“I see pet travel paperwork rejected every week at my clinic.”
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Flying Your Pet on Royal Jordanian: What Actually Works
I've been reviewing pet travel paperwork for seven years, and I see the same rejections every week. Royal Jordanian has clear rules—but most people don't find them until they're at the airport. This guide covers exactly what RJ accepts, what they don't, and what will get your pet denied boarding.
I travel with Pixel, my 7kg Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, regularly. She's taught me that the difference between a smooth flight and a cancelled trip is knowing the details before you book.
Can Your Pet Fly on Royal Jordanian?
Dogs: Yes—cabin (economy only, flights under 5 hours) or cargo (pressurized, temperature-controlled hold).
Cats: Yes—cabin, cargo, or checked baggage.
The catch: Not all breeds. Not all routes. Not without advance booking.
Cabin Travel (Your Pet in the Cabin with You)
Who Can Fly in Cabin
- Dogs: Economy class only, flights under 5 hours. Maximum 1 pet per passenger.
- Cats: Economy class. Maximum 1 pet per passenger.
- Minimum age: 8 weeks old, fully weaned.
- Maximum combined weight (pet + carrier): 7 kg (15 lbs).
The most common mistake I see is people buying a carrier that's technically the right size but too heavy. Pixel weighs 7kg alone—her carrier adds another 1.5kg, so we're at the limit. Measure and weigh your setup before booking.
Carrier Requirements for Cabin
- Type: Soft-sided carrier only (hard-sided crates won't fit under the seat).
- Dimensions: Maximum 50cm (length) × 40cm (width) × 26cm (height). Must fit under the seat in front of you.
- Ventilation: Mesh sides required for airflow.
- Interior: Absorbent mat or liner (accidents happen).
Here's what I tell my clients: measure your carrier with a tape measure, not a guess. The 26cm height limit is strict—it's the under-seat clearance. I've seen carriers rejected at check-in because they were 2cm too tall.
Booking Cabin Travel
- Advance notice required: 48 hours minimum before departure.
- How to book: Phone only. Contact Royal Jordanian reservations directly—you cannot add a pet online.
- Approval: Systems & Procedures Section must approve your request.
- Fee: Not publicly listed. Ask when you call.
This is critical: Royal Jordanian limits the number of pets per flight. If you wait until 24 hours before departure, you may be denied. Call as soon as you have your flight booked.
Cargo & Checked Baggage Travel
Cargo (Pressurized Hold)
- Available for: Dogs and cats.
- Hold type: Pressurized, temperature-controlled.
- Minimum age: 10 weeks old, fully weaned.
- Temperature restrictions: Cannot fly if tarmac temperature is below -6.7°C (20°F) or above 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination.
- Advance booking: Required. Pre-book before travel.
Checked Baggage
- Available for: Dogs and cats.
- Limit: Maximum 4 pets per aircraft as checked baggage.
- Minimum age: 10 weeks old, fully weaned.
- Temperature restrictions: Same as cargo (no travel below -6.7°C or above 29.4°C).
- Advance booking: Required.
Carrier Requirements for Cargo & Checked Baggage
- Type: Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate only. Soft-sided carriers are not accepted.
- Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides (IATA requirement).
- Water bowl: Attached, fillable from outside the crate.
- Absorbent liner: Required inside the crate.
- Labels: 'Live Animals' stickers with orientation arrows on all sides.
The most common mistake I see is people using a soft-sided carrier for cargo. It won't be accepted. IATA-compliant hard-sided crates are non-negotiable for hold travel. They're more expensive, but they're the only option.
Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic (Snub-Nosed) Breeds
Royal Jordanian restricts brachycephalic breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. This applies to cabin, cargo, and checked baggage.
Restricted breeds include:
- Affenpinscher
- American Bully (all breeds)
- Boston Terrier
- Boxer (all breeds)
- Bulldog (all breeds: English, French, American)
- Brussels Griffon
- Bull Terrier (all breeds)
- Cane Corso
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chow Chow
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- English Toy Spaniel
- Japanese Chin
- King Charles Spaniel
- Lhasa Apso
- Mastiff (all breeds)
- Pekingese
- Presa Canario
- Pug (all breeds)
- Shar Pei
- Shih Tzu
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Tibetan Spaniel
Important: Pixel is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel—she's on this list. I cannot fly her on Royal Jordanian at all. If your breed is listed, contact RJ directly to ask if exceptions apply, but don't expect one. Read our brachycephalic breed flying guide for alternatives.
