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Austrian Airlines Pet TravelOS

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Tel Aviv to Belgrade on Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines
5.0
Tel Aviv (TLV)
Belgrade (BEG)
3/7/2024
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FAQ about Austrian Airlines pet policy

Policy last updated: April 19, 2026

Accepted pets:🐱 Cat🐶 Dog
Min age: 12 weeks

In-Cabin Travel

Allowed
🐾Accepted pets🐱 Cat🐶 Dog
Max weight (pet + carrier)8 kg
Carrier max dimensions55 × 40 × 23 cm
Fee65 EUR

Maximum total weight of pet plus soft travel carrier must not exceed 8 kg. Carrier max dimensions 55x40x23 cm (sum 118 cm). Carrier must be soft, bite-proof, leak-proof, odour-insulated and adequately ventilated. No solid frame, wheels or telescopic handle. Fees vary by route: Domestic (Austria) EUR 65; Europe (incl. Morocco and Armenia) EUR 80; Intercontinental short distance (Jordan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel) EUR 105; Intercontinental medium distance (Chicago, Maldives, Miami, Canada, New York, Washington D.C.) EUR 115; Intercontinental long distance (Thailand, South Africa, Los Angeles, Mauritius, China, Japan) EUR 125. A ticket service fee is also charged. Cabin bookings can be made online via My Bookings except for USA flights. Two signed/printed carrier confirmation forms required at check-in. In some countries (e.g. UK, South Africa) animals must be carried as freight regardless of size. Brachycephalic/snub-nosed breeds may travel in cabin but not cargo hold. Fighting dogs aged 3–6 months may travel in cabin under standard criteria.

Cargo / Hold

Allowed
As checked baggage Yes
As freight Yes
Max weight14 kg
Fee80 EUR
Temperature embargoBrachycephalic/snub-nosed breeds are not permitted in the cargo hold due to sensitivity to temperature and stress.

Up to two pets accustomed to each other, each with a maximum individual weight of 14 kg, may share one IATA-compliant container. Fees vary by route and container size: Domestic EUR 80 (small) / EUR 160 (large); Europe EUR 100 / EUR 200; Intercontinental short distance EUR 130 / EUR 260; Intercontinental medium distance EUR 170 / EUR 340; Intercontinental long distance EUR 190 / EUR 380. Small container = up to 60x45x40 cm; large = exceeding those dimensions. An additional fee of EUR 150 (or CHF 175 / USD 175) applies for travel via Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Zurich, Geneva or Brussels (tickets issued after 1 April 2021). Container must be IATA-compliant: stable, lockable, waterproof top, waterproof absorbent bottom, ventilation on all four sides (max 25x25 mm for dogs, 19x19 mm for cats), spacers, separate food and water bowls accessible from outside, no wire/wire mesh containers. Wheels must be removed or locked. Fighting dogs must travel in special IATA crates in cargo only (exception: 3–6 months old may use standard crates). Brachycephalic breeds are banned from cargo hold. Large animals cannot be carried in cargo hold to certain destinations. Unaccompanied animals handled via Lufthansa Cargo.

Service Animals

Allowed
🐾Accepted species🐶 Dog
Must fit at passenger feet Yes
Advance notice required Yes
Documentation requiredTraining certificate from ADI-, ADEu-, IGDF- or Messerli Research Institute-accredited institution OR certificate from training facility/dog trainer stating name, address, nature and duration of training, and task trained for (non-USA flights)U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form (USA flights)U.S. DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form (USA flights of 8 hours or more)Muzzle must be brought (except Canada, though strongly recommended)

One assistance dog carried free of charge on non-USA flights; two on non-stop USA flights. Dog must be specifically trained for a disabled person's tasks. Must fit in footwell, remain on lead, not sit on seat. Minimum age 4 months (non-USA flights) or 6 months (USA flights). Emotional support dogs and assistance dogs in training are not accepted as assistance dogs (since 1 March 2021). Forms must be submitted at least 48 hours before departure if reservation made more than 48 hours in advance, or at the gate if reservation made within 48 hours. Muzzle required if dog poses a risk; not obligatory for Canada but recommended. Austrian Airlines may verify assistance dog status per DOT regulations.

🐱🐶

Species Rules

Service animals exempt Yes

Policy applies to cats and dogs. Assistance dogs are exempt from lounge carrier rules. No explicit statement about cats and dogs on the same flight.

Breed Restrictions

  • Affenpinschers (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • American Bully (brachycephalic + fighting dog – prohibited in cargo; special crate in cargo only if not snub-nosed)
  • Bulldogs – all breeds except American Bulldogs (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Pugs – all breeds (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • American Pit Bull Terriers (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • American Staffordshire Terriers (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Boston Terriers (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Boxers (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Brussels Griffons (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Bull Mastiffs (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Bull Terriers (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Chow Chows (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • English Toy Spaniels (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Japanese Chins (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Japanese Spaniels (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • King Charles Spaniel (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Lhasa Apso (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Pekinese (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Pit Bulls (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Shar Pei (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Shih Tzus (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Staffordshire Bull Terriers (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • British Shorthairs – cats (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Exotic Shorthairs – cats (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Himalayan cats (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Persian cats (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • Scottish Fold cats (brachycephalic – cabin only, not cargo)
  • American Bulldogs (fighting dog – special crate, cargo only; except 3–6 months old)
  • Dogo Argentino (fighting dog – special crate, cargo only; except 3–6 months old)
  • Karabash/Kangal – Anatolian Shepherd dog (fighting dog – special crate, cargo only; except 3–6 months old)
  • Caucasian Ovcharka – Caucasian Shepherd dog (fighting dog – special crate, cargo only; except 3–6 months old)
  • Rottweilers (fighting dog – special crate, cargo only; except 3–6 months old)
  • Mongrels of all restricted breeds also subject to same restrictions

