Etihad Airways – Pet Policy
| Pet Type | Cabin | Checked Baggage/Hold | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog / Cat | Yes (small, healthy, under-seat in soft/hard carrier; maximum 1 pet per guest/booking, 2 if with companion and from same household; $1,500/215,000 Guest Miles per pet; book at least 3h before departure; pet must remain in carrier; only on Etihad-operated flights) | Yes, as checked baggage or manifest cargo for pets beyond in-cabin size/breed limits, or for connecting flights; IATA-compliant crate; fees apply (contact for current rates); embargo for certain breeds/routes/seasons | Must be at least fully weaned, healthy, not pregnant; banned breeds forbidden; all documentation required (passport, vaccination record, health/microchip, import/export permits); CDC Dog Import Form for US. Notify crew at check-in and destination |
| Falcon | Yes (to/from Abu Dhabi on select routes; free as part of allowance; rules/fees by route/class; up to 2 per guest, max 1 per seat row, certain embargoed destinations) | Yes ($500 per cage as checked baggage; see airline for export restrictions and documentation) | CITES or import/export permits required; not accepted on North American, UK, Australia, or some Asian/African routes |
| Bird / Rabbit / Reptile / Fish / Other | No | No (only as animal cargo, with paperwork/permits and advance coordination) | Check Etihad Cargo for process, permits, and embargoes |
Important Guidelines
- Book and pay for pet transport via the Etihad website or by phone before departure (no later than three hours before).
- Only one pet per person (or two if both travelers from same household and pets are compatible). “Under-seat” carrier must be compliant and labeled; pet must stay inside for the entire flight.
- Arrive at least 3 hours before departure with all documentation, including pet passport, recent (<10 days) vet certificate, vaccination record, CDC Dog Import Form (for US), and destination/import/export permits.
- No sedated, pregnant, sick, or aggressive/banned breed dogs. Embargoes and restrictions apply to certain routes/countries for pets/falcons/service dogs; check current list and book early.
- Pit Bulls, Mastiffs, Rottweilers, Tosa, Dobermans, Canario Presa, Boxers, hybrids of above breeds, and any banned breed or mixes are strictly prohibited.
- Pet’s carrier counts as cabin baggage; only one additional personal item allowed. All other baggage must be checked in to hold.
- Animal relief areas are not provided on board. Bring absorbent sheets for your pet; plan for hygiene throughout your journey & transits.
- If you have connecting flights operated by another airline, you cannot transport your pet on Etihad in the cabin—only Etihad-operated flights allowed.
Woofly Tips
- Acclimate your pet to its travel carrier for several days before journey for stress-free passage and easier check-in inspection.
- Review current breed bans, embargoes, and documentation requirements for every destination and transit country; rules change often and are strictly enforced.
- Carry paper and digital copies of all necessary papers (passport, health, vaccine, booking, permits, microchip, CDC Dog Import Form, etc.).
- Never sedate your animal unless prescribed by your vet and carry supporting documentation. Sedated animals are often refused boarding for safety reasons.
- For Business Class, you must buy an extra seat for your pet and arrange at booking. In Economy, only under-seat carriers are permitted.
- Inform all Etihad crew on boarding and after landing that you have a pet traveling with you.
Last updated: July 27, 2025