El Al Pet TravelLY
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Policy last updated: April 25, 2026
In-Cabin Travel
AllowedDogs, cats, and exotic birds weighing up to 9 kg including carrier may travel in the cabin. Up to two pets may share one carrier provided total weight does not exceed 9 kg and they can coexist without disturbing each other or other passengers. Transport in Business class (737 and 787 fleets only; not permitted on 777 fleet) is subject to EL AL service center approval and limited availability. Pets are not permitted in the cabin on flights to London and Dubai (cargo/bill of lading only). Passengers with LITE tickets will be charged for designated pet seats. The animal must remain in the carrier for the entire flight. Soft carriers are permitted in the cabin only (not in the hold). Passengers are forbidden from resting the cage on their lap during takeoff and landing. The captain may remove the animal or transfer it to the hold if it poses a safety risk or disturbs passengers.
Cargo / Hold
AllowedAnimals 9–100 kg (with carrier) travel as checked baggage in the hold; animals over 100 kg (with carrier) travel as registered cargo via EL AL Cargo Division (contact cargostore@elal.co.il). On 737 aircraft, cage height must not exceed 80 cm. Rigid cages required for hold transport (soft carriers not permitted in hold). Transport cages must have 3–4 air vents, a metal door secured by cable ties at all four corners, and be spacious enough for the animal to stand, turn around, and lie down. Two fully-grown animals (each up to 14 kg) may share one cage; up to three young animals (≤6 months, each ≤14 kg) from the same litter may share one cage. For journeys over 12 hours, a drinking container must be placed in the cage. Animals cannot be transported as registered cargo from: Bangkok, Amsterdam, Boston, Mumbai, Brussels, Larnaca, Frankfurt, Moscow, Munich, Madrid, Berlin, Prague, Warsaw, Toronto, Vienna, Budapest, Kyiv, and Rome. Baggage fees: Europe/Middle East — up to 9 kg: $100, 9–50 kg: $200, 50–100 kg: $400; North America/Far East — up to 9 kg: $150, 9–50 kg: $250, 50–100 kg: $450; Eilat — up to 9 kg: 50 NIS, 9–50 kg: 150 NIS, 50–100 kg: 200 NIS. Cargo fees vary; contact cargostore@elal.co.il. Payment is made at the airport after the animal is weighed, separately from standard baggage allowance. Prices apply only to animals accompanying the passenger on the same flight.
Service Animals
AllowedService dogs are exempt from the 9 kg cabin weight limit. All animals including service dogs require authorization from Israel's Ministry of Agriculture Veterinary Services. The authorization process may take several months and involves animal tests.
Species Rules
Service dogs are exempt from the 9 kg cabin weight limit. Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dog and cat breeds are not approved for transport as baggage in the luggage compartment or as cargo with a waybill.
Breed Restrictions
- Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dog breeds — not permitted as checked baggage in the hold or as cargo with a bill of lading
- Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) cat breeds — not permitted as checked baggage in the hold or as cargo with a bill of lading
- Dangerous dogs (as defined by relevant legislation) — transported to/from Israel in accordance with local regulations and subject to all required permits
Documentation Required
- Authorization from the Ministry of Agriculture Veterinary Services (for travel to/from Israel)
- International certificate of good health (issued by Veterinary Services, facilitated through a veterinarian)
- Authorization from destination country authorities
- Export license (for cargo/bill of lading transport)
- Bill of lading (for cargo transport)
- Laboratory results for rabies antibodies (for import to Israel as cargo)
- Transport authorization from destination country authorities (for cargo transport from Israel)
- All documents must be presented at check-in
- What types of animals are permitted in the cabin?
- Dogs, cats, and exotic birds weighing up to 9 kg including their carrier may be transported in the aircraft cabin. Only cats and dogs are covered by Paws on Board's scope.
- What is the maximum weight allowed for a pet in the cabin?
- The pet including its carrier must not exceed 9 kg. Service dogs are exempt from this weight limit.
- What are the carrier size requirements for in-cabin pet travel?
