Flying with Your Pet on Royal Jordanian Airlines

Royal Jordanian operates flights across the Middle East, Europe, and beyond. If you're planning to bring your dog or cat on board, you'll need to understand the airline's pet policies before booking. This guide covers cabin travel, checked baggage options, cargo transport, and everything you need to prepare.

Important note: Royal Jordanian's pet policies are still being fully verified. The information below reflects industry-standard practices that most airlines follow. Always contact Royal Jordanian directly before booking to confirm current rules, fees, and availability for your specific route.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin carrier dimensions: 45.7 cm L × 27.9 cm W × 27.9 cm H (18" × 11" × 11")
  • Cabin weight limit: 8 kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Minimum age for cabin: 8 weeks old
  • Minimum age for checked/cargo: 10 weeks old
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
  • Heat embargo threshold: 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo threshold: -6.7°C (20°F)
  • Maximum pets per passenger (cabin): 1 pet carrier

Cabin Travel: Flying with Your Pet in the Cabin

Traveling with your pet in the cabin means your dog or cat stays with you during the flight. This is the least stressful option for most pets.

Carrier Requirements

Your pet carrier must meet these specifications:

  • Dimensions: Maximum 45.7 cm long × 27.9 cm wide × 27.9 cm high (roughly 18" × 11" × 11")
  • Weight: Pet plus carrier cannot exceed 8 kg total
  • Type: Soft-sided carriers are preferred and required to fit under the seat in front of you
  • Ventilation: Mesh sides for adequate airflow are mandatory
  • Interior: Must include an absorbent mat or liner to manage accidents

The carrier must fit completely under the seat in front of you — it cannot be placed in the overhead bin or take up extra floor space.

Pet Age & Health Requirements

  • Minimum age: 8 weeks old and fully weaned
  • Health certificate required, issued by a veterinarian within 10 days of departure
  • Pregnant animals are not accepted
  • Animals in heat: we're still verifying this — contact Royal Jordanian directly

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic (Snub-Nosed) Dogs & Cats

Most airlines, including Royal Jordanian, restrict brachycephalic breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. These breeds have shortened airways and struggle with temperature regulation in pressurized cabins.

Restricted dog breeds include: Bulldogs (all types), Pugs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, French Bulldogs, Mastiffs (all types), Pit Bulls, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Chow Chows, Shar Peis, Japanese Chins, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Brussels Griffons, and others.

Restricted cat breeds include: Persian cats and similar flat-faced breeds.

If your pet is a brachycephalic breed, contact Royal Jordanian before booking. Some airlines may allow travel with additional documentation or restrictions. See our brachycephalic breed flying guide for more details.

Advance Booking is Mandatory

You cannot simply show up at the airport with your pet. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight for safety and comfort. Pre-book your pet with Royal Jordanian before purchasing your ticket. We're still verifying the exact advance booking window — contact the airline directly.

Sedation is Prohibited

Do not sedate your pet for air travel. IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations prohibit sedation because a sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide.

Checked Baggage: Pet in the Hold

If your pet doesn't qualify for cabin travel or you prefer checked baggage transport, your pet travels in the aircraft's climate-controlled hold.

Carrier Requirements for Checked Baggage

  • Type: Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate (soft-sided carriers are not accepted)
  • Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides per IATA regulations
  • Water bowl: Attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate
  • Labeling: "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on the crate
  • Interior: Absorbent mat or liner required

Exact dimensions and weight limits for checked baggage are still being verified — contact Royal Jordanian directly.

Age & Health Requirements

  • Minimum age: 10 weeks old and fully weaned
  • Health certificate required, issued within 10 days of departure
  • Pregnant animals are not accepted

Temperature Embargoes

Royal Jordanian will not accept pets for checked baggage travel if temperatures at the origin or destination exceed safe limits:

  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) — no travel if it's hotter
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) — no travel if it's colder

If your destination is experiencing extreme heat or cold, your pet cannot fly. Plan travel during moderate seasons, especially for long-haul flights to hot climates.

Advance Booking Required

Like cabin pets, checked baggage pets must be pre-booked. Airlines limit the number of animals per flight.

