While not usually something that comes up every time you travel, sometimes you need to fly with your furry friend to and from the United Kingdom. When you can’t leave your beloved pet at home, you’ll need to know which airlines allow pets in the cabin or as cargo in the hold. Can dogs fly on planes in the UK? Yes, and cats, too, but there are some overall rules and exceptions to consider.
As part of a more extensive study on the Top Overall UK Airlines for 2023, we determined which UK-based airlines allow pets on board. Unfortunately, the answer is none currently, with the exception of service animals. But, all is not lost as three airlines do permit pets to travel as cargo. Wondering which ones they are? Read on…
TUI Airways
TUI UK is considered one of the top UK airlines for pet travel because they allow your cat or dog to travel in the hold. This compartment is as comfortable as the passenger one in terms of temperature and is pressurized.
Call or email TUI UK’s Cargo Department in advance to book your pet on your next flight. They’ll confirm that there is space; if so, your pet can travel on the same flight. They will also confirm the cost.
You’ll need to make sure you have the appropriate vaccinations and documentation for the country you’re visiting, and it’s ultimately up to you to conform to any pet importation requirements.
As for the TUI UK requirements, carriers need to be appropriately sized for your pet and have a water bowl and funnel that are fitted on the outside of the travel container. Pets cannot be medically sedated to travel, but herbal calming options are permitted.
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Loganair is the UK’s largest regional airline based out of Glasgow Airport. The Scottish carrier recognizes how necessary it can be to travel with your pet on a plane in the UK, and as long as you don’t need to travel internationally, Loganair is a good bet.
Loganair is another UK airline that allows pets to be checked as accompanying baggage on domestic flights, except ones where the aircraft is a Twin Otter.
The cost to fly with your pet as domestic cargo is £50 one way and must be booked well in advance. Loganair doesn’t allow any pugs, bulldogs, Pekinese, or crossbreeds of these dogs on board.
Important information to consider:
Only one pet per flight is permitted.
Although not every aircraft allows pets, most do, so call ahead to confirm and book.
The carrier must be hard-sided and large enough for the dog or cat to stand and turn around.
The carrier and pet can’t weigh more than 32kg combined.
If you have two adult pets from the same household, they can travel in a single carrier without falling foul of the “one pet per flight” rule. The pets can’t be more than 10kg each in this case.
Aurigny Air Services
Toted as Guernsey’s Airline, Aurigny Air Services is another on the list of which airlines allow pets in the cabin or hold in the UK. The airline’s policies are similar to the others we’ve mentioned in that your pet won’t be permitted to sit with you in the cabin. Instead, your dog or cat will be put into a cage in the front hold.
Aurigny’s United Kingdom pet policy has another limit as well. The only route that welcomes cats or dogs is the one that travels from Guernsey to Southampton (and back). You can only have one pet per flight due to the space in the front hold cage, so always call ahead to book as soon as you know you need to travel. The fee is fairly reasonable at £35 each way.
We would be amiss if we didn’t mention that as part of our more in-depth study on the overall top UK airlines, Aurigny Air Services scored the worst for reliability. This means your chances of encountering a flight disruption are high - not ideal when travelling with a pet. If you experience a disruption, we can help. Whether you need to claim compensation for a delayed flight or learn your rights related to a cancelled flight, we’re here to guide you.
Cheat Sheet - Which Airlines Allow Pets in Cabin (UK)
Airline
Pets in Cabin?
Pets in the Hold?
Cost (one way)
Weight Restrictions
TUI Airways
No
Yes
Contact the airline
Not specified
Loganair
No
Yes
£50
32kg
Aurigny Air Services
No
Yes
£35
Not specified
If you don’t see the airline you’re looking for in this list, they don’t currently allow pet travel of any kind. But keep checking back with the airlines themselves. Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have previously offered the service, but it is currently suspended.
Conclusion
Perhaps the lack of choice in UK airlines that allow pets to travel on board is good. It saves travellers from endlessly searching for flights on dozens of airlines. And if the three carriers listed here don’t offer the routes you need, check with KLM, Air France, or Lufthansa, as they all allow pets in the cabin and the hold and have many routes to and from the UK, even though they are not Britain-based.
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Currently, no UK-based airlines allow pets to accompany you in the cabin on your next flight. But if you’re traveling within the UK, TUI, Loganair, and Aurigny Air Services do permit pets on your flight - they just have to ride in the hold.
Can dogs fly on planes (UK)?
Yes, but only as accompanied baggage in the hold. TUI Airways, Aurigny, and Loganair are your only options for this service.
I can’t find a UK-based airline route for my pet - what should I do?
Branch out. Many Europe-based airlines have extensive routes to and from the United Kingdom. Look for flights from European airlines like KLM, Lufthansa, and Air France, as these all allow pets in the hold and as travel buddies in the cabin.
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AirAdvisor 21.05.2024
Dear Patricia, and Pernilla We appreciate your feedback. The article has been updated. Sorry for inconveniences. AirAdvisor team
Hannah 12.05.2024
Tui UK does NOT allow pets in the cabin. You must have read Tuifly.be the Belgian site. Especially that the fee is listed in euros. Amend this article before someone books Tui thinking they can fly with their pets in the cabin. Source: asked Tui itself and they said NO to pets in cabin to and from the UK.
Pernilla Fishcer 10.05.2024
I;m afraid the information is not correct. I have called TUI to book but they say it is NOT possible to bring a pet in the cabin.
Patricia 06.05.2024
Hi Amy. Great that I can find some info about this subject. I've got a bit confused though as I came across this article after checking the UK government website https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain/approved-routes where it is saying: Pets have to travel as cargo on a plane unless: you’re flying on a chartered private plane you’re travelling with an assistance dog Is TUI in this case flying as a chartered private plane? It would be great if could have this clarified. Thanks.
