Flying with Pets on Skymark: What You Actually Need to Know

Hey, I'm Marco. I've flown with my 6kg French Bulldog, Mochi, more times than I can count—and I've learned the hard way that every airline has quirks. Here's what nobody tells you about Skymark: they don't allow pets in the cabin, period. But that doesn't mean you can't fly with your furry friend. Let me walk you through exactly what Skymark allows and what you need to do before you book.

Can Your Pet Fly on Skymark?

The short answer: Yes, but not in the cabin with you.

Skymark allows both dogs and cats, but only via checked baggage or cargo hold—not as cabin pets. I wish someone had told me this before I booked my first flight with Mochi. I showed up at the airport thinking I could keep him with me, and it was a scramble.

Here's what you need to know:

  • Cabin travel: Not available for pets on Skymark
  • Checked baggage: Allowed for dogs and cats
  • Cargo: Allowed for dogs and cats
  • Service dogs: We're still verifying this—contact Skymark directly

The Brachycephalic Breed Problem (Yes, This Affects You)

This is the gotcha that caught me off guard. Skymark, like virtually all airlines, restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to serious respiratory risks during flight. Mochi is a French Bulldog, so I had to do extra homework.

Restricted breeds include:

  • French Bulldogs
  • English Bulldogs (all types)
  • Pugs (all types)
  • Boston Terriers
  • Boxers
  • Shih Tzus
  • Pekingese
  • Chow Chows
  • Japanese Chins
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
  • Shar Peis
  • Lhasa Apsos
  • Bull Terriers (all breeds)
  • Mastiffs (all breeds)
  • American Bullies
  • Staffordshire Bull Terriers
  • Pit Bulls and related breeds
  • Affenpinschers
  • Brussels Griffons
  • English Toy Spaniels
  • Tibetan Spaniels
  • Cane Corsos
  • Dogue de Bordeaux
  • Presa Canarios

Here's what I learned: Even if your breed is on this list, some airlines might make exceptions or have workarounds. But Skymark's policy is strict. If you have a brachycephalic breed, call them directly before booking. Don't assume you can fly—I've seen people turned away at the gate, and it's heartbreaking.

For detailed guidance on flying with restricted breeds, check out our brachycephalic breed flying guide.

Carrier Requirements: Get This Right

Whether you're checking your pet or sending them via cargo, the carrier matters. A lot.

For Checked Baggage Travel

  • Type: Hard-sided crate required (soft-sided won't work)
  • Water bowl: Must have an attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside
  • Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides (IATA requirement)
  • Absorbent liner: Required inside the carrier to manage accidents
  • Live Animals label: Required on the crate with orientation arrows
  • IATA compliance: Your crate must meet IATA Live Animals Regulations standards

For Cargo Travel

Same requirements as checked baggage—hard-sided, IATA-compliant, with water bowl, ventilation, absorbent liner, and Live Animals labels.

Pro tip: Don't cheap out on the carrier. A flimsy crate can collapse or fail during handling. Invest in a quality IATA-approved crate—it's the safest option for your pet.

Health Certificates & Documentation

This is non-negotiable. You will need a health certificate, even if Skymark's website doesn't explicitly mention it. I learned this the hard way when I almost got denied boarding.

  • Health certificate required: Yes, issued by a licensed vet
  • Validity window: Must be issued within 10 days of departure (some destinations require 7 days—play it safe and get it as close to your flight as possible)
  • What it covers: Proof that your pet is healthy, vaccinated (especially rabies), and fit to fly

What you need to do: Schedule a vet appointment at least 2 weeks before your flight. Don't wait until the last minute—good vets book up fast. Bring the certificate to the airport in a folder with your pet's other documents.

Temperature Restrictions (This Is Real)

Skymark, like all airlines, has strict temperature embargoes for pets traveling in cargo or checked baggage. This is about safety—extreme temperatures can kill your pet.

  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F). If it's colder at your origin or destination, your pet won't fly.
  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F). If it's hotter, your pet won't fly.

Here's the gotcha: These are tarmac temperatures, not just the forecast. On a hot day, the tarmac can be 10+ degrees hotter than the air temperature. Check the weather forecast for your departure and arrival cities before booking. If you're traveling in summer or winter, you might hit an embargo.

If your pet needs to travel in extreme weather, ask your vet about an acclimation certificate—it might allow travel in colder conditions, but heat embargoes are usually non-negotiable.

Age Requirements

  • Cabin travel: Minimum 8 weeks old (not applicable—Skymark doesn't allow cabin pets)
  • Checked baggage: Minimum 10 weeks old, fully weaned
  • Cargo: Minimum 10 weeks old, fully weaned

Your puppy or kitten must be fully weaned before flying. If you're adopting a young pet, plan your travel accordingly.

Pregnant Animals & Animals in Heat

Skymark, like most airlines, does not accept visibly pregnant animals for travel. The stress and pressure changes during flight can cause complications. If your pet is pregnant, don't fly—it's not worth the risk.

Animals in heat: We're still verifying Skymark's specific policy—contact them directly to confirm.

Sedation: Don't Do It

This is critical: IATA (International Air Transport Association) prohibits sedation of pets during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to virtually all commercial airlines worldwide, including Skymark.

I know flying is stressful for pets, but sedation is not the answer. Talk to your vet about natural calming supplements or anxiety wraps instead.

Advance Booking Required

You cannot show up at the airport with a pet without prior arrangement. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight, so you must pre-book.

What to do: Contact Skymark at least 24-48 hours before your flight to arrange pet travel. Don't assume you can book it online—pet travel often requires a phone call or email to their reservations team.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin pet fee: $0 (pets not allowed in cabin)
  • Checked baggage/cargo fee: We're still verifying—contact Skymark directly
  • Max pet + carrier weight (cabin): 8 kg combined (not applicable)
  • Cabin carrier dimensions: Not applicable
  • Checked baggage carrier type: Hard-sided, IATA-compliant
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days from issue date
  • Minimum pet age (checked/cargo): 10 weeks
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F)
  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F)

What You Need to Do: Your Pre-Flight Checklist

  • 4-6 weeks before: Confirm your pet's breed isn't restricted. If it is, call Skymark to discuss options.
  • 3 weeks before: Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate. Confirm the certificate will be valid for your travel dates.
  • 2 weeks before: Purchase or confirm you have an IATA-compliant hard-sided carrier with water bowl, ventilation, and absorbent liner.
  • 1 week before: Get your health certificate from the vet. Store it safely with your travel documents.
  • 24-48 hours before: Contact Skymark to confirm pet booking and any additional requirements. Confirm temperature embargoes aren't in effect.
  • Day of flight: Arrive early. Bring health certificate, carrier, and any other documentation. Keep your pet calm and hydrated.

Comparing Your Options

If Skymark's restrictions don't work for you, consider other airlines. Some carriers like Air France allow cabin pets for small dogs and cats under certain conditions. Check our dog travel guide and pet travel costs guide for comparisons.

Final Thoughts

Flying with pets on Skymark is possible, but it requires planning and honesty about your pet's breed and health. The restrictions exist for good reasons—your pet's safety is the priority. Don't cut corners on health certificates, carriers, or temperature checks. And if you have a brachycephalic breed like my Mochi, have that conversation with Skymark early. It's better to know now than to be turned away at the gate.

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Data last verified: January 2025. This guide is based on auto-verified information from official Skymark sources. Policies change—always confirm directly with Skymark before booking. For country-specific import requirements, check our destination guides for United States, United Kingdom, and other countries.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 22, 2026