The Real Talk: Flying with Pets on TAME Ecuador

Hey, I'm Marco. I've flown with my 6kg French Bulldog Mochi on dozens of flights across South America, and here's what nobody tells you: TAME Ecuador doesn't allow pets in the cabin. Yeah, that's the headline. But before you panic, let me walk you through what that actually means and what your real options are.

I learned the hard way about brachycephalic breed restrictions when I tried to book Mochi on a regional carrier without checking first. Spoiler: it didn't work. So let me save you that headache and give you the straight facts about flying with your furry friend on TAME Ecuador.

Can Your Pet Fly in the Cabin?

Short answer: No, TAME Ecuador does not permit pets in the cabin. There's no cabin pet fee because there are no cabin pets allowed, period. This applies to dogs, cats, and other small animals.

I know this sucks if you're used to flying with your pet beside you. But here's the thing—TAME Ecuador does offer cargo and checked baggage options, which we'll cover below. The key is understanding which option works for your pet's size, age, and breed.

Cargo and Checked Baggage: Your Real Options

Since cabin travel is off the table, TAME Ecuador allows pets via cargo or checked baggage. Both require hard-sided, IATA-compliant crates—not the soft carriers you'd use in the cabin.

Here's what I wish someone had told me: cargo and checked baggage are different. Cargo is handled separately and requires more advance planning. Checked baggage means your pet travels in the hold with your luggage. Both have strict requirements, and both have temperature restrictions that can actually prevent your pet from flying on certain days.

The Brachycephalic Breed Bombshell

This is critical: if you have a snub-nosed breed, TAME Ecuador likely won't let your pet fly at all—in cargo or checked baggage.

Mochi is a French Bulldog, and let me tell you, this restriction nearly derailed my entire travel plans. Brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced dogs and cats) are banned from most airlines' cargo services due to serious respiratory risks during flight. The industry standard is a hard no, and TAME Ecuador follows this standard.

Here's the list of commonly restricted breeds:

  • Dogs: French Bulldog, Pug, Bulldog (all types), Boston Terrier, Boxer, Shih Tzu, Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, Chow Chow, Japanese Chin, Affenpinscher, Brussels Griffon, Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bully, Mastiff (all types), Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux, and others
  • Cats: Persian, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, British Shorthair, Burmese, Scottish Fold

If your pet is on this list, contact TAME Ecuador directly before booking anything. Some airlines make rare exceptions with vet documentation, but don't count on it.

Carrier Requirements: The Nitty-Gritty

For cargo and checked baggage, you need a hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate. This is non-negotiable. Here's what that means:

  • Hard-sided only: No soft carriers. Your pet needs a plastic or metal crate that can withstand handling.
  • Ventilation on at least three sides: Your pet needs to breathe. IATA requires proper airflow.
  • Attached water bowl: The bowl must be accessible from outside the crate so ground staff can refill it without opening the door.
  • Absorbent liner: Put an absorbent mat inside to handle accidents. This is required.
  • "Live Animals" labels: Your crate must be clearly marked with "Live Animals" stickers and orientation arrows (which way is up).

I learned this the hard way: a crate that looks IATA-compliant isn't always actually compliant. Buy from a reputable pet travel supplier and ask them to confirm it meets IATA LAR (Live Animals Regulations) standards.

Health Certificates: Non-Negotiable

You absolutely need a vet-issued health certificate. Even if TAME Ecuador's website doesn't explicitly mention it, you will be denied boarding without one. I'm not exaggerating.

Here's what you need to know:

  • Timing: Get the certificate issued within 10 days of your departure date. Some destinations require 7 days. Don't risk it—get it as close to departure as possible.
  • What it covers: The vet confirms your pet is healthy, vaccinated (especially rabies), and fit to fly.
  • Cost: Expect to pay $50–$150 USD depending on your vet and location.
  • Where to get it: Any licensed veterinarian can issue one. Call ahead and tell them you need it for air travel—some vets have specific forms.

Pro tip: if you're traveling internationally, check the destination country's import requirements too. Some countries require additional permits or certificates beyond what the airline needs.

Age and Health Restrictions

Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old for cargo or checked baggage travel (8 weeks for cabin, but that's not an option here). They must also be fully weaned.

