Published in 2025 / Updated in 2026
Air France is generally very pet-friendly, but they don’t just let any party animal on board. To ensure your “paws-port” is in order, follow these expert guidelines.
1. How Many Pets Can Tag Along?
In the cabin, it’s a solo act: only 1 pet per passenger is allowed. If you’re traveling with a whole pack, you’ll need to enlist some human friends or look into the hold/cargo options. In the hold, you can typically bring up to 3 animals, though this depends on the aircraft’s “guest list” (space availability).
2. The Paperwork: More Than Just a Paw Print
Before you even think about packing the treats, you need prior permission from Air France. This isn’t a “show up and surprise them” situation—add your pet to your booking at least 48 hours in advance.
- Identification: Your pet must be microchipped (ISO-compliant).
- European Passport: For travel within the EU, a European pet passport is your golden ticket.
- Vaccinations: A valid rabies vaccination certificate is non-negotiable.Pro Tip: For most international routes, your pet must be at least 15 weeks old (to allow for the 12-week vaccine + 21-day wait period). For domestic flights within France, the age limit drops to 8 weeks.
In-Cabin Travel: Flying in Style (Economy & Premium)
If your pet is small enough to be a “lap dog” (well, an “under-the-seat dog”), they can join you in the cabin—with a few caveats.
- The Weight Limit: Up to 8 kg (17.6 lbs) including their carrier. If your cat has been hitting the kibble a bit too hard, it’s time for a pre-flight diet!
- The Carrier: Only soft-sided bags are allowed in the cabin. The dimensions must not exceed 46 x 28 x 24 cm. It must be well-ventilated and fit snugly under the seat in front of you.
- Business Class Alert: Here’s the “paw-se” in the plan: Pets are not allowed in the Business cabin on intercontinental flights. If you’re flying long-haul and want your pet in the cabin, you’ll be sticking to Economy or Premium Economy. However, pets are welcome in Business Class for flights within Europe!
Cargo & Hold Policy: For the Big Barkers
If your pet is over 8 kg, they’ll be heading to the “VIP lounge” downstairs (the hold).
- Weight Range: From 8 kg to 75 kg. Anything over 75 kg (including the crate) has to go via Air France-KLM Cargo.
- Crate Requirements: Unlike the cabin, the hold requires a rigid, IATA-approved plastic or fiberglass crate. No wheels allowed!
🛑 Breed Restrictions (The Snub-Nosed Rule)
Air France takes pet health seriously. Because they can have trouble breathing at high altitudes, snub-nosed (brachycephalic) animals are strictly prohibited from the hold. This includes:
- Dogs: Pugs, Boxers, Bulldogs, Pekingese, Shih Tzus, Boston Terriers, etc.
- Cats: Persian and Burmese.
- Note: These breeds are usually allowed in the cabin if they meet the weight and size requirements.
2026 Pet Travel Costs (One-Way)
Flying isn’t free, and neither is your pet’s ticket. Here is the latest breakdown of what you can expect to pay:
| Destination | Cabin Fee | Hold Fee |
| Within Metropolitan France | €70 | €100 |
| Within the Caribbean | €125 | €200 |
| Europe / North Africa / Israel | €125 | €200 |
| Intercontinental / Other | €200 | €400 |
Final Expert Tips for a Smooth Flight
- No Exit Rows: You cannot sit in an exit row or bulkhead seat if you have a pet in the cabin.
- The “No-Exit” Policy: Once your pet is in the bag, they stay in the bag. No “just a quick head pat” mid-flight!
- Check the Destination: Countries like the UK, Ireland, and UAE have much stricter rules and often require pets to arrive as manifest cargo only.
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