Health & Documentation Requirements
Health Certificate (Required for All Travel Methods)
- Issued by: A licensed veterinarian.
- Validity: Must be issued within 10 days of departure (some destinations require 7 days—check your destination).
- When to get it: As close to departure as possible. Don't get it 10 days early and hope.
- What happens if it's expired: Your pet will be denied boarding at the airport. I've seen this happen.
Here's what I tell my clients: schedule your vet appointment for 3–5 days before departure. This gives you a buffer and ensures the certificate is fresh. If your destination has stricter rules (some countries do), your vet will know.
Other Documentation
- Import permits: Required by destination country, not by RJ. Check your destination's rules separately.
- Microchip: Recommended (required by some countries).
- Vaccination records: Bring copies. Most countries require current rabies vaccination.
What You Cannot Do
- Sedate your pet: IATA prohibits sedation during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies. Do not do this.
- Fly a visibly pregnant pet: Most airlines refuse pregnant animals due to health risks.
- Fly a pet in heat: Check with RJ directly, but most airlines restrict this.
- Show up at the airport with a pet without advance booking: You will be denied. RJ limits pets per flight.
Temperature Embargoes: When Your Pet Cannot Fly
For cargo and checked baggage, Royal Jordanian will not accept your pet if:
- Tarmac temperature at origin or destination is below -6.7°C (20°F) — unless you have a vet-issued acclimation certificate.
- Tarmac temperature at origin or destination exceeds 29.4°C (85°F) — no exceptions.
This is non-negotiable. If you're flying to a hot destination in summer, check the forecast. If it's above 29.4°C, your pet cannot travel in cargo or checked baggage. Cabin travel has no temperature embargo, but remember: cabin is only available for flights under 5 hours and small pets (max 7kg combined).
Key Numbers at a Glance
| Cabin Travel | Cargo/Checked Baggage |
| Max weight (pet + carrier): 7 kg | No weight limit specified |
| Carrier: 50×40×26 cm (soft-sided) | Hard-sided IATA crate required |
| Min age: 8 weeks | Min age: 10 weeks |
| Advance booking: 48 hours (phone only) | Advance booking required |
| Dogs: Economy, flights under 5 hours | Pressurized, temperature-controlled |
| Health cert: Within 10 days | Health cert: Within 10 days |
| Temperature: No embargo | -6.7°C to 29.4°C only |
What You Need to Do: Step-by-Step Checklist
- Step 1: Check breed restrictions. Is your pet on the brachycephalic list? If yes, RJ may not accept them. Contact RJ directly.
- Step 2: Choose your travel method. Cabin (small, short flights, phone booking required) or cargo/checked baggage (longer flights, hard-sided crate required).
- Step 3: Measure and weigh your carrier. For cabin: max 50×40×26 cm, max 7 kg combined. For cargo: IATA-compliant hard-sided crate.
- Step 4: Check temperature at origin and destination. If flying cargo/checked baggage and temps exceed 29.4°C, your pet cannot travel.
- Step 5: Book with RJ immediately. For cabin: call reservations 48+ hours before departure. For cargo/checked baggage: pre-book as soon as possible.
- Step 6: Schedule vet appointment. Get a health certificate 3–5 days before departure (must be within 10 days of travel).
- Step 7: Check destination import rules. Your destination country may have additional requirements (permits, vaccinations, quarantine). RJ doesn't enforce these, but your destination does.
- Step 8: Prepare the carrier. Absorbent liner inside. For cargo/checked baggage: water bowl attached, 'Live Animals' labels on all sides.
- Step 9: Arrive early at the airport. Pet travel requires extra time at check-in.
Common Questions
Can I book a pet online? No. For cabin travel, you must call Royal Jordanian reservations. For cargo/checked baggage, contact them directly.
What if my flight is longer than 5 hours? Dogs cannot fly cabin on RJ for flights over 5 hours. Use cargo or checked baggage instead (hard-sided crate required).
Can I sedate my pet for the flight? No. IATA prohibits sedation. A sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies.
What if the temperature is too hot? Your pet cannot fly cargo or checked baggage. If you must travel, cabin is your only option—but only if your pet qualifies (small, under 5-hour flight).
Do I need an import permit? Depends on your destination, not RJ. Check your destination country's rules. Some countries require permits; others don't. Your vet can advise.
Next Steps
Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 21, 2026