StarFlyer Pet Travel Policy

StarFlyer Pet Travel Overview

Flying with your pet on StarFlyer (7G) requires understanding three distinct travel options: cabin, checked baggage, and cargo. I learned this the hard way when booking Luna's first flight—each option has different rules, carrier requirements, and restrictions. This guide breaks down exactly what StarFlyer allows and what you need to prepare.

Quick Comparison: Cabin vs. Checked Baggage vs. Cargo

Cabin Travel: The Best Option for Small Pets

If your cat or small dog weighs 8 kg (17.6 lbs) or less including the carrier, cabin travel is your best bet—and it's free. Luna, my 5 kg tabby, easily qualifies. You'll keep your pet with you throughout the flight, which reduces stress for both of you.

Cabin Carrier Requirements

Soft-sided carriers are required for cabin travel. Here are the exact dimensions:

• Length: 45.7 cm (18 inches) maximum
• Width: 27.9 cm (11 inches) maximum
• Height: 27.9 cm (11 inches) maximum
• Combined weight (pet + carrier): 8 kg (17.6 lbs) maximum

The carrier must fit completely under the seat in front of you. When I measured Luna's carrier against these specs, I found most standard soft-sided pet carriers meet these dimensions—but always verify before purchasing. The carrier must have mesh ventilation on the sides for adequate airflow.

Inside the carrier, you must include:

• An absorbent mat or liner to manage accidents during flight
• Proper ventilation (mesh sides are standard)

Cabin Travel Rules

• Maximum 1 pet carrier per passenger in the cabin
• Minimum age: 8 weeks old and fully weaned
• Advance booking required: You cannot show up at the airport with a pet. Pre-book with StarFlyer before your flight—they limit pets per flight
• No sedation allowed: IATA regulations prohibit sedating pets during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies
• Breed restrictions apply: Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds are restricted due to respiratory risks during flight
• Pregnant animals not accepted: Visibly pregnant pets cannot travel due to health risks
• Animals in heat: We're still verifying this—contact StarFlyer directly

Brachycephalic Breeds Restricted in Cabin

These breeds are commonly restricted on cabin flights due to respiratory risks. If your pet is one of these, confirm directly with StarFlyer:

Cats: British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, Scottish Fold

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

If your breed is on this list, read our brachycephalic breed flying guide for alternatives.

Checked Baggage Travel: For Larger Pets

If your pet exceeds the 8 kg cabin limit or you prefer not to travel with them in the cabin, checked baggage is an option. Your pet travels in the hold with your luggage.

Checked Baggage Carrier Requirements

Hard-sided IATA-compliant crates are required for checked baggage. This is a universal standard across airlines.

• Crate type: Hard-sided only (soft-sided carriers are not accepted)
• IATA compliance: Must meet IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) container requirements
• Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides (required by IATA)
• Water bowl: An attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate
• Absorbent liner: Required inside the crate to manage accidents
• Live Animals label: Required on the crate with orientation arrows

Checked Baggage Travel Rules

• Minimum age: 10 weeks old and fully weaned (older than cabin travel)
• Temperature restrictions: Cold embargo at -6.7°C (20°F); heat embargo at 29.4°C (85°F). Airlines refuse pets when tarmac temperatures exceed these thresholds
• Advance booking required: Pre-book before your flight
• No sedation allowed: IATA regulations apply
• Breed restrictions apply: Brachycephalic breeds are restricted
• Pregnant animals not accepted
• Fee information: We're still verifying checked baggage fees—contact StarFlyer directly

Cargo Travel: For International or Complex Moves

Cargo is typically used for international relocations or when your pet cannot travel with you. Your pet travels separately from passengers in a climate-controlled cargo hold.

