Okay, real talk: if you're eyeing South African Airways for your big pup, cabin travel is off the table completely. Nala would have OPINIONS about that, trust me. But here's the good news, adventure crew: cargo and hold are both open for dogs, which means your four-legged trail buddy can still make the trip. Let's dig into what you actually need to pull this off.
South African Airways'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 South African Airways 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
Snub-nosed breeds Not accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✗ Not acceptedPets are not permitted in the cabin, with the exception of service dogs. verified 2026-07-15 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedSouth African Airways will transport dogs, cats and birds as checked baggage on domestic flights if they are flying with an adult passenger. verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesRelated: Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds list Bulldog Pug Boxer Pekingese Snub-nosed dogs, such as boxers, bulldogs, Pekinese and pugs, are affected more than other breeds by rarefied atmosphere and care must be taken to ensure that the front of the container has open bars from the top to the… verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Minimum age 8 weeks Pets under the age of 8 weeks will under no circumstances be accepted for carriage by air verified 2026-07-15 Hold: Nursing allowed ✗ NoFemales with suckling young and unweaned animals will not be accepted for carriage verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Animals in heat accepted ✓ YesDepending on the individual circumstances, pets must be carried either as cargo, or as checked baggage in the hold. verified 2026-07-15 Hold: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoAnimals which are declared to be pregnant will not be accepted unless accompanied by a veterinary certificate certifying that the animal is fit to travel and there is no risk of birth during the journey verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Max weight (pet + crate) 23 kg The maximum weight of pets flying as checked baggage on South African Airways must not exceed 50.7 lbs. (23 kg). verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier When traveling with pets as checked baggage, it is required that carriers are IATA-approved verified 2026-07-07 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedCollapsed Content Pets accompanying passengers may be accepted as cargo for stowage in the cargo hold of the aircraft verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✓ NoSnub-nosed dogs, such as Boxers, Bulldogs, Pekinese and Pugs should be transported in a crate with an open mesh door that extends the height of the crate. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds list Bulldog Pug Boxer Pekingese Snub-nosed dogs, such as boxers, bulldogs, Pekinese and pugs, are affected more than other breeds by rarefied atmosphere and care must be taken to ensure that the front of the container has open bars from the top to the… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: One-way fee 1000 USD …Valuable Cargo Collapsed Content The following consignments are examples of valuable cargo: value $1000.00 per kilogram, gold bullion, bank notes, diamonds, jewellery consisting of diamonds, rubies, emeralds etc verified 2026-07-21 Cargo: Minimum age 8 weeks Pets under the age of 8 weeks will under no circumstances be accepted for carriage by air verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ YesCheck-in is 90 minutes prior to departure as a minimum to allow for sufficient handling time. This relates to dogs, cats and birds. Snakes are not allowed. Guide dog trainers will be allowed to transport the dog via… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Nursing allowed ✗ Nouth Africa? Collapsed Content Pets accompanying passengers may be accepted as cargo for stowage in the cargo hold of the aircraft. Pets are not allowed to travel as excess baggage to any destination with the exception… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Animals in heat accepted ✗ Nouth Africa? Collapsed Content Pets accompanying passengers may be accepted as cargo for stowage in the cargo hold of the aircraft. Pets are not allowed to travel as excess baggage to any destination with the exception… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted ✓ YesThe shipper is required to declare when animals are pregnant, or have given birth in the last 48 hours. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier When traveling with pets as checked baggage, it is required that carriers are IATA-approved When traveling with pets as checked baggage, it is required that carriers are IATA-approved verified 2026-05-22 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ YesCargo on its flights into South Africa is that animals (including domestic pets) must be loaded in the cargo compartment of the aircraft. For the importation of dogs and cats a valid Rabies and Health Certificate signed… verified 2026-07-20 Quarantine · Type Quarantine Station the point of departure, or quarantined for a period of 30 days in the official Quarantine Station, provided accommodation is available. verified 2026-07-20 Import permit · Issuing authority the Director of Veterinary Services …rinarian of the country of origin is required. In addition to that a Veterinary Import Permit obtained from the Director of Veterinary Services, Private Bag X138, Pretoria, 0001, RSA must be produced. verified 2026-06-04 Health certificate · Issuer a State Veterinarian For the importation of dogs and cats a valid Rabies and Health Certificate signed by a State Veterinarian of the country of origin is required. