Cathay Pacific Pet Policy

Cathay Pacific does not allow dogs, cats, or other animals to travel with you in the cabin—except medically certified service dogs. However, you can travel with your pet (incl. larger animals) as checked baggage in the cargo hold or as manifest cargo. 

Note. Till June 30, 2021, the traveling of pets as checked baggage has been temporarily suspended on flights from Hong Kong to San Francisco, LA, New York, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt. However, your pet can travel as cargo baggage instead. For assistance, contact your local Cathay Pacific Cargo office.

When traveling with a pet, book at least 48 hours before departure. 

Below is a snapshot of the Cathay Pacific pet travel policy.

• Only medically certified service dogs are allowed to travel in the cabin with their owners (free of charge). 
• Dogs, cats, and birds can travel either as checked baggage in the cargo hold or as manifest cargo.
• Pets must travel only as cargo baggage on non-stop flights between Hong Kong and New Zealand—not as checked baggage.
• The pet fee:
  • On weight-concept flights is calculated on a per kilo basis per standard excess baggage rates. 
  • On piece-concept flights is 2x the extra baggage fee per piece if the total weight of the pet is up to 50lb/23kg and the total size is within 158cm/62in. An additional fee of USD 150 is charged for each exceeded limit up to 70lb/208cm/80in. If the total weight of the pet and its carrier exceeds 70lb/32kg and 203cm/80in, a 4x fee will be charged per piece. 
• Pups and kittens must be fully weaned and at least 8 weeks old. 
• Pet reservations must be made at least 48 hours before departure.
• Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) cat and dog breeds will not be accepted.
• Temperature restrictions. Cathay Pacific may not accept your pet if the runway temperature at the departure airport either exceeds 84° F (29°C) or is below 45°F (7°C) degrees when departing. In such a scenario, you may be required to furnish an Acclimation Certificate.
• Pet carriers/crates must be IATA-compliant—dogs cannot be transported in wooden crates.
• Avoid feeding your pet (food or water) within 4 hours of your flight’s departure.

Pets as Checked Baggage

According to the Cathay Pacific pet travel policy, pets are allowed to travel in the cargo hold as checked baggage on most Cathay Pacific flights. The temperature and pressure in the cargo hold are the same as that in the passenger cabin. 

Under the Cathay Pacific pet travel policy, the following conditions apply for pets travelling in the cargo hold:

• If flying out of Hong Kong, ask the local Cathay Pacific office whether your pet can be accepted as checked baggage. This service is temporarily unavailable till June 30 2021 on flights from Hong Kong to San Francisco, LA, New York, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt. However, your pet can travel as cargo baggage.
  
• If flying into Hong Kong, your pet must travel as cargo baggage. For details, contact your local Cathay Pacific office and refer to Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department’s specific requirements.
  
• Trained service animals (dogs) can travel free with their owners in the passenger cabin.

• Pet Carrier Requirements
  Under the Cathay Pacific pet policy, the pet carrier must meet the following requirements:

General guidelines

• Pet carriers/containers exceeding 203cm/80in in size and 70lb/32kg in weight (incl. pet) will not be accepted without prior approval.
• The pet carrier must be lockable, escape-, and leak-proof. 
• The pet carrier must be well-ventilated and have a sufficient number of holes for breathing. 
• The pet must be able to do all of these things comfortably inside the carrier:
  • Stand or sit erect
  • Lie down naturally
  • Turn around normally 

• The pet carrier must be IATA-compliant. 
• Must contain absorbent material on the floor.
• All pet carriers must be affixed with a non-spillable water container inside.
  • The water container must be accessible from outside.
  • The water container must be securely fixed to the container’s bottom.
  • The water container must be within easy access of the pet.
     

Dog containers

• Can be made of solid fiberglass or rigid plastic/metal with properly welded metal mesh.
• Wooden containers will not be accepted.
• Must be easy to handle and prevent the handlers from getting attacked.
  

Cat containers

• Can be made of solid fiberglass, wood, rigid plastic or metal. 
• Welded and wire mesh containers are not recommended. 
• Must be easy to handle and prevent the handlers from getting attacked.
  
• Documents and Certificates
  • Your pet’s health certificate must state that it is being transported in an approved cargo crate. 
  • Your pet’s veterinarian must certify that your pet is healthy to travel and free of communicable diseases. 
  • You may also have to carry an acclimation certificate during extremely hot or cold weather. 
  • You will additionally be required to carry certificates and documentation required by the country you are traveling to. 
  • For local documentation requirements, refer to the IATA Travel Center’s website. 

