Air India Pet Policy

The Air India pet policy allows the carriage of small domesticated pets like dogs, cats, and birds on most domestic and international flights: 

• In the passenger cabin (most flights)
• As checked baggage
• As cargo baggage

Trained service dogs are allowed to fly with their owners free of charge in the passenger cabin.

Air India Pet Reservations 

You must notify Air India in advance that you will be traveling with a pet. Pet reservations cannot be made online—you must either call or your country office or visit one.

Air India Pet Policy for Domestic Flights 

Below are the major highlights of Air India’s pet policy for flights within India:

• Pets Allowed. Small domesticated pets like cats, dogs, and birds are allowed to travel on domestic flights within India.
• Pet Container Size and Pet Weight
  • The size of the pet container must not exceed 45 x 45 x 30cm (18 x 18 x 12in) if carried in a cabin.
  • The weight of the pets carried in the cabin (incl. container) must not exceed 11lb/5kg.
    Larger or heavier pets must be carried in the cargo hold as checked baggage.
  • The pet container must:
    • Be a soft container. 
    • Be properly ventilated. 
    • Bear a label showing the pet’s name. 
    • Contain a moisture-absorbent mat.
• Pet Age. Puppies and kittens must be at least 8 weeks old to travel. 
• Pet Reservations. Call Air India Reservations to book your pet. 
• Check-in. Must check in at least 3 hours before departure. 
• Pet Forms
  • The pet’s rabies and vaccination certificates must be valid.

• Number of Pets. More than 2 pets are not permitted per flight. 
• Pet Fees
  • Normal excess baggage charges will apply and will include the pet’s weight—plus that of the container and its food. 
  • Pets are not be included in a passenger’s free baggage allowance.
• Trained guide dogs can travel free of charge if properly leashed, muzzled, and vaccinated, etc., and with the aircraft commander’s concurrence.
• Pet Restrictions for Domestic Flights
  • Pregnant dogs and cats will not be accepted.
  • The passenger must be seated in the last row of his/her cabin class.
  • Pet dogs must be leashed and muzzled properly. 
  • Pets cannot occupy a passenger seat. 

Air India Pet Policy for International Flights 

• Pets Allowed. Pets like dogs, cats, and household birds are allowed to travel on international flights—but not on nonstop flights to the U.S. (except service dogs), U.K., and Germany. For details, refer to Pet Restrictions for International Flights below. 
• Pet Container Size and Pet Weight
  • The pet container’s size can be up to 45 x 45 x 30cm (18 x 18 x 12in) if travelling in the passenger cabin. 
  • The pet container’s weight (incl. that of the pet) can be up to 11lb/5kg (for in-cabin pets). If your pet is heavier or larger, you must transport it as checked baggage in the hold. 
  • The pet container must:
    • Be adequately ventilated. 
    • Have a label with the pet’s name. 
    • Contain a moisture-absorbent mat.
• Pet Age. Cats and dogs must be at least 3 months old. 
• Pet Reservations. To book your pet on an international flight on Air India, call or your country office or visit a nearby office.
• Check-in. Be sure to check in at least 4 hours before departure.
• Pet Forms
  • The pet owner must sign a declaration indemnifying Air India from any liability.
  • The dog or cat must have been vaccinated against rabies at least 1 month before the flight—and less than 12 months before the flight’s departure date. The health certificate must also contain a record of other required vaccinations.  
  • The pet’s rabies, vaccination certificates, and entry permits must comply with the destination and transit country’s requirements. 
  • The pet must be certified as being free of infectious and contagious diseases such as rabies, distemper, leptospirosis, etc.
  • Passengers must comply with all regulations and obtain an NOC/clearance from their concerned regulatory authorities.  For details on the export/import of pets from/to India.
  • The passenger must comply with all health and customs requirements, incl. quarantine arrangements.
• Number of Pets
  • Up to 2 pets (incl. service dogs) will be accepted on a flight. 
  • Only 1 guide dog per flight is permitted.
• Pet Fees
  • Pets will attract an additional charge and will not be included in a passenger’s free baggage allowance.
  • Normal excess baggage charges will apply and will include the pet’s weight—plus that of the container and its food. 
  • Trained guide dogs can travel free of charge if properly leashed, muzzled, and vaccinated, etc., and with the aircraft commander’s concurrence.   
• Restrictions
  • Route Restrictions

