I've shipped Koda cargo fourteen times, so I go straight to the hold rules — and Saudia carries pets, but the fine print is where the trip is won or lost. Documents, minimum age, and the fee structure all sit outside the ticket price. For a big dog, that's the real planning surface, and it's worth reading before you fall for a fare.
Saudia'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 Saudia handles your pet Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the
🐕 Dog 🐈 Cat
In the cabin ✗ Not accepted
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✗ Not acceptedDogs must be transported in the cargo hold (holds are equipped with ventilation systems). verified 2026-07-14 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedDogs are allowed to travel in the checked baggage area if the aircraft you are traveling on is equipped with appropriate ventilation. verified 2026-07-20 Hold: One-way fee 300 USD Pet Fee The cost to fly a pet as checked baggage on Saudia is $300 USD verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Advance booking required ✓ YesPlease inform Saudia at the time of booking if you intend to travel with a pet. verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Booking method Office Saudia does not specify the number of pets that can fly as checked baggage, so we would recommend contacting the Saudia Sales Office as it may depend on the aircraft serving your specific route verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Crate must have/be ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label Carriers must be completely leak proof and have adequate number of holes for ventilation verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ Acceptedlated: How to clear airport security with a pet Pet fee The cost to fly a pet in the cabin on Saudia fis $100 USD. Service dog pet policy All service dogs may fly in the cargo hold at no charge. They must be trained by… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: One-way fee 100 USD Saudia charges $100 USD for cabin transport or $300 USD for cargo hold transport on domestic and international flights (excluding USA & Canada) verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Minimum age 6 weeks st meet the following requirements: Complete the Dog Import Form issued by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). If your dog is between 6 and 12 months old, you must complete this form at least 15 day verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ YesPlease inform Saudia at the time of booking if you intend to travel with a pet verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ Noeight or size or considered to be unsafe for any reason as per SAUDIA will not be allowed to be carried inside the cabin and can be considered as a checked baggage. 1.2.22 Baggage that Inappropriate to be carried in the… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Crate must have/be ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier Carriers must be completely leak proof and have adequate number of holes for ventilation verified 2026-07-20 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ Yesd health and vaccination certificates (including rabies) and all documents required by the destination country. Pets travel in the cabin or cargo hold at the Guest's responsibility. Saudia is not liable if destination… verified 2026-07-14 Microchip · Required ✓ YesYour dog must be microchipped. verified 2026-07-28 Health certificate · Required ✓ YesForms required Falcons will require a current health certificate from a licensed veterinarian and written approval from the National Commission for wildlife Conservation and Development in Saudi Arabia. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Government endorsed ✓ YesIt must be endorsed by the USDA. verified 2026-07-20 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ Yescrated and accompanied by valid health and vaccination certificates (including rabies) and all documents required by the destination country. verified 2026-07-14 Rabies vaccination · Booster required ✓ Yesdirect routes when they are properly crated and accompanied by valid health and vaccination certificates (including rabies) and all documents required by the destination country. verified 2026-07-14 Other rules Assistance animals accepted ✗ NoGuide dogs are not permitted in the cabin on Saudia flights. verified 2026-07-28 Service & assistance animals Fee waived ✓ YesService dogs (for Guests with visual or hearing impairments) are transported in the cargo hold free of charge. verified 2026-07-14 Recognized ✓ YesThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia allows the entry of service dogs for Guests with visual or hearing impairments. verified 2026-07-14 Cabin allowed ✗ NoGuide dogs are not permitted in the cabin on Saudia flights. verified 2026-07-14 Max pets per passenger 1 No part of your pet can extend out of the carrier Be able to fit under the seat in front of you Have a waterproof bottom and absorbent pet pad Have secure fasteners (heavy duty zippers are recommended) One pet per… verified 2026-07-20 Advance notice hours 48 hours Notice must be provided to the airline at least 48 hours prior to departure. verified 2026-07-20 Documentation required ✓ YesIt is important to ensure that your pet's temporary home meets the required dimensions of 21" x 13" x 16" (52.5 cm x 32.5 cm x 40 cm) and has adequate ventilation and is leak-proof. verified 2026-07-20 In the cabin ✓ Accepted
