Emirates Pet Travel Policy

Flying with Your Pet on Emirates: What You Need to Know

I remember the first time I flew Tafoukt from Morocco to Paris on a rescue mission. She was terrified—not of the plane, but of the carrier. Now, after dozens of cross-Mediterranean journeys with rescue dogs, I've learned that the real journey begins long before you step into the airport. Emirates has a thoughtful pet program, especially through their dedicated cargo service, but the rules are precise. Let me walk you through them.

Whether you're relocating a rescue dog to a new family, bringing your cat home from abroad, or simply traveling with your companion, understanding Emirates' policies will save you stress, money, and potential heartbreak at check-in.

Can Your Pet Fly in the Cabin?

Yes—but only small pets. Emirates allows cats and small dogs in the cabin, though they don't travel on your lap. Your pet must fit in a soft-sided carrier that slides under the seat in front of you.

Cabin carrier dimensions (maximum):

• Length: 45.7 cm (18 inches)
• Width: 27.9 cm (11 inches)
• Height: 27.9 cm (11 inches)

Combined weight limit: 8 kg (pet + carrier together). This is tight—most cabin pets are under 5 kg to leave breathing room in the carrier.

Carrier requirements: Must be soft-sided with mesh ventilation on all sides. Hard-sided carriers won't fit under the seat. The carrier must include an absorbent liner to handle accidents during the flight.

One pet per passenger maximum. If you're traveling with a partner, you could bring two small pets (one per person), but each needs its own carrier and advance booking.

Tafoukt weighs 20 kg—far too large for cabin travel. She travels in cargo, which I'll explain below. But if you have a small rescue kitten or a toy breed, cabin is the gentler option.

Cargo Pet Transport: The Emirates Pets Service

For larger dogs and cats, Emirates operates a dedicated Emirates Pets cargo service with temperature-controlled facilities in Dubai. This is where most rescue dogs I relocate travel, and it's genuinely well-managed.

What makes Emirates Pets different:

• 24/7 veterinary services on-site
• Climate-controlled transport and holding areas
• Transit care: feeding, watering, medication administration
• IATA LAR (Live Animals Regulations) compliant facilities
• Minimum 6-hour connection time required for pets in transit

Cargo carrier requirements:

• Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate only (soft-sided carriers are not accepted)
• Ventilation openings on at least three sides
• Attached water bowl or trough (fillable from outside)
• Absorbent liner inside
• "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on all sides

The hard-sided requirement is non-negotiable. I learned this the hard way with an early rescue—invest in a proper IATA-approved crate. Brands like Vari Kennel and Petmate make them, and they're worth every euro.

Cargo fee: 135 AED (approximately €35–40) one-way. You must book cargo by phone only—not online.

Minimum age: 15 weeks for cargo travel (older than cabin pets, which can travel at 8 weeks).

Checked Baggage: A Middle Ground

Emirates also allows pets in checked baggage—a less common option that sits between cabin and cargo. Requirements are similar to cargo: hard-sided carrier, water bowl, ventilation, absorbent liner, and "Live Animals" labels.

Minimum age: 10 weeks (between cabin and cargo).

Checked baggage is useful if you're on a shorter route and want to avoid the cargo terminal process, but it's less monitored than the dedicated Emirates Pets service. I prefer cargo for longer journeys because of the veterinary oversight.

Temperature Embargoes: When Your Pet Cannot Fly

This is critical. Emirates will not transport pets in cargo or checked baggage if temperatures exceed safe thresholds:

• Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination
• Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) at origin or destination

These are measured on the tarmac, not in the terminal. Summer flights to hot destinations like United Arab Emirates or Egypt are often embargoed. Winter flights to cold climates can also be blocked.

Exception: A vet can issue an acclimation certificate allowing travel in colder conditions if your pet is accustomed to cold weather. This is rare and requires veterinary documentation.

Breed Restrictions: The Brachycephalic Ban

Emirates restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. This applies to both cabin and cargo.

Restricted breeds include: Bulldogs (all types), Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, Lhasa Apsos, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Japanese Chins, Chow Chows, Shar-Peis, and many others.

Important exception: Brachycephalic breeds may be accepted during winter season (November–April) when temperatures are cooler and respiratory stress is lower. If you have a restricted breed, contact Emirates directly to check seasonal availability.

Certain fighting or dangerous dog breeds are also banned for import to the UAE, though they may be transported if not destined there with proper permits. Greyhounds used for racing or commercial activities are not accepted—only domesticated or rescued greyhounds qualify as pets.