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Required ✓ YesInformation Pregnant dogs and cats must have an attestation on the health certificate that certifying that the pet is fit to travel, and there is no risk of birth during the journey. verified 2026-07-20 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ YesYour pet’s original vaccination and rabies certificate must be present at the time of pet check-in. verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Booster required ✓ YesYour pet’s original vaccination and rabies certificate must be present at the time of pet check-in. verified 2026-07-15 Rabies vaccination · Waiting period after vaccination 30 days …the Import Permit, the dog or cat may be returned to the point of departure, or quarantined for a period of 30 days in the official Quar verified 2026-07-20 Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination 8 weeks Domestic pets under the age of 8 weeks will under no circumstances be accepted for carriage by air. verified 2026-07-20 Other rules Assistance animals accepted ✓ YesPets are not permitted in the cabin, with the exception of service dogs. Depending on the individual circumstances, pets must be carried either as cargo, or as checked baggage in the hold. If your pet is travelling as… verified 2026-07-15 Service & assistance animals Fee waived ✓ Yesurity check point & must be transported as manifested cargo under an Air Waybill, also in case of transit if transhipment is involved. Exception One dog for blind or deaf passenger is free. Exception to/from the USA… verified 2026-07-15 Recognized ✓ YesPets are not permitted in the cabin, with the exception of service dogs. verified 2026-07-15 Cabin allowed ✓ YesGuide dog trainers will be allowed to transport the dog via cabin as part of the training & orientation of the handover and training process. verified 2026-07-15 Esa recognized ✓ YesException to/from the USA Passengers dependant on a service, psychiatric or emotional support animal permitted. verified 2026-07-15 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 ✓ Yesains (ashes) are acceptable for carriage as checked baggage or in the cabin of the aircraft provided you are in possession of all necessary documentation including the certified copy of the death certificate and a… verified 2026-07-15 In the cabin ✗ Not accepted
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breeds Not accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✗ Not acceptedPets are not permitted in the cabin, with the exception of service dogs. verified 2026-07-15 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedSouth African Airways will transport dogs, cats and birds as checked baggage on domestic flights if they are flying with an adult passenger. verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ Yesefore Dispatching My Animal? Collapsed Content Feed the animal only a light meal and a short drink approximately two hours before dispatch. Snub-nosed dogs, such as boxers, bulldogs, Pekinese and pugs, are affected more… verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds list Bulldogs go hold Breeds Banned by South African Airways Snub-nosed dogs, such as Boxers, Bulldogs, Pekinese and Pugs should be transported in a crate with an open mesh door that extends the height of the crate. Adequate… verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Minimum age 8 weeks Pets under the age of 8 weeks will under no circumstances be accepted for carriage by air verified 2026-07-15 Hold: Advance booking required ✓ Yesch Popular searches Flight status Manage my booking Customer support Fleet SEARCH Breadcrumbs Breadcrumb dropdown menu Manage & Fly Baggage Checked Baggage Special Baggage Manage & Fly Baggage Checked Baggage Special… verified 2026-07-15 Hold: Nursing allowed ✗ NoFemales with suckling young and unweaned animals will not be accepted for carriage verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Pregnant animals accepted ✗ NoAnimals which are declared to be pregnant will not be accepted unless accompanied by a veterinary certificate certifying that the animal is fit to travel and there is no risk of birth during the journey verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Max weight (pet + crate) 23 kg The maximum weight of pets flying as checked baggage on South African Airways must not exceed 50.7 lbs. (23 kg). verified 2026-07-20 Hold: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier When traveling with pets as checked baggage, it is required that carriers are IATA-approved verified 2026-07-07 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedCollapsed Content Pets accompanying passengers may be accepted as cargo for stowage in the cargo hold of the aircraft verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesSAA Cargo FAQs skip-to-content Back to Home South African Airways Portal | EN Market & Language close dialog Region Region Search close dialog Search verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: One-way fee 1000 USD …Valuable Cargo Collapsed Content The following consignments are examples of valuable cargo: value $1000.00 per kilogram, gold bullion, bank notes, diamonds, jewellery consisting of diamonds, rubies, emeralds etc verified 2026-07-21 Cargo: Minimum age 8 weeks Pets under the age of 8 weeks will under no circumstances be accepted for carriage by air verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ YesAdvance reservation arrangements must be made no later than 72 hours prior to departure verified 2026-07-15 Cargo: Nursing allowed ✗ Nouth Africa? Collapsed Content Pets accompanying passengers may be accepted as cargo for stowage in the cargo hold of the aircraft. Pets are not allowed to travel as excess baggage to any destination with the exception… verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted ✓ YesThe shipper is required to declare when animals are pregnant, or have given birth in the last 48 hours. verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier Reservations Contact SAACargoCharterServiceCentre@flysaa.com to inquire about a booking for your pet. South African Airways Pet Crate Requirements All pet crates must conform to regulations set by the International Air… verified 2026-07-20 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ YesCargo on its flights into South Africa is that animals (including domestic pets) must be loaded in the cargo compartment of the aircraft. For the importation of dogs and cats a valid Rabies and Health Certificate signed… verified 2026-07-20 Puppies under 8 weeks old will under no circumstances be accepted for cargo carriage on South African Airways. Confirm the exact age of any young dog before booking cargo transport. Check the birth date against the departure date. Book travel only once the dog has passed the 8-week threshold. Younger animals cannot fly under any exception.
Frequently asked
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.
Cargo transport of a dog on South African Airways carries a one-way fee of 1000 USD. Budget this amount per direction before committing to a route. Contact the airline directly to confirm the current charge for the specific animal and cargo booking. Factor the 1000 USD into the total trip cost when comparing carrier options.
So there's your lay of the land: no cabin for the big dogs, but cargo and hold keep the adventure alive. Every route has its own quirks, so don't wing it. Build your personalized plan with Pawgo's plan-builder, punch in your real dates and destination, and get the exact steps for your trip. Then grab the leash and go chase that horizon.
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.
