Pets

If you wish to transport a pet in the aircraft cabin or in the hold you must make advance arrangements with UIA at least 48 hours in advance. UIA allows small dogs, cats and pet rodents (i.e. guinea pigs, hamsters) and other small pet animal species to be carried in the passenger cabin.

Please note that birds, snakes, lizards, insects and any kind of experimental test animals are not accepted as baggage but must be sent as cargo. Pets of the same family or otherwise familiar with each other travelling on the same PNR are handled as one pet unit. Two or more animals of same size may be carried in same container if approved weight and size are not exceeded.

Pets in the cabin

The maximum weight is 5 kg for a pet/pet unit including the container which must not exceed the sum of the dimensions may not exceed 115 cm (55x 45 x 20cm) and only one container per passenger is allowed.

Quantity restrictions per flight: - one container in Business Class; - two containers in Economy class

A pet must be kept in its container at all times and the container shall strictly not be opened at all when on board. The container shall be placed and kept under the seat in front of the passenger throughout the flight whenever fasten seat belt sign is on. The maximum size of the container is the same as with the carry on baggage. A soft bag that has been designed for transportation of small dogs and cats is recommended for dogs and cats in the cabin.

Final acceptance is always subject to Commander’s approval and removal of pet to the cargo hold may be ordered if one of the established conditions is not respected.

Animals in the hold

A maximum of two animals of comparable size up to 14 kg each, which are used to cohabitation, may be shipped in the same container. Animals over that weight must travel individually. Animals up to six months old from the same litter, up to a maximum quantity of three, may be shipped in the same container.

The maximum weight is 50 kg including the weight of the container; animals exceeding this weight limit shall be shipped as cargo. Pets over 40 kg must be carried in strong wooden containers.

Animal transportation charges

Pets are not included in the free baggage allowance. When the weight system is applied, the normal excess baggage charge is debited and when the piece system is applied, one excess charge is debited for the pet/pet unit, regardless whether the passenger’s free baggage allowance is used or not. The weight consists of animal plus container.

Preparations and restrictions

The passenger must have an advanced booking in UIA’s reservation system and he has to provide all necessary documents (pet passport, export/import/transit permits, health/vaccination certificates etc.)

UIA does not assume any responsibility if an animal is refused entry into or transit through a country.

The importation of pets as baggage is totally prohibited to/via some countries, e.g. Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, and Hong Kong, Australia. To these countries live animals must be transported solely as air cargo under an appropriate Air Waybill.