Okay, adventure crew, Hainan Airlines just cleared my radar for a big one, and the headline is dogs ride in the cabin. Nala already claimed the window seat in my imagination. That cabin approval changes everything about how far a hiking-obsessed duo can roam. Sam and I mapped the whole thing out over coffee, and the excitement is real. Let's break down exactly what makes this route work.
Hainan Airlines'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 Hainan Airlines handles your pet Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the
🐕 Dog 🐈 Cat
In the cabin ✓ Accepted
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breeds Not accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedHainan Airlines (not applicable to codeshare flights) accepts dogs and cats domesticated by families for transportation as pets only verified 2026-10-11 Minimum age 8 weeks The pet is less than eight weeks from birth verified 2026-10-11 Advance booking notice 24 hours In principle, the passenger shall make an appointment for pet transportation more than 24 hours before the departure time of the flight. verified 2026-10-11 Max pets per flight 4 For narrow body aircraft, up to four pets can be carried per flight; for wide body aircraft, up to six pets can be carried per flight. verified 2026-10-11 Max pets per passenger 2 Ⅱ.Transportation quantity and flight restrictions: 1. Each passenger can bring up to two pets into the cabin; if one passenger carries two pets, there can be up to one seat-occupying pet. verified 2026-10-11 Booking method any From the time of ticket purchase until 48 hours before the flight departure, the passenger can make an appointment on the Hainan Airlines app / Hainan Airlines mobile website / Hainan Airlines applet; 2. From the time… verified 2026-10-11 Nursing allowed ✓ YesQuantity of Pets Allowed in Cabin： （1）Each passenger is allowed to bring a maximum of one pet into the cabin verified 2026-10-11 Own seat allowed ✓ Yes每名旅客最多可将2 只宠物带入客舱，其中一人两宠仅 支持两只宠物一只占座、一只不占座。 verified 2026-10-22 Sedation allowed ✗ No（6）The pet is taking any sedative or hypnotic. （7）The pet emits a foul odor or an unbearable pungent smell all over its body. verified 2026-10-11 Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoThe pet is pregnant or underwent parturition within 48 hours before the departure time of the flight verified 2026-10-11 Carrier size 35 × 28 × 24 cm …shall be placed under the seat in front of the passenger. Its length × width × height shall not exceed 35×28×24 cm. A soft-sided pet carrier may slightly exceed the above thresholds when unfolded, but its compressed… verified 2026-10-11 Crate must have/be soft-sided ok, a carrier …shall be placed under the seat in front of the passenger. Its length × width × height shall not exceed 35×28×24 cm. A soft-sided pet carrier may slightly exceed the above thresholds when unfolded, but its compressed… verified 2026-10-11 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedApplies to domesticated dogs and cats which can be transported with their owners on the same plane, within the weight limit verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Minimum age 8 weeks (1) The pet is under 8 weeks of age. verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Advance booking notice 48 hours …for checked pet service with Hainan Airlines at least 24 hours prior to departure for domestic flights and /48 hours prior to departure for international and Hong Kong, Macau, verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Advance booking required ✓ Yesproperly arranged and allow ample time for preparing your pet’s journey, please make a reservation for checked pet service with Hainan Airlines at least 24 hours prior to departure for domestic verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Max pets per passenger 2 Each passenger can check in up to two pets on the same flight verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Cold-weather embargo -12°C Pets are not allowed to transport as checked in bag if the temperature in any point (departure/ stopover/destination) is expected to be below minus 12 degrees Celsius (inclusive) or above 30 degrees Celsius (inclusive) verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Heat embargo 30°C Pets are not allowed to transport as checked in bag if the temperature in any point (departure/ stopover/destination) is expected to be below minus 12 degrees Celsius (inclusive) or above 30 degrees Celsius (inclusive) verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Nursing allowed ✓ YesQuantity of Pets Allowed in Cabin： （1）Each passenger is allowed to bring a maximum of one pet into the cabin verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Sedation allowed ✗ No(5) Pets that have been administered sedatives or sleeping pills. verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Banned breeds list Staffordshire Terrier Bull Terrier (large/medium) Boxer (all breeds) Spaniel (all breeds) Mastiff (all breeds) Pit Bull Terrier Japanese Tosa Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff) Dogo Argentino Belgian Malinois A.Dangerous dogs and their crossbreeds (including aggressive and aggressive dogs such as fighting dogs, mixed breeds of dogs of aggressive blood, and large dogs of unusually large size that are visually intimidating):… verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoPregnant pets or pets that have given birth within 48 hours prior to the flight departure verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Carrier size 121 × 81 × 24 cm The maximum transportable volume of the packaging shall not exceed 121 x 81 x 88 cm； verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Max weight (pet + crate) 32 kg packed pet and its carrier, (including any food and water inside the pet carrier), should not exceed 32kg (inclusive). verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier The maximum transportable volume of the packaging shall not exceed 121 x 81 x 88 cm； verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesB. Dogs or cats with flat nose: All Bulldogs (e.g.,French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs), all Pugs, Boxers, King Charles Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Bull Terriers (e.g.,Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers), American Calling… verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Advance booking notice 24 hours …your pet’s journey, please make a reservation for checked pet service with Hainan Airlines at least 24 hours prior to departure for domestic flights and /48 hours prior to departure for international and Hong… verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ Yesplease make a reservation for checked pet service with Hainan Airlines at least 24 hours prior to departure for domestic flights and /48 hours prior to departure for international and Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan… verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Cold-weather embargo -12°C Pets are not allowed to transport as checked in bag if the temperature in any point (departure/ stopover/destination) is expected to be below minus 12 degrees Celsius (inclusive) or above 30 degrees Celsius (inclusive) verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Heat embargo 30°C Pets are not allowed to transport as checked in bag if the temperature in any point (departure/ stopover/destination) is expected to be below minus 12 degrees Celsius (inclusive) or above 30 degrees Celsius (inclusive) verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Nursing allowed ✓ YesQuantity of Pets Allowed in Cabin： （1）Each passenger is allowed to bring a maximum of one pet into the cabin verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Sedation allowed ✗ NoThe pet has taken sedative or hypnotics. verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Banned breeds list Staffordshire Terrier Bull Terrier (large/medium) Boxer (all breeds) Spaniel (all breeds) Mastiff (all breeds) Pit Bull Terrier Japanese Tosa Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff) Dogo Argentino Belgian Malinois A.Dangerous dogs and their crossbreeds (including aggressive and aggressive dogs such as fighting dogs, mixed breeds of dogs of aggressive blood, and large dogs of unusually large size that are visually intimidating):… verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoPets are not allowed to enter the cabin for transportation in the following cases: (1) The live animal carried by the passenger is an animal prohibited from transportation by the state. (2) Animals showing signs of… verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier The container must be made of solid materials with fixed top and metallic door. At least 3 sides shall be ventilated. All parts including nuts, screws and door must be installed completely. The door must be firm with… verified 2026-10-11 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ Yes2.1.4 Prepared entry permit, health certificate and vaccine injection certificate required by all the entry or stop country. verified 2026-10-11 Health certificate validity 14 days An "Animal Health Certificate" issued by the official authority of the exporting country (China), valid for 14 days. verified 2026-10-11 Downloadable forms 📄 Other form the Transportation 1.1.1 'Pet'refers to the domesticated dog, cat, pet rabbit, pet duck within weight limitation, which can be transported with its owner on the same flight. Note: International flights are not verified 2026-10-11 Service & assistance animals Recognized ✓ Yes3.服务犬运输不受上述数量限制。 3. No quantity restrictions above apply to the shipment of service dogs. verified 2026-10-11 Advance notice hours 2 hours AGREEMENT OF HAINAN AIRLINES. On the day of travel, passenger shall check in the pet at least 2 hours before departure along with the container, signed PETS RANSPORTATION AGREEMENT OF HAINAN AIRLINES verified 2026-10-11 In the cabin ✓ Accepted
