The science here is simpler than it sounds: on an Icelandair international flight, a pet dog or cat does not board. Not in the cabin, not in the hold, not as cargo. Only trained, certified service dogs travel in the cabin. I have watched travellers learn this at the check-in desk with a crate in hand. Flights within Iceland are the one exception, so check which kind of trip you are booking before anything else.

Icelandair'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.

Show the rules for:

How Icelandair handles your pet

Since 1 November 2024 Icelandair no longer carries animals in the hold on international flights, and suggests arranging international pet transport through a specialist animal shipper. Animals are still carried in the hold on flights within Iceland.

Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.

In the cabin Not accepted
In the hold / cargo Not accepted

Cabin policy

Pets accepted Not acceptedverified 2026-10-03

Hold & cargo policy

Hold: Pets accepted Not acceptedverified 2026-10-03
Cargo: Pets accepted Not acceptedverified 2026-10-03

Service & assistance animals

Esa noteIcelandair does not accept emotional support, comfort, companionship or therapy animals, or service animals in training, in the cabin. Only trained and certified service dogs may fly in the cabin.verified 2026-10-03
Fee waived Yesverified 2026-10-03
Recognized Yesverified 2026-10-03
Cabin allowed Yesverified 2026-10-03
Esa recognized Noverified 2026-10-03
Forms requiredIcelandair service animal transportation formverified 2026-10-03
Max pets per passenger2verified 2026-10-03
Breed restrictionsService animals are dogs, regardless of breedverified 2026-10-03
Documentation requiredThe service dog's training certificate, uploaded with all other required documents at least 2 business days before departure.verified 2026-10-03

Exceptions to the standard rules

The tables above show one situation at a time. These are all the cases where the rules differ.

  • Domestic flights within Iceland: Icelandair still carries pets in the hold source

    Within Iceland, Icelandair still carries pets in the hold.

Pixel and I would be routing through another carrier for anything beyond Iceland's own borders, and that is the practical answer for most readers: choose an airline that accepts pets on your route, or use a professional animal shipper. Build your personalized plan with Pawgo. Enter the trip, and the plan shows which carriers take your pet, what the destination requires, and the order to do it in.
Get YOUR personalized plan for Icelandair →

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.