Which European airlines are the most pet-friendly? To rank carriers from the least accommodating to the most flexible, AirAdvisor looked at several criteria: the admission of an ordinary pet, the possibility to keep it in-cabin, the existence of checked or cargo transport, the allowed weight, and the diversity of species accepted. Add to that the restrictions tied to the aircraft, the destination, and sometimes even the travel class.
Pet Travel in-Cabin: When Airlines Close the Cabin to Pets
Ryanair sits at the starting point of this comparison. The Irish airline officially states that it does not transport animals on its flights, with the exception of certain guide or assistance dogs that the airline cannot refuse under the law. For a traveler hoping to fly with a typical pet dog or cat, there is therefore neither an in-cabin option nor a standard checked-bag option.
Wizz Air applies a policy just as restrictive. Pets are not accepted on board, and emotional-support animals are not considered an exception. Only guide or assistance dogs may travel under the specified conditions. The necessary documents must be provided no later than 48 hours before departure. In this comparison, Ryanair and Wizz Air thus form the least accommodating group for the owner of an ordinary pet.
From Cabin to Cargo: Policies That Vary Further
Vueling marks the first step up. The Spanish airline allows in-cabin dogs, cats, turtles, and certain birds. The animal plus carrier may weigh up to 10 kg, while the soft bag must not exceed 45 × 39 × 21 cm. A passenger may travel with an animal, with the number limited to five on a single flight. However, no animal transport is offered in the hold. This absence is its main limitation for owners of larger dogs.
Air France offers a more complete set of solutions. Dogs and cats that exceed the in-cabin limit can travel in the hold if they weigh, together with their carrier, more than 8 kg and up to 75 kg. The airline asks that the animal be added to the hold reservation no later than 24 hours before departure (late airport acceptance may incur a surcharge). Sanitary and documentation requirements remain important, especially for travel within the European Union or to countries applying their own entry rules.
KLM stays in a comparable logic, with more visible operational constraints. A cat or a dog can travel in cabin if the combined weight of the animal and its carrier does not exceed 8 kg. The bag must measure a maximum of 46 × 28 × 24 cm, the airline notes. For the hold, the weight of the animal and the kennel must remain under 75 kg. Depending on the itinerary, the journey cost ranges from 70 to 500 euros. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours before departure. Some premium cabins and certain aircraft still exclude animal transport, so you must check the specific flight rather than the general policy.
Pet Travel: Airlines More Flexible in the Cargo Hold
Lufthansa takes it another notch up with the variety of its options. A small dog or cat can travel in-cabin up to 8 kg total. The carrier must not exceed 55 × 40 × 23 cm, the airline specifies, which also allows configurations enabling up to two animals per passenger under certain conditions. Animals too large for the cabin can be placed in a climate-controlled hold, while other species can be handled by Lufthansa Cargo. The airline recommends registering the animal at least 72 hours in advance.
This flexibility, however, is tied to the network. Lufthansa notes that cabin transport of animals is not possible on connections through Munich, while some other group hubs remain usable. An additional 150 euros fee is also charged in certain cases of multi-airport connections. The airline also accepts animals in its lounges, provided they stay in their carrier, offering a welcome continuity before boarding.
Iberia further broadens the spectrum of animals allowed in cabin. Besides dogs and cats, the airline mentions ornamental fish, turtles, and certain birds. The total weight of the animal and its carrier must stay at 8 kg maximum, with a carrier limited to 45 × 35 × 25 cm. Up to three small animals of the same species can share a carrier when they meet the airline’s criteria. In the hold, dogs and cats are accepted up to a combined weight of 45 kg with their crate on the applicable services.
Finnair is also among the most open carriers in the AirAdvisor panel. Cats and dogs can travel in-cabin or in the hold. From departures within the European Union, rabbits, turtles, and hedgehogs can also be admitted under certain conditions. Ferrets fall under hold transport. The cabin weight limit is 8 kg, animal plus carrier included, while cargo transport can go up to 75 kg. AirAdvisor also notes a charge of 60 euros for certain in-cabin pet bookings on European routes and up to 650 euros for some intercontinental holds. For owners with less common species, this diversity is a real advantage.
ITA Airways, the Most Accommodating Airline for Animals
ITA Airways stands out first by a higher cabin cap on its domestic market. On domestic flights, a dog or a cat can weigh up to 12 kg with its carrier and food; on other flights, the standard limit is 8 kg. The transport bag may measure up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm, and two animals of the same species can share a carrier provided the total weight stays within the allowed limit. Since December 1, 2025, only dogs and cats are supported as pets under this program.
But it’s its “Large Dog” offering that sets ITA Airways apart. On certain domestic flights, the airline can admit in-cabin dogs weighing up to 30 kg. The program allows up to two large dogs per flight, split between a category over 10 kg up to 15 kg and another over 15 kg up to 30 kg. The animal stays on the floor on a dedicated mat, equipped with an approved harness and attached to the built-in system.
This flexibility comes at a price and requires special setup. The request must be made at least four days before departure. The owner must purchase two passenger tickets to guarantee the space and pay a PETX surcharge of 95 euros (roughly $105). The dog must also meet ITA Airways’ veterinary, identification, vaccination, and safety requirements.
So this service does not turn all of the airline’s flights into large-dog-friendly cabin options. Nevertheless, for a pet owner whose top priority is keeping a large dog in-cabin, ITA Airways currently represents the most accommodating option in this comparison when the itinerary qualifies for the “Large Dog” program.
