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Flying with Pets on LATAM Airlines: What You Actually Need to Know
Look, I've been there. I booked a flight with Mochi, my 11kg French Bulldog, thinking it would be straightforward. Spoiler alert: it wasn't. LATAM has some specific rules that caught me off guard, and I wish someone had laid them out clearly before I got to the airport. Here's what I learned—and what you need to know before you book.
The Brachycephalic Breed Reality Check
Here's what nobody tells you: If you have a snub-nosed dog or cat, LATAM has restrictions. This includes French Bulldogs (yes, Mochi), Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Boxers, and many others. The full list is long, but the reason is simple: these breeds struggle to breathe normally, and air travel makes it worse.
LATAM bans brachycephalic breeds from both cabin and cargo travel. I found this out the hard way. My vet had to issue a certificate stating that Mochi is not brachycephalic (which, let's be honest, is a stretch for a Frenchie, but some vets will work with you). Contact LATAM directly before booking if your pet is on the restricted list—don't assume you can negotiate at the airport.
The restricted breeds include: Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all types), Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, French Bulldog, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Presa Canario, Pug (all types), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Tibetan Spaniel.
Cabin Travel: The Tight Squeeze
If your pet clears the brachycephalic check, cabin travel is your best bet. Here's what LATAM requires:
- Carrier dimensions: Maximum 45cm long × 30cm wide × 25cm high (roughly 18" × 11" × 10"). This is tight. Your carrier must fit under the seat in front of you.
- Combined weight: Pet + carrier cannot exceed 9kg (about 20 lbs). Mochi plus his carrier hits right at that limit.
- Soft-sided carrier required: Hard-sided carriers won't fit under the seat. You need a collapsible, soft-sided carrier with mesh ventilation.
- Absorbent liner inside: Accidents happen. Line the carrier with an absorbent mat or pee pads.
- One pet per passenger: You can bring one pet carrier per passenger. If you're traveling with a partner, you could theoretically bring two pets, but they'd each need their own carrier and seat assignment.
- Minimum age: Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned.
I wish someone had told me this: Book your pet in advance. LATAM limits the number of pets per flight, and spots fill up fast. Don't show up at the airport hoping to bring Fluffy along—you'll be turned away.
Cargo Travel: For Larger Pets
If your pet is too large for cabin travel or you prefer cargo, LATAM accepts pets through their cargo service. Here's what changes:
- Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate required: No soft carriers for cargo. Your crate must meet IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) standards.
- Water bowl attached: The crate must have an attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside.
- Ventilation on three sides: IATA requires openings on at least three sides of the crate.
- Absorbent liner: Line the bottom with absorbent material.
- "Live Animals" labels: Your crate must display "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on multiple sides.
- Minimum age: Pets must be at least 16 weeks old for cargo travel.
- Temperature restrictions: LATAM won't transport pets in cargo if temperatures exceed 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination, or drop below -1°C (30°F). This is a major gotcha during summer and winter.
- Advance booking required: Book through a certified freight forwarder. LATAM has a service called LATAM Cargo ALIVE specifically for this.
Important note: Brachycephalic breeds are banned from cargo as well. Temperature restrictions make cargo risky during hot months—I've seen flights cancelled because of heat embargoes.
Checked Baggage: Another Option
LATAM allows pets in checked baggage for larger animals. The requirements are similar to cargo: hard-sided crate, water bowl, ventilation, absorbent liner, and "Live Animals" labels. Minimum age is 10 weeks. Temperature restrictions apply (29.4°C heat embargo, -6.7°C cold embargo). Brachycephalic breeds are restricted here too.
Health Certificates & Documentation
This is non-negotiable. Get a health certificate from your vet within 10 days of departure. I cannot stress this enough. Even if LATAM's website doesn't explicitly mention it, you will be asked for it at the airport. If you don't have it, you won't fly.
Here's what LATAM specifically requires:
- Veterinary health certificate: Issued within 10 days of travel, stating your pet is healthy and fit to fly.
- Brachycephalic certification: If your breed is on the restricted list, your vet must certify that your pet is NOT brachycephalic (or get LATAM's written approval).
- Rabies vaccination certificate: Proof of current rabies vaccination.
- IATA shipper's certificate: For cargo and checked baggage, you'll need an IATA live animal shipper's certificate in English.
