Thai Airways is hold-only for pets — they're not accepted in the cabin, even small ones. They run the AVIH program for dogs and cats up to 70 kg combined, with a 17-week minimum age and a 72-hour booking window.
Thai 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 Thai Airways treats your pet
Cabin policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pets accepted | Not accepted in the cabin | 94% | |
| Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds | Not accepted in the cabin | 95% |
Hold policy
Cargo policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy | Not yet documented | — |
Thai Airways bans 34 snub-nosed breeds from the AVIH hold program — Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Persian and Himalayan cats among them. The embargo is absolute on regular passenger flights. Owners must route through Thai Cargo's manifested-cargo channel instead. Confirm the breed against the published list before purchasing the passenger ticket, since the AVIH counter will not negotiate at the airport.
Mixed-breed dogs with one parent on the Thai Airways snub-nosed list count as banned. The 34-breed embargo extends to crosses, so a Boxer-Lab mix is denied even when the Lab is dominant. Owners arriving with a borderline breed are rejected at the AVIH counter without refund. Carry the dog's pedigree paperwork to settle the breed call on the spot when paperwork is contested.
Frequently asked
- Can snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds fly Thai Airways?
- Snub-nosed breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats are not accepted in the cabin.
- 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.
If you're not flying a certified service dog, Thai means hold or nothing. Build that into your plan early — and book the AVIH slot 72 hours out so you don't lose the seat.
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.