Documentation Required

  • Completed and signed pet-in-cabin confirmation form (two printouts required at check-in, not required for assistance dogs on direct USA flights)
  • Import/export and health documentation as required by departure, transit and destination countries
  • CDC Dog Import Form confirmation (digital or printed) for dogs entering the USA
  • Separate paperwork for dogs imported into Canada
What types of animals are permitted in the cabin?
Cats and dogs are permitted in the cabin, subject to size, weight and country regulations. Brachycephalic/snub-nosed breeds may travel in the cabin but not in the cargo hold.
What is the maximum weight allowed for a pet in the cabin?
The total weight of the pet and the soft travel carrier combined must not exceed 8 kg.
What are the carrier size requirements for in-cabin pet travel?
The travel carrier must not exceed dimensions of 55 x 40 x 23 cm (total 118 cm, calculated as length + width + height). It must be soft, bite-proof, leak-proof, odour-insulated, adequately ventilated, and large enough for the pet to stand, turn around and lie down. No solid frame, wheels or telescopic handle.
Can pets travel in the cargo hold, and what are the requirements?
Yes, cats and dogs can travel in the cargo hold if they are too large for the cabin or there is no cabin space. The container must be IATA-compliant: stable, lockable, waterproof, with ventilation on all four sides, spacers, and separate food/water bowls accessible from outside. A maximum of two pets (each up to 14 kg individually) accustomed to each other may share one container. Brachycephalic breeds and wire/wire mesh containers are not permitted in the cargo hold. Fighting dogs require special crates.
What are the fees for traveling with a pet?
Cabin fees: Domestic (Austria) EUR 65; Europe EUR 80; Intercontinental short distance EUR 105; Intercontinental medium distance EUR 115; Intercontinental long distance EUR 125. Cargo hold fees (small container up to 60x45x40 cm / large container exceeding those dimensions): Domestic EUR 80 / EUR 160; Europe EUR 100 / EUR 200; Intercontinental short distance EUR 130 / EUR 260; Intercontinental medium distance EUR 170 / EUR 340; Intercontinental long distance EUR 190 / EUR 380. An additional EUR 150 (or CHF 175 / USD 175) applies for travel via Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Zurich, Geneva or Brussels (tickets issued after 1 April 2021). A ticket service fee is also charged.
Is there a limit on the number of pets per passenger or per flight?
Up to two healthy pets may be carried in one approved container. In cargo, a maximum of two pets accustomed to each other (each up to 14 kg) may share a single container.
Are there any breed restrictions for pets traveling in the cabin or cargo?
Yes. Brachycephalic/snub-nosed dog breeds (e.g. Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Chow Chows and others) and snub-nosed cat breeds (British Shorthairs, Exotic Shorthairs, Himalayan, Persian, Scottish Fold) are not permitted in the cargo hold but may travel in the cabin. Fighting dog breeds (e.g. American Bulldogs, Dogo Argentino, Rottweilers, Kangal, Caucasian Ovcharka, American Bully) must travel in special IATA crates in cargo only, except those aged 3–6 months which may use standard crates. Restrictions also apply to mongrels of these breeds.
What documents and health certificates are required to travel with a pet?
Two printouts of the completed and signed pet-in-cabin confirmation form are required at check-in for cabin travel (not required for assistance dogs on direct USA flights). Import/export and health documents are required per destination, transit and departure country requirements. For dogs entering the USA, a CDC Dog Import Form confirmation (digital or printed) is required. For dogs entering Canada, separate paperwork is required. Passengers should consult the relevant embassy and their vet for specific documentation.
How do I book a flight for my pet, and can I do it online?
Cabin bookings for pets can be made online via My Bookings, except for USA flights. Larger animals and USA flight bookings must be arranged via the Service Centre (+43 51 766-1000) or through the contact form. Austrian Airlines will verify conditions of carriage and space availability.
Are there special requirements for international travel with a pet?
Yes. Passengers must comply with all import, export and animal welfare regulations of departure, transit and destination countries. For dogs entering the USA, CDC requirements apply from 1 August 2024, including a CDC Dog Import Form; new bookings are restricted to specific US airports (Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, New York-JFK, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Newark EWR for dogs not from high-risk rabies areas). Dogs must be at least 6 months old for USA travel. Canada requires separate import paperwork. In some countries (e.g. UK, South Africa), animals must travel as freight regardless of size.
Are there temperature-related restrictions for pets traveling in the cargo hold?
Brachycephalic/snub-nosed breeds are not permitted in the cargo hold because they are particularly sensitive to temperature and stress, which can lead to circulatory problems and respiratory distress during carriage.
What is the airline's policy on sedating pets during travel?
Austrian Airlines advises consulting your vet before considering sedation or calming medication. Pets' reactions to medication are often unpredictable and may lead to circulatory problems.
Is there a dedicated contact for pet travel inquiries?
Yes. Pets can be registered via the Austrian Airlines contact form or by telephone at +43 51 766-1000. For USA flights, a specific contact form for general information and registration is available.

Source: Official pet policy page ↗