Xiamen Airlines – Pet Policy
Quick Reference Table
| Pet Type | Cabin | Checked Baggage / Hold | Cargo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog | Only certified service dogs (with permission, doc required) | Yes, with approval | Yes | Advance booking, health certificates, breed restrictions |
| Cat | No | Yes, approved species | Yes | Breed & doc rules apply |
| Bird | No | Usually no | Yes | Permits needed; only certain species |
| Reptile | No | No | Yes | Permits, temp, crate, advance consult |
| Fish | No | No | Yes | Leak-proof tank, docs, cargo only |
| Rabbit | No | No | Likely (cargo), contact airline | Docs & advance booking |
*All pets must meet airline, IATA, and health/entry regulations. Advance booking mandatory. Restrictions apply by animal, breed, and route.
General Policies
- PETS IN CABIN: Only certified service dogs allowed, with prior written approval and documentation. No other pets in the passenger cabin.
- PETS AS CHECKED BAGGAGE: Most domestic pets can be accepted as checked baggage (AVIH) with proper crate & health paperwork; some routes/species require cargo shipment only.
- PETS AS CARGO: Non-service pets, exotics, and species not allowed as baggage must travel via registered cargo service with all legal permits.
- BREED RESTRICTIONS: Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds, some aggressive breeds, and certain birds/species may be refused or are only accepted seasonally or with special preparation. CITES and other wildlife laws may ban some animals entirely by route.
Woofly Animal Travel Tips
- Book as early as possible—spaces for pet transport are limited and approval is not guaranteed.
- Have IATA-compliant crate—escape-proof, leak-proof, labeled, and sized for your animal’s comfort and safety.
- Check with Xiamen Airlines for updated breed, size, document, and permit requirements prior to travel.
- For all pets: bring up-to-date health certificate, vaccination, import/export or CITES documents, and country entry approval.
- For birds, reptiles, fish, rabbits: confirm route bans and special handling at least a month before travel.
Required Documents
- Veterinary health certificate (valid for travel window)
- Vaccination record (including rabies for dogs/cats)
- Import/export/transit or CITES permit (by species/route)
- Advance booking and written approval from Xiamen Airlines
Last updated: July 21, 2025