Flying Your Pet on Hainan Airlines: What You Need to Know

I still remember the first time I flew Tafoukt—my 20kg Moroccan rescue—across the Mediterranean. She was nervous, I was more nervous, and I'd triple-checked every regulation. That experience taught me that pet air travel isn't complicated if you know the rules. Hainan Airlines welcomes both cats and dogs in the cabin and cargo hold, but there are specific requirements you need to follow. Let me walk you through them.

Whether you're relocating a rescue dog from a shelter abroad or taking your beloved cat on an international move, understanding Hainan Airlines' pet policy will save you stress and last-minute surprises at the airport.

Can You Bring Your Pet on Hainan Airlines?

Yes. Hainan Airlines accepts both cats and dogs for travel. You have three options:

  • Cabin travel — your pet travels with you in the main cabin
  • Checked baggage — your pet travels in the hold with climate control
  • Cargo — dedicated pet cargo service for larger animals or international relocations

The choice depends on your pet's size, the flight distance, and your comfort level. For rescue operations or multi-leg international journeys, cargo is often the safest option—though it's more expensive.

Cabin Travel: Flying Your Pet in the Main Cabin

This is the most popular option for small pets. Your cat or dog stays with you throughout the flight.

Cabin Carrier Requirements

Your pet must travel in a soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. Here are the exact dimensions:

  • Maximum length: 35 cm (13.8 inches)
  • Maximum width: 28 cm (11 inches)
  • Maximum height: 24 cm (9.4 inches)
  • Combined weight (pet + carrier): 5 kg (11 lbs) maximum

The carrier must have mesh ventilation on the sides so your pet can breathe properly. Inside, place an absorbent mat or liner to manage any accidents during the flight. This is non-negotiable—it protects both your pet and the aircraft.

Hard-sided carriers are not preferred for cabin travel because they don't fit under the seat. Save those for cargo.

Cabin Fees

Domestic cabin travel costs CNY 800 per segment (approximately €105–110 or $115–120 USD, depending on exchange rates). This is a flat fee, not weight-based. For international flights, contact Hainan Airlines directly—pricing may vary.

Cabin Booking & Advance Notice

You must book your pet at least 48 hours in advance. Call Hainan Airlines directly—you cannot add a pet to your booking online. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight, so early booking is essential. Only one pet carrier per passenger is allowed in the cabin.

Checked Baggage & Cargo: Hold Travel

For larger pets or longer international journeys, checked baggage or cargo is often safer. Your pet travels in a climate-controlled hold, separate from the main cabin.

Carrier Requirements for Hold Travel

Hold travel requires a hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate—not soft-sided. Your crate must include:

  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides (IATA requirement)
  • An attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate
  • An absorbent mat or liner inside to manage accidents
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on the outside (required by IATA)

These aren't suggestions—they're international regulations. Your crate will be inspected at check-in.

Checked Baggage Fees

Checked baggage pet fees are calculated as 1.5% of your average ticket price, multiplied by the pet's weight, with a maximum of CNY 8,000 (approximately €1,050–1,100 or $1,150–1,200 USD). This is more expensive than cabin travel, but necessary for larger animals.

Cargo Fees & Booking

We're still verifying specific cargo pricing—contact Hainan Airlines directly for a quote. Cargo booking also requires at least 48 hours advance notice.

Health & Documentation Requirements

This is where many people slip up. Missing documents can mean your pet doesn't fly, period.

Health Certificate

You must have a vet-issued health certificate. It must be:

  • Issued within 10 days of your departure date (some destinations require 7 days—check with your destination country)
  • Signed by a licensed veterinarian
  • Confirming your pet is healthy and fit to fly

Get this as close to your departure date as possible. Don't risk it being outdated at the airport. When I flew Tafoukt from Morocco to France, I got her certificate just 5 days before departure—close enough to be safe, but with a buffer.

Import Permits & Country-Specific Rules

We're still verifying whether Hainan Airlines requires import permit copies at check-in. However, your destination country almost certainly requires one. Research your destination's pet import rules well in advance. The pet travel documents checklist will help you navigate this.

