Loganair Pet Travel Policy

Loganair Pet Travel Overview

When I booked Luna's first flight with Loganair, I discovered this Scottish regional carrier has a straightforward but specific pet policy. Unlike major international airlines, Loganair operates regional routes primarily within the United Kingdom common travel area, which shapes their pet acceptance rules significantly. Here's what you need to know before booking.

Quick Comparison: Loganair vs. Other Airlines

Cats on Loganair: Cabin Travel

Good news for cat owners: Loganair allows cats in the cabin. Luna, my 5 kg tabby, flew comfortably in a soft-sided carrier under the seat in front of me. This is the most stress-free option for your feline companion.

Cabin Carrier Requirements for Cats

• Soft-sided carrier required — hard-sided crates won't fit under the seat
• Maximum dimensions: 45.7 cm (length) × 27.9 cm (width) × 27.9 cm (height) — roughly 18 × 11 × 11 inches
• Combined weight limit: 8 kg (pet + carrier together). Luna and her carrier came to 6.2 kg, well within limits
• Ventilation required: Mesh sides are standard and mandatory for airflow
• Absorbent liner required: Place an absorbent mat inside to manage accidents during the flight
• Maximum 1 pet per passenger in the cabin

Minimum Age for Cats

Your kitten must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned before cabin travel. This aligns with industry standards across most airlines.

Dogs on Loganair: Hold/Checked Baggage Only

Important: Loganair does not allow dogs in the cabin. Dogs must travel in the hold as checked baggage. This is a key difference from larger carriers like British Airways or Virgin Atlantic.

Dog Hold Travel: Fees & Restrictions

• Fee: £50 one-way per dog
• Maximum 1 crate per flight total — this is a hard limit, not per passenger
• UK common travel area only: Dogs can only fly on Loganair routes within the UK and common travel area (Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands)
• Seasonal embargo: No dog travel December 22 – January 4 annually
• Route restrictions: Dogs cannot fly to/from London City, Barra, Tiree, Campbeltown, or on Embraer 145 aircraft
• No Denmark or Norway routes for dogs

Hold Carrier Requirements for Dogs

• Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate required — soft-sided carriers are not accepted for hold travel
• Attached water bowl: The crate must have a water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside
• Ventilation on at least 3 sides per IATA Live Animals Regulations
• Absorbent liner required inside the crate
• "Live Animals" labels required with orientation arrows on the crate
• Minimum age: 10 weeks old and fully weaned

Brachycephalic (Snub-Nosed) Breeds: Restrictions Apply

Most airlines, including Loganair, restrict brachycephalic breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. The industry-standard restricted list includes:

• Cats: British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, Scottish Fold
• Dogs: Affenpinscher, American Bully, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog (all types), Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Pug (all types), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and others

If your pet is on this list, contact Loganair directly before booking. Some breeds may be approved on a case-by-case basis, but don't assume. For detailed guidance, see our brachycephalic breed flying guide.

Health Certificates & Documentation

This is non-negotiable: you must have a vet-issued health certificate for both cats and dogs, regardless of travel method.

Health Certificate Requirements

• Issued within 10 days of departure — get it as close to your flight date as possible
• Signed by a licensed veterinarian in your country of origin
• Must confirm: Your pet is healthy, vaccinated (especially rabies), and fit to fly
• Checked at the airport — you will not board without it

I obtained Luna's certificate 5 days before departure. The vet charged £35 and completed it in 24 hours. Don't leave this to the last minute.

Sedation: Prohibited

Do not sedate your pet for air travel. IATA Live Animals Regulations prohibit sedation because a sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide, including Loganair. If your vet or the airline suggests sedation, get a second opinion.

Pregnant or Animals in Heat

Loganair does not accept visibly pregnant animals for travel due to health risks during flight. Animals in heat are also typically not accepted. If your pet is pregnant or in heat, confirm directly with Loganair before booking.

Advance Booking: Mandatory

You cannot show up at the airport with a pet without prior arrangement. Loganair limits the number of pets per flight (especially dogs — only 1 crate total). You must pre-book your pet when you purchase your ticket or contact the airline immediately after.

How to Book Your Pet

• Call Loganair directly or email their reservations team
• Mention your pet's species, breed, age, and weight
• Confirm your pet meets all requirements (age, health, breed restrictions)
• Pay the applicable fee (£50 for dogs in hold; cats in cabin typically have no separate fee, but verify)
• Receive confirmation and any additional documentation requirements

Temperature Embargoes: Hold Travel

If your dog travels in the hold, Loganair follows industry-standard temperature restrictions:

• Cold embargo: −6.7°C (20°F) — pets cannot fly when tarmac temperatures drop below this
• Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) — pets cannot fly when tarmac temperatures exceed this
• Acclimation certificates: A vet can issue an acclimation certificate to allow travel in colder conditions, but this requires advance planning

These embargoes protect your pet from extreme stress. Summer flights to warm destinations or winter flights to cold regions may be refused.

Key Numbers at a Glance

What You Need to Do

Before you book:

• Confirm your pet's breed is not on the brachycephalic restricted list (or contact Loganair if unsure)
• Check if your route is available for pet travel (dogs cannot fly to London City, Barra, Tiree, Campbeltown, or on Embraer 145 aircraft)
• Verify your pet meets the minimum age requirement (8 weeks for cabin, 10 weeks for hold)
• Check seasonal embargoes (no dogs December 22 – January 4)

2–3 weeks before departure:

• Book your pet with Loganair directly — mention species, breed, age, and weight
• Purchase or borrow an appropriate carrier (soft-sided for cabin, hard-sided IATA-compliant for hold)
• Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate

1 week before departure:

• Obtain your health certificate (within 10 days of departure)
• Confirm all booking details with Loganair
• Acclimate your pet to the carrier with short practice sessions
• For hold travel, ensure the crate has an attached water bowl and absorbent liner
• Apply "Live Animals" labels to the crate (for hold travel)

Day of travel:

• Arrive early and inform check-in staff immediately that you're traveling with a pet
• Have your health certificate ready
• For cabin travel, keep Luna's carrier under the seat in front of you
• For hold travel, say goodbye at check-in and collect your pet at baggage claim

Practical Tips from My Experience

When Luna flew with me, I learned a few things the hard way. First, soft-sided carriers are genuinely easier to manage in tight airport spaces — I'm glad Loganair requires them for cabin travel. Second, the 8 kg weight limit is real. Luna

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