Pregnant animals are not accepted. If your pet is visibly pregnant, TAME Ecuador will deny boarding. This is an industry-wide safety standard.

Animals in heat—we're still verifying TAME Ecuador's specific policy, but contact them directly to confirm.

Temperature Embargoes: The Hidden Killer

Here's something that caught me off guard: TAME Ecuador won't fly your pet if it's too hot or too cold outside.

  • Heat embargo: If the temperature at the origin or destination airport exceeds 29.4°C (85°F), your pet cannot fly. Ecuador is tropical, so this matters.
  • Cold embargo: If temperatures drop below -6.7°C (20°F), your pet cannot fly. You can sometimes get around this with a vet-issued acclimation certificate, but it's not guaranteed.

This means if you're flying during Ecuador's hot season, you might not be able to fly your pet at all. Check the forecast before booking. I've had flights canceled because of heat embargoes, and it's incredibly frustrating.

Pre-Booking is Mandatory

You cannot show up at the airport with a pet and expect to fly. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight, and you must book your pet in advance. Call TAME Ecuador's cargo or pet services department and arrange everything before you buy your ticket.

Here's what to tell them:

  • Your pet's species, breed, and weight
  • Your departure and arrival cities and dates
  • Whether you're using cargo or checked baggage
  • Your crate dimensions and weight

They'll confirm availability and give you specific instructions. Don't skip this step.

Sedation: Don't Even Think About It

IATA (International Air Transport Association) prohibits sedating pets during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to virtually all commercial airlines worldwide, including TAME Ecuador.

I know flying is stressful for pets, but sedation is not the answer. Your vet might suggest it, but the airline will refuse to accept a sedated pet. Work with your vet on calming techniques, acclimation training, or anxiety supplements instead.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin pets allowed: No
  • Cargo/checked baggage pets allowed: Yes (with restrictions)
  • Minimum age: 10 weeks
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
  • Heat embargo threshold: 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo threshold: -6.7°C (20°F)
  • Cabin carrier max weight (pet + carrier): Not applicable
  • Cargo crate requirement: Hard-sided, IATA-compliant only
  • Brachycephalic breeds: Typically banned (confirm with airline)
  • Advance booking required: Yes, mandatory

What You Need to Do

Before you book your flight:

  • Check if your pet is a brachycephalic breed. If yes, contact TAME Ecuador directly to confirm they'll accept it.
  • Call TAME Ecuador's cargo/pet services and confirm availability for your travel dates.
  • Check the weather forecast for your departure and arrival cities. If temperatures exceed 29.4°C or drop below -6.7°C, your pet cannot fly.
  • Verify your destination country's import requirements (quarantine, permits, additional health certificates).

2–3 weeks before departure:

  • Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate. Tell your vet you need it for air travel.
  • Purchase or confirm you have an IATA-compliant hard-sided crate with proper ventilation, water bowl, and absorbent liner.
  • Practice acclimation: let your pet spend time in the crate at home so they're comfortable.

10 days before departure:

  • Get your health certificate from your vet. Make sure it's dated within 10 days of your flight.
  • Confirm your pet booking with TAME Ecuador. Get written confirmation of all requirements.
  • Pack your crate with the absorbent liner and label it with "Live Animals" stickers.

At the airport:

  • Arrive early. Pet check-in often happens separately from regular baggage.
  • Have your health certificate ready.
  • Confirm your pet is loaded onto the correct flight.

The Bottom Line

Flying with pets on TAME Ecuador is possible, but it's not easy. There's no cabin option, brachycephalic breeds are likely banned, and temperature restrictions can derail your plans. But if your pet meets the requirements, cargo or checked baggage can work.

The key is planning ahead, getting everything in writing, and not cutting corners on health certificates or crate compliance. I've learned this the hard way with Mochi, and it's saved me from airport disasters more than once.

For more detailed guidance, check out our pet travel documents checklist, brachycephalic breed flying guide, and pet travel costs guide.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to make sure you're not missing anything.

Still Have Questions?

Contact TAME Ecuador directly:

  • Cargo/Pet Services: We're still verifying the exact contact details—check TAME Ecuador's official website or call their main customer service line.
  • What to ask: Confirm pet acceptance for your specific breed, travel dates, and destination. Get everything in writing.

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

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