Health Certificates: Non-Negotiable

Every pet traveling on Emirates requires a vet-issued health certificate. This is not optional, even if Emirates' website doesn't explicitly mention it—you will be denied boarding without it.

Certificate requirements:

• Issued by a licensed veterinarian
• Valid for 10 days before departure (some destinations require 7 days)
• Get it as close to your departure date as possible
• Must confirm the pet is healthy and fit to fly

The certificate is checked at the airport, not just by Emirates but by destination country authorities. If you're flying internationally, your destination country may have additional import requirements—check those separately.

Age Requirements

• Cabin travel: Minimum 8 weeks old, fully weaned
• Checked baggage: Minimum 10 weeks old, fully weaned
• Cargo: Minimum 15 weeks old, fully weaned

Young puppies and kittens are fragile. The older minimum ages for cargo reflect the longer transit times and handling involved.

Sedation: Don't Do It

IATA regulations prohibit sedating pets during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide, including Emirates.

If your pet is anxious, work with your vet on calming techniques before travel—not sedatives. Familiar toys, your scent on a blanket, and a calm demeanor from you make a real difference.

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Trained guide dogs travel free in the cabin with no size restrictions and no carrier required—they sit at your feet. However, emotional support animal (ESA) letters are not accepted by Emirates. ESAs travel under standard pet policy with all applicable fees and restrictions.

This is a common point of confusion. If you have an ESA, contact Emirates directly to discuss your specific situation, but expect to pay pet fees and follow standard carrier requirements.

Advance Booking: Essential

You cannot show up at the airport with a pet without prior arrangement. Emirates limits the number of pets per flight.

Booking timeline:

• Cabin pets: Pre-book before travel (specific hours not specified—contact Emirates)
• Cargo pets: Book by phone at least 48 hours in advance

Cargo booking is phone-only. This is intentional—the team needs to discuss your pet's size, breed, route, and any special needs before confirming space.

Pregnant and Animals in Heat

Emirates does not accept visibly pregnant animals for travel due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, confirm directly with the airline—there may be exceptions depending on how far along she is.

Animals in heat status is not explicitly addressed in the data—contact Emirates to clarify if this applies to your situation.

Key Numbers at a Glance

• Cabin carrier max weight: 8 kg (pet + carrier)
• Cabin carrier dimensions: 45.7 × 27.9 × 27.9 cm
• Cargo fee: 135 AED (~€35–40) one-way
• Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F)
• Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F)
• Health certificate validity: 10 days
• Minimum age (cabin): 8 weeks
• Minimum age (cargo): 15 weeks
• Cargo advance booking: 48 hours by phone
• Transit connection time (cargo): Minimum 6 hours

What You Need to Do

• Step 1: Determine travel method. Is your pet under 5 kg? Cabin might work. Larger? Plan for cargo.
• Step 2: Check breed restrictions. If your pet is brachycephalic, confirm seasonal availability with Emirates.
• Step 3: Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate. Get it within 10 days of departure.
• Step 4: Check temperature embargoes for your origin and destination on your travel dates.
• Step 5: Book in advance. For cabin, pre-book online or by phone. For cargo, call Emirates cargo department at least 48 hours ahead.
• Step 6: If traveling cargo, purchase or borrow an IATA-compliant hard-sided crate. Ensure it has ventilation on three sides, an attached water bowl, and space for an absorbent liner.
• Step 7: Prepare "Live Animals" labels and orientation arrows for cargo crates.
• Step 8: Arrive at the airport early. Pet check-in processes take time.
• Step 9: For cargo, arrange to pick up your pet at the cargo terminal, not the main baggage claim.

A Perspective on Rescue and International Pet Travel

When I started rescuing dogs from Moroccan shelters, I realized that international pet travel infrastructure isn't just for purebred pets traveling with wealthy owners. It's a lifeline for animals in need. Every time I fly a rescue dog to a waiting family in France, I'm using the same Emirates system, the same regulations, the same carriers.

The rules exist for good reasons—they protect animals during a stressful journey. Temperature controls, health certificates, proper crates, and advance booking aren't bureaucracy; they're care. Respect them, and your pet will arrive safely.

Whether you're relocating a rescue or traveling with your companion, you're part of a global community that believes animals deserve safe passage.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to organize all your pet travel documents and timelines in one place.

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Data auto-verified from official Emirates sources and IATA regulations. Last updated: April 19, 2024. Always confirm directly with Emirates before booking, as policies can change.

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