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breeds Not accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedHainan Airlines (not applicable to codeshare flights) accepts dogs and cats domesticated by families for transportation as pets only verified 2026-10-11 Minimum age 8 weeks 1.1.5.3 The pet is under 8 weeks of age. verified 2026-10-11 Advance booking notice 24 hours The passenger must cancel the seat reservation under the original ticket at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time of the flight. verified 2026-10-11 Advance booking required ✓ Yes1. Passengers can book pet transportation services through Hainan Airlines' directly-affiliated ticketing offices, the Hainan Airlines customer service hotline, the Bangkok office, the Hainan Airlines App, the Hainan… verified 2026-10-11 Max pets per flight 4 For narrow body aircraft, up to four pets can be carried per flight; for wide body aircraft, up to six pets can be carried per flight. verified 2026-10-11 Max pets per passenger 1 …not allowed to apply for bringing pets into the cabin. Ⅱ.Transportation quantity and flight restrictions: 1. Each passenger can bring up to two pets into the cabin; if one passenger carries two pets, there can be up… verified 2026-10-11 Booking method any From the time of ticket purchase until 48 hours before the flight departure, the passenger can make an appointment on the Hainan Airlines app / Hainan Airlines mobile website / Hainan Airlines applet; 2. From the time… verified 2026-10-11 Nursing allowed ✓ YesQuantity of Pets Allowed in Cabin： （1）Each passenger is allowed to bring a maximum of one pet into the cabin verified 2026-10-11 Own seat allowed ✓ Yes每名旅客最多可将2 只宠物带入客舱，其中一人两宠仅 支持两只宠物一只占座、一只不占座。 verified 2026-10-22 Sedation allowed ✗ NoThe pet is taking any sedative or hypnotic verified 2026-10-11 Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoThe pet is pregnant or underwent parturition within 48 hours before the departure time of the flight verified 2026-10-11 Carrier size 35 × 28 × 24 cm A soft-sided pet carrier may slightly exceed the above thresholds when unfolded, but its compressed volume shall not exceed 35×28×24 cm to ensure they fit under the seat in the cabin. verified 2026-10-11 Crate must have/be soft-sided ok, a carrier A soft-sided pet carrier may slightly exceed the above thresholds when unfolded, but its compressed volume shall not exceed 35×28×24 cm to ensure they fit under the seat in the cabin. verified 2026-10-11 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✓ Acceptedbelow -12 °C (inclusive) and above 30 °C (inclusive), the transportation of pets as checked baggage will not be permitted. verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Minimum age 8 weeks (1) The pet is under 8 weeks of age. verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Advance booking notice 48 hours …for checked pet service with Hainan Airlines at least 24 hours prior to departure for domestic flights and /48 hours prior to departure for international and Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan flights. verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Advance booking required ✓ YesReservations can be made through the Hainan Airlines customer service hotline, directly-affiliated ticketing offices, and the Bangkok office from 7 days up to 48 hours before flight departure verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Max pets per passenger 2 Each passenger can check in up to two pets on the same flight verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Cold-weather embargo -12°C Pets are not allowed to transport as checked in bag if the temperature in any point (departure/ stopover/destination) is expected to be below minus 12 degrees Celsius (inclusive) or above 30 degrees Celsius (inclusive) verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Heat embargo 30°C Pets are not allowed to transport as checked in bag if the temperature in any point (departure/ stopover/destination) is expected to be below minus 12 degrees Celsius (inclusive) or above 30 degrees Celsius (inclusive) verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Nursing allowed ✓ YesQuantity of Pets Allowed in Cabin： （1）Each passenger is allowed to bring a maximum of one pet into the cabin verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Sedation allowed ✗ NoPets that have been administered sedatives or sleeping pills verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoPregnant pets or pets that have given birth within 48 hours prior to the flight departure verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Carrier size 121 × 81 × 24 cm The maximum transportable volume of the packaging shall not exceed 121 x 81 x 88 cm； verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Max weight (pet + crate) 32 kg packed pet and its carrier, (including any food and water inside the pet carrier), should not exceed 32kg (inclusive). verified 2026-10-11 