Can You Fly with Pets on Vueling?
Yes, Vueling allows both dogs and cats to travel with you. You have two main options: bring your pet in the cabin with you, or arrange cargo transport. Each option has different rules, costs, and requirements.
The good news: Vueling's cabin pet policy is straightforward and reasonably priced. The important part: you must book in advance by phone, and your pet must meet specific health and breed requirements.
Key Numbers at a Glance
- Cabin pet fee: €55 one-way per pet
- Cabin carrier dimensions: 40cm (L) × 20cm (W) × 25cm (H)
- Cabin carrier weight limit: 10kg (pet + carrier combined)
- Maximum pets per passenger: 1 pet in cabin
- Minimum pet age (cabin): 16 weeks
- Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
- Booking method: Phone only (no online booking)
- Temperature embargo (cargo): Above 29.4°C (85°F) or below -6.7°C (20°F)
Cabin Travel: Flying with Your Pet Beside You
If your pet is small enough, cabin travel is the most comfortable option. Your pet stays with you throughout the flight in an approved carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.
Carrier Requirements for Cabin
Your carrier must meet these exact dimensions:
- Length: Maximum 40cm
- Width: Maximum 20cm
- Height: Maximum 25cm
- Combined weight: Pet + carrier cannot exceed 10kg
Carrier type: Soft-sided carriers are preferred and recommended for cabin travel, as they compress slightly to fit under the seat. Hard-sided carriers may not fit in the cabin space.
Essential features: Your carrier must have adequate ventilation (mesh panels are standard) and include an absorbent liner or mat inside to manage any accidents during the flight.
Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Dogs and Cats
Vueling does not allow certain flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds in the cabin due to respiratory risks during flight. Banned breeds include:
- Bulldogs
- Pugs
- Boston Terriers
For cats, Persian cats are restricted. If you have a brachycephalic breed not listed here, contact Vueling directly to confirm whether your pet is eligible.
Important: These restrictions exist because flat-faced breeds struggle to regulate body temperature and breathe normally in pressurized cabin environments. This is an industry-wide safety standard.
Age Requirements
Your pet must be at least 16 weeks old to travel in the cabin. Younger puppies and kittens are not permitted.
Health & Medical Requirements
Health certificate: You must obtain a veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of your departure date. This certificate confirms your pet is fit to fly and free from contagious diseases.
Pregnant animals: Vueling does not accept visibly pregnant pets for cabin travel due to health risks. If your pet is pregnant, contact the airline directly before booking.
Sedation: Do not sedate your pet. IATA regulations prohibit sedation during air travel because sedated animals cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide.
Checked Baggage & Cargo: Alternative Options
If your pet is too large for cabin travel or you prefer not to bring them in the cabin, Vueling offers checked baggage and cargo options. However, we're still verifying specific details about Vueling's checked baggage and cargo policies — contact Vueling directly for current rates, carrier specifications, and booking procedures.
What we know from industry standards:
- Checked baggage and cargo require hard-sided, IATA-compliant crates (not soft-sided)
- Crates must have ventilation on at least three sides
- An attached water bowl must be accessible from outside the crate
- "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows are required
- Absorbent liners are mandatory
- Minimum age is 10 weeks (younger than cabin travel)
- Temperature embargoes apply: flights are cancelled if temperatures exceed 29.4°C (85°F) or drop below -6.7°C (20°F) at origin or destination
- Brachycephalic breeds are restricted
- Health certificates (10 days validity) are required
- Advance booking is mandatory
Booking Your Pet on Vueling
Phone booking only: You cannot book a pet online through Vueling's website. You must call Vueling directly to arrange pet travel. This ensures the airline can confirm availability and answer specific questions about your pet.
Advance booking required: Book as early as possible. Vueling limits the number of pets per flight, and slots fill up quickly, especially on popular routes.
One pet per passenger: You can bring a maximum of one pet per passenger in the cabin.
Cost: €55 one-way per pet in the cabin. This fee is separate from your ticket and is non-refundable once booked.
