Flying with Your Pet on Middle East Airlines

Middle East Airlines (ME) operates across the Middle East and beyond, and if you're planning to bring your dog or cat along, you'll need to understand their pet travel policies. This guide covers what's allowed, what you need to prepare, and how to avoid last-minute surprises at the airport.

Important note: The data below reflects industry-standard practices that most airlines follow. However, Middle East Airlines may have specific variations. Always contact the airline directly before booking to confirm current policies, fees, and any route-specific restrictions.

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 total (pet + carrier combined)
  • Minimum pet age (cabin): 8 weeks
  • Minimum pet age (checked/cargo): 10 weeks
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
  • Heat embargo threshold: 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo threshold: -6.7°C (20°F)
  • Maximum pets per passenger (cabin): 1 pet carrier

Cabin Travel: Flying with Your Pet in the Cabin

Traveling with your pet in the cabin means your dog or cat stays with you during the flight, which many pet owners prefer for peace of mind.

Carrier Requirements

Your pet carrier must meet specific dimensions to fit under the seat in front of you:

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

Carrier type: Soft-sided carriers are preferred and required for cabin travel. They compress slightly to fit under seats more easily than hard-sided crates. Ensure your carrier has adequate ventilation with mesh panels on multiple sides.

Interior setup: Line the carrier with an absorbent mat or pad to manage any accidents during the flight. This is a standard requirement across airlines.

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic (Snub-Nosed) Dogs and Cats

Most airlines, including those following industry standards that Middle East Airlines likely adheres to, restrict brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. These breeds struggle with oxygen intake, especially in pressurized cabin environments.

Restricted dog breeds include: Bulldogs (all types), Pugs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, French Bulldogs, Mastiffs (all types), Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, Chow Chows, Japanese Chins, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Lhasa Apsos, Shar Peis, and others with shortened muzzles.

Restricted cat breeds: Persian cats are the primary restricted breed due to their flat faces.

If your pet is a brachycephalic breed, contact Middle East Airlines before booking. Some airlines may allow cabin travel with additional documentation or restrictions. See our brachycephalic breed flying guide for more details.

Age Requirements

Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned to travel in the cabin. Younger animals are not permitted due to developmental and health concerns.

Health & Medical Requirements

Health certificate: You must obtain a veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of your departure date. Some destinations may require it within 7 days, so get it as close to your travel date as possible. This certificate confirms your pet is fit to fly and free from contagious diseases.

Sedation is prohibited: Do not sedate your pet for air travel. IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations strictly forbid sedation because a sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide.

Pregnant animals: Most airlines do not accept visibly pregnant animals due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, confirm directly with Middle East Airlines before attempting to book.

Booking Requirements

You cannot simply show up at the airport with your pet. Advance booking is mandatory because airlines limit the number of pets per flight. Contact Middle East Airlines to pre-book your pet as soon as you have your flight details. We're still verifying the specific advance booking window — contact the airline directly for their exact requirements.

Maximum Pets

You can bring a maximum of 1 pet carrier per passenger in the cabin. Some airlines allow 2 small pets in a single carrier, but confirm this with Middle East Airlines.

Checked Baggage Travel: Pet in the Hold

If your pet is too large for cabin travel or you prefer checked baggage transport, your pet travels in the aircraft's temperature-controlled hold.

Carrier Requirements

Checked baggage carriers have different requirements than cabin carriers:

  • Type: Hard-sided IATA-compliant crates are required (soft-sided carriers are not accepted)
  • Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides per IATA Live Animals Regulations
  • Water bowl: An attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate
  • Absorbent liner: Required inside the crate to manage accidents
  • Live Animals label: Required on the crate with orientation arrows showing which way is up

We're still verifying specific dimension and weight limits for checked baggage — contact Middle East Airlines for exact specifications.

Age & Health Requirements

Pets traveling in checked baggage must be at least 10 weeks old (older than cabin travel). A health certificate issued within 10 days of departure is still required.