Age & Breed Restrictions

Minimum Age

Your pet must be at least:

  • 8 weeks old for cabin travel
  • 10 weeks old for checked baggage or cargo

Puppies and kittens must be fully weaned. Younger animals are too fragile for air travel.

Brachycephalic (Snub-Nosed) Breeds

Hainan Airlines restricts brachycephalic breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. Restricted breeds include:

  • Dogs: Bulldogs (all types), Pugs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, French Bulldogs, Mastiffs (all types), Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Chow Chows, and others
  • Cats: Persians, Exotic Shorthairs, Himalayans, British Shorthairs, Burmese, Scottish Folds

If your breed is on this list, contact Hainan Airlines directly—some airlines make exceptions with vet clearance. See our brachycephalic breed flying guide for more details.

Pregnant Animals

Hainan Airlines does not accept visibly pregnant animals. The stress and pressure changes during flight pose serious health risks. If your pet is pregnant, confirm directly with the airline before booking.

Temperature Restrictions (Hold Travel Only)

If your pet travels in the hold, flights are embargoed when:

  • Temperature drops below -6.7°C (20°F) at origin or destination
  • Temperature exceeds 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination

These are safety thresholds. A vet-issued acclimation certificate may allow travel in colder conditions, but heat embargoes are strict. Plan your travel around these windows, especially if flying to warm climates during summer.

What You Must NOT Do: Sedation

Do not sedate your pet before flying. IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations prohibit sedation during air travel because a sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide, including Hainan Airlines. Your vet may advise calming supplements, but never prescription sedatives without explicit approval from both your vet and the airline.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin fee: CNY 800 per segment (domestic)
  • Cabin carrier max weight: 5 kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Cabin carrier dimensions: 35 cm L × 28 cm W × 24 cm H
  • Checked baggage fee: 1.5% of ticket price × weight, max CNY 8,000
  • Advance booking required: 48 hours minimum
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days from issue date
  • Minimum age (cabin): 8 weeks
  • Minimum age (hold): 10 weeks
  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F)

What You Need to Do: Your Pre-Flight Checklist

  • 6–8 weeks before departure: Research your destination's pet import requirements. Contact your destination country's agriculture or customs authority.
  • 4 weeks before: Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate. Confirm the certificate validity window with your vet.
  • 3 weeks before: Measure your pet and purchase an appropriate carrier (soft-sided for cabin, hard-sided IATA-compliant for hold). Test that your pet is comfortable in it.
  • 2 weeks before: Call Hainan Airlines to book your pet. Confirm all fees, carrier specs, and documentation requirements.
  • 10 days before: Get your health certificate from your vet. Ensure it's dated within the 10-day window.
  • 1 week before: Confirm your booking with Hainan Airlines. Double-check all documentation is in order.
  • Day before: Pack your pet's travel kit: food, water, medications, comfort items, and copies of all documents.
  • Day of flight: Arrive early. Inform check-in staff that you're traveling with a pet. Have all documents ready.

A Note on Rescue Animals & International Pet Travel

I've relocated dozens of rescue dogs from shelters across Morocco and North Africa to families in France and beyond. What strikes me most is how few people realize that international pet travel infrastructure exists for shelter animals too. Hainan Airlines' cargo and checked baggage options make it possible to move rescue animals across continents safely. If you're working with a shelter or rescue organization, the cargo option—while expensive—is often the most humane for animals unfamiliar with flying.

The regulations exist to protect animals. Embrace them.

Still Have Questions?

Contact Hainan Airlines directly for clarification on:

  • International cabin or cargo pricing
  • Specific breed restrictions beyond the brachycephalic list
  • Import permit requirements for your destination
  • Acclimation certificates for cold-weather travel

Get personalized guidance: Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo. We'll help you navigate every step of flying your pet on Hainan Airlines.

Data verified from official Hainan Airlines pet policy sources. Last updated: January 2025. Policies change—always confirm directly with the airline before booking.

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