Special Rules During Flight
Your pet must remain in the carrier at all times: Your pet cannot be removed from the carrier during boarding, throughout the flight, or during landing. This is a safety requirement for both your pet and other passengers.
Plan accordingly: if your flight is long, ensure your pet has access to water and is comfortable in the carrier. Consider a shorter flight if possible, or use cargo for longer journeys.
Assistance Animals
Assistance animals (service dogs, guide dogs, emotional support animals) follow a separate policy from regular pets. Documentation is required. Contact Vueling directly for specific requirements and any pre-approval processes.
What You Need to Do: Pre-Flight Checklist
- 6-8 weeks before departure: Call Vueling to check pet availability and book your pet's seat. Have your flight details ready.
- 4 weeks before departure: Schedule a vet appointment to obtain a health certificate. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of departure, so timing is critical.
- 2 weeks before departure: Purchase or confirm your soft-sided carrier meets Vueling's dimensions (40×20×25cm, max 10kg total weight). Test your pet in the carrier to ensure comfort.
- 1 week before departure: Confirm your booking with Vueling by phone. Verify all pet details are correct.
- 10 days before departure: Visit your vet and obtain the health certificate. Keep it with your travel documents.
- Day before departure: Pack the carrier with an absorbent liner. Bring water and a collapsible bowl for the airport (not for the flight itself).
- Day of departure: Arrive at the airport early. Inform check-in staff that you're traveling with a pet. Have your health certificate ready for inspection.
Temperature Restrictions & Seasonal Travel
For cargo and checked baggage travel, Vueling follows industry temperature embargoes:
- Heat embargo: Flights are cancelled if tarmac temperatures exceed 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination
- Cold embargo: Flights are cancelled if temperatures drop below -6.7°C (20°F)
These restrictions protect pets from extreme temperatures during ground handling. If you're traveling during summer or winter, check weather forecasts for your departure and arrival cities. A vet-issued acclimation certificate may allow cargo travel in colder conditions — ask your vet.
Cabin travel is not subject to these temperature embargoes because the cabin is climate-controlled.
Practical Tips for Flying with Pets on Vueling
- Microchip your pet: While not required by Vueling, microchipping is essential in case your pet escapes at the airport or during travel.
- Update ID tags: Ensure your phone number is current on your pet's collar tag.
- Bring vaccination records: Even though a health certificate is required, carry vaccination records as backup, especially if traveling internationally.
- Acclimate your pet to the carrier: Spend weeks before travel letting your pet spend time in the carrier at home. This reduces stress on flight day.
- Avoid feeding right before flight: Feed your pet 3-4 hours before departure to reduce the risk of motion sickness or accidents in the carrier.
- Bring familiar items: Pack a small blanket or toy that smells like home to comfort your pet during travel.
- Plan for connections: If you have a layover, ask airport staff where you can briefly remove your pet from the carrier in a secure area (though this depends on airport facilities).
International Travel Considerations
If you're flying to another country, additional requirements may apply beyond Vueling's policy:
- Import permits or licenses for your destination country
- Rabies vaccination records
- Microchip registration in your destination country
- Quarantine requirements (some countries require this)
Check the specific requirements for your destination country well in advance. Vueling's health certificate is a starting point, but it may not satisfy all destination country regulations.
Need More Help?
For detailed guidance on pet travel documents, costs, and breed-specific rules, check out our pet travel documents checklist, brachycephalic breed guide, and pet travel costs guide.
For a personalized travel plan tailored to your pet and route, get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo.
Contact Vueling About Pet Travel
Since pet booking is phone-only, contact Vueling's customer service directly. Have your flight number, pet details (breed, age, weight), and carrier dimensions ready when you call.
Data accuracy note: This guide is based on Vueling's official pet policy as verified on April 11, 2026. Policies can change. Always confirm current requirements directly with Vueling before booking, especially for international travel or if your pet has special needs.
Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 11, 2026