SmartWings just earned a spot on my radar, and here's the headline that made me grin: dogs ride in the cabin. That means Nala stays right at my feet instead of somewhere I can't reach her. If you've got an adventure buddy who hates being far away, this is the kind of green light that turns a maybe-trip into a booked-flight, gear-packed, let's-go weekend.
SmartWings'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 SmartWings 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 cabin Accepted
In the hold / cargo Accepted
Snub-nosed breedsNot accepted
Cabin policy
Pets accepted Accepted“We carry cats and dogs. ... Price: 75 EUR /piece/way (weight up to 8 kg, to be carried in passenger cabin) or 150 EUR /piece/way (weight 8-32 kg, to be carried in cargo hold). ... The maximum size of crate acceptable to…”
Snub-nosed breeds listFrench Bulldog, English Bulldog, American Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier“Four breeds of snub-nosed dogs will no longer be allowed in the cabin or cargo hold as checked baggage or air cargo on KLM aircraft: English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, American Bulldog, and Dutch Pug.”
Advance booking notice48 hours“Reservations Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure.”
Advance booking required Yes“Reservations Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure Reservations Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure Live animals are checked in by…”
Banned destinations Yes“Four breeds of snub-nosed dogs will no longer be allowed in the cabin or cargo hold as checked baggage or air cargo on KLM aircraft: English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, American Bulldog, d under the seat.”
Advance notice hours48 hours“Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure.”
Hold & cargo policy
Hold: Pets accepted Accepted“Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.”
Hold: Snub-nosed breeds listFrench Bulldog, English Bulldog, American Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier“Four breeds of snub-nosed dogs will no longer be allowed in the cabin or cargo hold as checked baggage or air cargo on KLM aircraft: English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, American Bulldog, and Dutch Pug.”
Hold: Advance booking required Yes“Reservations Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure Reservations Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure Live animals are checked in by…”
Hold: Heat embargo29°C“Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29”
Hold: Max weight (pet + crate)32 kg“(32 kg) including their crate can be flown as checked baggage on Smartwings.”
Hold: Crate must have/beventilated, IATA-compliant, live-animal label“Pet carrier requirements Your pet’s carrier must: Have adequate ventilation on at least three sides (domestic) or four sides (international) Be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably Be able…”
Cargo: Pets accepted Accepted“Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.”
Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds listFrench Bulldog, English Bulldog, American Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier“Four breeds of snub-nosed dogs will no longer be allowed in the cabin or cargo hold as checked baggage or air cargo on KLM aircraft: English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, American Bulldog, and Dutch Pug.”
Cargo: One-way fee150 EUR“ice: 75 EUR /piece/way (weight up to 8 kg, to be carried in passenger cabin) or 150 EUR /piece/way (weight 8-32 kg, to be carried in cargo hold).”
Cargo: Minimum age12 weeks“Generally, the minimum age is 12 weeks if traveling within the European Union.”
Cargo: Advance booking required Yes“Reservations Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure Reservations Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure Live animals are checked in by…”
Cargo: Cold-weather embargo7.2°C“Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary.”
Health & documents
Health certificate required Yes“Forms Required When traveling within the European Union, proof of microchip, rabies vaccination and either an EU Pet Passport (resident pets) or EU Health Certificate (non-resident pets) will be required”
Acclimation certificate required Yes“Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant Forms required When traveling within the European Union, proof of microchip, rabies vaccination and either an EU Pet Passport (resident pets) or EU Health…”
Service & assistance animals
In the cabin Accepted
In the hold / cargo Accepted
Cabin policy
Pets accepted Accepted“Four breeds of snub-nosed dogs will no longer be allowed in the cabin or cargo hold as checked baggage or air cargo on KLM aircraft: English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, American Bulldog, d under the seat.”
Advance booking notice48 hours“Reservations Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure.”
Advance booking required Yes“Reservations Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure Reservations Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure Live animals are checked in by…”
Advance notice hours48 hours“Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure.”
Hold & cargo policy
Hold: Pets accepted Accepted“Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.”
Hold: Advance booking notice48 hours“Reservations Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure.”
Hold: Advance booking required Yes“Reservations Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure Reservations Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure Live animals are checked in by…”
Hold: Heat embargo29°C“Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29”
Hold: Max weight (pet + crate)32 kg“(32 kg) including their crate can be flown as checked baggage on Smartwings.”
Hold: Crate must have/beventilated, IATA-compliant, live-animal label“Pet carrier requirements Your pet’s carrier must: Have adequate ventilation on at least three sides (domestic) or four sides (international) Be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably Be able…”
Cargo: Pets accepted Accepted“Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.”
Cargo: Advance booking notice48 hours“Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly. Reservations Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure.”
Cargo: Advance booking required Yes“Reservations Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure Reservations Reservations must be made by phone more than 48 hours in advance of departure Live animals are checked in by…”
Health & documents
Health certificate required Yes“Forms Required When traveling within the European Union, proof of microchip, rabies vaccination and either an EU Pet Passport (resident pets) or EU Health Certificate (non-resident pets) will be required”
Acclimation certificate required Yes“Forms Required When traveling within the European Union, proof of microchip, rabies vaccination and either an EU Pet Passport (resident pets) or EU Health Certificate (non-resident pets) will be required”
SmartWings sets a minimum age of 12 weeks for dogs traveling in cargo. Confirm the puppy reaches 12 weeks on the departure date, not the booking date. Request the exact birthdate from the breeder and keep dated documentation. Book cargo travel only after the 12-week mark passes. Younger dogs will be refused at check-in without exception.
Frequently asked
- How much does it cost to fly a pet on SmartWings?
- On flights within Metropolitan France, SmartWings charges from 150 EUR 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.
SmartWings charges 150 EUR one way for a dog traveling in the cargo hold, covering weights from 8 to 32 kg. Budget 150 EUR per direction and double it for a round trip. Pay this fee separately from the passenger ticket. Verify the charge at booking, since it applies per piece and per way.
So that's SmartWings and Nala, sorted. But your dog, your route, and your dates are their own puzzle, and that's exactly where Pawgo's plan-builder shines. Punch in your details and get a personalized plan that maps every requirement to your actual trip. Bring more water than you think, trust the plan, and go chase that horizon with your best friend riding along.
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.