Cargo Carrier Requirements

• Crate type: Hard-sided IATA-compliant crates only
• Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides (IATA requirement)
• Water bowl: Attached water bowl or trough (required)
• Absorbent liner: Required inside the crate
• Live Animals label: Required with orientation arrows

Cargo Travel Rules

• Minimum age: 10 weeks old and fully weaned
• Temperature restrictions: Cold embargo at -6.7°C (20°F); heat embargo at 29.4°C (85°F)
• Acclimation certificates: If traveling in cold conditions below -6.7°C, a vet-issued acclimation certificate may allow travel
• Advance booking required
• No sedation allowed
• Breed restrictions apply
• Pregnant animals not accepted
• Fee information: We're still verifying cargo fees—contact StarFlyer directly

Health Certificates & Documentation

This is non-negotiable: a vet-issued health certificate is required for all pets traveling on StarFlyer, regardless of travel mode. Even if it's not listed on the airline's website, it will be checked at the airport. Don't risk being denied boarding.

Health Certificate Requirements

• Validity window: 10 days before departure (some destinations require 7 days)
• Timing: Get it as close to your departure date as possible
• Issued by: A licensed veterinarian
• What it covers: Confirmation that your pet is healthy and fit for air travel

When I booked Luna's flight, I scheduled her vet appointment 8 days before departure to stay safely within the window. Your vet should be familiar with airline requirements—if not, ask them to reference IATA standards.

Key Numbers at a Glance

• Cabin carrier max weight (pet + carrier): 8 kg (17.6 lbs)
• Cabin carrier max length: 45.7 cm (18 inches)
• Cabin carrier max width: 27.9 cm (11 inches)
• Cabin carrier max height: 27.9 cm (11 inches)
• Minimum age for cabin: 8 weeks
• Minimum age for checked baggage/cargo: 10 weeks
• Health certificate validity: 10 days
• Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F)
• Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F)
• Cabin pet fee: $0 (free)
• Max pets per passenger (cabin): 1 carrier

What You Need to Do

Before booking your flight:

• Confirm your pet meets the minimum age requirement (8 weeks for cabin, 10 weeks for checked/cargo)
• Check if your pet's breed is on the brachycephalic restricted list
• Measure your pet and your carrier against the dimensions above
• Verify your pet is not visibly pregnant
• Contact StarFlyer directly to pre-book your pet (required—you cannot show up at the airport without prior arrangement)

7-10 days before departure:

• Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate
• Ensure your vet is familiar with airline requirements
• Get the certificate issued within 10 days of your flight

For cabin travel:

• Purchase or confirm you have a soft-sided carrier meeting the exact dimensions
• Add an absorbent mat or liner inside the carrier
• Practice having your pet in the carrier before the flight

For checked baggage or cargo:

• Purchase a hard-sided IATA-compliant crate (if you don't already have one)
• Attach a water bowl to the outside of the crate
• Add an absorbent liner inside
• Print and attach Live Animals labels with orientation arrows
• Check weather forecasts—if temperatures exceed 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination, your pet cannot travel

Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals

We're still verifying StarFlyer's specific policies for service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs). Contact StarFlyer directly for information on:

• Whether service dogs travel at the handler's feet without a carrier
• ESA recognition and required documentation
• Fee waivers for service animals

Common Questions

Can I sedate my pet for the flight? No. IATA regulations prohibit sedation during air travel because a sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to virtually all commercial airlines worldwide.

What if my pet is in heat? We're still verifying this—contact StarFlyer directly.

Can I travel with two pets? Cabin travel allows a maximum of 1 pet carrier per passenger. For checked baggage or cargo, contact StarFlyer about multiple pets.

What if the weather is too hot or cold? StarFlyer will refuse to transport pets if tarmac temperatures exceed 29.4°C (85°F) or drop below -6.7°C (20°F). If traveling in extreme cold, a vet-issued acclimation certificate may allow travel.

Next Steps

Flying with a pet requires planning, but it's absolutely doable. Start by contacting StarFlyer to pre-book your pet and confirm any details specific to your route. Then schedule your vet appointment and gather your documentation.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to streamline the entire process and ensure you don't miss any requirements.

For more guidance, check out our pet travel documents checklist and

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