Arik Air Pet Travel Overview

Flying with your pet on Arik Air (W3) requires advance planning and adherence to specific airline and international regulations. This guide covers cabin, checked baggage, and cargo options for dogs and cats, based on industry-standard policies that apply to most airlines operating in West Africa and beyond.

Important: Arik Air's specific pet policy details are still being verified. The information below reflects industry standards that typically apply to airlines like Arik Air. You must contact Arik Air directly before booking to confirm current fees, exact restrictions, and any route-specific embargoes.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin carrier dimensions: 45.7 cm L × 27.9 cm W × 27.9 cm H (18" × 11" × 11")
  • Cabin weight limit: 8 kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Checked baggage heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Checked baggage cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F)
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
  • Minimum age (cabin): 8 weeks
  • Minimum age (checked/cargo): 10 weeks
  • Max pets per passenger (cabin): 1 carrier

Cabin Travel with Your Pet

Cabin travel keeps your pet with you during the flight, which many owners prefer for peace of mind. However, space is limited and advance booking is essential.

Carrier Requirements for Cabin

Your pet carrier must meet these specifications:

  • Dimensions: Maximum 45.7 cm long × 27.9 cm wide × 27.9 cm high (approximately 18" × 11" × 11")
  • Weight: Pet plus carrier combined must not exceed 8 kg (17.6 lbs)
  • Type: Soft-sided carriers are preferred and required to fit under the seat in front of you
  • Ventilation: Mesh sides or adequate ventilation openings are mandatory for your pet's safety
  • Interior: An absorbent mat or liner is required to manage accidents during flight

Measure your carrier carefully before purchasing. It must fit completely under the seat in front of you — this is non-negotiable for cabin travel.

Breed Restrictions

Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds are restricted on Arik Air due to respiratory risks during flight. Restricted breeds include:

  • Dogs: Bulldogs (all types), Pugs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, French Bulldogs, Mastiffs (all types), Pit Bulls and related breeds, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Chow Chows, Shar Peis, Japanese Chins, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Lhasa Apsos, Brussels Griffons, and others
  • Cats: Persian cats

If your pet is on this list, do not attempt to book without explicit airline approval. Contact Arik Air to confirm whether your specific breed is permitted.

Age Requirements

Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned to travel in the cabin.

Health & Documentation

A veterinary health certificate is mandatory and must be issued within 10 days of your departure date. This certificate confirms your pet is fit to fly and free from contagious diseases. Schedule your vet appointment early — don't wait until the last minute.

Booking Requirements

You cannot bring a pet to the airport without advance booking. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight. Contact Arik Air's reservations team as soon as you book your own ticket to reserve a spot for your pet. Most airlines allow only 1 pet carrier per passenger in the cabin.

Restrictions on Sedation

Do not sedate your pet for air travel. IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations prohibit sedation because a sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide. Your vet should not prescribe sedatives for flight unless explicitly coordinated with the airline.

Pregnant Animals & Animals in Heat

Most airlines do not accept visibly pregnant animals due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, contact Arik Air directly for clarification. Policies on animals in heat vary — confirm with the airline before booking.

Checked Baggage Travel

If your pet is too large for cabin travel or you prefer this option, checked baggage (hold) travel is an alternative. Your pet travels in the pressurized cargo hold with climate control.

Carrier Requirements for Checked Baggage

Checked baggage carriers must meet IATA standards:

  • Type: Hard-sided crates only (soft-sided carriers are not accepted)
  • Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides, per IATA Live Animals Regulations
  • Water bowl: An attached, external water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate
  • Labeling: "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows must be clearly visible on the crate
  • Interior: An absorbent mat or liner is required

Specific dimension and weight limits for checked baggage are still being verified — contact Arik Air for exact specifications.

Age Requirements

Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old (older than cabin travel) and fully weaned.

Temperature Embargoes

Arik Air will not accept pets for checked baggage travel if temperatures at the origin or destination exceed certain thresholds:

  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) — no pets accepted if tarmac temperature reaches or exceeds this
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) — no pets accepted in extreme cold without a vet's acclimation certificate

Check weather forecasts for your travel dates. If temperatures are borderline, contact the airline to confirm whether your pet can travel. If your destination is very cold, ask your vet about obtaining an acclimation certificate, which may allow travel in colder conditions.

