Finnair Pet Travel Policy

Can You Fly with Pets on Finnair?

Yes. Finnair allows dogs and cats to travel both in the cabin and in cargo. However, pet travel on Finnair is not available on all routes, and spaces are limited per flight. You'll need to book your pet in advance and meet specific health, age, and breed requirements before you can bring your companion aboard.

This guide covers everything you need to know about traveling with pets on Finnair, including carrier specifications, fees, breed restrictions, and the documentation you'll need.

Key Numbers at a Glance

• Cabin pet fee: €60 one-way (varies by route)
• Maximum pet weight (cabin): 8 kg (17.6 lbs) including carrier
• Cabin carrier dimensions: 45.7 cm L × 27.9 cm W × 27.9 cm H (approx. 18" × 11" × 11")
• Minimum age for cabin: 16 weeks
• Minimum age for cargo: 10 weeks
• Advance booking required: At least 48 hours before departure
• Maximum pets per passenger: 1 pet in cabin
• Health certificate validity: Up to 10 days before travel
• Heat embargo (cargo): Above 29.4°C (85°F)
• Cold embargo (cargo): Below -6.7°C (20°F)

Cabin Travel: Flying with Your Pet in the Cabin

If your pet is small enough and meets Finnair's requirements, traveling in the cabin means your pet stays with you throughout the flight rather than in cargo hold.

Carrier Requirements for Cabin Travel

Your pet must travel in a soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. Hard-sided carriers are not suitable for cabin travel on Finnair.

• Maximum dimensions: 45.7 cm (18") long × 27.9 cm (11") wide × 27.9 cm (11") high
• Maximum weight (pet + carrier): 8 kg (17.6 lbs)
• Ventilation: Mesh sides required for adequate airflow
• Absorbent liner: Must include an absorbent mat or pad inside to manage accidents

The carrier must fit completely under the seat in front of you — there's no overhead bin storage for pets. Measure your pet and carrier carefully before booking to ensure compliance.

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic (Snub-Nosed) Breeds Banned

Finnair does not allow brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds in the cabin due to respiratory risks during flight. This includes:

• Dogs: Affenpinscher, American Bully, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog (all types), Bull Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Pug (all types), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and related breeds
• Cats: British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, Scottish Fold

Always confirm your pet's breed eligibility with Finnair before booking. If your pet is a mixed breed or you're unsure, contact the airline directly.

Age Requirements

Your pet must be at least 16 weeks old to travel in the cabin. Younger animals are not permitted for cabin travel.

Health & Documentation for Cabin Travel

• Health certificate: Required. Must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of your departure date
• Microchip: Your pet must have a valid microchip
• EU Pet Passport or health certificate: Required (EU Pet Passport if traveling within the EU)
• Rabies vaccination: Typically required — confirm with your vet and destination country requirements

Cabin Travel Fees

The pet fee for cabin travel is €60 one-way, though this varies by route. Confirm the exact fee for your specific flight when booking.

Cargo Travel: Shipping Your Pet in the Hold

If your pet is too large for cabin travel or you prefer cargo transport, Finnair accepts dogs and cats in cargo. Cargo travel requires a hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate and has different age and temperature requirements.

Carrier Requirements for Cargo

• Hard-sided crate only: Soft-sided carriers are not accepted for cargo
• IATA-compliant: Must meet IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) standards
• Maximum weight (pet + crate): 8 kg (17.6 lbs)
• Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides required per IATA standards
• Attached water bowl: Must have a fixed water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate
• Live Animals labels: Crate must display "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on at least two sides
• Absorbent liner: Must include absorbent bedding or mat inside

Cargo crates are more robust than cabin carriers and designed to protect your pet during handling. Ensure your crate is labeled clearly and meets all IATA requirements before arriving at the airport.

Age Requirements for Cargo

Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old to travel in cargo. Puppies and kittens must be fully weaned.

Temperature Embargoes

Finnair will not accept pets in cargo if temperatures exceed safe ranges:

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

If your destination is experiencing extreme heat or cold, your pet may not be able to travel on your planned date. Check weather forecasts and contact Finnair to confirm availability.

Health & Documentation for Cargo

• Health certificate: Required, issued within 10 days of departure
• Microchip: Required
• EU Pet Passport or health certificate: Required
• Rabies vaccination: Typically required

Cargo Travel Fees

We're still verifying cargo-specific fees — contact Finnair directly for pricing on cargo pet transport.

Important Restrictions & Special Cases

Pregnant Animals

Finnair does not accept visibly pregnant animals for travel due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, you must confirm directly with the airline before attempting to book.

Sedation is Prohibited

Do not sedate your pet for air travel. IATA Live Animals Regulations prohibit sedation because a sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide. Only sedate your pet if explicitly instructed by both your veterinarian and Finnair.

Limited Availability

Pet spaces are limited on each Finnair flight. Not all routes accept pets. Book your pet as early as possible — at least 48 hours before departure — to secure a spot.

What You Need to Do: Step-by-Step Checklist

• Check breed eligibility: Confirm your pet is not a banned brachycephalic breed. Contact Finnair if unsure.
• Verify pet age: Ensure your pet is at least 16 weeks old (cabin) or 10 weeks old (cargo)
• Schedule a vet appointment: Get a health certificate issued within 10 days of your departure date. Ensure your pet has a valid microchip and current rabies vaccination.
• Obtain EU Pet Passport or health certificate: Required for all international travel
• Check destination requirements: Some countries have additional import rules. Verify with your destination country's embassy or agriculture ministry.
• Select and measure your carrier: For cabin: soft-sided, max 45.7 × 27.9 × 27.9 cm, max 8 kg total. For cargo: hard-sided IATA-compliant crate, max 8 kg total, with water bowl and Live Animals labels.
• Book your pet at least 48 hours in advance: Contact Finnair directly to reserve a pet space. Provide your pet's name, breed, age, weight, and carrier dimensions.
• Confirm route availability: Ask Finnair if pets are accepted on your specific flight.
• Arrive early at the airport: Allow extra time for pet check-in procedures.
• Bring all documentation: Health certificate, EU Pet Passport, microchip records, and any import permits required by your destination.

General Requirements for All Pet Travel

Regardless of whether your pet travels in cabin or cargo, Finnair requires:

• Valid microchip identification
• EU Pet Passport (for EU travel) or health certificate
• Rabies vaccination (typically required; confirm with your vet)
• Health certificate issued within 10 days of departure
• Advance booking at least 48 hours before departure

For detailed guidance on preparing your pet for air travel, see our pet travel documents checklist and flying with a dog guide.

Assistance Animals

We're still verifying Finnair's specific policy for assistance animals — contact Finnair directly to confirm whether your service animal requires advance booking or special documentation.

Need Help Planning Your Pet's Journey?

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — we'll help you navigate Finnair's requirements and prepare all necessary documentation for your pet's flight.

Final Reminders

• Book early: Pet spaces fill up quickly. Reserve at least 48 hours in advance.
• Confirm route availability: Not all Finnair routes accept pets. Always verify before booking your own ticket.
• Double-check breed restrictions: If your pet is a brachycephalic breed or mixed breed with snub-nosed characteristics, contact Finnair to confirm eligibility.
• Plan for temperature: If traveling in cargo during extreme heat or cold, your pet may not be able to fly on your planned date.
• Contact Finnair directly: For questions not covered here, reach out to Finnair's customer service. Pet policies can change, and route-specific rules may apply.

This guide is based on verified data from official Finnair sources as of April 2026. Pet travel policies can change. Always confirm current requirements directly with Finnair before booking.

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