Avianca – Pet Policy
| Pet Type | Cabin | Checked Baggage / Hold / Cargo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog | Yes (≤10 kg incl. carrier, soft carrier max 55x35x25cm, 1 per pax, ≥4m old) | Yes (rigid IATA crate, max 70kg incl. pet/crate, special crate for dangerous breeds; embargo on snub-nosed breeds in hold; cargo if over 70kg or for embargoed types) | Health/vaccine certs, permits, advance booking; check restrictions for snub-nosed & “dangerous” breeds; fees vary by route |
| Cat | Yes (same rules as dogs) | Yes (same rules as dogs) | Breed, age, health, vaccine & doc rules fully apply |
| Bird (Rooster: only Colombia domestic) | No | Yes (hold only; max 1 rooster per passenger; rules on handling, crate, documentation) | Only for domestic Colombia flights; no other birds in cabin/hold, others as animal cargo with permits |
| Rabbit, Reptile, Fish, Exotics | No | No (cargo only by special arrangement/permit) | Not recognized as standard pets for cabin/hold; must be shipped per airline animal cargo rules |
Important Guidelines
- Book your pet early (space limited, not all routes/equipment accept pets in cabin/hold).
- Cabin: 1 small dog/cat (≤10kg with carrier, max 55x35x25cm); all pets must be clean, healthy, well-behaved, remain in carrier under seat, and meet doc & route-specific rules.
- No snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds in hold/cargo due to health risk. Dangerous breeds require metal-walled crate in cargo, permitted by airline/route.
- Carry paper & digital copies of all health/vaccination certificates, booking, and import/export/transit docs; check destination and stopover requirements for permit/microchip.
- If pet can’t travel in cabin or is over 70 kg (with crate) or not eligible by type, arrange with Avianca Cargo at least 48h prior to journey.
- Puppies/kittens must be ≥4 months (intl) or ≥2 months (full vax, domestic Colombia) to travel; all must be fully weaned and healthy.
- Emotional support dogs allowed in-cabin with proper documentation on select routes; not accepted in Business Class/Boeing 787.
- Check-in for pet travel: arrive 2h domestic/3h international; present all paperwork at airport counter; fill forms as required by staff.[3][5][6][8][18]
Woofly Tips
- Acclimate your pet to the carrier weeks ahead for smooth check-in and minimize stress.
- Measure & weigh your pet and carrier beforehand to confirm strictly within limits; denied boardings are common for oversize/weight pets.
- Always call Avianca to reserve a pet spot—online booking not available for pets; spaces fill early.
- Use airline/IATA-compliant carriers—improper carriers or crates are top reasons for denied boarding.
- If your animal is not a cat/dog or is a special breed, always check country laws (CITES/health, import/export, microchip) well before booking.
- Never sedate your animal without explicit veterinary authorization—may result in denial for safety reasons.
Last updated: July 27, 2025