Flying with Pets on Olympic Air: The Real Deal

I've flown with Mochi, my 6kg French Bulldog, on dozens of flights across Europe. Here's what nobody tells you about Olympic Air's pet policies—the stuff you'll actually need to know when you're standing at the check-in counter with your carrier in hand.

Can Your Pet Fly in the Cabin?

Yes, cats and dogs can travel in the cabin on Olympic Air. This is huge because it means your pet stays with you the whole flight instead of being separated in cargo. I wish someone had told me how much less stressful this is.

But here's the catch: your pet must fit in a soft-sided carrier that slides under the seat in front of you. No exceptions. Olympic Air allows one pet carrier per passenger in the cabin.

The Carrier Size Rules (This Matters)

Your carrier cannot exceed these dimensions:

  • Length: 55 cm (21.6 inches)
  • Width: 40 cm (15.7 inches)
  • Height: 23 cm (9 inches)

The height is the killer—it has to fit under the seat. I learned this the hard way when I bought a carrier that was technically within length and width but too tall. It didn't fit, and I had to scramble at the airport.

Combined weight limit: 8 kg (pet + carrier together). Mochi weighs 6kg, so my carrier can only be 2kg. This is tight. Measure and weigh your setup before you book.

Must be soft-sided. Hard carriers won't fit under the seat. Get a collapsible fabric carrier with mesh ventilation—your pet needs to breathe, and the airline requires it.

The Brachycephalic Breed Problem

Here's where I hit a wall. Olympic Air restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. French Bulldogs, Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus, and many others are on the restricted list.

The full list includes: Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all types), Bull Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Cane Corso, Dogue De Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Presa Canario, Pug, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Tibetan Spaniel.

I cannot fly Mochi on Olympic Air in the cabin. This was devastating to learn. If your breed is on this list, you have two options: check with Olympic Air directly to see if there are exceptions, or book with a different airline that allows your breed.

Cabin Pet Fees

Olympic Air charges for cabin pets, and the fee depends on when you're traveling:

  • Domestic flights, off-peak: €20 one-way
  • Domestic flights, peak season (June–September): €30 one-way
  • International flights, off-peak: €50 one-way
  • International flights, peak season: €60 one-way

These fees are per pet, per flight. If you're doing a round trip, double it. Book by phone—Olympic Air doesn't accept pet bookings online.

Advance Booking: 48 Hours Minimum

You must book your pet at least 48 hours before departure. Do not show up at the airport with a pet and expect to bring it on board. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight, and slots fill up fast.

Call Olympic Air directly to add your pet to your reservation. Have your pet's details ready: name, breed, age, weight, and carrier dimensions.

Health Certificate: Non-Negotiable

You need a vet-issued health certificate. This is required by virtually all airlines, even if Olympic Air doesn't explicitly state it on their website. I've seen passengers denied boarding without one.

Key points:

  • Get it issued within 10 days of your flight (some destinations require 7 days—check your destination)
  • It must confirm your pet is healthy and fit to fly
  • Your vet needs to sign and stamp it
  • Bring the original, not a copy

Schedule this early. Don't wait until the week before your flight.

Cargo and Checked Baggage: The Alternative

If your pet doesn't fit the cabin requirements (like Mochi), you can send them in cargo. Olympic Air accepts pets in cargo, but the rules are completely different.

Cargo requirements:

  • Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate only (soft carriers won't work)
  • Attached water bowl that can be filled from outside
  • Absorbent liner inside the crate
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on all sides
  • Minimum age: 10 weeks (older than cabin pets)
  • Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides per IATA standards

Temperature embargoes apply: pets cannot fly if tarmac temperatures drop below -6.7°C (20°F) or exceed 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination. Summer flights to hot destinations may be blocked. Winter flights to cold regions might require a vet acclimation certificate.

Cargo is stressful for pets and expensive. I've never done it with Mochi because of her breed restriction, but I know people who have. It's a last resort.

What About Sedation?

Do not sedate your pet. IATA regulations prohibit sedation during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies. This applies to all airlines worldwide. If your vet suggests it, ask them to contact the airline directly—they may have specific guidance, but sedation is almost never approved.

Pregnant Animals and Animals in Heat

Olympic Air does not accept visibly pregnant animals for travel. If your pet is pregnant, contact the airline directly—they may refuse outright. Animals in heat: we're still verifying this policy—contact Olympic Air directly to confirm.

Service Dogs

We're still verifying Olympic Air's specific service dog policy—contact them directly. Industry standard is that service dogs travel at the handler's feet without a carrier and may be fee-exempt, but Olympic Air's exact rules aren't confirmed in their public materials.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin pet fee (domestic, off-peak): €20
  • Cabin pet fee (domestic, peak): €30
  • Cabin pet fee (international, off-peak): €50
  • Cabin pet fee (international, peak): €60
  • Max carrier length: 55 cm
  • Max carrier width: 40 cm
  • Max carrier height: 23 cm
  • Max combined weight (pet + carrier): 8 kg
  • Minimum age (cabin): 8 weeks
  • Minimum age (cargo): 10 weeks
  • Advance booking required: 48 hours
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days
  • Cold embargo (cargo): -6.7°C
  • Heat embargo (cargo): 29.4°C

What You Need to Do

Before you book:

  • Check if your pet's breed is on the brachycephalic restricted list
  • Measure and weigh your pet + carrier together (must be ≤8 kg)
  • Confirm your carrier fits the dimensions (especially height)
  • Verify your pet is at least 8 weeks old

When you book your flight:

  • Call Olympic Air at least 48 hours before departure to add your pet
  • Have your pet's name, breed, age, and weight ready
  • Confirm the cabin pet fee for your route and travel dates
  • Ask about temperature embargoes if traveling in extreme seasons

Before your flight:

  • Schedule a vet appointment to get a health certificate (within 10 days of departure)
  • Ensure your carrier has mesh ventilation and an absorbent liner
  • Practice having your pet sit in the carrier for short periods
  • Bring water and a collapsible bowl for the airport (not allowed in the cabin during flight)
  • Arrive early at the airport—pet check-in may take extra time

My Honest Take

Olympic Air's policies are standard for European carriers, but the brachycephalic breed restriction is a dealbreaker if you have a snub-nosed dog like Mochi. I've had to book with other airlines for her, which is frustrating because I prefer Olympic Air otherwise.

If your pet isn't breed-restricted, the cabin option is solid. The fees are reasonable, the 48-hour booking window is manageable, and flying with your pet in the cabin beats cargo every time.

For more detailed guidance, check out our pet travel documents checklist and brachycephalic breed flying guide. If you're comparing airlines, we have guides for Air France, British Airways, and other European carriers.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to see all your pet-friendly flight options and avoid surprises at the airport.

Data auto-verified from Olympic Air official sources. Last updated: January 2025. Policies subject to change—always confirm directly with Olympic Air before booking.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 23, 2026