Sriwijaya Air Pet Travel: What You Need to Know

I've been reviewing pet travel rejections at my clinic for years, and the most common mistake I see is passengers showing up at the airport with a pet and no advance booking. Sriwijaya Air requires pre-booking for all pets — there are no exceptions. Here's what I tell my clients: start your planning at least 2–3 weeks before your flight.

Sriwijaya Air does not allow pets in the cabin. However, your dog or cat may be able to travel via cargo or checked baggage, depending on your route and the airline's current capacity. This guide covers everything you need to know to travel safely with your pet.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin pets: Not permitted
  • Cargo/checked baggage: Allowed (with restrictions)
  • Minimum age: 10 weeks (fully weaned)
  • Cabin carrier max weight: 8 kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Cabin carrier dimensions: 45.7 cm L × 27.9 cm W × 27.9 cm H (must fit under seat)
  • Cargo carrier: Hard-sided, IATA-compliant only
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) — no cargo travel above this temperature
  • Cold embargo: −6.7°C (20°F) — no cargo travel below this temperature
  • Cabin booking fee: No cabin pets allowed

Cabin Travel: Not Available on Sriwijaya Air

Sriwijaya Air does not permit pets in the cabin. This is a firm policy — even small dogs and cats cannot travel with you in the passenger cabin, and there is no fee option to change this.

Service dogs: We're still verifying whether certified service dogs are exempt from this policy. Contact Sriwijaya Air directly to confirm if your service dog can travel at your feet in the cabin.

Cargo & Checked Baggage Travel: What's Allowed

If you're traveling with a pet on Sriwijaya Air, cargo or checked baggage is your option. Both require:

  • Advance booking (no walk-ups)
  • A hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate
  • A valid health certificate (issued within 10 days of departure)
  • Minimum age of 10 weeks
  • Compliance with temperature embargoes

The most common mistake I see is passengers assuming their soft-sided cabin carrier will work for cargo. It won't. Cargo requires a hard plastic crate that meets IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) standards.

Carrier Requirements for Cargo & Checked Baggage

Hard-Sided Crate (Mandatory)

  • Must be hard plastic or rigid material — no soft-sided carriers
  • Must be IATA LAR-compliant (check the label on the crate)
  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides
  • Absorbent mat or liner inside (required)
  • Attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside
  • Live Animals labels with orientation arrows on all sides

When I flew Pixel (my 7 kg Cavalier) to a conference last year, I learned the hard way that "airline-approved" doesn't always mean IATA-compliant. Buy a crate labeled specifically for IATA LAR compliance — it's the only way to guarantee acceptance.

Health Certificate: Non-Negotiable

A vet-issued health certificate is required for all pet travel on Sriwijaya Air. Here's what you need to know:

  • Validity window: Issued within 10 days of your departure date
  • Who issues it: A licensed veterinarian (your regular vet is fine)
  • What it covers: General health, vaccinations (especially rabies), and fitness to fly
  • Cost: Typically $50–150 USD depending on your vet
  • Timing: Get it as close to departure as possible — don't get it 10 days early and then delay your trip

I've seen health certificates rejected at check-in because they were dated 11 days before departure. The 10-day window is strict. Call your vet and schedule the appointment for 3–5 days before you fly.

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Breeds Banned

Sriwijaya Air restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds in both cabin and cargo due to respiratory risks during flight. This is an industry-wide safety standard.

Restricted Breeds Include:

  • Bulldogs (all types: English, French, American)
  • Pugs (all types)
  • Boxers
  • Boston Terriers
  • Shih Tzus
  • Pekingese
  • Chow Chows
  • Japanese Chins
  • Lhasa Apsos
  • Shar Peis
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
  • Bull Terriers (all types)
  • Mastiffs (all types)
  • Pit Bulls and related breeds
  • Staffordshire Bull Terriers
  • Cane Corsos
  • Dogue de Bordeaux
  • Presa Canarios
  • Exotic Shorthair cats
  • Persian cats
  • Himalayan cats
  • Burmese cats
  • British Shorthair cats
  • Scottish Fold cats

If your breed is on this list, you cannot fly with Sriwijaya Air. Even if your dog or cat is healthy and fit, the airline's policy is absolute. Check with Sriwijaya Air directly if you're unsure whether your pet's breed is restricted.

