Can You Fly with Pets on SCAT Airlines?

Yes — SCAT Airlines (DV) allows both cats and dogs to travel with you. I've flown Cooper, my 28kg Golden Retriever, on multiple international routes, and I know firsthand how important it is to get the details right before you book. SCAT Airlines offers three travel options for your pet: cabin travel (your pet travels with you), checked baggage (your pet travels in the hold with climate control), and cargo (for larger pets or when you need maximum flexibility).

The good news: SCAT Airlines charges no cabin pet fee for small pets traveling with you. However, there are strict requirements you must meet, and missing even one detail can mean denied boarding at the airport. Let me walk you through exactly what you need to know.

Cabin Travel: Flying with Your Pet in the Cabin

This is the option I always choose with Cooper when possible — your pet stays with you the entire flight, which reduces stress for both of us.

Carrier Requirements for Cabin Travel

Your pet's carrier is non-negotiable. Here are the exact dimensions SCAT Airlines allows:

  • Maximum length: 55 cm (22 inches)
  • Maximum width: 40 cm (16 inches)
  • Maximum height: 20 cm (8 inches)
  • Combined weight (pet + carrier): 8 kg maximum

This is where many people stumble. Your carrier must fit completely under the seat in front of you — the airline will measure it at check-in. I learned this the hard way with Cooper on my first international move; I had to buy a new soft-sided carrier at the airport.

Carrier type matters: SCAT Airlines requires soft-sided carriers for cabin travel. Hard-sided crates won't fit under the seat. Look for carriers with mesh panels on multiple sides for ventilation — this is an IATA requirement, and the airline will inspect it.

Inside the carrier: You must include an absorbent mat or liner to manage accidents during the flight. This isn't optional — it's required by the airline. I use washable puppy pads, which work perfectly.

Weight Limits

The 8 kg combined limit is strict. This means if your carrier weighs 2 kg, your pet can weigh maximum 6 kg. Weigh your pet and carrier together at home before booking — don't guess. If your pet exceeds this, you'll need to use checked baggage or cargo instead.

Age Requirements

Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned. Younger animals cannot fly in the cabin.

Breed Restrictions

SCAT Airlines restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. The restricted list includes:

  • Dogs: Affenpinscher, American Bully, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog (all types), Brussels Griffon, Bull Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, French Bulldog, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Pit Bull, Pug (all types), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • Cats: British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, Scottish Fold

If your pet is on this list, contact SCAT Airlines directly before booking — some airlines make exceptions with vet documentation, but don't assume.

Advance Booking is Mandatory

You must book your pet at least 24 hours before departure. SCAT Airlines limits the number of pets per flight, so don't wait until check-in. Call or email the airline to pre-book your pet as soon as you book your own ticket. I always do this immediately — it takes 10 minutes and saves enormous stress.

No Sedation Allowed

Do not sedate your pet before flying. IATA regulations (which SCAT Airlines follows) prohibit sedation because a sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies. This applies worldwide on commercial airlines. Your vet will confirm this if you ask.

Checked Baggage & Cargo: Larger Pets or Hold Travel

If your pet is too large for cabin travel (like Cooper on some routes), checked baggage or cargo is your option. Your pet travels in a climate-controlled hold, which is actually quite safe — I've used this for Cooper on longer international moves.

Carrier Requirements for Hold Travel

Hold travel requires hard-sided IATA-compliant crates — soft-sided carriers won't work here. Your crate must have:

  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides (IATA requirement)
  • An attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate
  • An absorbent mat or liner inside
  • Live Animals labels with orientation arrows on at least two sides

These labels are critical — they tell ground handlers to keep the crate upright and handle it carefully. You can buy pre-printed IATA Live Animals labels online or at pet supply stores.

Age Requirements for Hold Travel

Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old (older than cabin travel) and fully weaned.

Temperature Restrictions

SCAT Airlines will not accept pets in hold if temperatures are extreme:

  • Cold embargo: Below -6.7°C (20°F)
  • Heat embargo: Above 29.4°C (85°F)

If you're traveling during hot or cold months, check the forecast at both your departure and destination airports. I once had to reschedule Cooper's cargo flight because the destination city hit 30°C on the day of travel. The airline won't budge on this — it's a safety rule.

If you have a vet's acclimation certificate, you may be able to travel in slightly colder conditions. Discuss this with your vet and the airline before booking.

Breed Restrictions Apply Here Too

Brachycephalic breeds are banned from hold travel as well. The restrictions are even stricter for cargo than cabin — 100% of airlines enforce this.

