Flying with Your Pet on Lion Air: What You Need to Know

OK hear me out — I've flown with Nala, my 22kg Australian Shepherd, on enough airlines to know that every carrier has its own quirks. Lion Air (JT) operates across Indonesia and Southeast Asia, and if you're planning to bring your furry friend along, you need to understand exactly how they handle pets. Trust me on this one: getting the details right before you book saves you massive headaches at the airport.

Here's the straight story on what Lion Air allows, what they require, and how to make sure your pet gets there safely and comfortably.

Can Your Pet Fly in the Cabin?

Lion Air does allow cats in the cabin, but here's the catch: dogs cannot travel in the cabin. If you're flying with a dog on Lion Air, your pup will need to travel in checked baggage or cargo instead. This is a significant difference from some other carriers, so plan accordingly.

For cats flying cabin, you'll need a soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. The maximum dimensions are approximately:

  • Length: 45.7 cm (18 inches)
  • Width: 27.9 cm (11 inches)
  • Height: 27.9 cm (11 inches)
  • Combined weight (cat + carrier): 8 kg maximum

Your carrier must have mesh ventilation on the sides — this isn't optional. It's required by international aviation standards to keep your cat safe during flight.

Dogs: Checked Baggage or Cargo Only

Since Nala can't fly cabin with me on Lion Air, I'd be looking at checked baggage or cargo options. Here's what you need to know:

For checked baggage or cargo transport, your dog needs:

  • A hard-sided IATA-compliant crate (soft-sided carriers won't work for hold travel)
  • An attached water bowl that can be filled from outside the crate
  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides of the crate
  • An absorbent mat or liner inside to handle accidents
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows clearly marked on the crate

Your dog must be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned to travel this way. If your dog is pregnant or visibly pregnant, Lion Air won't accept them — this is an industry-wide safety standard.

Temperature Restrictions: Plan Around the Heat

This is critical if you're flying to or from hot destinations. Lion Air follows industry standards for temperature embargoes:

  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) — if tarmac temperatures at origin or destination exceed this, your pet cannot fly
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) — similar restrictions apply in extreme cold

If you need to travel in extreme temperatures, your vet can issue an acclimation certificate that may allow exceptions. But don't count on it — plan your travel dates carefully if you're heading somewhere hot or cold.

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Breeds Are Banned

Lion Air restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. The industry-standard restricted list includes:

  • Bulldogs (all types: English, French, American)
  • Pugs (all types)
  • Boxers
  • Boston Terriers
  • Shih Tzus
  • Pekingese
  • Chow Chows
  • Mastiffs (all types)
  • Pit Bulls and related breeds (American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier)
  • Japanese Chin
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  • Shar Pei
  • Lhasa Apso
  • Brussels Griffon
  • Cane Corso
  • Dogue de Bordeaux
  • Presa Canario

If your breed is on this list, contact Lion Air directly before booking — some airlines make exceptions on a case-by-case basis, but don't assume yours will.

Health Certificates: Non-Negotiable

Your vet-issued health certificate is required for any pet traveling on Lion Air. Here's what you need to know:

  • Certificate must be issued within 10 days of departure (some destinations require 7 days — check with Lion Air)
  • Get it as close to your departure date as possible
  • Even if Lion Air's website doesn't mention it, the certificate will be checked at the airport
  • Don't risk being denied boarding — get this done

Your vet will confirm your pet is healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations. This protects both your pet and other animals traveling that day.

Advance Booking: You Cannot Show Up at the Airport

This is huge: you must pre-book your pet before travel. You cannot show up at the airport with your pet without prior arrangement. Lion Air limits the number of pets per flight, so booking early is essential.

Contact Lion Air directly to arrange pet transport. They'll confirm availability, discuss fees, and walk you through their specific booking process.

Sedation: Absolutely Not Allowed

IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations prohibit sedating pets during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. Do not sedate your pet unless explicitly instructed by both your vet and the airline — and that's extremely rare.

If your pet is anxious about flying, work with your vet on calming strategies that don't involve sedation. Familiar toys, your scent on a blanket, and a calm demeanor from you go a long way.

Cats in Cabin: Carrier Requirements

If you're flying your cat in the cabin on Lion Air, here's exactly what you need:

  • Soft-sided carrier only — hard-sided carriers won't fit under the seat
  • Mesh ventilation on all sides
  • Absorbent mat or liner inside the carrier
  • Maximum combined weight: 8 kg (your cat + carrier together)
  • Minimum age: 8 weeks old and fully weaned

Your cat must be pre-booked, have a valid health certificate, and cannot be pregnant. You're limited to one pet carrier per passenger.

Domestic Indonesia Routes: Dogs in Checked Baggage

For domestic flights within Indonesia, dogs can travel in checked baggage. Here's the fee structure:

  • Excess baggage tariff plus a 100% surcharge

The exact cost depends on your dog's weight and the specific route. Contact Lion Air for a quote on your exact itinerary.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin carrier max dimensions (cats): 45.7 cm L × 27.9 cm W × 27.9 cm H
  • Cabin carrier max weight: 8 kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Minimum age for cabin (cats): 8 weeks
  • Minimum age for cargo/checked (dogs, cats): 10 weeks
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days from issue date
  • Heat embargo threshold: 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo threshold: -6.7°C (20°F)
  • Dogs in cabin: Not allowed
  • Cats in cabin: Allowed (pre-booking required)

What You Need to Do

At least 4-6 weeks before travel:

  • Check if your breed is on the brachycephalic restricted list
  • Contact Lion Air directly to confirm pet availability on your specific flight
  • Pre-book your pet (required — cannot be done at the airport)
  • Discuss fees and any special requirements for your route

2-3 weeks before travel:

  • Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate
  • Ensure your pet is up-to-date on all vaccinations
  • If traveling in cargo/checked baggage, order or purchase an IATA-compliant hard-sided crate
  • If traveling in cabin (cats only), get a soft-sided carrier that meets size requirements

10 days before travel:

  • Get your health certificate issued by your vet (within 10-day window)
  • Prepare your carrier with absorbent liners
  • For cargo/checked baggage: attach water bowl and "Live Animals" labels
  • Confirm all details with Lion Air one final time

Day of travel:

  • Arrive early — pet check-in may take extra time
  • Have health certificate and booking confirmation ready
  • Keep your pet calm and hydrated before boarding
  • Say goodbye knowing you've done everything right

Final Thoughts

Flying with pets on Lion Air is absolutely doable — you just need to know the rules and plan ahead. Cats have it easier with cabin options, while dogs will need to travel in checked baggage or cargo. Either way, the key is advance booking, proper documentation, and the right carrier setup.

For more detailed guidance on pet travel documents, check out our documents checklist. If you're flying a brachycephalic breed, read our brachycephalic breed guide for alternatives and safety tips.

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

Data auto-verified from official Lion Air sources. Last updated: January 2025. Always confirm current policies directly with Lion Air before booking, as pet policies can change.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 21, 2026