Hey, I'm Marco — Here's What I Learned Flying Mochi on Peruvian Airlines

I've flown my 6kg French Bulldog, Mochi, on more airlines than I care to admit. And here's what nobody tells you: every airline has quirks, and Peruvian Airlines (P9) is no exception. I wish someone had given me a straight answer before my first trip, so I'm laying it all out here — the good, the bad, and the "gotcha" moments.

Let me be upfront: Peruvian Airlines does not allow pets in the cabin. I know, I know — that stung when I found out. But if you're shipping your pet via cargo or checked baggage, there's a path forward. Let's walk through it.

Can You Fly Your Pet on Peruvian Airlines?

Cabin travel: No pets allowed. Not even tiny ones. Not even service dogs (we're still verifying their policy — contact them directly). This is a hard stop.

Cargo and checked baggage: Yes, pets are allowed — but with serious restrictions and requirements. This is where the real work begins.

The Brachycephalic Breed Bombshell

Here's the thing that hit me hardest: Mochi can't fly on Peruvian Airlines at all. French Bulldogs are on the industry-standard brachycephalic (snub-nosed) restricted breeds list, and Peruvian Airlines enforces this across both cargo and checked baggage.

If your pet is on this list, they're banned from flying with P9, period:

  • French Bulldogs
  • Pugs (all breeds)
  • Bulldogs (all breeds)
  • Boston Terriers
  • Boxers
  • Shih Tzus
  • Pekingese
  • Chow Chows
  • Japanese Chins
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
  • Lhasa Apsos
  • Shar Peis
  • English Toy Spaniels
  • Staffordshire Bull Terriers
  • American Pit Bull Terriers
  • Mastiffs (all breeds)
  • Cane Corsos
  • Dogue de Bordeaux
  • Presa Canarios
  • American Bullies (all breeds)
  • Bull Terriers (all breeds)
  • Brussels Griffons
  • Affenpinschers
  • Tibetan Spaniels
  • And several others

Why? These breeds have respiratory challenges and struggle with the pressure and temperature changes in cargo holds. Airlines won't risk it. If your breed is on this list, stop here and explore alternative travel options or contact Peruvian Airlines to confirm their current policy.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin pets: Not allowed
  • Cargo/checked baggage: Allowed (if not brachycephalic)
  • Minimum age: 10 weeks old, fully weaned
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days from issue date
  • Cold embargo: Below -6.7°C (20°F) — acclimation certificates may allow exceptions
  • Heat embargo: Above 29.4°C (85°F) — no exceptions
  • Carrier requirement: Hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate for cargo/checked baggage
  • Advance booking: Required — you cannot show up at the airport with a pet

Carrier Requirements: Get This Right or You're Stuck

If your pet is cleared to fly, the carrier is everything. Here's what Peruvian Airlines expects:

For Cargo and Checked Baggage:

  • Hard-sided crate only — soft carriers won't cut it. This is non-negotiable.
  • IATA-compliant — your crate must meet International Air Transport Association Live Animals Regulations (LAR). This isn't optional.
  • Ventilation on at least three sides — your pet needs to breathe.
  • Attached water bowl or trough — it must be accessible from outside the crate so ground crew can refill it without opening the door.
  • Absorbent liner inside — accidents happen. A washable mat or puppy pads are essential.
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows — these must be clearly visible on the crate. No label, no flight.

I wish someone had told me this before I bought my first carrier: not all pet crates are IATA-compliant. You can't just grab a plastic dog crate from a pet store. Check the manufacturer's specs or ask your vet. Websites like Pawgo can help verify compliance.

Health Certificate: Non-Negotiable

You must have a vet-issued health certificate — even if Peruvian Airlines doesn't explicitly list it on their website. Trust me, you'll be asked for it at check-in, and without it, your pet doesn't fly.

  • Issued within 10 days of departure — get it as close to your flight date as possible. Some destinations require 7 days; don't risk it.
  • Signed by a licensed veterinarian — not a vet tech, not a clinic receptionist. A vet.
  • Confirms your pet is healthy and fit to fly — the vet should specifically note this.
  • Includes vaccination records — especially rabies, depending on your destination.

Pro tip: Call your vet at least 2 weeks before your trip. They're busy, and you don't want to scramble for an appointment the day before you fly.

Temperature Embargoes: The Silent Deal-Breaker

Here's something that catches people off guard: Peruvian Airlines won't fly your pet if it's too hot or too cold.

  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) — if the tarmac temperature at your origin or destination exceeds this, your pet stays home. No exceptions, no acclimation certificate workaround.
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) — if it's colder than this, your vet can issue an acclimation certificate to allow travel. But you need to plan ahead.

I learned this the hard way: check the weather forecast for your departure and arrival cities before you book. If you're flying to Peru in summer or from a cold climate in winter, you might hit an embargo. It's not the airline being difficult — it's protecting your pet.

Age Requirements

Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old and fully weaned to travel in cargo or checked baggage. Younger animals aren't physiologically ready for the stress of air travel.

Advance Booking: You Can't Wing This

You must pre-book your pet before arrival at the airport. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight for safety and logistics reasons. Show up with a pet and no reservation? You're not flying.

Contact Peruvian Airlines directly to arrange pet transport. We're still verifying their specific booking process — call ahead or check their website for the pet cargo department's contact info.

What About Sedation?

Don't even think about it. IATA regulations prohibit sedating pets during air travel — worldwide, across all commercial airlines. A sedated animal can't maintain balance or respond to emergencies. Your vet won't approve it, and the airline won't allow it. Leave your pet alert and aware.

Pregnant or Animals in Heat?

Peruvian Airlines does not accept visibly pregnant animals or those in heat. The stress and hormonal changes are risky. If your pet is pregnant or in heat, you'll need to postpone travel or explore ground transport alternatives.

What You Need to Do — Your Action Checklist

  • Confirm your pet's breed isn't on the brachycephalic restricted list — if it is, stop here and contact Peruvian Airlines to verify their current policy.
  • Check weather embargoes — confirm temperatures at origin and destination won't trigger a heat or cold embargo.
  • Schedule a vet appointment — book 2–3 weeks before travel to get a health certificate issued within 10 days of departure.
  • Purchase or verify an IATA-compliant hard-sided crate — confirm it has ventilation on three sides, an attached water bowl, and space for an absorbent liner.
  • Order "Live Animals" labels — these must be affixed to the crate with orientation arrows clearly visible.
  • Contact Peruvian Airlines' cargo department — pre-book your pet at least 2–3 weeks before departure.
  • Prepare documentation — health certificate, vaccination records, and any import permits required by your destination country.
  • Acclimate your pet to the crate — spend weeks getting them comfortable inside before the flight.
  • Arrange ground transport — plan how your pet gets to the airport and from the destination airport to your final location.

A Realistic Word on Cargo Travel

Flying your pet in cargo isn't like checking luggage. It's stressful for your animal, and it requires serious planning. If you have options — driving, taking a pet-friendly airline with cabin service, or delaying travel — consider them. But if cargo is your only choice, follow every step above religiously. Your pet's safety depends on it.

Still Have Questions?

We're still verifying several details about Peruvian Airlines' specific pet policies — including their exact booking process, whether they accept service animals, and destination-specific requirements. Contact Peruvian Airlines directly before you commit to travel. Don't assume; confirm.

For more guidance, check out our flying with a dog guide, documents checklist, and brachycephalic breed guide.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — they'll help you navigate airline policies, document requirements, and destination regulations in one place.

Data auto-verified from official airline sources. Last updated: January 2025. Policies change — always confirm directly with Peruvian Airlines before booking.

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