British Airways Pet Policy 2026

In order to guarantee the secure and comfortable transportation of animals on both local and international flights, British Airways has a thorough pet policy. The airline offers instructions to make the trip less stressful because it recognizes the value of pets as part of the family. Clear guidelines for shipping cats, dogs, and other animals, whether as assistance animals or cargo, are laid out in the British Airways pet policy 2026. The air operator guarantees safe and climate-controlled pet facilities by closely adhering to this policy. Hence, British Airways is a dependable option for passengers who want to travel with their dogs because of its effective services, which are coordinated with IAG Cargo. 

What is the Pet Policy of British Airways?

The pet policy of British Airways provides thorough instructions for both domestic and international travel, ensuring that pets can travel in safety and comfort. 

• On all flights operated by British Airways, emotional support dogs are not permitted to travel in the cabin. 
• British Airways does not take pets that have been drugged or tranquilized as per the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) guidelines. 
• At high elevations, pets who have received sedatives or tranquilizers are more susceptible to cardiovascular and respiratory issues.

Pets Flying to the United States

Additional guidelines have been implemented by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for all canines entering the nation.

• Based on the British Airways pets policy, an online CDC Dog Import Form must be filled out.
• Before fliers may travel with pets, they will need to give the CDC extra proof of immunization if the dog has visited a high-risk rabies country within the last six months. 
• Only the six airports with CDC Animal Care Facilities, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Washington, New York, Miami, and Philadelphia, will admit the dog if travelers do not have a current U.S.-issued vaccination certificate or an export health certificate that has been certified by the USDA. 
• The facility will require them to schedule an appointment directly.

Animals Flying to the UK

Owing to UK entry requirements, tourists with British Airways pet travel must get in touch with the UK Animal Reception Centre and obtain pre-approval at least 72 hours prior to their travel.

• If they do not meet this condition, they will not be allowed to go to the UK.
• The UK Government’s Pet Travel Scheme standards must be met by any canines entering the country.
• Without a pre-approval document for admission into the UK, customers and their dogs will not be permitted to board their aircraft.
• An inspector from the Animal Reception Centre will greet them and the dog at the airport upon their arrival in the UK and complete the necessary clearance procedures.
• Once the pets on British Airways have been cleared to enter the nation, the Animal Reception Center officer will attach a tag that reads ‘Pet Travel Scheme Entry Check Passed’ to their harness.
• A British Airways employee will be able to take the dog to a relief area when the clearance checks are finished, and they will then be able to follow fliers through Customs and Immigration.

Note: Before guests fly, please get in touch with the airline or franchise partner if the trip is being run by them. They may have different procedures for scheduling an assistance dog.

British Airways Pets in Cabin

In order to ensure passenger comfort and safety, British Airways prohibits most pets in the cabin, with the exception of approved assistance dogs.

• They are permitted to bring one kennel as a carry-on item on American flights if:
  • The carry-on pets British Airways fee is paid by them.
  • Throughout the whole trip, the pet remains in the kennel and beneath the seat in front of them.
• Although fliers are allowed to bring one personal item and a pet carrier on their flights, they are not allowed to bring a carry-on bag. 
• Their carry-on bag will be swapped out for the kennel.

Note: The pet must travel with American Airlines Cargo if it is too big to fit in the cabin. 

British Airways Pet Travel as Checked Luggage

Only active-duty members of the US military and US State Department Foreign Service employees traveling on official business are permitted to check dogs. 

• Up to two British Airways pets are allowed, but they must fit the destination’s minimum age and health standards. 
• Due to limited space, checked pets are admitted on a first-come basis.
• When examining a pet, customers must:
  • Reservations should be contacted at least 48 hours before departure.
  • Present the official orders at the ticket counter to check in.

• Visitors should give themselves additional time to check in, i.e., at least two hours, but no more than four hours before the trip.
• They can work with an agent to finish a checklist.
• Further, they are required to present a certificate of health.

There are particular requirements for the British Airways flying pets’ kennel while checking them in:

• Enough room for the pet to sit, stand, turn, and lie down in a natural posture.
• Passengers must not go beyond the aircraft’s maximum size restrictions.
• The total pet and kennel weight cannot be more than 100 pounds (45 kg).
• A kennel should be composed of materials such as plastic, metal, or wood.
• It must have a cast or welded metal door that is fastened with bolts or screws on both the top and bottom.
• A kennel should fasten independently using release cable ties on each of the four corners. 
• It must be sufficiently hard and secure to prevent the animal from escaping through openings or prodding any portion of its body through the container.
• British Airways flying with pets’ kennel should have a door that is securely latched to prevent leaks and escape.
• For domestic travel in the United States, it has ventilation on at least three sides; for foreign travel, it has ventilation on four sides.
• Make sure the kennel’s food and watering dishes are firmly fastened.
• A little 24-hour food bag should be fastened to the top.
• Further, it should have clean and absorbent materials.
• Two of the pets must be in the same kennel when one travels with them:
  • Two dogs or two cats of the same species
  • Comparable in size and weighing under 20 pounds (9.07 kg) each.
  • 8 weeks to 6 months of age.

