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 2026-07-14 Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesHainan Airlines does not provide checked pet services under the following circumstances: (1) Unaccompanied passengers are not permitted to handle checked pets. verified 2026-07-24 Minimum age 8 weeks （3）The pet is less than eight weeks from birth. verified 2026-07-14 Advance booking notice 48 hours (2) Pregnant pets or pets that have given birth within 48 hours prior to the flight departure. verified 2026-07-14 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 2026-07-14 Max pets per flight 1 2.Quantity of Pets Allowed in Cabin： （1）Each passenger is allowed to bring a maximum of one pet into the cabin. （2）For narrow-body aircraft, a… verified 2026-07-07 Max pets per passenger 2 Each passenger can bring up to two pets into the cabin verified 2026-07-14 Heat embargo 1.1°C Dogs have discomfort with high altitude and high temperature: Samoyed 1.1 verified 2026-07-15 Min age weeks 8 weeks The pet is less than eight weeks from birth verified 2026-07-14 Nursing allowed ✓ YesQuantity of Pets Allowed in Cabin： （1）Each passenger is allowed to bring a maximum of one pet into the cabin verified 2026-07-14 Sedation allowed ✗ NoThe pet is taking any sedative or hypnotic verified 2026-07-14 Advance notice hours 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 2026-07-14 Aircraft restrictions ✗ YesⅠ.Applicant passengers: Special passengers such as minors traveling alone, unaccompanied passengers (unaccompanied pregnant women, unaccompanied elderly people, unaccompanied teenagers, unaccompanied minors, etc.), ill… verified 2026-07-14 Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoThe pet is pregnant or underwent parturition within 48 hours before the departure time of the flight verified 2026-07-14 Carrier size 40 × 38 × 25 cm its length, width and height shall not exceed 40×38×25cm verified 2026-07-14 Crate must have/be soft-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, absorbent liner, a carrier its length, width and height shall not exceed 40×38×25cm verified 2026-07-14 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 2026-07-14 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesDogs or cats with flat nose: All Bulldogs verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Minimum age 8 weeks (1) The pet is under 8 weeks of age. verified 2026-07-14 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 2026-07-14 Hold: Advance booking required ✓ YesMake Checked Pet Reservations To ensure that the pet transportation service is properly arranged and allow ample time for preparing your pet’s journey, please make a reservation for checked pet service with Hainan… verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Max pets per flight 6 For narrow-body aircraft, a maximum of 4 pets is allowed per flight; for wide-body aircraft, a maximum of 6 pets is allowed per flight verified 2026-07-15 Hold: Max pets per passenger 2 Each passenger can check in up to two pets on the same flight verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Cold-weather embargo -12°C When the predicted temperature is below -12 ℃ (inclusive) and above 30 ℃ (inclusive), the transportation of pets as checked baggage will not be permitted verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Heat embargo 30°C When the predicted temperature is below -12 ℃ (inclusive) and above 30 ℃ (inclusive), the transportation of pets as checked baggage will not be permitted verified 2026-07-14 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 2026-07-14 Hold: Sedation allowed ✗ NoPets that have been administered sedatives or sleeping pills verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Advance notice hours 24 hours please make a reservation for checked pet service with Hainan Airlines at least 24 hours prior to departure for domestic flights verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoPregnant pets or pets that have given birth within 48 hours prior to the flight departure verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Carrier size 121 × 81 × 121 cm …≤32KG 7800 1200 1050 1550 Remarks: The maximum transportable volume of the packaging shall not exceed 121 x 81 x 88 cm； If the total weight of each container (including the weight of small animals, water and food in the… verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Max weight (pet + crate) 32 kg ked pet and its carrier, (including any food and water inside the pet carrier), should not exceed 32kg (inclusive). verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Crate must have/be Iata compliant, hard-sided ok, Hard sided required, water bowl, ventilated, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier …≤32KG 7800 1200 1050 1550 Remarks: The maximum transportable volume of the packaging shall not exceed 121 x 81 x 88 cm； If the total weight of each container (including the weight of small animals, water and food in the… verified 2026-07-14 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 2026-07-14 Cargo: 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 2026-07-14 Cargo: Max pets per flight 6 For narrow-body aircraft, a maximum of 4 pets is allowed per flight; for wide-body aircraft, a maximum of 6 pets is allowed per flight verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Cold-weather embargo -12.0°C When the predicted temperature is below -12 ℃ (inclusive) and above 30 ℃ (inclusive), the transportation of pets as checked baggage will not be permitted. verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Heat embargo 1.1°C Dogs have discomfort with high altitude and high temperature: Samoyed 1.1 verified 2026-07-15 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 2026-07-14 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 2026-07-14 Cargo: Crate must have/be water bowl, ventilated, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier The total weight of each individually packed pet and its carrier, (including any food and water inside the pet carrier), should not exceed 32kg (inclusive) verified 2026-07-14 Health & documents Downloadable forms 📄 Other form Airline-owned PDF auto-paired by pair_airline_pdfs_to_downloadable_forms — classified as other_form from URL keywords. verified 2026-06-14 Health certificate required ✓ Yesjourney for your pet, please prepare the following transportation-related documents. For domestic flights: 1. Animal Quarantine Conformity Certificate issued by the Animal Health Supervision Institute, with the official… verified 2026-07-14 Health certificate validity 14 days An "Animal Health Certificate" issued by the official authority of the exporting country (China), valid for 14 days. verified 2026-07-28 Microchip · Required ✓ YesRabies Vaccination Certificate as required by Thai authorities (the vaccine must be administered after microchip implantation; validity is typically 1 year). 3. verified 2026-07-28 Microchip · Standard ISO 11784 3. Pets must be microchipped with an electronic chip compliant with ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit numeric code). 4. verified 2026-07-14 Quarantine · Type Quarantine Station …to change. Prior to tr avel, it is recommended to contact Bangkok Customs (+66 21340731) or the Phuket Quarantine Station ((+66) 76 351 514) for the latest information. verified 2026-06-04 Quarantine · Required ✓ Yesthe scheduled flight date falls outside the certificate’s validity period, new quarantine procedures must be applied for. verified 2026-07-14 Health certificate · Required ✓ Yes2.1.4 Prepared entry permit, health certificate and vaccine injection certificate required by all the entry or stop country. verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ Yes3. Valid health declaration certificate and rabies vaccination certificate issued by relevant authorities. 4. Ensure that you have all the necessary entry permits, health declaration certificate verified 2026-07-14 Rabies vaccination · Booster required ✓ YesRabies Vaccination Certificate as required by Thai authorities (the vaccine must be administered after microchip implantation; validity is typically 1 year). verified 2026-07-14 Other rules Pets accepted ✓ Accepted2.Quantity of Pets Allowed in Cabin： （1）Each passenger is allowed to bring a maximum of one pet into the cabin. verified 2026-07-14 Restricted breeds list Mastiff …(e.g., Bellington Terriers, Fox Terriers), Staffordshire Terriers, all Boxers, all spaniels (spaniels), all mastiffs (e.g.,Mastiff Mastiffs), Pit BullTerriers (a.k.a.Pit Bull Terriers), Japanese Tosa Inuits (a.k.a.Tosa… verified 2026-07-15 Pregnant animals accepted ✗ No1.1.5 Pets are not allowed for transportation by air under following conditions. verified 2026-07-15 Service & assistance animals Recognized ✓ Yes3.服务犬运输不受上述数量限制。 3. The transportation of service dogs is not subject to the above restriction. verified 2026-07-15 Advance notice hours 2 hours check in the pet at least 2 hours before departure along with the container, signed PETS verified 2026-07-15 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 2026-07-14 Minimum age 8 weeks (1) The pet is under 8 weeks of age verified 2026-07-14 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 2026-07-14 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 2026-07-14 Max pets per flight 1 2.Quantity of Pets Allowed in Cabin： （1）Each passenger is allowed to bring a maximum of one pet into the cabin. （2）For narrow-body aircraft, a… verified 2026-07-07 Max pets per passenger 2 Each passenger can bring up to two pets into the cabin verified 2026-07-14 Booking method office …Document Requirements 1.An animal quarantine conformity certificate issued by an animal health supervision office, which shall be affixed with the special quarantine seal of the animal health s verified 2026-07-14 Min age weeks 8 weeks The pet is less than eight weeks from birth verified 2026-07-14 Nursing allowed ✓ YesQuantity of Pets Allowed in Cabin： （1）Each passenger is allowed to bring a maximum of one pet into the cabin verified 2026-07-14 Sedation allowed ✗ NoThe pet is taking any sedative or hypnotic verified 2026-07-14 Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoThe pet is pregnant or underwent parturition within 48 hours before the departure time of the flight verified 2026-07-14 Carrier size 40 × 38 × 25 cm its length, width and height shall not exceed 40×38×25cm verified 2026-07-14 Crate must have/be soft-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, absorbent liner, a carrier its length, width and height shall not exceed 40×38×25cm