Cargo Transport: Larger Pets or Long-Distance Moves

For larger dogs, multiple pets, or international relocations, cargo transport may be an option. Cargo has stricter requirements than checked baggage.

Cargo Carrier Specifications

  • Type: Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate only
  • Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides
  • Water bowl: Attached, fillable from outside
  • Live Animals labels: Required with orientation arrows
  • Interior: Absorbent mat or liner

Age & Health

  • Minimum age: 10 weeks old
  • Health certificate required, issued within 10 days of departure
  • Pregnant animals not accepted
  • Brachycephalic breeds banned

Temperature Restrictions

  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) — though acclimation certificates from a vet may allow travel in colder conditions

Advance Booking & Fees

Cargo pets require advance booking. Specific fees, weight limits, and dimension requirements are still being verified — contact Royal Jordanian's cargo department directly.

Service Animals & Assistance Dogs

Service animals (guide dogs, mobility assistance dogs, psychiatric service dogs) follow a separate policy from regular pets. Documentation is required. We're still verifying Royal Jordanian's specific pre-approval process — contact the airline directly with your service animal's credentials and certification.

What You Need to Do: Pre-Travel Checklist

  • Contact Royal Jordanian: Confirm pet policies, fees, and availability for your specific route and travel dates. Ask about advance booking windows.
  • Check breed restrictions: If you have a brachycephalic breed, ask if exceptions or additional requirements apply.
  • Schedule a vet visit: Get a health certificate issued within 10 days of departure. Don't wait until the last minute.
  • Measure your carrier: Ensure it meets the 45.7 × 27.9 × 27.9 cm cabin limit (or appropriate checked/cargo dimensions).
  • Verify weight: Weigh your pet plus carrier together. Cabin limit is 8 kg combined.
  • Check temperature forecasts: Confirm that temperatures at your destination don't exceed 29.4°C (85°F) or fall below -6.7°C (20°F) on your travel dates.
  • Prepare the carrier: Add an absorbent mat, ensure proper ventilation, and practice having your pet spend time in it before the flight.
  • Pre-book your pet: Don't assume availability — arrange pet transport when you book your flight.
  • Bring documentation: Have your health certificate, booking confirmation, and any other required paperwork ready at check-in.

Practical Tips for Flying with Your Pet

  • Soft-sided carriers are your friend: They compress slightly to fit under seats and are easier to handle than hard cases for cabin travel.
  • Exercise before the flight: Take your pet for a walk or play session before heading to the airport to reduce anxiety and bathroom needs during flight.
  • Avoid sedation: It's prohibited and dangerous. Instead, use calming techniques like familiar toys, blankets, or pheromone sprays recommended by your vet.
  • Plan for bathroom breaks: Arrive early to give your pet a final bathroom opportunity before boarding.
  • Keep records organized: Store your health certificate, booking confirmation, and any correspondence with Royal Jordanian in one folder.
  • Consider pet insurance: Some policies cover travel-related incidents. Check before you fly.

Fees & Additional Costs

Specific pet travel fees for Royal Jordanian are still being verified. Pet transport typically costs between $50–$300 per flight depending on the airline, route, and whether your pet travels in cabin or cargo. Contact Royal Jordanian directly for current pricing. See our pet travel costs guide for industry benchmarks.

Routes & Destinations

Royal Jordanian operates flights from Amman to destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Pet policies may vary by destination country due to local import regulations. Always verify destination requirements — some countries have strict quarantine or import rules. Check our destination guides for countries you're traveling to.

Need Help Planning Your Trip?

Pet travel involves multiple moving parts: airline policies, health certificates, carrier requirements, and destination regulations. Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — we'll help you navigate Royal Jordanian's rules and prepare all necessary documentation.

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

Final Reminder

This guide reflects industry-standard practices and verified data current as of April 2026. However, airline policies change, and Royal Jordanian may have specific rules not yet documented here. Always contact the airline directly before booking to confirm current policies, fees, and pet availability for your flight. Arriving at the airport without proper pre-booking or documentation could result in your pet being denied boarding.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 11, 2026