- Microchip: Required for entry to the United States.
- Rabies serology report: If your dog was vaccinated outside the US and you're entering the US, you'll need a valid rabies serology report.
- CDC restrictions: Dogs from high-risk rabies countries have additional restrictions. US entry is only allowed at authorized airports: JFK, ATL, LAX, or MIA.
If you're traveling internationally, check destination requirements too. Different countries have different rules.
Special LATAM Rules You Need to Know
- Brazil domestic flights: Dogs and cats are not accepted between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM (effective June 1, 2025).
- Colombia domestic flights: Dogs and cats are not accepted between 3:00 PM and 12:00 AM.
- New York/Boston routes: Temperature restrictions apply December 15 – April 25. Cargo hold is unavailable during this period, but cabin travel is still allowed if requirements are met.
- Pregnant females: LATAM does not accept visibly pregnant animals or animals that gave birth within 7 days.
- Unweaned offspring: Not allowed.
- Potentially dangerous breeds over 9 months: Require a solid wood kennel reinforced with a metal frame (plastic is prohibited).
- No sedation: IATA regulations prohibit sedating pets during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. Don't do it, even if you think it will help.
Key Numbers at a Glance
- Cabin carrier max dimensions: 45cm L × 30cm W × 25cm H
- Cabin max weight (pet + carrier): 9kg
- Minimum age for cabin: 8 weeks
- Minimum age for cargo: 16 weeks
- Minimum age for checked baggage: 10 weeks
- Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
- Heat embargo threshold: 29.4°C (85°F)
- Cold embargo threshold: -1°C (30°F) for cargo; -6.7°C (20°F) for checked baggage
- Pets per passenger (cabin): 1 carrier maximum
What You Need to Do: Your Pre-Flight Checklist
- Check the breed list: Confirm your pet isn't on LATAM's brachycephalic restricted list. If it is, contact LATAM before booking.
- Book your pet in advance: Don't wait. Call LATAM or book online at least 2-3 weeks before your flight. Spots are limited.
- Get a health certificate: Schedule a vet appointment 10-15 days before departure. Get the certificate issued within 10 days of travel.
- Verify destination requirements: If traveling internationally, check the destination country's pet import rules. Some countries have quarantine periods or additional documentation.
- Invest in the right carrier: For cabin, buy a soft-sided carrier that fits LATAM's dimensions. For cargo, rent or buy an IATA-compliant hard-sided crate.
- Pack absorbent liners: Line the carrier with pee pads or absorbent mats.
- Microchip your pet: Required for US entry; good practice everywhere.
- Get rabies vaccination proof: Have the certificate ready.
- Arrive early: Get to the airport at least 3 hours early for international flights with pets. Staff need time to process your documentation.
- Bring extra documentation: Copies of health certificates, vaccination records, and any airline confirmations.
Common Mistakes I Made (So You Don't Have To)
Mistake #1: Assuming my vet knew LATAM's specific rules. They didn't. I had to print out the requirements and bring them to the appointment.
Mistake #2: Not booking Mochi in advance. I called LATAM three days before my flight and was told there were no pet spots available. I had to rebook.
Mistake #3: Not checking the time restrictions for my destination. I booked a Brazil domestic flight during the 10 AM – 4 PM blackout window and had to reschedule.
Mistake #4: Buying a carrier that was technically within dimensions but too rigid to fit comfortably under the seat. Get a soft-sided carrier and test it in your car first.
Final Thoughts
Flying with a pet on LATAM is doable, but it requires planning. The brachycephalic restrictions are real and non-negotiable. The documentation is extensive. The advance booking is essential. But if you follow these steps, you and your pet can make it work.
Mochi and I have now flown LATAM multiple times. The key is starting early, being thorough with documentation, and calling LATAM directly when you have questions. Don't rely on assumptions—verify everything.
Need help planning your pet's trip? Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo—they'll walk you through LATAM's requirements and help you avoid the mistakes I made.
For more detailed guidance, check out our pet travel documents checklist, brachycephalic breed flying guide, and complete dog flying guide.
Data auto-verified from official LATAM Airlines sources and IATA regulations. Last updated: April 14, 2026. Always confirm current policies directly with LATAM Airlines before booking, as policies may change.
Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 23, 2026