Can You Fly with Pets on TAP Air Portugal?

Yes, TAP Air Portugal allows both dogs and cats to travel with you. You have three options: cabin travel (your pet stays with you), checked baggage (your pet travels in the hold), or cargo service (for larger pets or specialized handling). Each option has different size limits, fees, and requirements.

Important note: Pet transportation is not available on GOL and Azul flights, even if booked through TAP Air Portugal.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin fee (dogs): €60 one-way
  • Cabin fee (cats): €40 one-way
  • Cabin carrier max dimensions: 45cm L × 30cm W × 23cm H
  • Cabin carrier max weight: 8 kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Checked baggage max weight: 32 kg (varies by destination)
  • Advance booking required: 48 hours before departure
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before travel
  • Minimum pet age: 8 weeks (cabin), 10 weeks (checked/cargo)

Cabin Travel: Flying with Your Pet in the Cabin

This is the most comfortable option for small pets. Your dog or cat stays with you in the main cabin during the flight.

Size and Weight Limits

Your pet and carrier combined must not exceed 8 kg. The carrier itself has strict dimensions:

  • Maximum length: 45 cm
  • Maximum width: 30 cm
  • Maximum height: 23 cm

These dimensions are designed so the carrier fits under the seat in front of you. Measure your current carrier before booking — it's the most common reason for booking issues.

Carrier Requirements

Your carrier must be:

  • Soft-sided (preferred for cabin travel — hard-sided carriers won't fit under the seat)
  • Well-ventilated with mesh panels on at least two sides
  • Lined with absorbent material (a washable pad or puppy pads) to manage accidents

Do not use a cardboard box or improvised container. Airlines will refuse boarding.

Cabin Fees

  • Dogs: €60 per one-way flight
  • Cats: €40 per one-way flight

If you're a Miles&Go member, you can earn up to 500 miles when flying with pets.

Cabin Restrictions

Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds are banned from cabin travel. This includes:

  • Bulldogs (all types: English, French, American)
  • Pugs (all types)
  • Boxers
  • Boston Terriers
  • Shih Tzus
  • Pekingese
  • Chow Chows
  • Mastiffs (all types)
  • Staffordshire Bull Terriers
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
  • Persian cats

These breeds have respiratory challenges and cannot safely fly in pressurized cabins. If your pet is on this list, checked baggage or cargo may be options — contact TAP directly.

Age Requirements

Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned. Younger animals cannot fly.

Checked Baggage: Your Pet Travels Below Deck

If your pet is too large for the cabin or is a restricted breed, checked baggage travel may work. Your pet travels in a pressurized, temperature-controlled cargo hold.

Weight Limits

Maximum weight varies by destination:

  • 32 kg: United States, Hungary, France, Netherlands
  • 45 kg: All other destinations

Confirm your destination's limit when booking.

Carrier Requirements for Checked Baggage

Your carrier must meet stricter standards than cabin carriers:

  • Hard-sided or soft-sided (both acceptable, but hard-sided is more durable)
  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides (IATA requirement)
  • Attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on all sides
  • Absorbent liner inside to manage accidents

These requirements exist because your pet will be in the crate for several hours without your direct supervision.

Temperature Restrictions

TAP Air Portugal will not accept pets for checked baggage if:

  • Heat embargo: Tarmac temperature exceeds 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination
  • Cold embargo: Temperature drops below -6.7°C (20°F)

These embargoes protect animals from dangerous temperature exposure. If you're traveling during extreme weather, check the forecast and contact TAP before booking.

Age Requirements

Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old for checked baggage travel.

Brachycephalic Restrictions

Snub-nosed breeds are also banned from checked baggage due to respiratory risks during pressurization. Contact TAP if your pet is affected.

Cargo Service

TAP Air Portugal offers dedicated cargo service for pets, though specific details are still being verified. This option is typically for larger animals or international relocations. Contact TAP directly for cargo pricing and availability.

Health & Documentation Requirements

Regardless of how your pet travels, you must have:

Health Certificate

A veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of departure is mandatory. This certificate confirms your pet is fit to fly and free from contagious diseases.

  • Schedule your vet appointment at least 2 weeks before travel to ensure availability
  • Get the certificate as close to your departure date as possible (within the 10-day window)
  • Bring the original certificate to the airport — copies may not be accepted

Other Documentation

We're still verifying whether TAP requires government-endorsed certificates or import permits for specific destinations. Always check destination country requirements — some countries have strict import rules. Contact your destination's agricultural or customs authority before booking.

Assistance Animals

Service dogs and other assistance animals follow a separate policy and require documentation. Contact TAP Air Portugal directly for assistance animal travel requirements.

Booking Your Pet's Flight

Advance Booking Required

You must book your pet at least 48 hours before departure. You cannot show up at the airport with a pet without prior arrangement. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight, so early booking is essential.

How to Book

We're still verifying the exact booking method. Contact TAP Air Portugal directly at their pet travel information page: flytap.com/traveling-with-animals/pets

One Pet Per Passenger

You can travel with a maximum of one pet carrier per passenger in the cabin. Some airlines allow two small pets in one carrier, but confirm this with TAP when booking.

What You Need to Do: Pre-Travel Checklist

  • 4-6 weeks before travel: Confirm your pet's breed is not restricted. Check the brachycephalic breed guide if unsure.
  • 4 weeks before travel: Measure your carrier against TAP's dimensions (45×30×23 cm for cabin). Order a new one if needed.
  • 3 weeks before travel: Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate.
  • 2 weeks before travel: Research destination country pet import requirements.
  • 10 days before travel: Get your health certificate from your vet.
  • 48 hours before travel: Book your pet with TAP Air Portugal.
  • 24 hours before travel: Confirm your booking and check-in requirements with TAP.
  • Day of travel: Bring the original health certificate to the airport. Arrive early.

Practical Tips for Flying with Your Pet

  • Acclimate your pet to the carrier: Leave it open at home for a week before travel so your pet feels comfortable inside.
  • Exercise before the flight: A tired pet is a calmer pet. Take your dog for a long walk before heading to the airport.
  • Do not sedate your pet. IATA regulations prohibit sedation during air travel — a sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies. Your vet will not prescribe it for flight.
  • Pack essentials: Bring a collapsible water bowl, treats, and a comfort toy in your carry-on.
  • Microchip your pet: If your pet escapes during travel, a microchip is the best way to reunite you.
  • Pregnant animals cannot fly. If your pet is visibly pregnant, contact TAP before booking.
  • Check weather forecasts: If temperatures are extreme, your pet may be embargoed from travel. Book flexible dates if possible.

Costs Summary

Here's what you'll pay for a one-way flight with a pet on TAP Air Portugal:

  • Dog in cabin: €60
  • Cat in cabin: €40
  • Checked baggage: Pricing not yet verified — contact TAP
  • Health certificate: €50–150 (varies by vet)
  • Carrier (if needed): €30–100

See our pet travel cost guide for more details on budgeting.

Need More Help?

For questions not covered here, contact TAP Air Portugal directly at flytap.com/traveling-with-animals/pets

For a personalized travel plan tailored to your pet and destination, get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo

Data accuracy note: This guide is auto-verified from TAP Air Portugal's official website and updated regularly. Last verified: April 10, 2026. Policies change — always confirm details with TAP before booking.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 10, 2026