• Between India and the United States. Air India does not accept pets on non-stop flights between India and the United States. However, service dogs can accompany their owners in the passenger cabin. 
• Between India and the United Kingdom and Germany. Air India does not accept pets incl. service dogs in the passenger cabin, as checked baggage, or as cargo baggage on flights between India and UK or India and Germany. 
• Flights to the UAE. Pets are only accepted as cargo baggage on flights to the UAE.
  • Exception. Birds are not allowed to travel in the cabin or as checked baggage in the hold on flights transiting the Middle East. However, they’re allowed to be transported as checked baggage on flights from to the Gulf.
• Flights to Sri Lanka. Pets, especially dogs and cats, are temporarily prohibited from travelling in the passenger cabin. However, they will be allowed to travel as cargo baggage.

• Ultra-Long Haul Flight Restrictions. Pets are not permitted to travel in the hold or cabin on Ultra Long Haul (ULH) Sectors, except service dogs (for blind and deaf passengers) who are allowed to travel in the cabin. 
• ESANs. Air India does not support the free carriage of emotional support animals (ESANs).

Carriage of Pets on Flights Between India and the United States 

Pets are not permitted on nonstop Air India flights on the India – U.S. route, except service dogs (for blind and deaf passengers) who are allowed to travel for free in the cabin. 

Air India Pet Charges

What pet fee does Air India charge?

Pets will be subject to normal excess baggage charges on Air India—both on domestic and international flights. On international flights, the in-cabin pet charges can range from USD 100 – 200, depending on your pet’s weight and route.

Air India Pet Policy for Pets as Checked Baggage

If your pet is too large or heavy (>11lb/5kg) to travel in the passenger cabin or is not a cat or a dog, you can travel with your pet as checked baggage in the cargo hold of the aircraft. The temperature and pressure in the aircraft hold are the same as that in the passenger cabin.

• Pets Allowed. Cats, dogs, small household birds, and other animals. 
• Pet Forms
  • You must have a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel by a licensed vet. 
  • The health certificate must also contain a record of other required vaccinations.  
  • The pet’s vaccination certificates and entry permits must meet the destination and transit country’s documentation requirements. 
  • You must obtain an NOC/clearance from all the concerned regulatory authorities. For details on the export/import of pets from/to India.
  • The passenger must comply with all health and customs requirements, incl. quarantine arrangements.
• Check-in
  • On domestic routes, check in at least 3 hours before your flight’s departure time.
  • On international routes, check in at least 4 hours before your flight’s departure time.
• Pet Crate Requirements
  • Must be per IATA standards.
  • Must be hard metallic or plastic crates.
• Restrictions
  • Breed Restrictions. Snub-nosed (Brachycephalic) dog and cat breeds should be transported in crates that are one size larger than normally required. 
  • Temperature Restrictions. Check with Air India. 
  • Route Restrictions. Refer to Route Restrictions above. 

Traveling with Guide Dogs on Air India

The Air India pet policy allows hearing and visually impaired passengers to travel with a trained guide dog/service dog in the cabin free of charge. However, the following conditions apply:

• The guide dog must be leashed and muzzled at all times. 
• The guide dog must remain seated under the passenger’s seat or at their feet at all times, without obstructing the aisle section or any other area.
• Guide dogs must not occupy a passenger seat.
• The guide dog’s health/vaccination certificates must be valid and up-to-date. 
• The guide dog must be trained to lead the hearing/vision impaired passenger who is dependent on the dog. 
• Only 1 guide dog per flight is allowed, so always reserve in advance by calling or the Air India office in your country.

Note. Air India does not support the carriage of emotional support animals (ESANs).