Pet Travel in First/Business Class on American Airlines

If you’re flying First or Business Class on an A321T aircraft, here’s what you need to know about traveling with pets:

• Pets must remain in their kennel throughout the flight.
• During taxi, takeoff, landing, and turbulence, kennels must be placed in a designated pet-friendly compartment at the front of the cabin.
• The combined weight of your pet and carrier must not exceed 20 lbs (9.07 kg), and will be verified at check-in.

Pet Capacity Limits

• American Airlines: Up to 7 kennels per flight (excluding service animals).
• American Eagle: Up to 5 kennels, with only 1 allowed in First Class.
• Advance planning is essential—contact Reservations to secure space for your pet.

Aircraft Restrictions for Carry-On Pets

Due to limited underseat storage, carry-on pets are not permitted in First or Business Class on the following aircraft:

• Boeing 777-200
• Boeing 777-300
• Boeing 787-8
• Boeing 787-9

Sedation Policy

In line with American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommendations, sedated or tranquilized pets are not accepted for travel. Sedation increases the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular complications at high altitudes.

British Airways Pet Cargo

Pets that are unable to travel in the cabin are guaranteed a safe and enjoyable journey with British Airways cargo pets service. Pets are carried in climate-controlled conditions under IAG Cargo’s “LIVE Animals” program. The airline provides safe handling and specialized care for the animals during the flight, adhering to international animal welfare standards.

What is the British Airways Pets Policy for Assistance Animals?

All of British Airways’ flights allow visitors to bring assistance dogs in the cabin for free. A person with a medical condition or impairment, whether apparent or invisible, can benefit from the help of a trained assistance dog. On a British Airways flight, these dogs can fly in the aircraft cabin without incident. In order for the assistance dog to accompany visitors on a trip, they need to:

• Be taught how to perform particular duties to help someone with a disability or medical condition by:
  • An authorized representative of the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) or Assistance Dogs International (ADI).
  • Obtained the Assistance Dog Assessment Association’s accreditation.
  • If proof of training is available, then they should be trained to the same or greater standards than these organizations.
• Exhibit proper conduct both in public and when flying, having received behavioral instruction.
• Assistance animals should stay under the authority at all times.
• The dog must travel as a domestic pet if it is an emotional support dog or does not fit any of the aforementioned requirements.
• The only paperwork customers will need to fill out for direct flights between the US and the UK is the US DoT Service Animal Forms.

Understanding the British Airways International Pet Policy

The British Airways international pet policy permits pets to fly as cargo through IAG Cargo, guaranteeing secure, controlled transport around the globe. The only pets allowed in the cabin are service dogs. For foreign flights, the airline prioritizes pet safety by adhering to IATA rules, which call for authorized carriers, health certificates, and advance reservations.

Guidelines for Pet Kennels as Checked Luggage

All checked baggage fees apply, and pet strollers need to be checked at the ticket office. The health and welfare of carry-on pets are not the airline’s responsibility. These guidelines are followed:

• According to the British Airways pet policy 2026, pets must fit comfortably inside the closed or zippered carrier and be able to stand and turn around.
• Non-collapsible kennels cannot be larger than the underseat space of any aircraft that fliers are traveling in. 
• To confirm the maximum dimensions, please get in touch with reservations.
• Soft-sided collapsible kennels are advised.
• They can be a little bigger, but they must still fit beneath the seat without collapsing too much. 
• Further, they must be waterproof, padded, safe, and equipped with three or more sides of nylon mesh ventilation.

Sizes of Carry-On Kennels

• Hard-sided kennel
  • American Airlines Mainline Flights: 19* 13* 9 inches (48 x 33 x 22 cm) (length + breadth + height).
  • Length + breadth + height for American Eagle regional flights: 16* 12* 8 inches or 40* 30* 20 cm.

• A Soft-Sided Kennel: The measurement of a soft-sided British Airways pet cabin kennel is 18* 11* 11 inches (length + breadth + height) or 46* 28* 28 cm.

Note: To confirm the maximum dimensions, get in touch with reservations.

Taking an A321T First or Business Flight

During the flights, pets must remain in their kennels and be kept in a special animal-friendly area at the front of the aircraft during taxiing, takeoff, landing, and turbulence.

