Flying Regional Express with a dog in the hold feels intimidating the first time, but it is absolutely doable once you know the moves. Cooper, my 30kg Golden, has ridden in cargo more times than I can count, and the airline accepts dogs in the hold — that alone removes a huge worry. Here is what I wish someone had told me before we started, walked through step by step.
Regional Express'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 Regional Express handles your pet
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Hover the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.
In the hold / cargo Accepted
Snub-nosed breedsNot accepted
Cabin policy
Snub-nosed breeds banned Yes“tic animal container that is clean and secure and meets the specifications as set out in the Domestic Animal Container Requirements . All container must not exceed these dimensions: 85cm (H) x 77 cm (W) x 131cm (L).…”
Snub-nosed breeds listBulldog, Pug, Boxer, Boston Terrier, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Chow Chow, Mastiff“Rex will no longer be accepting Snub-Nosed or Brachycephalic dogs as passenger baggage or consigned as freight, due to inherent resp iratory difficulties and other known health problems that may be exacerbated during…”
Sedation allowed No“Our flight attendants are not allowed to administer any medication, assist in feeding or assist in the toilet.”
Carrier size34 cm“…are subject to the following size restrictions: Regional flights: does not exceed depth 23cm (9in), height 34cm (13in), length 48cm, (19in) taken into the cabin as carry-on baggage are subject to the”
Hold & cargo policy
Hold: Pets accepted Accepted“Domestic animals, with the exception of assistance animals, are accepted as checked baggage on flights operated by Saab 340 network in New South Wales and Victoria.”
Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned Yes“Rex will no longer be accepting Snub-Nosed or Brachycephalic dogs as passenger baggage or consigned as freight, due to inherent respiratory difficulties and other known health problems that may be exacerbated during…”
Hold: Snub-nosed breeds listBulldog, Pug, Boxer, Boston Terrier, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Chow Chow, Mastiff“Animals will be accepted as excess baggage only and charged at the current excess baggage rate per kilogram. Hooved animals are not accepted on any Rex services. Rex will no longer be accepting Snub-Nosed or…”
Hold: Sedation allowed No“Our flight attendants are not allowed to administer any medication, assist in feeding or assist in the toilet.”
Hold: Carrier size48 cm“taken into the cabin as carry-on baggage are subject to the following size restrictions: Regional flights: does not exceed depth 23cm (9in), height 34cm (13in), length 48cm, (19in).”
Hold: Max weight (pet + crate)15 kg“enger occupying a paid seat is entitled to a free checked baggage allowance of 15 kg for Community, Promo and Saver fares and 23kg for”
Hold: Crate must have/beabsorbent liner, live-animal label“taken into the cabin as carry-on baggage are subject to the following size restrictions: Regional flights: does not exceed depth 23cm (9in), height 34cm (13in), length 48cm, (19in).”
Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned Yes“tic animal container that is clean and secure and meets the specifications as set out in the Domestic Animal Container Requirements . All container must not exceed these dimensions: 85cm (H) x 77 cm (W) x 131cm (L).…”
Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds listBulldog, Pug, Boxer, Boston Terrier, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Chow Chow, Mastiff“Rex will no longer be accepting Snub-Nosed or Brachycephalic dogs as passenger baggage or consigned as freight, due to inherent resp iratory difficulties and other known health problems that may be exacerbated during…”
Cargo: Advance booking notice48 hours“…for the item, which needs to be booked through the Rex Customer Contact Centre (CCC) on 13 17 13 at least 48 hours prior to the departure time.”
Cargo: Advance booking required Yes“Notification of special requirements must be made at the time of booking through the website or the Customer Contact Centre (CCC) on 13 17 13 or the travel agent.”
Health & documents
Service & assistance animals
Fee waived Yes“ASSISTANCE ANIMALS Passengers seeking to travel with an accompanying service animal must call the Customer Contact Centre (13 17 13) to complete their booking. GUIDE AND HEARING DOGS Rex allows the carriage of guide…”
Recognized Yes“No animals are accepted within the terminal building at Cairns, Townsville, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth (please note that assistance animals are accepted).”
Cabin allowed Yes“If you require this type of assistance animal to travel in the cabin with you, at least 48 hours’ notice must be given at the time of booking.”