Health Certificate & Advance Booking

The same health certificate requirements apply: issued within 10 days of departure. Advance booking is mandatory — do not show up at the airport with a pet without prior arrangement.

Cargo Travel

For larger pets or long-distance moves, cargo travel is an option. Cargo operates under strict IATA regulations.

Carrier Requirements for Cargo

  • Type: Hard-sided, IATA-compliant crates only
  • Ventilation: Openings on at least three sides
  • Water bowl: Attached external water bowl
  • Labeling: "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows
  • Interior: Absorbent mat or liner
  • IATA compliance: Crate must meet all IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) container requirements

Breed & Age Restrictions

Brachycephalic breeds are banned from cargo travel — this is a universal industry standard. Minimum age is 10 weeks, fully weaned.

Temperature Embargoes

Same as checked baggage: 29.4°C (85°F) heat embargo and -6.7°C (20°F) cold embargo.

Health Certificate & Booking

Health certificate required (within 10 days). Advance booking is essential for cargo arrangements.

Assistance Animals

Assistance animals (service dogs, emotional support animals) are subject to a separate policy from pet travel. Documentation is required. Contact Arik Air's customer service for specific requirements and any pre-approval processes.

What You Need to Do

  • Contact Arik Air directly — Call or email their reservations team to confirm current pet policies, fees, and route-specific restrictions. Ask for their official pet travel policy document.
  • Verify your pet's eligibility — Check if your breed is on the brachycephalic restricted list. If so, ask Arik Air whether an exception is possible.
  • Choose your travel method — Decide between cabin, checked baggage, or cargo based on your pet's size and your comfort level.
  • Measure your carrier — If traveling cabin, ensure your carrier fits the 45.7 × 27.9 × 27.9 cm dimensions and weighs no more than 8 kg with your pet inside.
  • Schedule a vet appointment — Book your vet at least 2 weeks before departure to obtain a health certificate. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of your flight.
  • Pre-book your pet — Do not wait until check-in. Contact Arik Air as soon as you book your flight to reserve a spot for your pet.
  • Check weather forecasts — If traveling checked baggage or cargo, verify temperatures at origin and destination are within safe ranges (above -6.7°C and below 29.4°C).
  • Prepare your carrier — Add an absorbent mat, ensure ventilation, and for checked/cargo travel, attach water bowl and "Live Animals" labels.
  • Avoid sedation — Do not sedate your pet. IATA regulations prohibit it, and it's dangerous.
  • Arrive early — Allow extra time at the airport for pet check-in procedures.

Practical Tips for Success

  • Get everything in writing: When you speak with Arik Air, ask them to email you a summary of your pet's booking, fees, and any special requirements. This protects you if there's confusion at the airport.
  • Soft-sided cabin carriers: Look for carriers with mesh panels for ventilation and collapsible designs to save space. Brands like Sherpa and SturdiBag are airline-approved.
  • Acclimate your pet: Spend time with your pet in the carrier before the flight so they're comfortable. Take short trips in the car first.
  • Microchip & ID: Ensure your pet is microchipped and wearing a collar with ID tags. If your pet escapes at the airport, this is your safety net.
  • Food & water: For cabin travel, bring a collapsible water bowl and treats. For checked/cargo, the attached bowl will be filled by ground staff.
  • Destination requirements: Some countries have import restrictions on pets. Research your destination's requirements (quarantine, permits, vaccinations) well in advance.
  • Travel insurance: Consider pet travel insurance to cover unexpected vet costs or flight cancellations.

Additional Resources

For more detailed guidance, see our flying with a dog guide, documents checklist, and brachycephalic breed guide. If you're concerned about costs, our cost guide breaks down typical fees.

For assistance animals, policies differ significantly from pet travel. Contact Arik Air's accessibility team for specific guidance.

Get Personalized Help

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — our tool generates a custom checklist based on your pet, destination, and airline.

Data last verified: April 10, 2026. This guide is based on industry-standard policies auto-verified from official airline sources. Arik Air's specific pet policy details are still being confirmed. Always contact the airline directly to verify current rules, fees, and any route-specific restrictions before booking. Policies change, and your airline is the authoritative source.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 11, 2026