Can You Fly with Pets on PSA Airlines?

Yes — PSA Airlines allows both dogs and cats to travel in the cabin. I've flown Cooper, my 28kg Golden Retriever, on regional carriers before, and I know how important it is to get the details right before you book. This guide covers everything you need to know about PSA Airlines' pet policy, from carrier dimensions to health certificates.

The good news: PSA Airlines welcomes pets in the cabin. The important part: you must book in advance, meet specific carrier requirements, and have proper documentation. Let's walk through it step by step.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin pet fee: $125 USD (one-way)
  • Max combined weight (pet + carrier): 9 kg (19.8 lbs)
  • Carrier dimensions: 48 cm L × 33 cm W × 22 cm H (18.9" × 13" × 8.7")
  • Minimum pet age: 8 weeks (fully weaned)
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
  • Advance booking required: At least 24 hours before flight
  • Max pets per passenger: 1 pet carrier in cabin

Cabin Travel: The Best Option for Most Pets

If your pet weighs 9 kg or less (pet plus carrier combined), cabin travel is your best bet. Your pet stays with you throughout the flight, which means less stress and better monitoring. This is what I always choose for Cooper when he's small enough — though at 28kg, he's well over the limit, so I've had to explore other options.

Carrier requirements for cabin travel:

  • Soft-sided carrier only — hard-sided crates won't fit under the seat
  • Maximum dimensions: 48 cm long × 33 cm wide × 22 cm high (must fit under the seat in front of you)
  • Ventilation: Mesh sides required for adequate airflow
  • Absorbent liner: Required inside the carrier to manage accidents
  • Weight limit: 9 kg combined (pet + carrier)

When shopping for a carrier, measure carefully. I learned this the hard way — a carrier that looks like it fits in the store might not pass the airline's under-seat test. Bring your carrier to the airport early so staff can verify it fits.

Cargo and Checked Baggage: For Larger Pets

PSA Airlines does offer cargo and checked baggage options for pets, though we're still verifying the specific fees and booking procedures — contact PSA Airlines directly for current pricing and availability.

If you go this route, requirements are stricter:

  • Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate only — soft-sided carriers are not accepted
  • Attached water bowl that can be filled from outside the crate
  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides (IATA requirement)
  • Absorbent liner inside the crate
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on all sides
  • Minimum age: 10 weeks (older than cabin travel)
  • Temperature restrictions: Not below -6.7°C (20°F) or above 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination

I shipped Cooper via cargo once for an international move, and the hard-sided crate requirement made sense — it protects your pet during loading and unloading. The water bowl attachment is essential; your pet may be in transit for several hours.

Breed Restrictions: Check If Your Pet Qualifies

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

Restricted breeds include: Bulldogs (all types), Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, Chow Chows, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Mastiffs (all types), Shar Pei, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Bully, Cane Corso, and Dogue de Bordeaux.

If your breed is on this list, contact PSA Airlines directly — some airlines make exceptions with vet clearance, but it's not guaranteed. Read our brachycephalic breed flying guide for more context.

Health Certificate: Non-Negotiable

You must have a vet-issued health certificate. This is checked at the airport, and without it, you will be denied boarding — no exceptions.

Health certificate requirements:

  • Issued within 10 days of departure (get it as close to your flight as possible)
  • Signed by a licensed veterinarian
  • Confirms your pet is healthy and fit to fly
  • Includes vaccination records (especially rabies, if traveling internationally)

Schedule your vet appointment at least 2 weeks before your flight. Vets get busy, and you don't want to scramble for an appointment 3 days before departure. I always book early and keep a copy on my phone as backup.

Important Rules: What You Cannot Do

Do not sedate your pet. IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations prohibit sedation during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide. If your vet or the airline suggests sedation, get a second opinion.

Pregnant animals are not accepted. If your pet is visibly pregnant, the airline will refuse travel due to health risks during flight.

Animals in heat: We're still verifying PSA's specific policy — contact them directly if this applies to your pet.

