Flying with Your Pet on Nordavia: What You Need to Know

OK hear me out — flying with your furry friend doesn't have to be a nightmare. I've taken Nala, my 22kg Australian Shepherd, on more flights than I can count, and while it's not exactly a walk in the park (pun intended), knowing the rules upfront makes everything smoother. Nordavia has specific policies for pet travel, and I'm breaking down exactly what you need to do before you book that ticket.

Here's the reality: Nordavia does not allow pets in the cabin. That's the headline. But don't panic — there are still options for getting your dog, cat, or other pet on board. Let me walk you through the details.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin pets: Not allowed
  • Cabin pet fee: €0 (N/A — no cabin pets)
  • Minimum age for cabin travel: 8 weeks (fully weaned)
  • Minimum age for cargo/checked baggage: 10 weeks (fully weaned)
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
  • Cabin carrier max dimensions: 45.7cm L × 27.9cm W × 27.9cm H (soft-sided only)
  • Cabin carrier max weight: 8kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Cargo carrier requirement: Hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) — acclimation certificates may allow exceptions
  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F)

Cabin Travel: The Reality Check

I know what you're thinking — "But Jules, I want Nala with me on the plane!" Unfortunately, Nordavia doesn't permit pets in the cabin. This is different from carriers like Lufthansa or British Airways, which do allow small pets in the cabin under certain conditions.

That said, if you have a service dog, the rules may be different. Service dogs are typically exempt from pet restrictions and travel at their handler's feet. We're still verifying Nordavia's specific service dog policy — contact them directly to confirm your dog's eligibility.

Cargo & Checked Baggage: Your Pet Travel Options

Since cabin travel isn't an option, your pet will travel in the cargo hold or as checked baggage. Both require serious preparation, but it's absolutely doable. I've never sent Nala this way (she's too big for cabin anyway!), but I know plenty of adventurers who have successfully flown their pets via cargo.

Carrier Requirements for Cargo & Checked Baggage

This is non-negotiable: your pet needs a hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate. Not a soft-sided carrier — those are cabin-only and won't cut it for cargo.

Your crate must have:

  • Hard-sided construction (plastic or metal)
  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides (IATA requirement)
  • An attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate
  • An absorbent mat or liner inside to manage accidents
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on the outside
  • IATA LAR (Live Animals Regulations) compliance

Trust me on this one — don't cheap out on the crate. A proper IATA-compliant crate costs more upfront, but it's your pet's safety we're talking about. Look for crates specifically labeled as IATA-approved; they're available from most pet travel suppliers.

Health Certificate: Non-Negotiable

This is the one document you absolutely cannot skip. A vet-issued health certificate is required for all pet travel on Nordavia, whether your pet is in the cabin (if allowed), cargo, or checked baggage.

Key details:

  • Certificate must be issued within 10 days of your departure date
  • Get it as close to departure as possible — don't get it too early
  • Your vet will confirm your pet is healthy and fit to fly
  • The certificate will be checked at the airport; without it, you won't be allowed to board

I always schedule my vet appointment about a week before travel. That way, I'm within the 10-day window and have time to handle any last-minute issues. Check out our documents checklist for a full breakdown of what your vet needs to verify.

Age Requirements

Your pet must be old enough to travel:

  • Cabin travel: Minimum 8 weeks old (fully weaned)
  • Cargo or checked baggage: Minimum 10 weeks old (fully weaned)

Puppies and kittens younger than these ages simply aren't allowed. If you're adopting a young pet abroad, you'll need to wait until they meet the age requirement.

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Breeds

Here's where I have to give you some tough love. Nordavia restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds across all travel modes — cabin, cargo, and checked baggage. This is an industry-wide safety standard due to respiratory risks during flight.

Restricted breeds include:

  • 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, American Bully)
  • Shar Peis
  • Japanese Chins
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
  • Lhasa Apsos
  • And several others

If your breed is on this list, contact Nordavia directly to confirm whether an exception might be possible. Some airlines make rare exceptions with vet documentation, but don't count on it. For more details, check out our brachycephalic breed flying guide.

Temperature Restrictions: When Your Pet Can't Fly

This is critical: Nordavia won't transport pets in extreme temperatures.

  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) or below
  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) or above

These restrictions apply to tarmac temperatures at both your origin and destination airports. If it's too hot or cold, your pet simply won't be allowed on the flight — no exceptions (unless you have an acclimation certificate from your vet, which may allow travel in colder conditions).

This is why I always check the weather forecast weeks in advance when planning trips with Nala. Summer flights to hot destinations? Risky. Winter flights to cold climates? Plan ahead and talk to your vet about acclimation options.

Pregnant & Animals in Heat

Nordavia does not accept visibly pregnant animals for travel due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, confirm directly with the airline before booking — they may refuse transport regardless of how far along she is.

We're still verifying Nordavia's policy on animals in heat. Contact them directly if this applies to your pet.

Advance Booking: You Can't Just Show Up

You must pre-book your pet before travel. You cannot show up at the airport with your dog or cat and expect to get on the flight. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight for safety and logistics reasons.

Contact Nordavia as soon as you book your human ticket to arrange pet transport. The earlier, the better — this gives them time to confirm availability and ensure your pet is on the manifest.

Sedation: Don't Do It

Here's something I see people ask about constantly: "Can I sedate my pet for the flight?" The answer is absolutely not, unless explicitly instructed by both your vet and the airline (which is extremely rare).

IATA Live Animals Regulations prohibit sedation during air travel because a sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. Your pet needs to be alert and able to move if something goes wrong. Trust the process — your pet will be okay without sedation.

What You Need to Do: Your Pre-Flight Checklist

  • Book your pet's travel immediately after booking your own flight. Contact Nordavia directly to arrange cargo or checked baggage transport.
  • Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate, ideally 7–10 days before departure.
  • Get a health certificate issued within 10 days of your departure date.
  • Purchase an IATA-compliant hard-sided crate if you don't already have one. Verify dimensions and ventilation requirements.
  • Add an absorbent mat or liner inside the crate.
  • Attach "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows to the crate.
  • Install an attached water bowl or trough on the crate.
  • Check temperature forecasts for your origin and destination airports. If it's below -6.7°C or above 29.4°C, contact Nordavia to discuss options.
  • Confirm your pet meets age requirements (10 weeks minimum for cargo/checked baggage).
  • Verify your breed isn't restricted (brachycephalic breeds are banned).
  • Arrive at the airport early to check in your pet and complete any final paperwork.

Cost & Booking

We're still verifying Nordavia's specific pet transport fees and booking procedures. Contact them directly for pricing and to arrange your pet's travel. Costs vary significantly based on your pet's size, weight, and destination, so get a quote before you commit.

For a broader overview of pet travel costs, check out our pet travel cost guide.

Final Thoughts

Flying with your pet on Nordavia requires planning, but it's absolutely doable. The key is starting early, getting your health certificate sorted, and investing in the right crate. I won't lie — it's more complicated than flying with a human, and it costs more. But when you land at your destination and your furry friend is ready for adventure? Totally worth it.

If you have any questions about Nordavia's specific policies, contact them directly — they're your best source for the most up-to-date information.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to help organize all the details for your pet's journey.

Data last verified: January 2024. Pet travel policies change frequently. Always confirm directly with Nordavia before booking. Information compiled from official airline sources and industry standards.

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