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedCats and small birds may travel in the cabin or climate-controlled cargo hold, provided the hold is equipped with a ventilation system. verified 2026-07-14 One-way fee 100 USD Related: How to clear airport security with a pet Pet fee The cost to fly a pet in the cabin on Saudia fis $100 USD wners cannot check their pets in online. verified 2026-07-13 Advance booking notice 3 hours …models POC approved models Airsep FreeStyle 5 Airsep Focus Delphi RS-00400 Airsep Lifestyle Inogen One G3 Inogen One G2 SeQual SAROS Invacare Solo2 Oxygen Concentrator Oxus RS-0400 SeQual verified 2026-07-14 Advance booking required ✓ YesPlease inform Saudia at the time of booking if you intend to travel with a pet. verified 2026-07-14 Max pets per passenger 1 Only one pet per container is allowed. verified 2026-07-14 Booking method office …specific fees on the respective regional pages. Fees are subject to change. Please contact the nearest sales office or the Guest Care Center in your country of residence. Container Requirements Cats carried in the cabin must… verified 2026-07-14 Carrier size 52.5 × 32.5 × 40 cm The container must not exceed 52.5 cm x 32.5 cm x 40 cm (21 in x 13 in x 16 in). verified 2026-07-14 Max weight (pet + crate) 5 kg Cats carried in the cabin must not exceed 5 kg (combined weight of pet and container). verified 2026-07-14 Crate must have/be ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, a carrier The container must not exceed 52.5 cm x 32.5 cm x 40 cm (21 in x 13 in x 16 in). verified 2026-07-14 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedCats and small birds are welcome in the cabin, while dogs can travel as checked baggage with Saudia. verified 2026-07-20 Hold: One-way fee 300 USD Pet Fee The cost to fly a pet as checked baggage on Saudia is $300 USD verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Advance booking required ✓ YesBaggage Means the passenger personal belongings that are necessary or suitable for wear, use and comfort during the trip. Unless they are specified they will include both checked and non-checked baggage. Baggage receipt… verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Booking method Sales Office Saudia does not specify the number of pets that can fly as checked baggage, so we would recommend contacting the Saudia Sales Office as it may depend on the aircraft serving your specific route verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Crate must have/be ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier Carriers must be completely leak proof and have adequate number of holes for ventilation verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ Acceptedlated: How to clear airport security with a pet Pet fee The cost to fly a pet in the cabin on Saudia fis $100 USD. Service dog pet policy All service dogs may fly in the cargo hold at no charge. They must be trained by… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: One-way fee 100 USD Saudia charges $100 USD for cabin transport or $300 USD for cargo hold transport on domestic and international flights (excluding USA & Canada) verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ YesPlease inform Saudia at the time of booking if you intend to travel with a pet verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ Noeight or size or considered to be unsafe for any reason as per SAUDIA will not be allowed to be carried inside the cabin and can be considered as a checked baggage. 1.2.22 Baggage that Inappropriate to be carried in the… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Crate must have/be ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier Carriers must be completely leak proof and have adequate number of holes for ventilation verified 2026-07-20 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ YesSaudia welcomes household pets on direct routes when they are properly crated and accompanied by valid health and vaccination certificates (including rabies) verified 2026-07-14 Health certificate · Validity days 45 days (Any extension of the ticket’s validity must not exceed 45 days from the date of death). verified 2026-07-20 Saudia sets a minimum age of 6 weeks for a dog to travel in the hold. Confirm the dog clears that 6 weeks threshold on the travel date, not the booking date, and keep vaccination records that match the age. A puppy under the limit gets turned away at acceptance, and no cargo booking overrides the minimum-age rule.
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to fly a pet on Saudia? On flights within Metropolitan France, Saudia charges from 300 USD in the hold, one way per pet. Longer routes cost more — price your exact itinerary. 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.
Saudia charges around 100 USD to move a pet, separate from the passenger fare, and the hold rate can run higher than the cabin figure. Budget the 100 USD as a distinct line, confirm it against the current routing, and carry a payment method that works at acceptance. The fee is per direction, so a round trip doubles it.
Saudia works for a big dog if you plan the boring parts early — age cleared, documents sequenced, the fee budgeted and confirmed. That's fourteen cargo trips of caution boiled down to a checklist. Let Pawgo turn it into a personalized plan around your dates and Koda-sized dog, so the hold booking rests on facts instead of a hopeful phone call.
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.
