in our brachycephalic breed flying guide.

Health Certificate: Non-Negotiable

Every pet traveling on El Al requires a vet-issued health certificate. This is the single most common rejection I see at my clinic.

• Issued within 10 days of departure (some destinations require 7 days — check your destination country)
• Must confirm: vaccinations (especially rabies), general health, fitness to fly
• Your vet must sign and date it
• Bring the original to the airport — copies won't work

The most common mistake I see is: passengers get a certificate 3 weeks before travel, then it expires. Or they get it from a vet who doesn't use the correct government-endorsed form for the destination country. Book your vet appointment 2 weeks before departure to avoid last-minute stress.

Your destination country may have additional import requirements. Check the specific country page for your destination — for example, United States, United Kingdom, or Australia — to confirm what documents you'll need.

Temperature Embargoes: Plan Around the Weather

El Al will refuse to transport pets if temperatures are too extreme at origin or destination:

• Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) or higher
• Cold embargo: −6.7°C (20°F) or lower

This applies to tarmac temperatures, not just forecasts. Summer travel to hot destinations (Middle East, Mediterranean) often triggers heat embargoes. Winter travel to cold regions can trigger cold embargoes.

Workaround for cold: Some airlines accept an acclimation certificate from your vet confirming your pet is accustomed to cold. Ask El Al if this applies.

Age Requirements

• Cabin: Minimum 16 weeks old
• Cargo: Minimum 10 weeks old (must be fully weaned)

Puppies and kittens under these ages cannot fly. If you're adopting a young pet internationally, plan to wait until they're old enough.

Sedation: Absolutely Not Allowed

IATA regulations (which El Al follows) 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.

If your pet has anxiety, talk to your vet about calming supplements or behavioral training before travel, not sedation.

Pregnant or Heat-Cycling Pets: Not Accepted

• Visibly pregnant animals: Not accepted due to health risks
• Animals in heat: Status unclear — contact El Al directly

If your pet is pregnant or in heat, confirm directly with El Al before booking. Most airlines refuse pregnant animals outright.

What You Need to Do: Pre-Travel Checklist

8–10 weeks before travel:

• Confirm your pet meets El Al's age and weight requirements
• Check destination country import rules (rabies, quarantine, permits)
• Measure your pet and research IATA-compliant carriers
• Verify your pet is not a brachycephalic breed

4–6 weeks before travel:

• Book your vet appointment for the health certificate (aim for 10 days before departure)
• Purchase your carrier and test-fit your pet
• Contact El Al to confirm pet availability and exact fees

2 weeks before travel:

• Visit your vet for the health certificate
• Ensure all vaccinations are current (especially rabies)
• Get a copy of the certificate and store it safely

48 hours before travel:

• Confirm your pet booking with El Al (required)
• Pack absorbent liners, food, water, and comfort items
• Attach ID tags and microchip information to your pet

At the airport:

• Arrive early — pet check-in may take extra time
• Bring original health certificate and any import permits
• Confirm carrier dimensions one final time
• Keep your pet calm and hydrated before boarding

Costs: Budget Accordingly

• Cabin pet fee: ~$200 USD (varies by route)
• Cargo pet fee: $500–$2,000+ (depends on weight and destination)
• Health certificate: $50–$150 (vet fee)
• IATA-compliant carrier: $80–$300
• Import permits (if required): $0–$200+ depending on destination

For a full breakdown, see our pet travel costs guide.

Still Have Questions?

We're still verifying some details about El Al's pet policies — specifically booking methods, embargoed routes, and service animal policies. Contact El Al directly to confirm:

• How to book your pet (phone, online, email)
• Whether your specific route accepts pets
• Service animal policies and documentation
• Exact fees for your route and pet weight

El Al's cargo department handles pet bookings separately from passenger services. Ask for the live animal transport team.

Pro Tips from My Experience

• Pixel's cabin carrier has a removable, washable absorbent mat. This saves money and stress — you can clean it between flights.
• Book your vet appointment early. In summer, vets get swamped with travel certificates. Don't wait until the last week.
• Microchip your pet before travel. If your pet escapes at the airport or destination, a microchip is your lifeline.
• Bring extra absorbent pads. Airlines provide one, but accidents happen. I always pack extras.
• Acclimate your pet to the carrier at home. Spend 2–3 weeks letting your pet nap and eat treats in the carrier. A stressed pet is a difficult pet in flight.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — we'll generate a custom checklist for your pet, destination, and travel dates.

This guide is auto-verified from official El Al sources and updated regularly. Last verified: April 9, 2026. Always confirm directly with El Al before booking, as policies change.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 09, 2026