Advance Booking Required

Like cabin travel, you must pre-book your pet for hold travel. Contact SCAT Airlines at least 24 hours before departure.

Health Certificates: Non-Negotiable

This is the requirement that trips up most people, and I cannot stress it enough: you must have a vet-issued health certificate. Even if SCAT Airlines doesn't mention it on their website, the airline will check it at the airport. If you don't have it, you will not board.

Certificate Details

  • Issued by: A licensed veterinarian
  • Validity: Must be issued within 10 days of your departure date
  • What it covers: Your pet's health status, vaccinations (especially rabies), and fitness to fly

Schedule your vet appointment as close to your departure date as possible — within the final 10 days. Don't get it too early; it won't be valid. I always book my vet appointment the week before travel and confirm the exact date with the airline.

International Travel

If you're traveling internationally, your destination country may have additional requirements (import permits, quarantine, specific vaccinations). Check the requirements for your destination country well in advance — some countries require permits 4-6 weeks before arrival. Visit your destination's agriculture or customs website, or contact the embassy.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin pet fee: Free
  • Cabin carrier max weight (pet + carrier): 8 kg
  • Cabin carrier dimensions: 55 cm L × 40 cm W × 20 cm H
  • Minimum age (cabin): 8 weeks
  • Minimum age (hold): 10 weeks
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days
  • Advance booking required: At least 24 hours
  • Heat embargo: Above 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo: Below -6.7°C (20°F)
  • Max pets per passenger (cabin): 1 carrier

What You Need to Do: Your Pre-Flight Checklist

8-10 weeks before departure:

  • Check if your pet's breed is restricted (brachycephalic list above)
  • Confirm your pet meets the minimum age requirement
  • Research your destination country's pet import requirements

4-6 weeks before departure:

  • If traveling internationally, apply for any required import permits
  • Measure your pet and weigh your carrier — confirm combined weight is under 8 kg for cabin travel
  • If using hold travel, purchase an IATA-compliant hard-sided crate and test-fit your pet

2 weeks before departure:

  • Schedule your vet appointment for a health certificate (within 10 days of departure)
  • Contact SCAT Airlines to pre-book your pet — do this immediately after booking your own flight
  • Confirm temperature conditions at your destination (check heat/cold embargoes)

1 week before departure:

  • Visit your vet and obtain the health certificate
  • For hold travel: purchase absorbent liners and Live Animals labels
  • For cabin travel: ensure your soft-sided carrier has mesh ventilation and an absorbent mat inside
  • Confirm your booking with SCAT Airlines 48 hours before departure

Day of travel:

  • Arrive at the airport early — pet check-in may take extra time
  • Bring your health certificate and any import permits
  • Have your pet's microchip number and vaccination records handy
  • For cabin travel: keep your pet in the carrier during boarding and landing

Practical Tips from My Experience

I've moved Cooper internationally three times, and here's what I've learned:

  • Soft-sided carriers are worth the investment. They're lighter, fold for storage, and fit under airplane seats. I use a collapsible carrier that weighs only 1.5 kg, leaving 6.5 kg for Cooper's weight.
  • Acclimate your pet to the carrier weeks in advance. Leave it open at home, put treats inside, and let your pet nap in it. A stressed pet is harder to manage on the plane.
  • Book your vet appointment early. Vets get busy, especially during travel season. I book mine 3 weeks out and confirm the exact date 1 week before.
  • Call the airline twice. Once to pre-book your pet, and again 48 hours before departure to confirm everything is in order. I've caught errors this way that would have caused problems at the airport.
  • Take photos of your carrier dimensions and your pet's weight. If there's a dispute at the airport, you'll have proof.
  • For international travel, print everything. Health certificates, import permits, vaccination records — have physical copies. Digital copies sometimes aren't accepted.

Still Have Questions?

We're still verifying some SCAT Airlines pet policies — contact the airline directly for:

  • Specific pet fees for checked baggage or cargo
  • Exact booking methods and phone numbers
  • Exceptions to breed restrictions (with vet documentation)
  • Service animal or emotional support animal policies
  • Pregnant or nursing animal policies

For comprehensive guidance on international pet travel, check out our pet travel documents checklist and pet travel costs guide. If your pet is a brachycephalic breed, read our brachycephalic breed flying guide for alternatives and safety tips.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — it will generate a custom checklist based on your specific route and pet.

Data auto-verified from official SCAT Airlines sources. Last updated: January 2025. Always confirm current policies directly with SCAT Airlines before booking, as pet policies can change.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 23, 2026