Can You Fly with Pets on SmartWings?

Yes — SmartWings allows both dogs and cats to travel with you. I've flown Cooper, my 28kg Golden Retriever, on multiple international moves, and I know how stressful it can be to navigate airline pet policies. The good news is SmartWings has clear, straightforward rules. The better news? I'm going to walk you through every single one.

SmartWings offers three travel options for your pet: cabin travel (your pet travels with you), checked baggage (hold travel), and cargo (for larger animals). Your choice depends on your pet's size, your budget, and your comfort level.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin fee: €100 one-way per pet
  • Hold/checked baggage fee: €200 one-way per pet
  • Max cabin weight: 8 kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Cabin carrier dimensions: 43 cm L × 30 cm W × 27 cm H
  • Minimum age: 8 weeks (cabin), 10 weeks (hold/cargo)
  • Advance booking required: 48 hours before departure
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before travel
  • Temperature restrictions: No travel below -6.7°C or above 29.4°C (tarmac temperature)

Cabin Travel: Your Pet Travels with You

This is the option I always choose when Cooper qualifies. Your pet stays in a carrier under the seat in front of you for the entire flight. It's less stressful for both of you, and you can monitor your pet throughout the journey.

Cabin Carrier Requirements

Your carrier must be soft-sided and fit these exact dimensions:

  • Length: 43 cm (17 inches) maximum
  • Width: 30 cm (12 inches) maximum
  • Height: 27 cm (11 inches) maximum
  • Combined weight (pet + carrier): 8 kg maximum

The carrier must have mesh ventilation on all sides so your pet can breathe properly. Include an absorbent mat or liner inside to handle any accidents during the flight — this is required by SmartWings.

Pro tip: Measure your carrier before booking. I learned this the hard way on my first move with Cooper — his original carrier was 2cm too long. Soft-sided carriers compress slightly, but don't rely on that. Test-fit it under an airplane seat if possible.

Who Can Travel in the Cabin?

  • Dogs and cats only
  • Minimum age: 8 weeks (must be fully weaned)
  • Maximum 1 pet carrier per passenger
  • Not visibly pregnant
  • Not a brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breed

Brachycephalic Breed Restrictions

SmartWings restricts snub-nosed breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. The restricted list includes:

Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all types), Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Presa Canario, Pug (all types), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel.

If your breed is on this list, contact SmartWings directly before booking. Some airlines make exceptions with vet documentation. For more details, see our brachycephalic breed flying guide.

Hold/Checked Baggage Travel: Your Pet in the Cargo Hold

For larger pets or longer flights, checked baggage travel is an option. Your pet travels in a climate-controlled cargo hold, separate from the cabin. This is what I chose for Cooper's longest international move — he was 28kg, well over the 8kg cabin limit.

Hold Carrier Requirements

Hold carriers must be hard-sided, IATA-compliant crates. This is non-negotiable. Your carrier must include:

  • Hard-sided construction (plastic or wood, not soft-sided)
  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides per IATA standards
  • 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

IATA-compliant crates are widely available online and at pet stores. They're more expensive than cabin carriers (€80–200), but they're essential for hold travel and reusable for future trips.

Who Can Travel in the Hold?

  • Dogs and cats only
  • Minimum age: 10 weeks (must be fully weaned)
  • Not visibly pregnant
  • Not a brachycephalic breed
  • Temperature restrictions apply (see below)

Temperature Restrictions for Hold Travel

SmartWings will not transport pets in the hold if:

  • Temperature drops below -6.7°C (20°F) at origin or destination
  • Temperature exceeds 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination

These are tarmac temperatures, not forecast temperatures. If you're traveling in winter or summer, check the actual airport conditions before booking. If temperatures are borderline, ask your vet about an acclimation certificate — this may allow travel in colder conditions.

Cargo Travel: For Larger Pets

If your pet is too large for cabin or checked baggage, cargo is an option. Cargo operates on different rules and timelines than passenger flights. We're still verifying SmartWings' specific cargo fees and procedures — contact SmartWings directly for details.

Cargo carriers follow the same IATA requirements as checked baggage: hard-sided, ventilated on three sides, with water bowl and absorbent liner.

Health Certificates & Documentation

This is non-negotiable. You will not board without a health certificate. I've seen travelers turned away at the gate because their certificate was dated wrong.

