Aer Lingus – Pet Policy
| Pet Type | Cabin | Checked Baggage / Cargo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog | No (except recognized assistance/service dogs) | Yes (checked baggage between Ireland & mainland Europe; cargo on other routes) | Minimum 10 weeks old, IATA crate, all health and import/export docs; restrictions for some breeds |
| Cat | No | Yes (checked baggage or cargo as above) | Same as dogs; crate and paperwork required; no cabin cats |
| Bird | No | No | Not carried as checked baggage/cabin; may be possible as air cargo with handler |
| Rabbit / Reptile / Fish | No | No | Contact air cargo specialist only |
Important Guidelines
- Book your pet's transport early; cabin travel is only possible for recognized/trained assistance/service dogs on select routes. Other pets must use checked baggage (direct Europe routes) or cargo services.
- Puppies/kittens must be at least 10 weeks old, fully weaned, and healthy. Pregnant or sick animals are not accepted. Aggressive/snub-nosed breeds may face route or seasonal restrictions—always confirm at booking.
- Hard IATA-compliant crate mandatory for all in-hold/cargo pets; crate must be large enough for the animal to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably, and be well-ventilated and escape/leak-proof.
- All pets require current vaccination, health certificate, and ID microchip. For international journeys, follow destination country entry/import laws, including rabies and tapeworm treatments where relevant.
- Assistance/service dogs travel free in cabin with proper medical/training docs and advance arrangement; pet cats and dogs never accepted in cabin otherwise.
- No pet transport available to/from the UK and Jersey/Guernsey for any pets (except assistance/service dogs on select routes); always check updated regulations.
Woofly Tips
- Contact Aer Lingus (or their cargo partner) well in advance—pet spots on aircraft are limited and often require vet and document checks prior to confirmation.
- Always carry paper and digital copies of all pet documents, crate compliance paperwork, and import/export paperwork for inspections at check-in and upon arrival.
- If traveling with a snub-nosed or at-risk breed, ask for written confirmation of acceptance and check for seasonal temperature embargoes or housing limitations.
- Pets must arrive at the cargo/baggage check-in area well before departure (often 2+ hours), and regulations differ between short/long-haul international flights.
- Do not sedate your pet except under veterinary prescription and only when fully discussed with both vet and airline, as sedation in flight can be risky.
Last updated: July 25, 2025