Hold: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier The maximum transportable volume of the packaging shall not exceed 121 x 81 x 88 cm； verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ Yes② Dogs or cats with flat nose: All Bulldogs (e.g., French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs), all Pugs, Boxers, King Charles Spaniels, Shih Tzus, Bull Terriers (e.g., Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers), American Calling… verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Minimum age 8 weeks (1) The pet is under 8 weeks of age verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Advance booking notice 24 hours …your pet’s journey, please make a reservation for checked pet service with Hainan Airlines at least 24 hours prior to departure for domestic flights and /48 hours prior to departure for international and Hong… verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ Yesplease make a reservation for checked pet service with Hainan Airlines at least 24 hours prior to departure for domestic flights and /48 hours prior to departure for international and Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan… verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Cold-weather embargo -12°C Pets are not allowed to transport as checked in bag if the temperature in any point (departure/ stopover/destination) is expected to be below minus 12 degrees Celsius (inclusive) or above 30 degrees Celsius (inclusive) verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Heat embargo 30°C Pets are not allowed to transport as checked in bag if the temperature in any point (departure/ stopover/destination) is expected to be below minus 12 degrees Celsius (inclusive) or above 30 degrees Celsius (inclusive) verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Nursing allowed ✓ YesQuantity of Pets Allowed in Cabin： （1）Each passenger is allowed to bring a maximum of one pet into the cabin verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Sedation allowed ✗ NoThe pet has taken sedative or hypnotics. verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoPets are not allowed to enter the cabin for transportation in the following cases: (1) The live animal carried by the passenger is an animal prohibited from transportation by the state. (2) Animals showing signs of… verified 2026-10-11 Cargo: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier The container must be made of solid materials with fixed top and metallic door. At least 3 sides shall be ventilated. All parts including nuts, screws and door must be installed completely. The door must be firm with… verified 2026-10-11 Health & documents Downloadable forms 📄 Other form the Transportation 1.1.1 'Pet'refers to the domesticated dog, cat, pet rabbit, pet duck within weight limitation, which can be transported with its owner on the same flight. Note: International flights are not verified 2026-10-11 Health certificate required ✓ YesFollowing documents shall be prepared by passenger before the departure. 2.1.1 The Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China — Animal Health Certificate. 2.1.2 Valid entry or exit permits… verified 2026-10-11 Health certificate validity 14 days An "Animal Health Certificate" issued by the official authority of the exporting country (China), valid for 14 days. verified 2026-10-11 Hainan Airlines requires cabin bookings to be arranged 48 hours before departure. Lock the pet reservation at least two days ahead of the flight. Pregnant dogs, or dogs that gave birth within 48 hours prior to departure, are barred from the flight. Confirm the whelping timeline against that 48-hour window. Call to secure the cabin slot early; walk-up requests get refused.
Hainan Airlines will not carry dogs as checked baggage when the predicted temperature falls to -12 degrees Celsius or below. The same block applies at 30 degrees Celsius or above. Check the forecast at both the departure and arrival airports before booking hold transport. Shift winter and peak-summer travel dates to stay inside that temperature range and keep the hold option open.
Hainan Airlines does not accept checked pets from unaccompanied passengers. The traveler handling the checked dog must be aboard the same flight. Book the dog onto the identical flight as the person responsible for it. Do not send a dog as checked baggage on a routing where no accompanying passenger is ticketed. Verify passenger and pet share one confirmed itinerary before purchase.
So there it is, cabin access, hold as a backup, and a microchip locked in before wheels-up. Sam timed our paperwork window down to the minute, and honestly, that prep is what turns a wild idea into a real trip. Don't wing the details on your route, though. Build your own personalized plan with Pawgo's plan-builder, punch in your exact cities and dates, and get every requirement mapped before you pack a single bag.
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.
