Can You Fly with Pets on Jetstar?

Yes, Jetstar allows pets to travel, but the airline follows strict industry-standard regulations. Your pet can travel either in the cabin with you or in checked baggage/cargo, depending on your pet's size, age, and breed. However, not all pets qualify — there are specific restrictions and requirements you must meet before booking.

This guide covers everything you need to know about flying with dogs and cats on Jetstar, including carrier requirements, health documentation, breed restrictions, and practical tips to make your journey smooth.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin carrier dimensions: 45.7 cm (L) × 27.9 cm (W) × 27.9 cm (H) — roughly 18" × 11" × 11"
  • Cabin weight limit: 8 kg total (pet + carrier combined)
  • Minimum age for cabin travel: 8 weeks old
  • Minimum age for checked baggage: 10 weeks old
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
  • Heat embargo threshold: 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo threshold: -6.7°C (20°F)
  • Maximum pets per passenger: 1 pet carrier in cabin

Cabin Travel: Flying with Your Pet in the Cabin

If your pet is small enough, traveling in the cabin means your pet stays with you throughout the flight — the safest and least stressful option for most pets.

Carrier Requirements for Cabin Travel

Size and weight: Your carrier must fit under the seat in front of you. Maximum dimensions are approximately 45.7 cm long, 27.9 cm wide, and 27.9 cm high. The combined weight of your pet and carrier cannot exceed 8 kg (about 17.6 lbs).

Carrier type: Soft-sided carriers are required for cabin travel — hard-sided crates won't fit under the seat. Your carrier must have adequate ventilation, typically with mesh panels on multiple sides so your pet can breathe easily.

Interior setup: Line the carrier with an absorbent mat or pad to manage any accidents during the flight. This is a mandatory requirement across the industry.

Age and Health Requirements

Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old to fly in the cabin. Puppies and kittens must be fully weaned before travel.

Health certificate: You must obtain a veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of your departure date. This is non-negotiable — even if Jetstar's website doesn't explicitly mention it, you will be denied boarding without one. Schedule your vet appointment early to avoid last-minute stress.

Pregnant animals: Airlines do not accept visibly pregnant animals due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, contact Jetstar directly before booking.

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Dogs and Cats

Jetstar, like most airlines, restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to serious respiratory risks during flight. These breeds struggle to breathe normally and are at high risk of fatal complications at altitude.

Restricted dog breeds include: Bulldogs (all types), Pugs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Pekingese, French Bulldogs, Mastiffs (all types), Pit Bulls and related breeds, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Chow Chows, Japanese Chins, King Charles Spaniels, Shar Peis, and Brussels Griffons.

Restricted cat breeds: Persian cats are the primary restricted breed for cats.

If your pet is a brachycephalic breed, read our detailed guide on flying with brachycephalic pets to understand your options.

Booking and Pre-Approval

Advance booking is mandatory. You cannot simply show up at the airport with a pet. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight for safety and comfort reasons. Contact Jetstar to pre-book your pet as soon as you book your own ticket — ideally several weeks in advance for peak travel periods.

We're still verifying specific booking procedures and advance notice requirements — contact Jetstar directly for their pet booking process and any associated fees.

Checked Baggage Travel: Larger Pets

If your pet is too large for cabin travel, checked baggage is an option. Your pet travels in the hold with other baggage, but in a properly ventilated, temperature-controlled environment.

Carrier Requirements for Checked Baggage

Carrier type: Hard-sided IATA-compliant crates are required for checked baggage travel. Soft-sided carriers are not acceptable.

Ventilation: Your crate must have ventilation openings on at least three sides per IATA Live Animals Regulations.

Water and comfort: The carrier must have an attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate. Include an absorbent mat inside to manage accidents.

Labeling: Your crate must display "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows so handlers know which way is up.

Age and Health Requirements

Pets traveling in checked baggage must be at least 10 weeks old (slightly older than cabin travel requirements). A veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of departure is required.

Pregnant animals are not accepted. If your pet is in heat, we're still verifying Jetstar's specific policy — contact the airline directly.

Temperature Restrictions

Jetstar will not accept pets in checked baggage if temperatures at your origin or destination airport exceed 29.4°C (85°F) or fall below -6.7°C (20°F). This is a critical safety measure to prevent heat stress or hypothermia.

If you're traveling during extreme weather, check airport temperatures before booking. If your destination is too cold, ask your vet about an acclimation certificate, which may allow travel in colder conditions.

