Airline-by-Airline Requirements

Airline Pet Cargo Rules, Breed Restrictions & Temperature Embargoes

Not all airlines accept pets, and those that do have their own specific requirements that go beyond the IATA baseline standard. Breed restrictions, kennel size limits, temperature embargoes, minimum age rules, and routing approvals all vary by carrier -- and policies change frequently.

All airlines follow the IATA Live Animal Regulations (LAR), which define the global baseline standards for transporting animals by air. The Pet Porters team holds IATA LAR certification and works directly with airline cargo divisions to book safe, compliant pet transport.

Use this guide to understand each airline's requirements. If you are unsure whether your pet qualifies or which airline is right for your route, contact us -- we research current policies before every booking.

IATA LAR Certified Pet Transport

The Pet Porters team is certified under the IATA Live Animal Regulations -- the international standard governing safe animal air transport. This means we know every airline's compliance requirements and can identify the safest, most appropriate routing for your specific pet.

Three factors that determine airline eligibility:
  • Temperature embargoes -- seasonal ground temp limits
  • Breed restrictions -- brachycephalic & prohibited breeds
  • Kennel size limits -- aircraft-specific crate maximums

Note on Delta and United Airlines: Both carriers have significantly restricted or suspended their live animal cargo programs in recent years. Delta Cargo no longer accepts most live animal shipments; United PetSafe has similarly reduced availability. We verify current program status on every booking -- do not assume an airline's historical pet program is still operating on your route.

U.S. Domestic Carriers

Alaska Airlines

Pet Connect™ Program

Alaska Airlines Cargo operates one of the most recognized pet transport programs in North America via Pet Connect. They accept various kennel sizes and provide safe cargo handling on most routes.

  • Min. Age: 8 weeks (dogs & cats)
  • Kennels: Sizes 100-500 accepted on most aircraft
  • XXL/700: Freighter aircraft only
  • Health: Pet must be healthy and fit to fly
Alaska Cargo Pet Connect
Brachycephalic Breeds Not Accepted in Cargo

Dogs

Boston Terrier Boxer Bulldog (all) Bull Terrier Brussels Griffon Chow Chow English Toy Spaniel Japanese Chin Mastiff (all) Pekingese Pit Bull Pug Shih Tzu Staffordshire Terrier

Cats

Burmese Exotic Shorthair Himalayan Persian

American Airlines

PetEmbark™ Program

American Airlines Cargo provides pet transport via their PetEmbark program. Pets travel as manifest cargo under strict requirements with route and aircraft confirmation required before booking.

  • Min. Age: 8 weeks
  • Health: Fit and healthy to fly
  • Temp. Limit: Flights forecasted below 85°F
  • Routing: Specific aircraft & route confirmation required
American Airlines PetEmbark
Brachycephalic Breeds Not Accepted in Cargo

Dogs

Am. Staffordshire Terrier Affenpinscher Boston Terrier Boxer Brussels Griffon Bulldog Cane Corso Chow Chow Dogue de Bordeaux English Toy Spaniel Japanese Chin Lhasa Apso Mastiff Pekingese Pit Bull Presa Canario Pug Shar Pei Shih Tzu Tibetan Spaniel

Cats

Burmese Exotic Shorthair Himalayan Persian

International Cargo Carriers

For international pet travel, pets typically fly as manifest cargo in the aircraft hold -- not as excess baggage or in-cabin. This ensures proper temperature control, safe handling, and the ability to be inspected by veterinary authorities at transit points. Most international carriers require bookings through a registered IPATA member shipper.

British Airways

IAG Cargo

Pets entering the UK via British Airways must travel as manifest cargo through the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre. Pets are not accepted in-cabin or as excess baggage on most routes.

  • Min. Age: 10 weeks
  • UK Entry: Cargo only (unless approved service animal)
  • Temp. Embargo: Above 75°F for snub-nose breeds
  • Arrival: Heathrow Animal Reception Centre
Visit IAG Cargo
Restricted Breeds (Cargo)
Bulldogs (all) Pugs Boston Terrier Boxer Other snub-nose breeds

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

KLM Cargo

KLM Cargo requires bookings through a registered IPATA member shipper and ensures pets travel in IATA-approved kennels. Minimum age follows destination country regulations rather than a fixed airline rule.

  • Min. Age: Per destination country rules
  • Booking: IPATA registered shipper required
  • Kennel: IATA-approved kennels required
Visit KLM Cargo
Restricted Breeds
English Bulldog French Bulldog Boston Terrier Pug

Lufthansa Cargo

Frankfurt Animal Lounge

Lufthansa Cargo operates the specialized Frankfurt Animal Lounge, one of Europe's premier animal handling facilities, providing supervised layover care for pets transiting through Frankfurt.

  • Min. Age: 16 weeks (to/from USA)
  • Cargo Breeds: No general cargo breed ban
  • Temp. Embargo: Limited -- snub-nose breeds only
  • Transit: Frankfurt Animal Lounge available
Visit Lufthansa Cargo
In-Cabin Restricted Breeds (Dangerous Dog Regulations)

Note: Lufthansa has no general cargo breed ban but restricts the following breeds from in-cabin travel under dangerous dog regulations:

Am. Pit Bull Terrier Am. Staffordshire Terrier Staffordshire Bull Terrier Bull Terrier American Bulldog Dogo Argentino Kangal / Anatolian Shepherd Caucasian Shepherd Rottweiler

Critical Factor

Understanding Temperature Embargoes

Summer Heat Embargo

When forecast ground temperatures exceed approximately 85°F at origin, destination, or connection airports, most airlines refuse live animal cargo. This typically affects Southern U.S. cities June-September.

Winter Cold Embargo

When ground temperatures drop below approximately 20°F, airlines also restrict cargo. Cold embargoes affect Northern U.S. and Canadian hub airports December-February and can close routes with little notice.

Snub-Nose Breed Embargo

Brachycephalic breeds have tighter temperature thresholds -- British Airways restricts them above 75°F. Some airlines apply year-round embargoes for these breeds regardless of temperature.

How we protect your booking: We monitor temperature forecasts leading up to your pet's travel date, have contingency routing options ready, and never book cargo without confirming current embargo status on your specific route. If conditions change, we rebook -- you are not left without a plan.

Our Approach

How We Select the Right Airline for Your Pet

1
Verify Breed Eligibility

We confirm your pet's breed is accepted on available carriers for your route before any booking is initiated.

2
Check Embargo Windows

We evaluate seasonal temperature risk for your origin, destination, and any connection airports on your target travel date.

3
Confirm Kennel Compatibility

We verify your pet's crate size is accepted on the specific aircraft type operating your route -- not just the airline's general policy.

4
Book Live Animal Space

Live animal cargo space is limited and must be reserved in advance. We book directly with the airline cargo division -- not through third-party booking platforms.

Not Sure Which Airline Accepts Your Pet?

Tell us your pet's breed, size, origin, and destination. We will research current airline program availability on your route, confirm breed and crate eligibility, check embargo risk, and recommend the safest booking option -- at no charge before you commit.