Air India’s Guide To Travelling With Pets: All You Need To Know

The Essential Air India Pet Travel Guide

As the skies become friendlier for our furry companions, more travellers are choosing to fly with their beloved pets. Air India welcomes domesticated dogs and cats in both the passenger cabin and the aircraft hold (cargo compartment), subject to approvals. The airline is quickly emerging as a pet-friendly travel partner with a growing number of customers choosing its pet transport services.

In 2024 alone, Air India flew over 7000 pets aboard its flights with well-trained staff easing the worries of pet parents. Features like priority boarding for pet travellers, assigned seating in the last rows, clear policies, dedicated training programmes for staff on how to handle pets ensure that you and your fur babies enjoy a comfortable journey. 

While the airline provides thorough guidelines, as pet owners, awareness about the right policies can help in ensuring the safety and well-being of your pets. The airline knows how daunting the process can be, especially for first-time pet travellers. So, here’s a quick guide to flying with pets on Air India:

Plan ahead 

- Reserve your pet’s spot early: Book at least 72 hours before departure by reaching out to our customer support. Air India allows pets in the cabin (up to 7 kg, including the carrier) and in the cargo hold (up to 32 kg)

- Check route eligibility: Only direct flights or connecting flights (between Air India flights and not with other airlines) accommodate pet travel

Get your documents in order

- Health certificate: Obtain a valid health certificate from your veterinarian

- Vaccination records: Carry updated rabies inoculation documents

Pack comfort essentials 

- Travel-friendly carrier: Use a secure, well-ventilated carrier

- Absorbent mats: Place one inside the carrier and pack extras for long trips

- Hydration: Food is not allowed in the carrier, but you can include a small amount of water

Pre-Flight conditioning

- Try to gradually acclimatise your pets to their carriers ahead of travel

- Maintain consistent feeding schedules before travel to make it easier for pets to adjust during the flight.

- Avoid sedatives unless medically necessary, it can make a significant difference in reducing stress for you and your pet during the journey.

Know the rules 

- Age restrictions: Pets must be at least 8 weeks old to travel in the cabin and 3 months or older to travel in the cargo hold.

- Leash and muzzle: Dogs should be muzzled and leashed when outside their carrier

- Identification: Each kennel should have a clear label with the pet’s name and the owner’s contact detail

- For international travel, check the destination-specific regulations and documentation pre-requisites ahead of your travel