Pet Travel On Swiss Airlines – Policy, Fees (2024 Guide)

Many passengers want to travel with their furry friends to explore the world. Yet, have many doubts about how this will work. Let us clear all your doubts and queries. As with Swiss Airlines, passengers can travel with their pets in the cabin or as air cargo. The airline ensures the safety and comfort of the pet throughout the journey. With the Swiss Airlines Pet Policy, passengers must follow some travel restrictions and procedures. Therefore, the airline might also charge a specific pet fee for traveling with the passenger.  

Swiss Airlines Pet Policy – Rules For Pet Travel

According to the Swiss pet policy, passengers can bring small pets like dogs and cats to travel in the cabin, whereas larger pets travel as cargo holds. The passengers should book for pets at least 48 hours before departure. Therefore, the airline has a set of guidelines that every passenger traveling with pets must follow, including vaccination documents, pet carriers, and temperature restrictions. 

• On international flights of Swiss Airlines, pets can travel in the cabin as long as the weight of the pet and carrier does not exceed 8 kg. 
• Pets must be neat, odorless, and nutritious while entering the cabin.
• Aggressive dogs, or those that may threaten other passengers, are not allowed in the cabin.
• The fee for traveling with a pet depends upon the destination. 
• The age of the pet should be at least 12 weeks.
• Only small dogs and cats below the age of 16 weeks can travel in the cabin for international routes on Swiss Airlines. 
• Rabbits and hares can travel in the cargo.
• Each passenger can bring two dogs. 

When Pet Is Flying In-Cabin On Swiss Airlines

Pets like dogs and cats can travel in the cabin with a combined weight of pet and carrier up to 8 kg. Therefore, a specific fee is applicable.

• Pet carriers should have soft sides, escape-proof and scratch-proof. 
• There should be enough space for the pet to move around easily. 
• The pet should remain in the carrier throughout the journey.
• The pet should not be aggressive, pregnant, or smelly and should not bother other passengers.
• Service dogs do not have restrictions over weight and size and can travel for free in their carrier. 
• Only one pet is allowed per passenger in the cabin.
• Pets are not allowed to travel to the UK and South Africa. 
• Emotional support animals are no longer considered service dogs and have different rules and procedures. 

Pet Carrier Guidelines For In-Cabin Travel

• The carrier should be comfortable and must get fit under the seat. 
• Should be leak-proof and well-ventilated. 
• The carrier should be large enough for pets to move and stand easily. 
• The size dimension of the carriers must be 55*40*23 cm. 
• The pet carriers must not have wheels. 

Assistance Dogs Traveling In-Cabin

The service dogs must be trained, obey their owners’ rules, and not bark, growl, or jump at other passengers. 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.

• 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. 

When Pet Is Flying As Hold (Checked) Baggage

The airline allows pets to travel as checked baggage for those weighing more than 8 kg, not snub-nosed breeds. 

• Pets apart from dogs and cats cannot travel as checked baggage. 
• The age of the pet should be at least 10 weeks old.
• Passengers should book their pet’s seat in advance. 
• The airline can decline pets traveling as checked baggage in certain weather conditions. 
• Passengers should check in with their pet at least 2 hours before departure but not more than 3 hours before departure. 
• Passengers must ensure their pets have enough food and water for their trip.

Pet Carrier Guidelines For Checked Baggage

• Should be leak-proof and well-ventilated. 
• The carrier should be large enough for pets to move and stand easily. 
• The size dimension of the carriers must be 55*40*23 cm.

Animals Transported As Cargo On Swiss Airlines

Pets that travel alone without any human being transported as cargo or animals traveling to other countries where they are required to travel as air cargo. The airline makes sure that the animal is comfortable and safe. Therefore, it depends upon the flight capacity that pets in cargo travel on the same flight as their owner. 

Destinations, where animals are imported only as cargo, are as follows:

• Hong Kong
• Ireland
• South Africa
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom 

Further details can be found on the SwissWorld Cargo website.

Pet Travel On Swiss Airlines Flights To Switzerland

Passengers traveling with pets to Switzerland will be checked by customs at the airport. Somehow, for any reason, if the pet fails the requirements, they should immediately return to their country. The airline will not incur the expenses of the pet, and it will be borne by the person who brought the pet.

Importing Dogs Into the United States through Swiss Airlines Flights

There can be a risk of rabies means restricting importing dogs into the US. For more details, passengers can check CDC restrictions and ways to obtain a certificate on the United States Center for disease control website. 

Pet Travel Can Be Easily Requested By Calling Swiss Airlines

Passengers can add their pets to their flights by calling the support team of Swiss Airlines. Pets can travel in the cabin or as cargo, depending on the pet’s size, weight, and destination country guidelines.

• Call the Swiss Airlines support team.
• Confirm the pet eligibility from an executive.
• Book a slot for the pet.
• Submit the necessary documents required, including health certificates, vaccination documents. 
• Pay the pet fee according to the destination and size of the pet.
• A confirmation mail will be sent to the mail address. 

If you have already booked a flight for you and your pet and wish to make changes to it, you must access the Swiss Airlines Manage Booking portal.

Swiss Airlines Pet Travel Fees Varies With Flight Route

The airline charges a certain pet fee according to the destination and size of the pet, therefore, whether the pet is traveling in the cabin or as a cargo hold. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Does Swiss Airlines allow pets in the cabin?

Yes, Swiss Air allows small pets like cats and dogs in the cabin with a combined weight of pet and carrier up to 8 kg. A certain fee is also chargeable as a pet fee. 

What are the requirements for pet carriers according to the Swiss Airlines pet policy?

The carrier should be comfortable, fit under the seat, and be leak-proof and well-ventilated. It should be large enough for pets to move and stand easily. 

Do I need a health certificate for my pet on Swiss Airlines cargo?

Yes, all the pets traveling on Swiss Airlines require a certified veterinarian’s health certificate and the vaccination documents that the pet is healthy. 

Are there any restrictions on pet breeds?

Swiss Airlines allows cats and dogs as pets in their flight cabin or cargo. Other pets are not accepted on Swiss Airlines.

What is Swiss Airlines’ Pet Policy?

Passengers can bring small pets like dogs and cats to travel in the cabin, whereas larger pets travel as cargo holds. The passengers should book for pets at least 48 hours before departure. However, a specific fee is applicable for traveling pets. 

What is Swiss Airlines checked baggage policy for pets?

The airline allows pets to travel as checked baggage for those weighing more than 8 kg, not snub-nosed breeds. Pets apart from dogs and cats cannot travel as checked baggage. The age of the pet should be at least 10 weeks old, and passengers should book their pet’s seat in advance. The airline can decline pets traveling as checked baggage in certain weather conditions.

What is the pet for traveling in the cabin for short-distance flights?

The airline charges a specific fee for pets traveling in a cabin or cargo. Thus, the price for a short-distance flight in a cabin is approximately $ 103, depending upon the size of the pet. 

How to add a pet on Swiss Airlines?

Passengers can add their pets to their flights by calling the support team of Swiss Airlines. Pets can travel in the cabin or as cargo, depending on the pet’s size, weight, and destination country guidelines. Call the Swiss Airlines support team. Then, book a slot for the pet and submit the required documents, including health certificates, vaccination documents. Passengers have to pay the pet fee according to the destination and size of the pet. Hence, the booking is made. 

Which destinations do not allow pets in the cabin?

Swiss Airlines does not allow pets to travel in the cabin in a few destinations: Ireland, UAE, UK, North Africa, and Hong Kong. 

What are the documents required for pets to travel on Swiss Airlines?

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.
• Vaccination certificates.