Lucky Air Pet Travel Policy

Lucky Air Pet Travel Overview

I learned the hard way that flying with pets requires precision. When I booked Luna's first flight, I spent hours cross-referencing airline policies, carrier dimensions, and documentation requirements. Lucky Air's pet policy is straightforward but has some important distinctions between travel methods. Here's what you need to know before booking.

Quick Comparison: Lucky Air vs. Other Airlines

Key Numbers at a Glance

• Cabin pets: Not allowed on Lucky Air
• Checked baggage pets: Allowed
• Cargo pets: Allowed
• Max combined weight (cabin): 8 kg (17.6 lbs) — pet plus carrier
• Carrier dimensions (cabin): 45.7 cm L × 27.9 cm W × 27.9 cm H (18" × 11" × 11")
• Minimum age: 8 weeks (cabin), 10 weeks (checked/cargo)
• Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
• Advance booking: Required (no walk-ups with pets)
• Temperature embargoes: Below −6.7°C (20°F) or above 29.4°C (85°F)

Cabin Travel: Not Available on Lucky Air

Unlike Air France or British Airways, Lucky Air does not permit pets in the cabin. This was a surprise when I first researched the airline—Luna would have to travel in checked baggage or cargo instead.

If you need your pet with you during the flight, you'll need to consider alternative carriers. However, if you're comfortable with checked baggage or cargo transport, Lucky Air does accommodate pets through those methods.

Checked Baggage Travel: Your Primary Option

This is where Lucky Air accepts cats and dogs. Your pet travels in the cargo hold with other baggage, but under controlled temperature and pressure conditions.

Carrier Requirements for Checked Baggage

• Hard-sided crate required: Soft-sided carriers are not accepted for checked baggage. You'll need a sturdy, rigid crate.
• Water bowl: An attached, external water bowl or trough is mandatory. Ground crew must be able to fill it without opening the crate.
• Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides per IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR).
• Absorbent liner: Place an absorbent mat inside to manage accidents during travel.
• Live Animals labels: Display "Live Animals" stickers with orientation arrows on the crate.

Age & Health Requirements

• Minimum age: 10 weeks old and fully weaned.
• Health certificate: Required. Get it issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of departure. Don't wait—some destinations require 7 days, so closer to departure is safer.
• Breed restrictions: Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds are banned. This includes Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Shih Tzus, and Persian cats. See the full brachycephalic breed guide for details.
• Pregnant animals: Not accepted. If your pet is visibly pregnant, contact Lucky Air before booking.
• Animals in heat: We're still verifying this—contact Lucky Air directly.

Temperature Restrictions

Lucky Air will not accept pets in checked baggage if temperatures fall outside safe ranges:

• Cold embargo: Below −6.7°C (20°F)
• Heat embargo: Above 29.4°C (85°F)

If you're traveling during extreme weather, ask your vet about an acclimation certificate, which may allow travel in slightly colder conditions.

Cargo Travel: Alternative Option

Lucky Air also accepts pets as cargo. This is similar to checked baggage but often involves separate booking and handling.

Cargo Carrier Specifications

• Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate: Required. Soft-sided carriers are not accepted.
• Water bowl: Attached external bowl, fillable from outside.
• Ventilation: Three-sided minimum per IATA LAR.
• Absorbent liner: Required.
• Live Animals labels: Required on all sides.

Cargo-Specific Rules

• Minimum age: 10 weeks old and fully weaned.
• Health certificate: Required (10 days validity).
• Brachycephalic breeds: Banned (100% of major airlines enforce this).
• Temperature embargoes: Same as checked baggage (−6.7°C to 29.4°C).
• Advance booking: Required. You cannot show up at the airport with a pet without prior arrangement.

Carrier Dimensions & Weight Limits

When I packed Luna for her first flight, I measured her carrier three times. Here are the exact specifications:

Cabin Carriers (if allowed)

Note: Lucky Air does not allow cabin pets, but these are industry standards for reference:

• 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)
• Type: Soft-sided preferred (must fit under seat in front of you)

Checked Baggage & Cargo Carriers

Specific dimensions for Lucky Air's checked baggage and cargo crates are still being verified. Contact the airline directly for exact size allowances, as cargo crates are typically larger than cabin carriers.

Health Certificates & Documentation

This is non-negotiable. A vet-issued health certificate is required for all Lucky Air pet travel, regardless of whether you're using checked baggage or cargo.

What You Need

• Issued within 10 days of departure: Get it as close to your flight date as possible. Some destinations require 7 days, so don't cut it close.
• Licensed veterinarian: Must be issued by a licensed vet in your country.
• Microchip information: Include your pet's microchip number if applicable.
• Vaccination records: Typically rabies vaccination is required; check destination requirements.

For international travel, you may also need import permits or additional documentation depending on your destination. See our documents checklist for a complete breakdown.

Sedation: Not Allowed

IATA Live Animals 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 veterinarian and Lucky Air—which is extremely rare.

Booking & Advance Notice

You cannot show up at the airport with a pet and expect to fly. Lucky Air requires advance booking because they limit the number of pets per flight.

• Pre-book: Contact Lucky Air before purchasing your ticket to confirm pet availability on your specific flight.
• No walk-ups: Pets without prior arrangement will be denied boarding.
• Limits per flight: The exact number of pets allowed per flight is still being verified—contact the airline directly.

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Breeds Banned

Lucky Air, like virtually all major airlines, bans brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight.

Restricted Cat Breeds

• British Shorthair
• Burmese
• Exotic Shorthair
• Himalayan
• Persian
• Scottish Fold

Restricted Dog Breeds

The list is extensive and includes Bulldogs (all types), Pugs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, Chow Chows, Japanese Chins, Mastiffs, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and many others. See our brachycephalic breed guide for the complete list.

If you're unsure whether your breed is restricted, contact Lucky Air directly before booking.

Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals

We're still verifying Lucky Air's specific policies on service dogs and emotional support animals (ESAs). Contact the airline directly for details on whether service animals are exempt from cabin restrictions or require documentation.

What You Need to Do: Actionable Checklist

• ☐ Check breed eligibility: Confirm your pet is not a restricted brachycephalic breed.
• ☐ Schedule vet appointment: Get a health certificate issued within 10 days of departure.
• ☐ Verify age: Ensure your pet is at least 10 weeks old (checked baggage/cargo).
• ☐ Pre-book with Lucky Air: Contact the airline to confirm pet availability on your flight before purchasing your ticket.
• ☐ Obtain/prepare carrier: Hard-sided crate with external water bowl, ventilation on three sides, absorbent liner, and Live Animals labels.
• ☐ Check temperature forecasts: Confirm temperatures at origin and destination are between −6.7°C and 29.4°C on travel day.
• ☐ Gather import documents: If traveling internationally, obtain any required import permits or health certificates for your destination.
• ☐ Microchip & ID: Ensure your pet is microchipped and wearing ID tags.
• ☐ Acclimate your pet: If traveling in cargo/checked baggage, spend time acclimating your pet to the carrier before the flight.
• ☐ Arrange ground transport: Plan how your pet will get to/from the airport safely.

Cost Considerations

Lucky Air does not charge a cabin pet fee (because cabin pets are not allowed). Checked

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 22, 2026