Island Air Express Pet Travel: What You Need to Know

Flying with your rescue dog or beloved cat requires more than just showing up at the airport with a carrier. Island Air Express has specific policies for pet travel, and understanding them now—before you book—can save you stress, money, and heartbreak at check-in.

I learned this the hard way when I first started relocating rescue dogs from Morocco to France. Tafoukt, my 20kg Border Collie mix from a Moroccan shelter, nearly didn't make her flight because I hadn't confirmed the health certificate timing with the airline. Now, I help families navigate these rules with the same care I'd give my own rescue.

Here's what Island Air Express allows, what they require, and how to prepare.

Cabin vs. Cargo vs. Checked Baggage: Your Options

Island Air Express offers three ways to travel with your pet, each with different rules:

  • Cabin travel: Your pet stays with you in the main cabin (if they meet size/weight limits)
  • Cargo: Your pet travels in a climate-controlled cargo hold with specialized handling
  • Checked baggage: Your pet travels in the hold as checked baggage

The path you choose depends on your pet's size, age, and your comfort level. Let me break down each.

Can Your Pet Fly in the Cabin?

The short answer: Island Air Express does not allow pets in the cabin. This is a firm policy—no exceptions for small dogs or cats, even if they're under the typical weight limits.

This means your pet will travel either in cargo or checked baggage, not at your side. It's worth knowing upfront so you can plan accordingly and manage your expectations.

Cargo Travel: The Safest Option for Most Pets

If your pet is larger or you want specialized pet handling, cargo is often the better choice. Here's what Island Air Express requires:

Age Requirements

Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned. Younger animals aren't physiologically ready for air travel. If you're adopting a young rescue, plan your travel date accordingly.

Carrier Specifications

For cargo, you must use a hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate. This is non-negotiable. Soft-sided carriers won't work for cargo travel.

Your crate must have:

  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides (IATA requirement for adequate airflow)
  • An attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate—ground staff need to hydrate your pet during layovers
  • An absorbent liner or mat inside to manage accidents during the flight
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows clearly marked on the crate so handlers know which way is up

These aren't suggestions—they're IATA standards that all airlines enforce. A crate missing any of these features will be rejected at check-in.

Temperature Restrictions

Island Air Express will not transport pets in cargo if temperatures are outside safe ranges:

  • Cold embargo: Below -6.7°C (20°F)
  • Heat embargo: Above 29.4°C (85°F)

These thresholds apply to tarmac temperatures at both your departure and arrival airports. If you're traveling to a hot destination in summer, cargo may not be available. Check the forecast before booking.

Note: A vet can issue an acclimation certificate to allow travel in colder conditions. If you're flying to a cold climate, ask your vet about this option.

Brachycephalic (Snub-Nosed) Breeds

Island Air Express bans brachycephalic breeds from cargo travel due to respiratory risks during flight. This includes:

  • Bulldogs (all types: English, French, American)
  • Pugs
  • Boxers
  • Boston Terriers
  • Shih Tzus
  • Pekingese
  • Chow Chows
  • Mastiffs (all types)
  • Pit Bulls and related breeds (American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bully, etc.)
  • Japanese Chin
  • Shar Pei
  • Lhasa Apso
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  • And many others—see the full list here

If your pet is on this list, contact Island Air Express directly to discuss alternatives. Some airlines have workarounds; others don't.

Checked Baggage Travel

Checked baggage is similar to cargo but may have slightly different handling. The same carrier requirements apply:

  • Hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate
  • Ventilation on three sides
  • Attached water bowl
  • Absorbent liner
  • "Live Animals" labels

Age, temperature embargoes, and brachycephalic breed restrictions are identical to cargo. The main difference is logistics—checked baggage may be handled slightly differently at the airport, but your pet's safety requirements don't change.

Health Certificates: Non-Negotiable

This is where most people slip up, and it's the one thing that will get your pet denied boarding.

You must have a vet-issued health certificate. Even if Island Air Express doesn't explicitly list it on their website, it will be checked at the airport. Don't risk it.

