Not all airlines are created equally, especially when travelling with a pet. A new report names the most pet-friendly airlines for those travelling across Europe. Names to keep in mind while booking your next flight for a holiday with your favourite four-legged friend.
Travelling with a pet can be stressful, both for the animal and the owner. While some specialised pet airlines do exist and while some might be opting for a private plane to best accommodate to their travelling cat or dog, most travellers are still choosing to fly commercially. And within that category, some airlines are better-suited for pet travel than others.
@lex.poodle zero complaints 👌 I took my dog on 20+ flights so far and over 6 countries and counting. traveling with this lil guy has been nothing but joy #dogsotiktok #traveldog #petsontiktok ♬ original sound – Dakota Seidenspinner
According to Years, a dog food subscription service, when travelling through Europe, nine airlines stand out from the crowd through their pet travel policies:
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Air France
- Vueling
- Aegean Airlines
- Iberia
- Air Canada
- Turkish Airlines
- Qatar Airways
The dog experts at Years praise the airlines for their clear guideline and their efforts to keep pets comfortable throughout the flight. Although the specifics might slightly differ from one company to the other, generally speaking, four guidelines should be kept in mind by those who wish to travel with their pet in the flight cabin.
- Dogs should not weigh more than eight kilograms, carrier included.
- All pets should stay under the seat in front of their owner during the entire flight.
- Cabin space for pets is limited, making advance booking essential.
- Generally speaking, airlines ask pets to be healthy, vaccinated, and well-behaved.
In their report, Years also mentioned the importance of travel-adapted food before a flight. Light, well-digestible meals, prebiotics and probiotics, and Omega-3 fatty acids should be preferred when planning any kind of journey.
“Flying is unfamiliar for dogs; changes in pressure, temperature, and routine can all affect digestion. The goal is to keep the gut calm, stable, and predictable before travel. Calm digestion often equals a calmer dog. A settled stomach reduces discomfort, restlessness, and excessive panting during flights,” a spokesperson for Years stated.
Generally speaking, it is important for pet owners to inform themselves beforehand about the specifics involved in travelling with an animal, even more so when the four-legged creature can’t be taken into the cabin. In October 2025, for example, the European Court of Justice officially stated that pets can be handled as baggage when taken aboard a flight – highlighting the risks involved when taking an animal aboard a plane.