• When weighed at check-in, the total weight of the carrier and the pet cannot be more than 20 pounds (9.07 kg).
• Except for assistance animals, seven kennels are allowed on American airplanes.
• In compliance with the pet policy of British Airways, American Eagle flights have five kennels, with one in First

Fees for British Airways Pets

British Airways’ pet fees are determined by size, weight, and destination; IAG Cargo is used to ensure safe transportation.

Service	Region	Fees
Cargo pet	Varies	Varies; British Airways pet cargo cost will be verified at the time of reservation.
Service animals	All routes	No cost
Only active-duty US military and State Department employees had their pets checked.	Within the United States and between the United Kingdom and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean, and Europe	Each kennel costs USD 200USD 150 to Brazil and back
Carry on pet	Depending on the entry policies of each nation, within and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean	Each kennel costs USD 125

Breed Restrictions on British Airways Pets

In line with the British Airways pets policy, certain snub-nosed dogs and cats are prohibited from flying with British Airways due to breed limitations for their safety.

Dog Restrictions

British Airways does not accept any’mix’ of brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs as checked pets, including:

• Affenpinscher
• Boston Terrier
• Brussels Griffon
• Cane Corso
• Dogue De Bordeaux
• Japanese Chin
• Mastiff (all breeds)
• Pit Bull
• Pug (all breeds)
• Shih Tzu
• Tibetan Spaniel
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Boxer (all breeds)
• Bulldog (all breeds)
• Chow Chow
• English Toy Spaniel
• Lhasa Apso
• Pekingese
• Presa Canario
• Shar Pei
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Cat Restrictions

As per the British Airways pet travel policy, it does not accept any’mix’ of brachycephalic cats as checked pets, including:

• Burmese
• Himalayan
• Persian
• Exotic Shorthair

Connecting Flights for Checked Pets

When traveling with checked pets on connecting flights, transfers are only permitted through select U.S. airports. These approved connection hubs include:

• Charlotte, NC (CLT)
• Chicago O’Hare, IL (ORD)
• Dallas/Fort Worth, TX (DFW)
• Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
• New York JFK, NY (JFK)
• New York LaGuardia, NY (LGA)
• Miami, FL (MIA)
• Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
• Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
• Washington Reagan, DC (DCA)

Temperature Restrictions for Pet Travel on American Airlines

To ensure the safety of pets traveling via American Airlines Cargo or as checked baggage, strict temperature guidelines are in place to prevent exposure to extreme heat or cold:

• Sensitive areas include: animal holding zones, terminal facilities, transfer routes between terminal and aircraft, and planes awaiting departure.

Heat Restrictions

Pet travel is prohibited if the current or forecasted temperature exceeds 85°F (29.4°C) at any point in your itinerary.

Additionally, pets not traveling in the cabin are not permitted to fly to, from, or through the following cities between May 1 and September 30 due to high temperatures:

• Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
• Tucson, AZ (TUS)
• Las Vegas, NV (LAS)
• Palm Springs, CA (PSP)

Cold Restrictions

Pet travel is also restricted if the ground temperature falls below 45°F (7.2°C) at any location on your route.

A waiver may be granted for cold-weather travel if you provide a signed letter from a licensed veterinarian that includes:

• Your name and address
• Your pet’s name
• Veterinarian’s name, signature, accreditation date, and license number
• The temperature your pet is acclimated to

Letter requirements:

• Must be dated within 10 days of the first flight
• Valid for 30 days for multi-leg trips
• Additional letters may be needed for extended travel
• No pets may be checked if temperatures fall below 20°F (-6.6°C), even with a vet letter

How to Book British Airways Pet Travel?

IAG Cargo, which oversees animal transportation, must be contacted in order to book pets on British Airways. Accurate pet information, such as species, weight, and intended destination, should be provided by owners. It is advised to make reservations in advance to guarantee a spot and adhere to the rules. A seamless travel experience depends on having the appropriate health certifications, immunizations, and authorized carriers.

British Airways Pet Concern Resolved Through Social Media

The resolution of a British Airways pet concern on social media demonstrates the airline’s dedication to swiftly resolving difficulties, guaranteeing confidence and hassle-free pet travel.

Social Media Account	Link
Facebook	https://www.facebook.com/britishairways
Instagram	https://www.instagram.com/british_airways
Linkedin	https://www.linkedin.com/company/british-airways
Twitter	https://x.com/british_airways

Some Useful Links Related to British Airways

• What is the Price of British Airways First Class Ticket?

In a Nutshell,

British Airways pet travel necessitates thorough planning and compliance with rules. Animal welfare is given first priority in the British Airways pet policy 2026, which guarantees secure and relaxing travel via IAG Cargo services. The airline offers trustworthy options for international pet transportation with certified carriers, health certificates, and advance booking.

FAQs on British Airways Pet Policy 2026