What You Need

  • Vet-issued health certificate dated within 10 days of departure
  • Certificate must confirm your pet is fit to fly
  • Must be issued by a licensed veterinarian
  • Some destinations require 7-day validity instead of 10 — check your destination country's import rules

Timing is critical: Get your certificate as close to your departure date as possible. If you book a flight 3 weeks away, don't get the certificate immediately — it will expire before you travel. I schedule my vet appointment for 5–7 days before departure.

If you're traveling internationally, your destination country may have additional import requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination, import permits). Check the rules for your destination country before booking. For example, United Kingdom and Australia have strict import protocols.

See our pet travel documents checklist for a complete breakdown.

Sedation: Not Allowed

Do not sedate your pet for air travel. IATA regulations prohibit sedation because a sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide, including SmartWings.

If your pet has severe anxiety, talk to your vet about calming supplements or training strategies — not sedation.

Booking Your Pet's Flight

Advance Booking Required

You must book your pet at least 48 hours before departure. You cannot show up at the airport with a pet without prior arrangement. SmartWings limits the number of pets per flight, so early booking is essential.

How to Book

We're still verifying SmartWings' specific pet booking process — contact them directly to add your pet to your reservation. Have ready:

  • Your flight booking reference
  • Your pet's name, species, breed, and weight
  • Your preferred travel option (cabin or hold)
  • Confirmation that your pet meets all requirements (age, health, breed)

Fees & Costs

  • Cabin travel: €100 one-way per pet
  • Hold/checked baggage travel: €200 one-way per pet
  • Cargo: Contact SmartWings for pricing

These fees are per flight segment. If you're flying with a connection, you'll pay the fee for each leg.

For a complete breakdown of pet travel costs, see our pet travel cost guide.

Embargoed Routes

We're still verifying whether SmartWings has any routes where pets are not permitted — contact them directly if you're flying to an unusual destination.

What You Need to Do: Pre-Flight Checklist

8–10 Weeks Before Travel

  • Check if your pet's breed is on the brachycephalic restricted list
  • Confirm your pet meets the minimum age requirement (8 weeks for cabin, 10 weeks for hold)
  • Research your destination country's pet import rules
  • Start acclimating your pet to their travel carrier

4–6 Weeks Before Travel

  • Measure and purchase your carrier (soft-sided for cabin, hard-sided IATA-compliant for hold)
  • If traveling internationally, apply for any required import permits
  • Book your flight and add your pet to the reservation

2 Weeks Before Travel

  • Schedule a vet appointment for health certificate (aim for 5–7 days before departure)
  • Confirm temperature conditions at origin and destination (for hold travel)
  • Practice carrier training with your pet

1 Week Before Travel

  • Get your health certificate from your vet (within 10 days of departure)
  • Prepare absorbent liners and any comfort items for the carrier
  • Confirm your booking with SmartWings
  • Pack your pet's essentials: food, water, medications, comfort items

Day of Travel

  • Arrive at the airport early (allow extra time for pet check-in)
  • Have your health certificate ready
  • Ensure your pet has used the bathroom before boarding
  • Keep your pet calm and hydrated

Pro Tips from My Experience

Carrier comfort matters. Cooper's first cabin flight was stressful because his carrier was too tight. I upgraded to a slightly larger soft-sided carrier (still within dimensions) with better ventilation. The difference was night and day.

Practice at home. Get your pet used to the carrier weeks before travel. Leave it open, put treats inside, take short car rides. On flight day, your pet should see the carrier as normal, not scary.

Hydration is critical. For hold travel, ensure the water bowl is accessible and filled. For cabin travel, offer water during the flight if allowed by crew.

Document everything. Take photos of your carrier dimensions, your health certificate, and your pet's weight. If there's a dispute at check-in, documentation saves you.

Consider pet insurance. Some policies cover flight-related incidents. It's worth checking before you travel.

Questions? Contact SmartWings Directly

SmartWings' pet policy is clear, but specific situations (unusual breeds, complex itineraries, cargo bookings) may require direct confirmation. Don't guess — call or email them before booking.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — we'll help you navigate every step of flying with your pet.

Data auto-verified from official SmartWings sources. Last updated: January 2025. Policies subject to change — always confirm directly with SmartWings before booking.

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