Nordavia allows both dogs and cats in the cabin — and yes, I have already checked the weight limits twice. When I was planning a route through Russia, this was one of the first questions I asked for Luna's sake. The cabin allowance is real, but the fee attached to it is not small. Read the cost section before you commit to a ticket.
Nordavia's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.
How Nordavia handles your pet
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Hover the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.
In the cabin Accepted
In the hold / cargo Accepted
Cabin policy
Pets accepted Accepted“Pets in the Cabin Small domestic pets can travel in the cabin with Smartavia if the combined weight of the pet and carrier does not exceed 26 lbs (12 kg).”
Snub-nosed breeds listBulldog, Pug, Boxer, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Brussels Griffon“Brachycephalic dog breeds (with "flat faces," such as pugs, Pekingese, Shih Tzus, Boxers, Brussels Griffons, Bulldogs, etc.) up to a combined weight with carrier of 26 lbs (12 kg) can only be transported in the cabin.”
One-way fee250 USD“$20 off a $250+ pay-now hotel rate with promo code PAWTY Home Air Travel Smartavia Smartavia No Reviews Share Share Website Website Smartavia, formerly known as Nordavia, is a Russian airline based in Arkhangelsk”
Hold & cargo policy
Hold: Pets accepted Accepted“Pets in Checked Baggage Animals that exceed the maximum weight of 26 lbs (12 kg) to travel in the cabin may be transported as checked baggage in the hold instead.”
Hold: Snub-nosed breeds listBulldog, Pug, Boxer, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Brussels Griffon“Brachycephalic dog breeds (with "flat faces," such as pugs, Pekingese, Shih Tzus, Boxers, Brussels Griffons, Bulldogs, etc.) up to a combined weight with carrier of 26 lbs (12 kg) can only be transported in the cabin.”
Hold: Crate must have/beventilated, absorbent liner“animal to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. The carrier must be clean, odor-free, and securely locked, with ventilation holes that allow proper airflow while preventing injury s excess baggage. Pets in…”
Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds listBulldog, Pug, Boxer, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Brussels Griffon“Brachycephalic dog breeds (with "flat faces," such as pugs, Pekingese, Shih Tzus, Boxers, Brussels Griffons, Bulldogs, etc.) up to a combined weight with carrier of 26 lbs (12 kg) can only be transported in the cabin”
In the cabin Accepted
In the hold / cargo Accepted
Cabin policy
Pets accepted Accepted“Pets in the Cabin Small domestic pets can travel in the cabin with Smartavia if the combined weight of the pet and carrier does not exceed 26 lbs (12 kg).”
One-way fee250 USD“$20 off a $250+ pay-now hotel rate with promo code PAWTY Home Air Travel Smartavia Smartavia No Reviews Share Share Website Website Smartavia, formerly known as Nordavia, is a Russian airline based in Arkhangelsk”
Hold & cargo policy
Hold: Pets accepted Accepted“Pets in Checked Baggage Animals that exceed the maximum weight of 26 lbs (12 kg) to travel in the cabin may be transported as checked baggage in the hold instead.”
Frequently asked
- How much does it cost to fly a pet on Nordavia?
- On flights within Metropolitan France, Nordavia charges from 250 USD in the cabin, one way per pet. Longer routes cost more — price your exact itinerary.
- What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
- If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.
- What happens if I forget a document?
- At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
Nordavia charges 250 USD per one-way cabin trip for a dog. That fee applies each direction, so a round trip costs 500 USD in pet fees alone. Budget for this before booking — it is not included in the base fare. Confirm the exact amount at time of purchase, as fees shown at booking may differ from the amount collected at the gate.
Every route has its own quirks, and Nordavia is no exception. The numbers above are a starting point, but your specific origin, destination, and pet's details change everything. That is why I always run the full trip through Pawgo's plan-builder before booking anything — it pulls the current rules, fees, and documents into one personalized plan so nothing slips through the spreadsheet. Luna approves of that level of preparation.
Glossary
- ISO chip
- ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
- FAVN
- Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
- Brachycephalic
- Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
- AVIH
- Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.