Cargo Travel: Specialized Pet Transport

For very large pets or long-distance international moves, cargo transport is available. This is the most formal option and requires IATA-compliant hard-sided crates with specific safety features.

Carrier requirements: Hard-sided IATA-compliant crates only. Ventilation on at least three sides, attached water bowl, absorbent liner, and "Live Animals" labels are all mandatory.

Age: Minimum 10 weeks old.

Health certificate: Required, issued within 10 days of departure.

Temperature embargoes: Same as checked baggage — no travel above 29.4°C or below -6.7°C without special documentation.

Breed restrictions: Brachycephalic breeds are banned from cargo travel due to extreme respiratory risk.

For cargo-specific details, fees, and booking, we're still verifying Jetstar's cargo pet services — contact the airline's cargo department directly.

Critical Rules: What You Must Know

No Sedation Allowed

Do not sedate your pet for air travel. IATA Live Animals Regulations strictly prohibit sedation during flight. A sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies, which creates serious safety risks. This rule applies to virtually all commercial airlines worldwide. Only sedate your pet if explicitly instructed by both your veterinarian and Jetstar — which is extremely rare.

Health Certificate is Non-Negotiable

Even if you don't see it mentioned on Jetstar's website, a veterinary health certificate will be checked at the airport. Get one issued within 10 days of your departure date. Schedule your vet appointment at least 2-3 weeks before travel to avoid last-minute complications.

Advance Booking is Mandatory

You must pre-book your pet with Jetstar before arrival at the airport. Airlines limit pets per flight. Don't assume you can add your pet at check-in.

What You Need to Do: Pre-Travel Checklist

  • 4-6 weeks before travel: Contact Jetstar to confirm pet policies for your specific route and pre-book your pet. Ask about fees.
  • 3-4 weeks before travel: Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate. Confirm the certificate will be issued within 10 days of your departure.
  • 2 weeks before travel: Purchase or confirm your carrier meets Jetstar's size and weight requirements. For cabin travel, ensure it's soft-sided and fits under a seat. For checked baggage/cargo, ensure it's hard-sided and IATA-compliant.
  • 1 week before travel: Get your health certificate from your vet. Verify it's dated within 10 days of departure.
  • Day before travel: Pack your pet's essentials — food, water, medications, comfort items. Ensure your carrier has an absorbent mat inside.
  • At the airport: Arrive early. Bring your health certificate and any other documentation Jetstar requested. Keep your pet calm and hydrated.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Flight

  • Acclimate your pet to the carrier: Start practicing weeks before travel. Leave the carrier open at home so your pet gets comfortable with it.
  • Exercise before the flight: A tired pet is a calm pet. Take your dog for a long walk or play session before heading to the airport.
  • Avoid feeding right before flight: Feed your pet 3-4 hours before departure to reduce nausea and accidents.
  • Bring water and a collapsible bowl: Keep your pet hydrated, especially on longer flights.
  • Use calming aids cautiously: Consult your vet about non-sedative calming treats or supplements if your pet is anxious. Never use sedation.
  • Microchip and ID tag: Ensure your pet has a microchip and current ID tag in case of separation at the airport.
  • Check destination requirements: Some countries have additional import requirements beyond Jetstar's rules. Research your destination's pet import laws early.

Fees and Additional Costs

We're still verifying Jetstar's specific pet travel fees, currency, and pricing structure — contact Jetstar directly for current rates. Pet travel typically costs between $50–$200 one-way depending on the airline and travel distance.

Budget for additional costs: veterinary health certificate ($50–$150), carrier purchase if needed ($30–$200), and any destination-specific import permits or quarantine fees.

Assistance Animals: Different Rules Apply

Service dogs and other assistance animals follow a separate policy from regular pets. Assistance animals typically travel free and have different documentation requirements. We're still verifying Jetstar's specific assistance animal policy — contact the airline directly if you're traveling with a service animal.

Still Have Questions?

This guide covers industry-standard practices based on verified data, but Jetstar may have specific policies or exceptions. Before finalizing your booking, contact Jetstar directly to confirm:

  • Pet booking procedures and advance notice requirements
  • Current pet travel fees
  • Specific carrier requirements for your route
  • Any destination-specific import requirements
  • Assistance animal policies

For comprehensive preparation, check out our pet travel documents checklist and flying with a dog guide.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — we'll help you navigate every step of flying with your pet.

Data Accuracy Note

This guide is based on verified data extracted from official airline sources and industry-standard regulations (IATA Live Animals Regulations). Data was last verified on April 11, 2026. Policies change — always confirm directly with Jetstar before booking. Pet safety is our priority.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 11, 2026