Can You Fly with Pets on Play Airlines?

Yes, Play allows pets to travel, but not in the cabin. This is important: if you're hoping to keep your cat or dog with you during the flight, Play doesn't offer that option. However, pets can travel via cargo or checked baggage, which is what I've done three times with Cooper, my 28kg Golden Retriever, on international moves.

The good news? Play doesn't charge cabin pet fees because they don't allow cabin pets at all. But if you're shipping your pet in cargo or checked baggage, you'll need to follow specific IATA regulations and prepare well in advance.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin pets allowed: No
  • Cargo/checked baggage pets: Yes (with restrictions)
  • Minimum age for cabin travel: 8 weeks (if allowed)
  • Minimum age for cargo/checked baggage: 10 weeks
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
  • Heat embargo threshold: 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo threshold: -6.7°C (20°F)
  • Cabin carrier dimensions: Max 45.7cm L × 27.9cm W × 27.9cm H (must fit under seat)
  • Cabin carrier weight limit: 8kg combined (pet + carrier)
  • Cargo carrier requirement: Hard-sided, IATA-compliant only
  • Cabin pet fee: €0 (not offered)

Cargo vs. Checked Baggage: Which Route for Your Pet?

Play allows pets in both cargo and checked baggage, but the requirements differ slightly. Let me break this down based on my experience shipping Cooper internationally.

Cargo transport is the more common option for larger dogs and cats. Your pet travels in a climate-controlled hold with other cargo. Checked baggage is technically available but less common for live animals—confirm directly with Play which option they actively support for your route.

Both require:

  • Hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate (not soft-sided)
  • Attached water bowl that can be filled from outside
  • Absorbent liner inside the crate
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on at least three sides
  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides per IATA LAR
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of departure
  • Advance booking (required—you cannot show up with a pet)

Temperature Restrictions: Plan Around the Weather

This is critical and something I learned the hard way on my first move with Cooper. Play follows industry-standard temperature embargoes:

  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) at origin or destination

If temperatures exceed these thresholds, Play will refuse to transport your pet. I've had flights delayed or rebooked because of heat embargoes in summer. Plan your travel dates carefully—avoid peak summer months if flying to warm destinations, and avoid winter travel to cold regions unless your vet provides an acclimation certificate.

An acclimation certificate from your veterinarian may allow travel in colder conditions, but you'll need to arrange this in advance.

Breed Restrictions: Check If Your Pet Qualifies

Play restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. This is an industry-wide safety standard, not unique to Play.

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

For cats, restricted breeds include: British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, and Scottish Fold.

If your pet is on this list, contact Play directly before booking. Some airlines make exceptions, but don't assume.

Health Certificates: Non-Negotiable

Every single flight I've booked with Cooper required a health certificate. This is mandatory—you will not board without it, even if Play's website doesn't explicitly mention it.

What you need:

  • Vet-issued health certificate
  • Issued within 10 days of departure (some destinations require 7 days—check your destination)
  • Confirms your pet is fit to fly and up-to-date on vaccinations

Pro tip: Get the certificate as close to your departure date as possible. I always book my vet appointment for 2-3 days before flying. This gives you a buffer and ensures the certificate is as fresh as possible.

Carrier Requirements: Get This Right

For cargo or checked baggage, your carrier must be:

  • Hard-sided and IATA-compliant (soft-sided carriers are not accepted for cargo)
  • Large enough for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably
  • Equipped with an attached water bowl accessible from outside
  • Lined with absorbent material (puppy pads work well)
  • Labeled with "Live Animals" stickers and orientation arrows
  • Ventilated on at least three sides

When I shipped Cooper internationally, I used a heavy-duty plastic airline crate (size 700 for large dogs). It cost about €150-200, but it's reusable for future trips. Don't cheap out on the crate—it's your pet's safety.

Age Requirements

Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old for cargo or checked baggage travel. Puppies and kittens must be fully weaned. If you have a younger pet, you'll need to wait or explore alternative travel options.

Pregnant Animals & Animals in Heat

Play does not accept visibly pregnant animals for air travel due to health risks. If your pet is pregnant, confirm directly with Play before booking—they may refuse transport.

We're still verifying Play's policy on animals in heat—contact them directly to confirm.

What You Need to Do: Pre-Flight Checklist

10-12 weeks before departure:

  • Check if your pet's breed is restricted (brachycephalic list above)
  • Confirm Play's specific cargo/checked baggage pet policy for your route
  • Research destination import requirements (some countries have quarantine rules)
  • Book your vet appointment for health certificate

8 weeks before departure:

  • Purchase or confirm you have an IATA-compliant hard-sided crate
  • Practice acclimating your pet to the crate (spend time in it daily)
  • Ensure crate has water bowl attachment and absorbent liner
  • Order "Live Animals" labels if not included with crate

3 weeks before departure:

  • Contact Play to pre-book your pet (required—do not skip this)
  • Confirm temperature embargoes for your travel dates
  • Get any required import permits for your destination

10 days before departure:

  • Visit your vet for health certificate (within 10-day window)
  • Confirm all documentation is complete
  • Double-check crate dimensions and labeling

Day before departure:

  • Fill water bowl in crate
  • Add fresh absorbent liner
  • Pack comfort items (familiar blanket, toys)
  • Arrive at airport early for cargo/checked baggage drop-off

Important Restrictions & Rules

No sedation allowed. IATA regulations prohibit sedating pets during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. Do not sedate your pet unless explicitly instructed by both your vet and Play—which is extremely rare.

Advance booking is mandatory. You cannot show up at the airport with a pet. Play limits the number of pets per flight, so book as early as possible.

Service dogs may be exempt from carrier requirements and may travel at the handler's feet, but we're still verifying Play's specific service dog policy—contact them directly.

What We're Still Verifying

We're still verifying the following for Play:

  • Specific booking method for cargo/checked baggage pets
  • Exact cargo fees and pricing
  • Service dog recognition and exemptions
  • Embargoed routes (if any)
  • Maximum number of pets per flight
  • Animals in heat policy

Contact Play directly to confirm these details before booking.

Final Thoughts

Flying with pets on Play requires planning, but it's absolutely doable. I've done it three times with Cooper across multiple countries, and each time the process got smoother because I knew what to expect. The key is booking early, getting your health certificate in time, and choosing the right crate.

Temperature embargoes are your biggest wildcard—plan your travel dates around weather forecasts, especially in summer and winter. And never skip the pre-booking step; airlines limit pet spots per flight, and you don't want to arrive at the airport only to find your pet can't travel.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to ensure you haven't missed anything for your specific route and destination.

Data last verified: January 2025. This guide is based on auto-verified information from official Play airline sources. Always confirm current policies directly with Play before booking, as regulations change.

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