Air France Pet Policy – How To Add Pet In Cabin Or Hold?

While traveling, passengers often think about taking their pets along during the journey but do not know the process or even if they can bring them on the flight. However, many airlines allow pets on the flight with some rules and regulations to be followed by each passenger carrying a pet. Air France also allows pets on their flights, yet it is on the basis of first-come-first-serve as there are limited seats for pets. Here is detailed information about the Air France Pet Policy that passengers should know when adding a seat for their pet while booking. 

Air France Pet Policy – Essential Guidelines For Pet Travel

According to the Air France pet policy, passengers can bring their pets on the flight in the cabin as checked baggage or can transport air cargo. Therefore, passengers should inform the airline at least 48 hours before departure by calling the support team of Air France. Make sure to carry all the health documents and certificates of the pets while traveling. 

• Passengers traveling with pets should reach the airport one hour before the usual check-in time.
• The service dog should be harnessed and appropriately leashed throughout the travel.
• Carry all the required documents and vaccination certificates to show at the airport.
• During the flight, small pets in the cabin can sit on the owners’ lap but should always be leashed.
•  Large pets must sit by the passenger’s feet with a leash throughout the journey.
• The pets should not block the aisle area or any other section.
• Passengers should take care of the pet’s hygiene and cleanliness requirements during the flight and not affect other passengers.
• The pet’s age should be at least 10 weeks old.
• Pets must be weaned for travel on domestic and international flights per the Air France Pet Policy. 

When Pet Is Travelling In The Cabin

Air France allows small dogs and cats to travel in the cabin with their owners except with an unaccompanied minor. The passengers should inform the airline about the pet accompanying them on the flight. The check-in will be done at the same passenger’s check-in counter, and only passengers must pay the pet fee. 

Requirements For Pet Travel In Cabin

• Dogs and cats cannot travel in business class on intercontinental flights.
• While traveling within Europe, pets must be vaccinated and microchipped. 
• Pets should have a European passport.
• Some snub-nosed dogs need approval from a vet before traveling, like Boston terriers, small Brabant, Lhasa apso, boxers, bulldogs, and cats like Burmese Persian, Himalayan, and exotic shorthairs. 

Pet Age Requirements

• Pets should be at least 8 weeks old while traveling within France and between metropolitan France, reunion island, and Martinique. 
• On flights between metropolitan France and Guiana, the pet should be at least 15 weeks old.
• And at least 10 weeks old for other flights’ destinations. 

Pet Carrier Dimensions and Other Guidelines 

• The maximum combined weight of the pet and carrier should not exceed 8 kg.
• The pet carrier dimension should be 46*28*24 cm.
• Carriers should be well-ventilated and spacious enough that pets can move easily.
• Must have a leakproof base.
• Only one pet per passenger is allowed on Air France.
• The airline does not allow animal crates in the cabin. 

When Pet Is Counted As Checked Baggage

The airline allows only larger dogs and cats weighing 17-165lb to be transported in the aircraft hold, where the temperature is the same as the passenger’s cabin. Passengers should reach the airport 2 to 3 hours before departure for intercontinental flights. Hence, at least 2.5 hours before departure for flights within France or Europe. 

Age Requirement For Pet Travel In The Hold

• Pets should be at least 8 weeks old while traveling within France and between metropolitan France, reunion island, and Martinique. 
• On flights between metropolitan France and Guiana, the pet should be at least 15 weeks old.
• And at least 10 weeks old for other flights’ destinations. 

Restrictions on Pets Flying As Checked Baggage

• Each passenger can transport up to 3 animals as checked baggage, which can be lower depending upon the aircraft.
• If the temperature is below -12 C or above 29 C, pets cannot travel as checked baggage. 
• Some snub-nosed dogs like Boston terriers, small Brabant, Lhasa apso, boxers, bulldogs, and cats like Burmese Persian are prohibited. 

Pet Container Guidelines

• The container should be covered with a penetrable material like newspaper, blanket, etc. 
• Do not put a leash and harness while traveling on checked baggage. However, do not leave the leash on the carrier.
• Place the separate bowls for food and water inside the container. The bowls should be empty and fixed with a carrier. 

Pets Too Large Are Transported By Air France Cargo

When the pet size is too large or animals apart from dogs or cats, the airline transports them as air cargo. Air France has a partnership for pet cargo service with KLM and Martinair. The captain from the cockpit checks the cargo temperature to ensure the pet is comfortable during the fight. 

Guidelines For Pets Travelling through Air Cargo

• If the temperature is below -12 C or above 29 C, pets cannot travel as checked baggage. 
• Some snub-nosed dogs like Boston terriers, pugs, and bulldogs are prohibited. Unless the Air France cargo’s live animal department approves an exception.
• The pet’s age should be at least 10 weeks old.
• Pets must be weaned for travel on domestic and international flights per the Air France Pet Policy. 
• Some countries restrict pets:
  • Pets traveling within Europe must have electronic chips for identification. 
  • Must have a European passport.
  • Different hygienic conditions should be applicable when traveling to Sweden, UK, Ireland, and Malta. 

