Philippine Airlines (PR) is the go-to carrier for pet relocations into and out of Manila, particularly for owners coming from the US East Coast or Asian hubs. They run reliable cabin and cargo programs, though their cargo handling at NAIA is well-known to be slower than at other Asian hubs. Cooper has not flown PR, but two expat families I know moved with PR cargo to MNL and described the booking and ground handling as professional but procedurally slow.
PR'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 PR treats your pet
Cabin policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy | Not yet documented | — |
Hold policy
Cargo policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pets accepted | Accepted in the cargo | 95% |
Frequently asked
- 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.
For Philippine Airlines: book cabin or cargo pets through their special services line at the same time as your ticket, allow extra time at NAIA for arrival inspection (the airport vet desk processes pets in order and can take 1-2 hours per family), and bring complete paperwork including the BAI Veterinary Quarantine Clearance issued in advance. Build your plan against your departure date in Pawgo before booking — it confirms the cargo capacity and the BAI clearance timing for your specific PR flight.
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.