Sarah · with Cooper (Golden Retriever, 30kg) “I've relocated internationally 3 times with Cooper.” Meet all guides →
About this guide ↓
This guide was generated by Pawgo's AI using verified data from official sources. Sarah is a fictional persona — the data is real.
Turkish Airlines was the carrier that taught me to read the booking rules as carefully as the weight rules. The cabin allowance is 8 kg including the carrier — standard enough — but the booking deadline is unusually short, and short deadlines cut both ways. Cooper and I have used Istanbul as a connection more than once. Here's what I wish someone had told me about getting the pet onto the reservation.
Turkish Airlines'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 Turkish Airlines handles your pet
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.
In the cabin✓ Accepted
In the hold / cargo✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breedsNot accepted
Cabin policy
Pets accepted✓ Acceptedverified 2026-10-17
Minimum age10 weeksverified 2026-10-17
Advance booking notice6 hoursverified 2026-10-17
Advance booking required✓ Yesverified 2026-10-17
Max pets per passenger1verified 2026-10-17
Nursing allowed✓ Yesverified 2026-10-17
Sedation allowed✗ Noverified 2026-10-17
Banned breeds list
American Bulldog
Bandog
Tosa Inu
Caucasian Ovcharka
Dogue de Bordeaux
Doberman
Presa Canario
Rottweiler
Mastiff (except Bullmastiff)
Wolf Hybrid
Anatolian Shepherd
Boerboel
Bull Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Pitbull Terrier
Japanese Tosa
Dogo Argentino
Fila Brasileiro
American Bully
verified 2026-10-17
Pregnant animals accepted✗ Noverified 2026-10-17
Carrier size40 × 30 × 23 cmverified 2026-10-17
Max weight (pet + crate)8 kgverified 2026-10-17
Crate must have/besoft-sided ok, ventilated, a carrierverified 2026-10-17
Cargo: Crate must have/behard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, a carrierverified 2026-10-17
Health & documents
Health certificate required✓ Yesverified 2026-10-17
A reservation must be completed and confirmed at least six hours before the flight to carry a pet, in the cabin or in the hold. Six hours is a tight floor compared with the industry's usual days, but it is still a hard cut-off. Confirm the pet on the reservation rather than merely requesting it, because an unconfirmed request does not meet the rule.
Snub-nosed breeds are barred from the hold, and the list names Affenpinscher, Pekingese, Pug of all breeds, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu and Japanese Chin among dogs, with Himalayan, Scottish Fold and British Shorthair among cats. Check the breed against the carrier's list before booking a hold place, because the ban applies to the mode rather than the individual animal.
So Turkish: 8 kg in the cabin including the bag, a six-hour confirmed-booking floor, and a hold closed to snub-nosed breeds. Here's what I wish someone had told me — get the pet onto the reservation when you buy the ticket, because six hours sounds generous right up until a schedule change eats it. Build a personalized plan with your dates and we'll check the breed and the mode together.
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.
Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: August 30, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my dog in the cabin on Turkish Airlines?
Yes, Turkish Airlines allows dogs in the cabin. Your pet and carrier combined must weigh under 8 kg. For your specific pet's eligibility, check Pawgo at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
What are the pet carrier size limits for Turkish Airlines?
The cabin carrier limit on Turkish Airlines is 40 x 30 x 23 cm (L x W x H). Exact limits vary by aircraft. Compute your carrier fit at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does Turkish Airlines require a health certificate for pets?
Yes, Turkish Airlines requires a health certificate for pets. Your destination country may have additional requirements — check www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Can I ship my dog as cargo on Turkish Airlines?
Yes, Turkish Airlines offers cargo pet transport. Confirm the carrier's specific crate and documentation requirements with the airline directly before booking. Get the full details at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
How many pets can I bring on Turkish Airlines?
Turkish Airlines allows 2 in the cabin, per passenger. Each pet needs its own carrier.Build my pet's travel plan →
What is the cabin weight limit on Turkish Airlines?
How far in advance must I book my pet on Turkish Airlines?
Add your pet to the booking at least 6 hours before departure — do it when you book the ticket, not at the airport.Build my pet's travel plan →
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.Build my pet's travel plan →
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.Build my pet's travel plan →
Flying Turkish Airlines?
Get a personalized travel checklist for your pet on Turkish Airlines.
