Flying with Pets on Widerøe: What You Need to Know

I see pet travel rejections at my clinic every week, and most of them are preventable. The most common mistake I see is people booking their pet's flight without checking the carrier dimensions or getting a health certificate in time. When I flew with Pixel, my 7kg Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, I learned that Widerøe has specific rules—and following them exactly makes the difference between a smooth departure and being turned away at the gate.

Here's what I tell my clients: book your pet in advance, get your paperwork 10 days before departure, and measure your carrier before you buy it. This guide covers everything Widerøe requires for dogs and cats traveling in the cabin, checked baggage, or cargo.

Can Your Pet Fly on Widerøe?

Yes—dogs and cats are allowed in the cabin. Widerøe accepts pets in the cabin, checked baggage, and cargo. However, not every pet qualifies. Your animal must meet age, health, breed, and carrier requirements.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin fee: 579 NOK one-way (domestic); 749 NOK international
  • Cabin carrier max weight: 8 kg (pet + carrier combined)
  • Cabin carrier dimensions: 40 cm L × 25 cm W × 23 cm H
  • Minimum age: 8 weeks (cabin); 10 weeks (checked baggage/cargo)
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
  • Max pets per passenger: 1 carrier in cabin
  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) at origin or destination
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) at origin or destination

Cabin Travel: The Best Option for Most Pets

If your pet is small enough, cabin travel is the safest and most comfortable option. Your pet stays with you in the cabin under the seat in front of you.

Cabin Carrier Requirements

Soft-sided carriers only. Hard-sided crates don't fit under the seat. Your carrier must be collapsible or flexible.

Exact dimensions:

  • Length: 40 cm (15.7 inches)
  • Width: 25 cm (9.8 inches)
  • Height: 23 cm (9 inches)

The most common mistake I see is buying a carrier that's "close enough" to these specs. It won't fit. Measure before you buy. When I traveled with Pixel, I tested the carrier at the airport beforehand—it slid under the seat with about 2 cm to spare.

Weight limit: 8 kg total (pet + carrier). This includes the carrier itself. Pixel weighs 7 kg, so my carrier had to weigh 1 kg or less. Check the carrier weight on the product label.

Ventilation required. Mesh sides are standard. Your pet needs to breathe.

Absorbent liner required. Line the bottom with an absorbent mat or puppy pad. Accidents happen during flight.

Cabin Booking & Fees

  • Book online. You can add your pet when booking your flight or contact Widerøe directly.
  • Advance booking required. Don't show up at the airport with a pet. Airlines limit pets per flight. Book at least a few days ahead.
  • Domestic flights: 549–579 NOK one-way
  • International flights: 749 NOK one-way
  • Booking closer to departure costs more. Book early to lock in the lower rate.

Checked Baggage & Cargo: For Larger Pets

If your pet is too large for a cabin carrier, checked baggage or cargo is the alternative. However, this is more stressful for your pet and requires more paperwork.

Hard-Sided Crate Requirements

  • Hard-sided IATA-compliant crate only. Soft carriers are not accepted.
  • Attached water bowl. The crate must have a water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside without opening the crate.
  • Ventilation on at least three sides. Per IATA Live Animals Regulations.
  • Absorbent liner inside. Required to manage accidents.
  • "Live Animals" labels required. With orientation arrows. These come with IATA-compliant crates.

Temperature Restrictions

Widerøe will not transport pets in checked baggage or cargo if temperatures are too extreme:

  • Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F) or higher at origin or destination
  • Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F) or lower at origin or destination

If your destination is too hot or cold, you may need an acclimation certificate from your vet. Contact Widerøe to confirm.

Minimum Age for Checked/Cargo

10 weeks minimum. Your pet must be fully weaned. Cabin travel allows 8 weeks; checked and cargo require 10 weeks.

Breed Restrictions: Brachycephalic Breeds Are Banned

Most airlines, including Widerøe, restrict snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. This applies to cabin, checked baggage, and cargo.

Here's the thing: I have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and Cavaliers are on the restricted list. When I booked Pixel's flight, I had to confirm directly with Widerøe that my specific dog was acceptable. Some airlines allow individual exceptions; others don't. Don't assume your breed is allowed.

Commonly Restricted Breeds

Dogs: Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all types), Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Pug (all types), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel.

Cats: British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, Scottish Fold.

If your breed is on this list, contact Widerøe before booking. Some airlines make exceptions; others don't. Don't risk being denied at the gate.

