Can You Fly with Pets on flydubai?

Yes, flydubai allows both dogs and cats to travel in the cabin. However, the airline has specific rules about carrier size, breed restrictions, health documentation, and advance booking. This guide covers everything you need to know before booking your pet's flight.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin pet fee: AED 100 (approximately USD 27) one-way
  • Carrier dimensions (cabin): 45cm L × 23cm W × 23cm H maximum
  • Carrier weight limit: 7kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Minimum pet age: 16 weeks for cabin travel
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
  • Pets per passenger: 1 pet maximum
  • Booking method: Phone only (not online)

Cabin Travel: Dogs & Cats

flydubai allows small dogs and cats to travel in the cabin with you. Your pet must stay in an approved carrier for the entire flight and fit under the seat in front of you.

Carrier Requirements

Your carrier must meet these exact dimensions:

  • Length: 45cm maximum
  • Width: 23cm maximum
  • Height: 23cm maximum
  • Combined weight (pet + carrier): 7kg maximum

Soft-sided carriers are preferred for cabin travel because they compress slightly to fit under airplane seats. Hard-sided carriers may be too rigid to fit in the space available.

Your carrier must have:

  • Adequate ventilation (mesh panels on multiple sides)
  • An absorbent liner or mat inside to manage accidents
  • Secure closures so your pet cannot escape

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Breeds Banned

flydubai does not allow brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds in the cabin due to respiratory risks during flight. These breeds include:

  • Dogs: Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all types including English, French, American), Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Presa Canario, Pug (all types), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel
  • Cats: British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, Scottish Fold

If your pet is a brachycephalic breed, contact flydubai directly before booking to confirm whether an exception might be possible.

Age Requirements

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

Health & Medical Requirements

A health certificate from a licensed veterinarian is required. The certificate must:

  • Be issued within 10 days of your departure date
  • Confirm your pet is fit to fly
  • Include vaccination records (especially rabies, if required by your destination)

Do not sedate your pet. IATA regulations prohibit sedation during air travel because a sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide.

Pregnant animals are not accepted. If your pet is visibly pregnant, contact flydubai to discuss your options.

Checked Baggage & Cargo Travel

flydubai does not allow pets in checked baggage (hold). However, cargo travel may be available for larger pets. We're still verifying cargo-specific details — contact flydubai directly for pricing and requirements.

If cargo travel is available, expect these industry-standard requirements:

  • Hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate only (soft-sided carriers not accepted)
  • Minimum age: 10 weeks
  • Health certificate required (10 days validity)
  • Ventilation on at least three sides
  • Attached water bowl accessible from outside the crate
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows
  • Absorbent liner inside
  • Temperature restrictions: Not accepted if tarmac temperature exceeds 29.4°C (85°F) or drops below -6.7°C (20°F)

Booking Your Pet's Flight

How to Book

You must book your pet by phone — online booking is not available. Contact flydubai's reservations team directly to arrange your pet's travel. Do not assume you can add a pet at check-in; advance booking is mandatory.

Advance Booking Required

Book your pet as early as possible before your flight. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight, and availability is not guaranteed. Last-minute bookings may be denied.

Pet Limit

You can travel with a maximum of 1 pet per passenger in the cabin.

Destination Country Requirements

Beyond flydubai's rules, your destination country may have its own import regulations, quarantine requirements, and documentation needs. These vary significantly by country and can include:

  • Import permits
  • Microchipping
  • Rabies vaccination proof
  • Blood tests
  • Quarantine periods

Research your destination's pet import rules at least 6-8 weeks before travel. Contact your destination country's agricultural or customs authority for current requirements.

Popular destinations include United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Japan, and Australia — each with different rules.

What You Need to Do

Before booking:

  • Confirm your pet is not a brachycephalic breed, or contact flydubai about exceptions
  • Verify your pet is at least 16 weeks old
  • Check your destination country's pet import requirements
  • Measure your pet and confirm it fits in a 45×23×23cm carrier (7kg max combined weight)

4-6 weeks before departure:

  • Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate
  • Apply for any required import permits for your destination
  • Book your pet by calling flydubai (phone only)

1-2 weeks before departure:

  • Obtain your health certificate (must be within 10 days of departure)
  • Prepare your soft-sided carrier with absorbent liner
  • Ensure your pet is microchipped if required by your destination

At the airport:

  • Arrive early and inform check-in staff that you're traveling with a pet
  • Have your health certificate and booking confirmation ready
  • Keep your pet in the carrier throughout the flight

Practical Tips for Flying with Your Pet

  • Soft-sided carriers compress: They fit more easily under airplane seats than hard-sided crates. Look for carriers with mesh panels for ventilation.
  • Absorbent liners are essential: Accidents happen during flights. Use washable pads or disposable liners to protect the carrier and your pet's comfort.
  • Acclimate your pet to the carrier: Practice short trips in the carrier weeks before your flight so your pet is comfortable.
  • Avoid sedation: It's prohibited and dangerous. Instead, consult your vet about calming supplements or anxiety wraps if your pet is nervous.
  • Health certificates take time: Vets may need 1-2 weeks to schedule appointments. Book early.
  • Destination rules are strict: Missing a single document can result in your pet being quarantined or denied entry. Double-check everything.

Comparing flydubai to Other Airlines

flydubai's cabin pet policy is similar to other Middle Eastern and European carriers. For comparison, check policies for Emirates, Etihad, or British Airways if you're considering alternatives.

For detailed guidance on preparing your pet for air travel, see our flying with a dog guide and pet travel documents checklist. If your pet is a brachycephalic breed, read our brachycephalic breed flying guide for alternatives.

Contact flydubai

For questions not covered here, contact flydubai's reservations team directly. You can reach them through their website at flydubai.com.

Questions we couldn't fully verify? These include specific cargo pricing, exact booking lead times, and whether hard-sided carriers are accepted for cabin travel. Always confirm directly with the airline.

Get Your Personalized Travel Plan

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — a tool that generates custom checklists based on your pet, airline, and destination.

This guide is based on official flydubai pet policy data verified on April 10, 2026. Policies change — always confirm details directly with flydubai before booking. For destination-specific rules, contact your destination country's customs or agricultural authority.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 10, 2026