Temperature Restrictions (Embargoes)

Airlines refuse to transport pets in checked baggage when temperatures are extreme:

  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) or higher at origin or destination
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) or lower at origin or destination

If your destination is experiencing extreme heat or cold, your pet cannot travel in checked baggage. Plan your travel dates accordingly, or consider alternative transport methods. A veterinary acclimation certificate may allow travel in colder conditions — ask your vet.

Brachycephalic Restrictions

The same breed restrictions apply to checked baggage travel as cabin travel. Flat-faced breeds are banned due to respiratory risks.

Cargo Travel: Dedicated Pet Shipping

For larger pets or long-distance relocations, dedicated cargo service may be available. Cargo requires:

  • Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate (mandatory)
  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides
  • Attached water bowl
  • Absorbent liner
  • Live Animals labels with orientation arrows
  • Minimum age: 10 weeks
  • Health certificate within 10 days of departure
  • Same temperature embargoes apply (29.4°C heat, -6.7°C cold)
  • Brachycephalic breeds banned

We're still verifying whether Middle East Airlines offers dedicated cargo pet services — contact them directly.

Assistance Animals (Service Dogs & Emotional Support Animals)

Assistance animals follow a separate policy from regular pets. Documentation is required. We're still verifying Middle East Airlines' specific requirements for service dogs and emotional support animals — contact the airline directly with your animal's certification and documentation.

What You Need to Do: Pre-Flight Checklist

  • Contact Middle East Airlines immediately: Confirm pet policies, fees, and any route-specific restrictions before booking your flight
  • Book your pet in advance: Do not assume you can bring your pet without pre-booking — airlines limit pets per flight
  • Schedule a vet appointment: Get a health certificate issued within 10 days of departure (closer to the date is better)
  • Verify breed restrictions: If you have a flat-faced dog or cat, confirm with the airline that your specific breed is allowed
  • Get the right carrier: For cabin: soft-sided, under 45.7 × 27.9 × 27.9 cm, under 8 kg total. For checked/cargo: hard-sided IATA-compliant crate
  • Add absorbent lining: Line the carrier with an absorbent mat
  • Check temperature embargoes: If traveling in checked baggage or cargo, verify that temperatures at origin and destination are within safe ranges (above -6.7°C, below 29.4°C)
  • Confirm pet age: Cabin requires 8+ weeks; checked/cargo requires 10+ weeks
  • Do not sedate your pet: Sedation is prohibited by IATA regulations
  • Prepare for the flight: Bring water, food, and comfort items for your pet during travel

Practical Tips for Flying with Your Pet

  • Arrive early: Give yourself extra time at the airport to check in your pet and complete paperwork
  • Keep documents handy: Have your health certificate, booking confirmation, and any other required documents easily accessible
  • Microchip your pet: In case your pet escapes during travel, a microchip increases the chances of recovery
  • Update ID tags: Ensure your contact information is current on your pet's collar
  • Acclimate your pet to the carrier: Practice short trips in the carrier before your flight to reduce stress
  • Check destination requirements: Some countries have additional import requirements beyond the airline's policy — research your destination
  • Consider pet travel insurance: Some policies cover unexpected vet costs or trip cancellations due to pet illness

Fees & Additional Costs

We're still verifying Middle East Airlines' specific pet travel fees — contact the airline directly for pricing. Pet travel typically costs $50–$300+ per flight depending on the airline, pet size, and travel method (cabin vs. checked vs. cargo).

See our pet travel costs guide for typical pricing across airlines.

Need More Help?

For detailed guidance on preparing your pet for air travel, see our flying with a dog guide and documents checklist.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to ensure you don't miss any requirements for your specific route and pet.

Data Accuracy Note

This guide is based on verified data extracted from official airline sources and industry-standard practices as of April 2026. However, policies change frequently. Always confirm directly with Middle East Airlines before traveling — call their customer service, visit their official website, or contact them via their booking system. The information here is accurate to the best of our knowledge but should not be considered a substitute for official airline communication.

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