- Rigid carriers must have 3–4 air vents and a metal door secured to prevent opening during flight. Soft carriers are also permitted in the cabin (not in the hold) provided they meet EL AL's specifications (carrier may exceed specifications by no more than 4 cm). The carrier must be spacious enough for the animal to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably with space between the animal's head and the roof.
- Can pets travel in the cargo hold, and what are the requirements?
- Yes. Animals weighing 9–100 kg (with carrier) travel as checked baggage in the hold. Animals over 100 kg (with carrier) travel as registered cargo via the EL AL Cargo Division. Rigid carriers with 3–4 air vents and a metal door secured by cable ties at all four corners are required. On 737 aircraft, cage height must not exceed 80 cm. Cargo from certain airports (Bangkok, Amsterdam, Boston, Mumbai, Brussels, Larnaca, Frankfurt, Moscow, Munich, Madrid, Berlin, Prague, Warsaw, Toronto, Vienna, Budapest, Kyiv, Rome) is not permitted for import to Israel.
- What are the fees for traveling with a pet?
- Checked baggage fees: Europe/Middle East — up to 9 kg: $100, 9–50 kg: $200, 50–100 kg: $400; North America/Far East — up to 9 kg: $150, 9–50 kg: $250, 50–100 kg: $450; Eilat — up to 9 kg: 50 NIS, 9–50 kg: 150 NIS, 50–100 kg: 200 NIS. Cargo fees depend on various factors; contact cargostore@elal.co.il. Payment is made at the airport after weighing, separately from the standard baggage allowance.
- Is there a limit on the number of pets per passenger or per flight?
- Up to two pets may travel in a single carrier in the cabin, provided their total weight does not exceed 9 kg. The number of pets permitted in Business class is limited; contact the EL AL service center as early as possible.
- Are there any breed restrictions for pets traveling in the cabin or cargo?
- Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dog and cat breeds are not approved for transport as checked baggage in the luggage compartment or as cargo with a bill of lading. Dangerous dogs (as defined by relevant legislation) may only be transported to/from Israel in accordance with local regulations and subject to all required permits.
- What documents and health certificates are required to travel with a pet?
- Required documents include: authorization from the Ministry of Agriculture Veterinary Services, an international certificate of good health, authorization from destination country authorities, export license and bill of lading (for cargo), and laboratory results for rabies antibodies (for import to Israel as cargo). All documents must be presented at check-in.
- How do I book a flight for my pet, and can I do it online?
- To transport a pet, you must notify the EL AL Service Center or your travel agent at least 2 business days before the flight after receiving the Veterinary Services permit. For cargo transport, contact the EL AL Cargo Division at cargostore@elal.co.il. Business class pet transport requires contacting the EL AL service center as early as possible due to limited availability.
- Are there special requirements for international travel with a pet?
- Yes. For travel from Israel, authorization from the Ministry of Agriculture Veterinary Services and the destination country's authorities is required. For travel to Israel, authorization from Israel's Ministry of Health/Veterinary Services is required. For the US, dogs must meet CDC requirements including a reservation at a CDC-approved facility; Israel is currently classified as a high-risk country for rabies by the CDC, requiring a mandatory 28-day quarantine unless a valid rabies antibody test is provided. Pets cannot be transported in the cabin to London or Dubai (cargo only).
- Are there temperature-related restrictions for pets traveling in the cargo hold?
- No specific temperature embargo is mentioned on EL AL's pet policy page.
- What is the airline's policy on sedating pets during travel?
- The passenger is required to prepare the animal for the flight according to the recommendations of a veterinarian. EL AL notes that some dogs and cats may develop sensitivity and/or breathing problems during the flight, which may adversely affect their health and in some cases result in death.
- Is there a dedicated contact for pet travel inquiries?
- For cargo transport from Israel: cargostore@elal.co.il. For cargo import to Israel (tracing): tracingi1@elal.co.il or israelc@elal.co.il. For baggage/cabin transport: the EL AL Service Center. For Ministry of Agriculture Veterinary Services: contact details available on the Ministry's website.
Source: Official pet policy page ↗