Volotea is a cabin-only airline for pets, and once you accept that, it's simple. Mochi rides in a soft carrier under the seat — there is no hold option at all, so a small dog or cat is the only way to fly Volotea with an animal. For short European hops with a lap-sized pet, it's one of the easier bookings I make.
Volotea'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 Volotea treats your pet
Cabin policy
Hold policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds | Not yet documented | — | |
| Minimum age | 8 weeks old | 95% |
Cargo policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pets accepted | Not accepted in the cargo | 75% | |
| Minimum age | 8 weeks old | 95% | |
| Advance booking | Add to booking ≥ 48 h before departure | 85% |
Volotea requires the pet to be added to the booking in advance — cabin animal slots are limited and cannot be arranged at the gate. Add the pet at least 24 hours before departure, and check in at the airport counter rather than online, since a pet booking has to be validated in person. A pet added too late may not be accepted.
Frequently asked
- How many pets can I bring on Volotea?
- Volotea allows 1 in the cabin, per passenger. Each pet needs its own carrier.
- What is the cabin weight limit on Volotea?
- In the cabin, your pet plus its carrier must not exceed 10 kg.
- How much does it cost to fly a pet on Volotea?
- On flights within Metropolitan France, Volotea charges from 60 EUR in the cabin, one way per pet. Longer routes cost more — price your exact itinerary.
- How far in advance must I book my pet on Volotea?
- Add your pet to the booking at least 24 hours before departure — do it when you book the ticket, not at the airport.
- 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.
Volotea's cabin pet fee depends on where you book it: about 39 EUR when added online or through the call center, rising to roughly 60 EUR if arranged at the airport. The fee is per pet, per flight segment. Add the animal during the original online booking to pay the lower rate, and treat the airport price as the penalty for waiting.
Volotea is a yes for small pets and a flat no for anything that needs the hold — knowing that up front saves a lot of frustration. Mochi flies these routes on the online fee, booked early, carrier measured. Confirm your pet fits the cabin carrier, add it online to lock the lower fee, then build your personalized Pawgo plan so the booking, documents and destination rules all line up before you go.
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.