Health Certificate: Non-Negotiable

This is the paperwork that gets rejected most often at my clinic. Here's exactly what you need:

  • Issued by a licensed veterinarian. Your vet must examine your pet in person.
  • Issued within 10 days of departure. Some destinations require 7 days. Get it as close to departure as possible.
  • Valid for 10 days from issue date. If your flight is on day 11, you need a new certificate.
  • Required for all travel modes: cabin, checked baggage, and cargo.

The most common mistake I see is clients getting the certificate too early. A certificate issued 15 days before departure will be expired by the time they fly. Schedule your vet appointment for 7–10 days before your flight.

When I took Pixel to my clinic for her certificate, I brought her vaccination records, microchip information, and a copy of my flight booking. The vet confirmed she was healthy, checked her microchip, and issued the certificate on the spot. It took 15 minutes.

Other Health & Behavioral Requirements

Sedation Is Prohibited

Do not sedate your pet. IATA Live Animals Regulations prohibit sedation during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain equilibrium or respond to emergencies. This applies to all commercial airlines worldwide. Unless both your vet and Widerøe explicitly approve sedation in writing, don't do it.

Pregnant Animals Not Accepted

Widerøe does not accept visibly pregnant animals. If your pet is pregnant, contact the airline directly to confirm.

Animals in Heat

We're still verifying Widerøe's specific policy on animals in heat—contact Widerøe directly if this applies to your pet.

Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals

We're still verifying Widerøe's policies on service dogs and ESAs. Contact Widerøe directly for information on fees, documentation, and breed exemptions.

What You Need to Do: Step-by-Step Checklist

4–6 Weeks Before Travel

  • Check your pet's breed against the restricted list. If restricted, contact Widerøe to confirm eligibility.
  • Measure your pet. Will they fit in a cabin carrier (8 kg max) or do you need checked baggage/cargo?
  • Research and purchase the correct carrier. Test it to ensure it fits under an airplane seat (if cabin).
  • Book your flight and add your pet during booking (or contact Widerøe to add them).

10 Days Before Travel

  • Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate. Bring vaccination records and microchip info.
  • Get the health certificate issued. Confirm it's valid for 10 days from the issue date.
  • Make a copy for your records.

3–5 Days Before Travel

  • Confirm your pet's booking with Widerøe (call or check your reservation).
  • Pack your pet's essentials: food, water, bowls, leash, collar, ID tag, microchip info, health certificate, vaccination records.
  • For checked baggage/cargo: ensure your crate has water bowl, absorbent liner, and "Live Animals" labels.
  • For cabin: pack absorbent pads for the carrier.

Day of Travel

  • Arrive at the airport early (at least 2 hours before domestic, 3 hours before international).
  • Bring your health certificate and any other documents.
  • Check in your pet at the ticket counter or pet desk.
  • For cabin travel: keep your pet in the carrier under the seat during flight.
  • For checked/cargo: say goodbye at check-in and collect your pet at baggage claim or cargo office.

Common Questions

Can I bring two small pets in one carrier?

Industry standard allows 1 pet carrier per passenger. Two small pets in one carrier may be possible, but contact Widerøe to confirm.

What if my pet has a medical condition?

Discuss this with your vet and Widerøe. Some conditions may require additional documentation or may disqualify your pet from flying.

Can I feed my pet during the flight?

For short flights, no. For longer flights, contact Widerøe about feeding policies. Keep food and water bowls in your carry-on.

What if the flight is delayed or cancelled?

Contact Widerøe immediately. Your pet's welfare is the priority. The airline will advise on rebooking or care during delays.

Final Tips from a Traveling Vet

Flying with Pixel taught me that preparation is everything. Here's what I always tell my clients:

  • Start early. Don't book your flight and then scramble for a health certificate. Plan 4–6 weeks ahead.
  • Measure twice, buy once. Carrier dimensions are non-negotiable. Measure your pet and the carrier before purchase.
  • Get the health certificate 7–10 days before departure. Not earlier, not later.
  • Confirm your pet's booking 3 days before travel. Call Widerøe to ensure everything is in order.
  • Bring extra documents. Vaccination records, microchip info, and a photo of your pet. You won't need them, but they help if something goes wrong.
  • Stay calm. Your pet picks up on your stress. If you're anxious, they'll be anxious. Take a breath—you've done the work.

For a comprehensive overview of pet travel costs and planning, see our pet travel costs guide. If you're flying with a brachycephalic breed, read our brachycephalic breed flying guide. And for a complete documents checklist, check our documents checklist.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo—it walks you through every step and generates a custom checklist for your pet and destination.

Data auto-verified from official Widerøe sources and industry standards. Last updated: January 2025. Always confirm details directly with Widerøe before booking, as policies may change.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 23, 2026