Can You Fly with Pets on LATAM Cargo?

LATAM Cargo is a cargo-focused airline, which means pet travel operates under different rules than traditional passenger airlines. While we're still verifying LATAM Cargo's specific pet acceptance policy, the data below reflects industry-standard requirements that apply to most cargo carriers. Contact LATAM Cargo directly before booking to confirm they accept pets on your specific route.

If you're traveling with a pet as a passenger, you may want to explore LATAM Airlines (the passenger division) instead, which typically has more flexible cabin pet policies.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin carrier dimensions: 45.7 cm L × 27.9 cm W × 27.9 cm H (18" × 11" × 11")
  • Cabin weight limit: 8 kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Cargo crate requirement: Hard-sided, IATA-compliant only
  • Minimum age: 8 weeks (cabin), 10 weeks (cargo)
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
  • Heat embargo threshold: 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo threshold: -6.7°C (20°F)

Cabin Travel Requirements for Dogs and Cats

We're still verifying whether LATAM Cargo allows pets in the cabin. However, if cabin travel is available, here are the industry-standard requirements:

Carrier Specifications

Your pet's carrier must fit under the seat in front of you. The maximum dimensions are:

  • Length: 45.7 cm (18 inches)
  • Width: 27.9 cm (11 inches)
  • Height: 27.9 cm (11 inches)
  • Combined weight (pet + carrier): 8 kg (17.6 lbs)

Soft-sided carriers are required for cabin travel — they compress slightly to fit under seats. Hard-sided carriers are too rigid and won't fit. The carrier must have adequate ventilation (mesh panels on multiple sides) and an absorbent liner inside to manage accidents during the flight.

Breed Restrictions

Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds are banned from cabin travel due to respiratory risks during flight. This includes:

  • Dogs: Bulldogs (all types), Pugs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, French Bulldogs, Mastiffs (all types), Pit Bulls, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Chow Chows, and others with flattened faces
  • Cats: Persian cats

See our complete brachycephalic breed guide for the full list.

Age and Health Requirements

  • Minimum age: 8 weeks old and fully weaned
  • Pregnant animals: Not accepted — confirm with LATAM Cargo if your pet is pregnant
  • Health certificate: Required, issued by a vet within 10 days of departure
  • Sedation: Prohibited by IATA regulations — do not sedate your pet

Booking Requirements

  • Advance booking is mandatory — you cannot bring a pet to the airport without prior arrangement
  • Maximum 1 pet per passenger in the cabin
  • Airlines limit the total number of pets per flight, so book early

Cargo and Checked Baggage Travel

For larger pets or longer journeys, cargo transport may be available. Cargo travel has stricter requirements than cabin travel.

Crate Requirements for Cargo

Hard-sided, IATA-compliant crates are mandatory for cargo transport. Soft-sided carriers are not accepted. Your crate must include:

  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides per IATA Live Animals Regulations
  • An attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on the crate exterior
  • Absorbent liner inside to manage waste
  • IATA LAR compliance — the crate must meet international standards for live animal transport

We're still verifying the specific maximum dimensions for LATAM Cargo cargo crates — contact the airline directly for size limits.

Age and Health for Cargo

  • Minimum age: 10 weeks old and fully weaned
  • Health certificate: Required, issued within 10 days of departure
  • Brachycephalic breeds: Banned from cargo travel
  • Pregnant animals: Not accepted
  • Sedation: Prohibited

Temperature Embargoes

LATAM Cargo will not transport pets if temperatures exceed safe limits:

  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) — no transport if tarmac temperatures at origin or destination exceed this
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) — no transport in extreme cold without a vet's acclimation certificate

These embargoes protect pets from heat stress and hypothermia. If your travel dates fall during hot or cold seasons, plan ahead or consider alternative travel dates.

Advance Booking for Cargo

Cargo pet transport requires advance booking — you cannot arrange this at the airport. Contact LATAM Cargo's cargo department well in advance to confirm availability and pricing.

Health Certificates and Documentation

A veterinary health certificate is mandatory for all pet travel on LATAM Cargo, whether cabin or cargo. Here's what you need:

  • Issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of your departure date
  • Confirms your pet is healthy and fit to fly
  • Includes vaccination records (especially rabies, if required by destination)
  • Valid for 10 days from issue date — get it as close to departure as possible

Some destinations require additional documentation like import permits or government-endorsed certificates. We're still verifying LATAM Cargo's specific requirements — check with the airline and your destination country's import regulations.

See our pet travel documents checklist for a complete preparation guide.

Assistance Animals

Assistance animals (service dogs, emotional support animals) are subject to a separate policy from regular pets. Documentation is required. We're still verifying LATAM Cargo's specific assistance animal rules — contact them directly with proof of your animal's certification.

What You Need to Do

  • Contact LATAM Cargo directly to confirm pet acceptance on your route and get current pricing
  • Book your pet in advance — do not assume you can arrange this at the airport
  • Schedule a vet appointment to obtain a health certificate within 10 days of departure
  • Verify your destination's import requirements — some countries require additional permits or vaccinations
  • Check temperature forecasts for your travel dates — if heat or cold embargoes apply, reschedule if possible
  • Purchase or prepare the correct carrier:
    • Cabin: Soft-sided, under 45.7 × 27.9 × 27.9 cm, with mesh ventilation and absorbent liner
    • Cargo: Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate with water bowl, ventilation, labels, and absorbent liner
  • Confirm your pet meets age requirements (8 weeks for cabin, 10 weeks for cargo)
  • If your pet is a brachycephalic breed, explore alternative airlines that may allow them, or consider cargo transport if available
  • Do not sedate your pet — it's prohibited by IATA regulations

Important Notes

LATAM Cargo is primarily a freight carrier, not a passenger airline. Pet travel policies for cargo airlines differ significantly from passenger carriers. Always confirm directly with LATAM Cargo that they accept pets before making any bookings or purchasing carriers.

If you're traveling as a passenger with a pet, LATAM Airlines (the passenger division) may offer more convenient cabin options.

For comprehensive guidance on flying with your pet, see our dog travel guide and pet travel cost guide.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — we'll help you navigate airline policies, documentation, and logistics for your specific route.

Data auto-verified from official airline sources. Last updated: April 11, 2026. Policies change frequently — always confirm directly with LATAM Cargo before traveling.

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