RwandAir opened up a routing Sam and I had been eyeing for months — and the first thing we checked was whether Nala could fly cargo. Spoiler: she can. But cargo travel has rules that'll catch you off guard if you don't read the fine print before you book. Here's what you actually need to know before you trust your adventure dog to a hold.
RwandAir'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 RwandAir 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
Cabin policy
Hold & cargo policy
Hold: Pets accepted Accepted“Animals such as dogs, cats, household birds and other pets, when properly crated and accompanied by valid health and vaccination certificates, entry permits, and other documents required by countries of entry or transit…”
Hold: Advance booking required Yes“Animals such as dogs, cats, household birds and other pets, when properly crated and accompanied by valid health and vaccination certificates, entry permits, and other documents required by countries of entry or transit…”
Hold: Max weight (pet + crate)10 kg“g a seat, will be allowed one piece of checked baggage weighing no more than 10 kg, whose dimensions does not exceed 45 i 1 Animals such as dogs, cats, household birds and other pets, when properly crated an”
Hold: Crate must have/beIATA-compliant, a carrier“or appropriate for wear, use, comfort or convenience in connection with the trip. Unless otherwise specified, it includes both checked an unchecked baggage of the passenger. Baggage check means those portions of the…”
Cargo: Pets accepted Accepted“Live animals are accepted as air cargo, provided they comply with the following requirements:”
Cargo: Advance booking required Yes“le App Travel Updates Covid-19 Information Flight status Track your cargo Special assistance Child care FAQ's Refund / Change booking Lost Baggage Loyalty programme Terms & Cond”
Health & documents
Service & assistance animals
In the hold / cargo Accepted
Cabin policy
Hold & cargo policy
Hold: Pets accepted Accepted“Animals such as dogs, cats, household birds and other pets, when properly crated and accompanied by valid health and vaccination certificates, entry permits, and other documents required by countries of entry or transit…”
Hold: Advance booking notice24 hours“…transaction) on other O&Ds. );> Action all queues on daily basis and Delete all HX, NO, UC, UN & US segments 24 hrs prior to departure to minimize GDS / NDC aggregator costs. );> Reservations must consist of the full…”
Hold: Advance booking required Yes“Animals such as dogs, cats, household birds and other pets, when properly crated and accompanied by valid health and vaccination certificates, entry permits, and other documents required by countries of entry or transit…”
Hold: Crate must have/beIATA-compliant, a carrier“or appropriate for wear, use, comfort or convenience in connection with the trip. Unless otherwise specified, it includes both checked an unchecked baggage of the passenger. Baggage check means those portions of the…”
Cargo: Pets accepted Accepted“Live animals are accepted as air cargo, provided they comply with the following requirements:”
Cargo: Advance booking notice24 hours“…transaction) on other O&Ds. );> Action all queues on daily basis and Delete all HX, NO, UC, UN & US segments 24 hrs prior to departure to minimize GDS / NDC aggregator costs. );> Reservations must consist of the full…”
Health & documents
Frequently asked
- 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.
RwandAir cargo is doable, but the prep window is tight and the paperwork adds up fast. Build your plan early — Pawgo's plan-builder pulls together every requirement specific to your route and pet, so nothing slips through the cracks. Bring more water than you think, double-check your vet timing, and get that plan locked before you even look at flights.
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.