In the hold / cargo Accepted
Snub-nosed breedsNot accepted
Cabin policy
Snub-nosed breeds banned Yes“tic animal container that is clean and secure and meets the specifications as set out in the Domestic Animal Container Requirements . All container must not exceed these dimensions: 85cm (H) x 77 cm (W) x 131cm (L).…”
Snub-nosed breeds listBulldog, Pug, Boxer, Boston Terrier, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Chow Chow, Mastiff“Rex will no longer be accepting Snub-Nosed or Brachycephalic dogs as passenger baggage or consigned as freight, due to inherent resp iratory difficulties and other known health problems that may be exacerbated during…”
Advance booking notice48 hours“…for the item, which needs to be booked through the Rex Customer Contact Centre (CCC) on 13 17 13 at least 48 hours prior to the departure time.”
Advance booking required Yes“For urgent booking requests (less than three full business days before departure) please call 13 12 13.”
Hold & cargo policy
Hold: Pets accepted Accepted“Domestic animals, with the exception of assistance animals, are accepted as checked baggage on flights operated by Saab 340 network in New South Wales and Victoria.”
Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned Yes“tic animal container that is clean and secure and meets the specifications as set out in the Domestic Animal Container Requirements . All container must not exceed these dimensions: 85cm (H) x 77 cm (W) x 131cm (L).…”
Hold: Snub-nosed breeds listBulldog, Pug, Boxer, Boston Terrier, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Chow Chow, Mastiff“Animals will be accepted as excess baggage only and charged at the current excess baggage rate per kilogram. Hooved animals are not accepted on any Rex services. Rex will no longer be accepting Snub-Nosed or…”
Hold: Advance booking notice13 hours“…a separate seat for the item, which needs to be booked through the Rex Customer Contact Centre (CCC) on 13 17 13 at least 48 hours prior to the departure time.”
Hold: Crate must have/beabsorbent liner, live-animal label“The handler must supply an absorbent mat to prevent soiling of the cabin. The animal may also travel in the aircraft hold at your request.”
Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned Yes“tic animal container that is clean and secure and meets the specifications as set out in the Domestic Animal Container Requirements . All container must not exceed these dimensions: 85cm (H) x 77 cm (W) x 131cm (L).…”
Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds listBulldog, Pug, Boxer, Boston Terrier, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Chow Chow, Mastiff“Rex will no longer be accepting Snub-Nosed or Brachycephalic dogs as passenger baggage or consigned as freight, due to inherent resp iratory difficulties and other known health problems that may be exacerbated during…”
Cargo: Advance booking notice13 hours“…a separate seat for the item, which needs to be booked through the Rex Customer Contact Centre (CCC) on 13 17 13 at least 48 hours prior to the departure time.”
Cargo: Heat embargo13°C“INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES Passengers with other medical conditions, not listed above, which could endanger themselves or other passengers during the flight should make their bookings through the Rex CCC on 13 17 13 .”
Cargo bookings for dogs require 48 hours advance notice. Reserve the hold space at least two days before departure. Do not arrive at the airport expecting same-day cargo acceptance. Call the airline to confirm the 48-hour slot is logged against the flight. Complete this reservation before finalising any connecting segments so the dog's space is secured on every leg.
Snub-nosed and brachycephalic breeds require additional handling under this carrier's rules. Confirm the breed status before booking cargo. Provide breathing and breed documentation when the reservation is made. Verify the specific requirement applies to the exact breed travelling. Contact the airline directly to clear any brachycephalic condition before the travel date so acceptance is not refused at check-in.
Frequently asked
- What is the cabin weight limit on Regional Express?
- In the cabin, your pet plus its carrier must not exceed 10 kg. Heavier pets (up to 15 kg) travel in the hold.
- Can snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds fly Regional Express?
- Snub-nosed breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats are not accepted in the cabin, not accepted in the hold.
- 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.
You have got this. Regional Express takes dogs in the hold, and once the 48-hour booking and breed checks are handled, the rest falls into place. Do not try to hold every detail in your head — build a personalized plan for your exact route and dog with Pawgo's plan-builder. It turns this whole checklist into one clear timeline, the same way I finally figured it out with Cooper.
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.