• Restrictions
  • Pets will not be accepted as checked or cargo baggage on Itineraries including another airline. 
  • Cathay Pacific does not accept the following breeds:

Brachycephalic dogs

• Tibetan Spaniel
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Shih Tzu
• Shar Pei
• Pug (all breeds)
• Pekingese
• Mastiff (all breeds)
• Lhasa Apso
• Japanese Chin (Japanese Spaniel)
• English Toy Spaniel
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• Chow Chow
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Bulldog
• Brussels Griffon
• Boxer
• Boston Terrier
• Affenpinscher

Fighting dog breeds 

• Japanese Tosa
• Fila Brasileira
• Dogo Argentina
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• American Pit Bull

Brachycephalic Cats

• Sphynx cat
• Scottish Fold
• Persian cat
• Himalayan cat
• Exotic shorthair
• Burmese
• British shorthair

Long Flights 

The Cathay Pacific pet travel policy requires that you hydrate your pet before departure. If the journey is 12 hours or longer, you must provide water for your pet to ensure it stays hydrated throughout the journey. 

Pets as Cargo Baggage 

The Cathay Pacific pet travel policy requires that regardless of how your pet is traveling, it must travel in an IATA compliant pet crate. Wooden crates are not allowed for dogs. 

Cathay Pacific Pet Charges

Under the Cathay Pacific pet travel policy, pet fees are charged on piece- or weight-concept, depending on our route.

Pet Charges for the United States and Canada (piece-concept) 

Weight 50lb/23kg

Size 158cm/62in (L + W + H)

Overweight and Oversized Pet Fee 

If the total weight or size of your pet (incl. container) exceeds 50lb/23kg or 158cm/62in, you will be charged an additional fee as shown in the table below.

Pet Charges for All Other Countries (except U.S. and Canada (weight-concept) 

Pet Charges for Flights to/from New Zealand

If traveling to or from New Zealand, your pet must travel as cargo baggage. For more information or assistance, contact your local cargo office.

Traveling with Guide/Assistance Dogs on Cathay Pacific

Guide dogs can travel in the cabin free of charge

Guide or assistance dogs are dogs that have been trained to help people with physical disabilities so that they can act with greater independence. Assistance dogs include hearing, guide, and service dogs. They are allowed to travel free of cost in the aircraft cabin with their owner. 

If your dog has not been formally trained to provide the services mentioned above, it must travel as a pet dog (as checked or cargo baggage), and not a guide dog (in the cabin).

Guide dog requirements on Cathay Pacific

• Accreditation
  Your guide/assistance dog must have been accredited by one of the following:
  • Assistance Dogs International
  • Assistance Dogs Europe
  • International Guide Dot Federation (IGDF)
• If traveling to or via Hong Kong, you must apply for a special permit from the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department (AFCD) before traveling. For details or assistance, contact Cathay Pacific’s global contact center. 

• Reservation
  To make a booking, contact a local office at least 48 hours before departure.

• General conditions 

The guide dog: 

• Can only be a dog.
• Must be at least 4 months old.
• Must be fully trained. Under-training dogs must travel according to Cathay Pacific’s pet policy (as checked or cargo baggage).
• Must remain seated on the floor below a seat, at the passenger’s feet, or in the passenger’s lap if no larger than a lap infant of under 2 years of age. 
• You must comply with the health and sanitation requirements of the flight, especially if your dog needs to relieve itself.
• Must not extend any part of its body into the aisle, into another passenger’s foot space, or exceed the seat’s “footprint”. 
• Must not occupy a seat.
• Must remain seated on the floor if it is larger than a 2-year-old lap infant.
• Must remain with the passenger at all times.
  
• Recommended behavior 
• The guide dog must be:

• Under the owner’s control at all times. 
• Leashed, harnessed, or tethered at all times.
  
• The guide dog must not: 

• Bark excessively.
• Growl or bite.
• Lunge at or jump on people.
• Urinate or defecate in the cabin, gate area, or terminal. 
• Eat from a seatback tray table.

• On the day of travel

• Reach the airport a little before the regular check-in time. 
• Bring original copies of the required documentation because you will need to present them when you check in and when you arrive at your destination. 

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Frequently Asked Questions on Cathay Pacific Pet Travel Policy