verified 2026-07-14 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 2026-07-14 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesDogs or cats with flat nose: All Bulldogs verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Minimum age 8 weeks (1) The pet is under 8 weeks of age verified 2026-07-14 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 2026-07-14 Hold: Advance booking required ✓ YesPassengers 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 2026-07-15 Hold: Max pets per flight 6 For narrow-body aircraft, a maximum of 4 pets is allowed per flight; for wide-body aircraft, a maximum of 6 pets is allowed per flight verified 2026-07-15 Hold: Max pets per passenger 2 Each passenger can check in up to two pets on the same flight verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Cold-weather embargo -12°C When the predicted temperature is below -12 ℃ (inclusive) and above 30 ℃ (inclusive), the transportation of pets as checked baggage will not be permitted verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Heat embargo 30°C When the predicted temperature is below -12 ℃ (inclusive) and above 30 ℃ (inclusive), the transportation of pets as checked baggage will not be permitted verified 2026-07-14 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 2026-07-14 Hold: Sedation allowed ✗ NoPets that have been administered sedatives or sleeping pills verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoPregnant pets or pets that have given birth within 48 hours prior to the flight departure verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Carrier size 121 × 81 × 24 cm …≤32KG 7800 1200 1050 1550 Remarks: The maximum transportable volume of the packaging shall not exceed 121 x 81 x 88 cm； If the total weight of each container (including the weight of small animals, water and food in the… verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Max weight (pet + crate) 32 kg ked pet and its carrier, (including any food and water inside the pet carrier), should not exceed 32kg (inclusive). verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Crate must have/be Iata compliant, hard-sided ok, Hard sided required, water bowl, ventilated, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier …≤32KG 7800 1200 1050 1550 Remarks: The maximum transportable volume of the packaging shall not exceed 121 x 81 x 88 cm； If the total weight of each container (including the weight of small animals, water and food in the… verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesThe following pets and their hybrid breeds are not suitable for air travel: Flat-nosed Dogs or Cats: ... Burmese cats, Himalayan cats, Persian cats, and exotic shorthair cats. verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Minimum age 8 weeks (1) The pet is under 8 weeks of age verified 2026-07-14 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 2026-07-14 Cargo: 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 2026-07-14 Cargo: Max pets per flight 6 For narrow-body aircraft, a maximum of 4 pets is allowed per flight; for wide-body aircraft, a maximum of 6 pets is allowed per flight verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Heat embargo 40°C A soft-edge pet carrier can exceed the above dimensional limit slightly when unfolded, but its volume when it is pressed down shall not exceed 40×38×25cm to ensure that it can be placed under a seat in the cabin. verified 2026-07-14 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 2026-07-14 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 2026-07-14 Cargo: Crate must have/be water bowl, ventilated, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier The total weight of each individually packed pet and its carrier, (including any food and water inside the pet carrier), should not exceed 32kg (inclusive) verified 2026-07-14 Health & documents Downloadable forms 📄 Other form Airline-owned PDF auto-paired by pair_airline_pdfs_to_downloadable_forms — classified as other_form from URL keywords. verified 2026-06-14 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 2026-07-15 Health certificate validity 14 days An "Animal Health Certificate" issued by the official authority of the exporting country (China), valid for 14 days. verified 2026-07-28 Quarantine · Required ✓ Yesthe scheduled flight date falls outside the certificate’s validity period, new quarantine procedures must be applied for. verified 2026-07-14 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.
Frequently asked
How many pets can I bring on Hainan Airlines? Hainan Airlines allows 2 in the cabin, up to 2 in the hold, per passenger. Each pet needs its own carrier. Can snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds fly Hainan Airlines? Snub-nosed breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats are not accepted in the hold. How far in advance must I book my pet on Hainan Airlines? Add your pet to the booking at least 48 hours before departure — do it when you book the ticket, not at the airport. What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity? If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays. What happens if I forget a document? At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
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.