What You Need to Do: Step-by-Step Checklist

8-10 weeks before departure:

  • Check if your pet's breed is restricted (brachycephalic list above)
  • Confirm your pet is at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned
  • Schedule a vet appointment for health certificate (within 10 days of flight)

4-6 weeks before departure:

  • Measure your pet and choose the right carrier type (soft-sided for cabin, hard-sided for cargo)
  • Order your carrier if you don't have one — allow time for shipping
  • Add absorbent liner and test the fit
  • Let your pet acclimate to the carrier at home

2 weeks before departure:

  • Confirm your pet's weight (cabin limit is 9 kg combined with carrier)
  • Book your vet appointment for health certificate
  • Contact PSA Airlines to pre-book your pet (required at least 24 hours before flight)

10 days before departure:

  • Visit your vet and obtain the health certificate
  • Make copies (keep one with you, one in your luggage, one on your phone)

24 hours before departure:

  • Confirm your pet booking with PSA Airlines
  • Pack your pet's essentials: food, water, bowls, medications, comfort items
  • Exercise your pet well before the flight

At the airport:

  • Arrive early — allow extra time for pet check-in
  • Have health certificate and booking confirmation ready
  • Verify your carrier fits under the seat (if cabin travel)
  • Keep your pet calm and hydrated

Booking Your Pet on PSA Airlines

You cannot show up at the airport with a pet without advance booking. PSA Airlines limits the number of pets per flight, so book as soon as you know your travel dates.

Booking steps:

  1. Contact PSA Airlines directly to reserve your pet's spot (at least 24 hours before flight)
  2. Confirm the $125 USD cabin fee (or ask about cargo pricing)
  3. Provide your pet's name, breed, age, and weight
  4. Confirm carrier dimensions if traveling in cabin
  5. Arrange payment for the pet fee

We're still verifying the exact booking method and whether you can book online or must call — contact PSA Airlines directly to confirm the current process.

Cost Breakdown

Cabin travel with PSA Airlines costs $125 USD per pet, one-way. If you're flying round-trip, budget $250 USD for your pet's airfare.

Add to this:

  • Soft-sided carrier: $50–$150 USD (one-time purchase)
  • Health certificate: $50–$100 USD (vet fee)
  • Absorbent liners and accessories: $20–$40 USD

For cargo or checked baggage travel, we're still verifying pricing — contact PSA Airlines for a quote. Read our pet travel cost guide for comparisons with other airlines.

Temperature Restrictions for Cargo/Checked Baggage

If you're shipping your pet via cargo or checked baggage, PSA Airlines will not accept your pet if:

  • Temperature is below -6.7°C (20°F) at origin or destination
  • Temperature is above 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination

This is why I avoid shipping Cooper during summer months. If you need to travel in extreme temperatures, ask your vet about an acclimation certificate — some airlines allow travel in colder conditions with vet clearance.

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

We're still verifying PSA Airlines' policy on service animals and ESAs — contact them directly. Service dogs typically travel at the handler's feet without a carrier and may have different rules than pets.

Final Tips from My Experience

After three international moves with Cooper, here's what I've learned:

  • Book early. Don't wait until the last minute — pet spots fill up fast, especially on popular routes.
  • Test the carrier at home. Let your pet spend time in it before the flight so they're not stressed on travel day.
  • Keep documents organized. Health certificates, booking confirmations, and vet records should be in a folder you can grab quickly.
  • Arrive early at the airport. Pet check-in takes extra time, and you want to avoid rushing.
  • Stay calm. Your pet picks up on your anxiety. If you're relaxed, they're more likely to be calm too.

For a comprehensive checklist of all documents you'll need, check out our pet travel documents guide.

Get Personalized Help

Every pet and travel situation is unique. Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — we'll help you navigate PSA Airlines' requirements and create a timeline tailored to your pet and destination.

Data last verified: January 2025. This guide is based on PSA Airlines' official pet policy. Policies change — always confirm directly with PSA Airlines before booking. For international travel, check destination country requirements separately.

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