More details on Pet Travel in Cargo can be found on the Air France website.

Things To Note When Traveling With Pets On Connecting Flights

• Should have at least 2 hours between connecting flights to have enough time to collect bags and the pet and again check them in for the connecting flight. 
• Make sure to keep all the necessary documents that passengers might have to show on the connecting flight during the security and immigration process. 
• The flight captain will come to check the pet to ensure the proper lighting and heating are in adequate condition. 

Documents and Certificates Required For Pets On Air France 

• A pet’s passport with breed, size, and weight details.
• Application form 
• Health certificate of not more than 10 days from departure.
• Vaccination certificates.

How To Request Pet Travel On Air France Flights?

Passengers can add their pets by calling the support team of Air France, as the airline does not accept booking online for pets. However, passengers should inform at least 48 hours before departure.

• Call the airline support team.
• Request the executive to book a seat for the pet.
• Mention the booking number and passenger’s details.
• Share the type of pet, breed, and health condition while confirming the booking.
• Pay for the pet fee through a debit or credit card.
• Once the transaction is completed, a confirmation mail will be sent to the mail address.  

To make any further changes to an existing booking, you can use the Air France Manage Booking facility.

Pet Travel Fees – In-Cabin, As Checked Baggage, In Cargo

The airline charges a specific fee for adding a pet to the booking. Therefore, it depends upon the size and weight of the pet and the destination. There are different fees for pets traveling in the cabin or as checked baggage or air cargo.

Air France Has Different Guidelines For Service Animals Onboard 

Service dogs are trained to help people with disability so that passengers can act independently. These dogs can travel free of charge in the cabin of the flight with their owners. There are different types of service dogs, like guide dogs and psychiatric assistance dogs. 

Traveling With Guide Dogs

These dogs help to assist passengers with visually impaired or blind people. There are some guidelines for guide dogs that passengers must know before traveling:

•  Passengers should inform at least 48 hours before departure.
• The guide dog must be harnessed properly throughout the journey.
• They should behave well at all times.
• Guide dogs cannot occupy the seat or any space near the emergency exit.
• Guide dogs under training and receiving in-cabin training will be allowed to travel at least 12 weeks old. 
• The guide dog should maintain all hygiene measures in the country of departure and arrival. 

Psychiatric Assistance Dogs

These dogs are trained to assist people with mental disabilities like:

• Severe depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Severe anxiety 

The psychiatric dog must:

• Behave properly
• Wear a tag stating it is a psychiatric dog.
• Should not occupy the seat or any space near the emergency exit.
• The guide dog should maintain all hygiene measures in the country of departure and arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the Air France pet policy for business class?

The airline does not allow pets to travel in business class with their owners on intercontinental routes. Therefore, they can travel as checked baggage or as air cargo. 

What is the Air France pet policy for international flights?

Air France allows small dogs and cats to travel in the cabin, as checked baggage or as air cargo for larger animals on international routes:

• The maximum combined weight of the pet and carrier should not exceed 8 kg.
• Carriers should be well-ventilated and spacious enough that pets can move easily.
• The airline allows only larger dogs and cats weighing 17-165lb to be transported in the aircraft hold, where the temperature is the same as the passenger’s cabin.

Can my pet travel in a cabin on European routes?

If passengers have a valid pet passport, small dogs and cats can travel in the cabin on European routes. If not, then the pet can travel as checked baggage.

What is the pet fee on Air France?

The pet fee on Air France depends upon the size and weight of the pet, also at the destination country. The average price range for pets is between €70 to €400. 

How to add a seat for pets on Air France? 

Passengers can add their pets by calling the support team of Air France, as the airline does not accept booking online for pets. However, passengers should inform at least 48 hours before departure.

At what age can a pet travel on Air France as checked baggage?

The age of the pet differs from location to travel as checked baggage pets should be at least 8 weeks old while traveling within France and between metropolitan France, reunion island, and Martinique. On flights between metropolitan France and Guiana, the pet should be at least 15 weeks old and at least 10 weeks old for other flights’ destinations. 

What documents are required in Air France’s pet policy?

There are some essential documents that airlines ask passengers to submit while traveling with a pet.

• Application form filled with details of the pet. 
• Health certificate of not more than 10 days from departure.
• Vaccination certificates. 

What is a pet policy to travel as cargo? 

When the pet size is too large or animals apart from dogs or cats, the airline transports them as air cargo. Air France has a partnership for pet cargo service with KLM and Martinair. The pet’s age should be at least 10 weeks old—pets allowed in air cargo: cats, dogs, ornamental fish, horses, and zoo animals. 

What is the required carrier size in-cabin on Air France?

 The required size dimensions of the carrier should be at most 46*28*24 cm, and the maximum combined weight of the pet and carrier should be at most 8 kg. 

What is the fee for pet transport as checked baggage for the US?

The pet fee as per the Air France pet policy for the routes of the US is €400 for checked baggage or air cargo.