Important notice: Regulations governing each airline are diverse. Following are only general guidelines, and it is crucial that you review all considerations with the airline you plan to use.
We only refer to pets, as certain breeds are subject to embargoes. Before booking your animal, you must contact the airline, the Customs Bureau or one of the appropriate administrations.
Pets are normally accepted on board, either in the aircraft cabin or in the hold. However they may be turned down for specific reasons (number of pets allowed, health condition, local regulation, etc.)
Whether dogs or cats, pets weighing 5 kg or less are normally accepted in the aircraft cabin (and on your lap provided they do not exceed 115cm long). You can make your request by clicking on "My booking", then "other requests" and enter your pet's weight and breed as well as its kennel dimensions (if you do not have a hard-case kennel please state so). These details are required to process your request.
Once your booking is made, you must advise the airline that you will be boarding with your pet, given that in general airlines allow up to 2 in-cabin pets.
Also note that certain small mammal pets (the rodent type) may only be carried in the cabin provided their kennels meet the requirements. We recommend that you consult with the carrier beforehand. Note that household birds must travel in fabric-covered cages.
Pets over 5 kg must travel in the hold (ventilated, heated and pressurized). You can make your request by clicking on "My booking" then on "other requests" and enter the details required, i.e. weight, breed, kennel dimensions (mandatory). Such information is required to process your request.
If your kennel does not meet the standards, most airports sell special travel kennels of varied dimensions fitting different weights and sizes (from 69X51X49cm to 122X82X89cm with prices between 40€ and 145€, VAT exclusive).
In general, animals cope well with travelling in air-conditioned holds. If your pet is subject to stress or airsickness, ask your veterinarian to prescribe a tranquilizer prior to travelling.
Even if you expect your animal to travel in-hold, you must advise the airline that you will be carrying a pet, since transportation of pets is subject to number restrictions due to varied aircraft configurations. Also note that only dogs and cats are normally transported in the holds of passenger aircrafts, and that other animals are shipped as cargo.
Transportation of animals incurs a charge which corresponds to excess luggage (even if no luggage has been checked in). The charge by kilo is calculated on the basis of an adult single fare in economy class (eg. 1.4% in Europe and 1.5% on other international airlines). In metropolitan France you will pay about 13€ for carriage in the aircraft's cabin, and 30.49 € in the cargo hold (approximate discount of 45% on routes between Marseilles or Nice and Corsica). For French overseas Departments, the single fare for an animal in cabin ranges between 49€ and 69€, while pets travelling in the hold are part of the baggage allowance and the charge for excess luggage is from 7 to 10€ per kilo.
Certain carriers also apply fixed rates which can be given upon request.
Service animals travelling with disabled passengers are normally carried free, whether in the airline cabin or in the cargo hold.
When flying abroad or in France, remember to carry an up to date health certificate for your pet.
In any event, always check the required health formalities with the airline. In Corsica for instance, an anti-rabies vaccine given at least a month and less than a year earlier and a tattoo number are required.
Report at least one hour before the closing of check-in in order to comply with the formalities required for the carriage of your pet. Travelling animals are accepted in airports.
Important notice:
Your pet may have to undergo quarantine or only be accepted under strict conditions (eg. to enter the United Kingdom, Ireland or even New-Caledonia), or may be prohibited from entering certain countries. Check carefully with the carrier or the consulate of the destination country.
There are carriers that will not board pets in the cabin except for service animals travelling with disabled passengers.
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