Timing

Your health certificate must be issued within 10 days of your departure date. Some destinations require 7 days—to be safe, get it as close to your flight as possible.

Plan your vet appointment at least 2 weeks before travel. Your vet needs availability, and you need a buffer in case anything shows up during the exam.

What the Certificate Covers

The certificate confirms your pet is:

  • Healthy and fit to fly
  • Up-to-date on vaccinations (especially rabies, if traveling internationally)
  • Free of contagious diseases

If you're traveling internationally, check destination requirements too. Some countries require additional permits or quarantine documentation. See our documents checklist for details.

Advance Booking: You Cannot Show Up at the Airport

Island Air Express requires you to pre-book your pet before travel. You cannot simply arrive at the airport with a carrier and expect to fly.

Airlines limit the number of pets per flight for safety and logistics reasons. Booking in advance ensures:

  • Your pet has a confirmed spot on the flight
  • Ground staff are prepared for pet handling
  • Cargo space is reserved
  • Temperature controls are set appropriately

Contact Island Air Express at least 2-3 weeks before your travel date to arrange pet transport. Have your pet's weight, age, and breed ready.

Sedation: Don't Do It

You might think sedating your pet would help them stay calm during flight. Don't.

IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations prohibit sedation during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to virtually all commercial airlines worldwide, including Island Air Express.

If your pet has severe anxiety, talk to your vet about calming supplements or training techniques—not sedatives. Your pet needs to be alert and responsive in flight.

Pregnant and Animals in Heat

Island Air Express will not accept visibly pregnant animals for travel due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, confirm directly with the airline before booking—there may be rare exceptions, but don't assume.

Animals in heat: we're still verifying Island Air Express's specific policy—contact them directly.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Minimum age (cabin): 8 weeks
  • Minimum age (cargo/checked baggage): 10 weeks
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days from issue date
  • Cold embargo: Below -6.7°C (20°F)
  • Heat embargo: Above 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cabin carrier max dimensions: 45.7 cm (L) × 27.9 cm (W) × 27.9 cm (H)
  • Cabin carrier max weight: 8 kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Cabin pets allowed: No
  • Cabin pet fee: $0 (not applicable)

What You Need to Do: Your Pre-Flight Checklist

  • 2-3 weeks before travel: Contact Island Air Express to pre-book your pet. Have weight, age, breed, and health info ready.
  • 2 weeks before travel: Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate. Confirm the certificate will be issued within 10 days of departure.
  • If cargo/checked baggage: Purchase or rent an IATA-compliant hard-sided crate with ventilation on three sides, attached water bowl, and absorbent liner. Order "Live Animals" labels.
  • 1 week before travel: Confirm your pet's flight details with Island Air Express. Double-check temperature forecasts at origin and destination.
  • 10 days before travel: Get your health certificate from your vet. Keep the original with you at the airport.
  • Day before travel: Acclimate your pet to the carrier. Take a short practice trip if possible. Pack water, food, and comfort items (though only the carrier travels with your pet).
  • Day of travel: Arrive early. Bring the health certificate, booking confirmation, and any import permits required by your destination.

A Note on Rescue Animals

When I started rescuing dogs from Morocco, I realized that international pet travel infrastructure—airlines, carriers, vets, documentation—is built primarily for purebred pets and wealthy owners. Rescue animals deserve the same care and safe passage.

If you're relocating a rescue like Tafoukt, the rules don't change, but your mindset should: treat this as seriously as you would for any pet. A rescue dog from a shelter in Morocco or anywhere else deserves a health certificate, a proper crate, and a flight booked with care. These animals have already survived enough uncertainty.

Still Have Questions?

Island Air Express's pet policies can shift, and some details—like specific cargo fees, ESA policies, and service animal rules—we're still verifying. Always contact the airline directly before booking. A 10-minute phone call now saves hours of stress at the airport.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to organize all your pet travel documents and deadlines in one place.

Data last verified: January 2025. Pet travel policies are auto-verified from official airline sources and updated regularly. Always confirm current policies directly with Island Air Express before booking.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 22, 2026