Emirates is the Dubai flag carrier — one of the more documented Gulf programs for pet travel. Cabin pets are restricted to falcons under specific conditions and registered assistance dogs only; general dogs and cats travel through Emirates SkyCargo as freight. The hold path follows IATA Live Animal Regulations with documented breed restrictions and temperature embargoes.
Emirates'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 Emirates treats your pet
Cabin policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds | Not accepted in the cabin | 75% |
Hold policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds | Not yet documented | — | |
| Advance booking | Add to booking ≥ 48 h before departure | 85% |
Cargo policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pets accepted | Not accepted in the cargo | 95% | |
| Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds | Not accepted in the cargo | 82% | |
| Advance booking | Add to booking ≥ 48 h before departure | 85% |
Emirates requires the pet booking submitted at least 48 hours before the flight, typically through Emirates SkyCargo for general cabin-ineligible pets. The cabin slot is reserved for falcons (under separate falconry program) and assistance dogs. Without confirmation on file by the 48-hour mark, the pet is denied at the check-in counter. Documentation review precedes acceptance.
Emirates SkyCargo restricts snub-nosed dog and cat breeds entirely from carriage. Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boxers, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans, and Exotic Shorthair cats are barred, along with all their crosses. The restriction is documented and absolute on SkyCargo — there is no exception for cabin alternative since general pets are not accepted in the Emirates cabin in the first place.
Frequently asked
- Can snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds fly Emirates?
- Snub-nosed breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats are not accepted in the cabin.
- 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.
Emirates routes general pet travel through SkyCargo with a 48-hour booking window and a documented brachycephalic breed embargo. Your plan starts at the SkyCargo booking desk, confirms the breed clears the snub-nosed list, and prepares the IATA-compliant container plus destination-country import paperwork. Dubai handles the transit cleanly when the file is in order.
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.