Temperature Embargoes: Plan Around the Weather

Sriwijaya Air will not transport pets in cargo or checked baggage if temperatures exceed safe limits:

  • Heat embargo: No travel when tarmac temperature reaches 29.4°C (85°F) or higher
  • Cold embargo: No travel when tarmac temperature drops to −6.7°C (20°F) or lower

This is a major issue in tropical regions. If you're flying from or to a hot destination during summer, your pet may be refused at check-in. I always tell clients: book flights in early morning or late evening to avoid peak heat, and check the weather forecast for your departure and arrival cities at least one week before travel.

If you're traveling to a cold climate, a vet-issued acclimation certificate may allow travel below the cold embargo threshold — but we're still verifying whether Sriwijaya Air accepts these. Contact the airline directly.

Age & Health Requirements

  • Minimum age: 10 weeks old (fully weaned)
  • Pregnant animals: Not accepted for travel
  • Animals in heat: We're still verifying this — contact Sriwijaya Air
  • Sedation: Prohibited by IATA regulations. Do not sedate your pet unless explicitly instructed by both your vet and the airline

What You Need to Do: Pre-Flight Checklist

3 Weeks Before Departure

  • Confirm your pet's breed is not restricted
  • Check weather forecasts for your departure and arrival cities
  • Contact Sriwijaya Air to pre-book your pet (required)
  • Ask about cargo vs. checked baggage availability on your specific flight

2 Weeks Before Departure

  • Purchase or confirm you have an IATA LAR-compliant hard-sided crate
  • Test-fit your pet in the crate (they should be able to stand, turn, and lie down)
  • Order absorbent liners and Live Animals labels if not included
  • Verify the crate has an attached water bowl

1 Week Before Departure

  • Schedule a health certificate appointment with your vet (for 3–5 days before departure)
  • Confirm all booking details with Sriwijaya Air
  • Acclimate your pet to the crate with short practice sessions
  • Arrange ground transportation to the airport

3–5 Days Before Departure

  • Visit your vet for the health certificate
  • Make sure the certificate is dated correctly (within 10 days of departure)
  • Get a copy for your records

Day of Departure

  • Arrive at the airport early (at least 3 hours for international flights)
  • Have your health certificate ready at check-in
  • Confirm your pet is in the crate with absorbent liner and water bowl filled
  • Ask the agent to confirm the crate will be loaded and monitored

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fly with my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on Sriwijaya Air?

No. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are on the restricted brachycephalic breeds list. They cannot travel in the cabin or cargo on Sriwijaya Air due to respiratory risks. This is one of the hardest conversations I have with clients — I understand the disappointment, but the restriction exists for your pet's safety.

What if my pet is too large for cargo?

We're still verifying Sriwijaya Air's maximum weight and size limits for cargo. Contact the airline directly with your pet's dimensions and weight.

Can I use a soft-sided carrier for cargo?

No. Cargo requires a hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate. Soft-sided carriers are not accepted.

What if the weather is too hot on my departure date?

Your pet will be refused. Reschedule your flight to a cooler time of day or a different date. There are no exceptions to the heat embargo.

Do I need to sedate my pet for cargo travel?

No — and you shouldn't. IATA regulations prohibit sedation during air travel because a sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. Your pet will be stressed, but sedation is more dangerous than the flight itself.

Next Steps

Contact Sriwijaya Air directly to confirm:

  • Pet availability on your specific flight
  • Cargo vs. checked baggage options
  • Current fees (we don't have this data)
  • Any additional documentation required for your destination country
  • Whether service dogs are exempt from the no-cabin-pets policy

If your pet is a brachycephalic breed or you're traveling during extreme heat, consider alternative airlines or postponing your trip. Your pet's safety comes first.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — we'll help you navigate breed restrictions, temperature embargoes, and documentation for your specific route.

Data auto-verified from official sources. Last updated: January 2025. For the most current policy details, always confirm directly with Sriwijaya Air before booking.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 21, 2026