How Much Does it Cost to Fly with a Pet?

Times have changed, and owners and their pets are being granted more and more rights. Nowadays, it's becoming increasingly common to fly with a pet.

Times have changed, and owners and their pets are being granted more and more rights. Nowadays, it’s becoming increasingly common to fly with a pet. However, not all airlines offer this service, and those that do have each put in place a different set of rules and price schemes.

Before looking at the cost, check the rules

While knowing how much traveling with your pet is going to cost is a vital piece of information, the first thing you need to do is make sure that your pet is in good enough physical condition to jet off on your new adventure. A veterinarian will be able to tell you.

Next, read the terms and conditions of each airline carefully, paying particular attention to any national and international legislation that will be in effect at the time you’re looking to fly.

While there is a set of general flight rules that will apply to every airline, the terms and conditions at each company will vary slightly, depending on the country to which it belongs, and any of their own regulations that they’ve introduced.

Before putting your pet on an airplane, you need to read up on all the documentation that will be required in the country or countries you’re heading to. It’s best to avoid any nasty surprises, for you and your pet. For example, failure to present the appropriate documentation could land your pet a 40-day stay in quarantine.

How much does it cost to fly with a pet?

If everything’s in order and you’ve decided to fly with your pet, it’s now time to pick an airline. In this next section, we’ll take a look at how much it would cost to fly with a pet at some of Europe’s biggest airlines.

NB. This is just a reference, as prices and regulation will vary.

The best thing you can do is check and recheck with the airline once you’re at the airport just to make sure. That way, you can avoid any issues, and your pet will be able to board the flight, whether in the cabin with you, or in the hold.

Traveling with pets: Iberia

In the case of Iberia, the prices per flight and conditions for transporting a pet in the cabin are as follows:

• 28 euros for national flights (within a European country)
• 50 euros for other countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East
• 150 dollars if you’re traveling to America or Asia
• Maximum carrier size of 17.5 x 13.5 x 9.5″
• Maximum weight (including the carrier) of 17.5 lbs

If your pet is traveling in the hold, the prices (per flight) are as follows:

• 120 euros for national flights (within a European country), other countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
• 300 euros from a European country to America and Asia
• 300 dollars if you’re flying from America or Israel

Traveling with pets: AirEuropa

AirEuropa offers the following prices (per flight) for transporting a pet in the cabin:

• 25 euros if you’re traveling from Spain to anywhere on the Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands or the Canary Islands
• 50 euros if you’re traveling to other countries in Europe or Africa
• 150 euros for long-haul flights

The carrier can’t be more than 21.5 x 13.5 x 9.5″ in dimension and your pet can’t weigh more than 17.5 lb (carrier included).

If your pet will be traveling in the hold, the prices are as follows:

• 90 euros from the Iberian Peninsula to the Balearic Islands
• 100 euros if you’re traveling from Spain to the Canary Islands, the rest of Europe and Africa
• 240 euros for long-haul flights

Can you fly with a pet on low-cost airlines?

The most popular low-cost airlines (such as easyJet or Ryanair) do not allow pets on board, with the exception of guide dogs.

However, Vueling does allow pets, but only in the cabin, which means that you can only really fly with smaller animals. On their website, they state that national flights (within a European country) will cost 25 euros, while international flights will cost 40 euros.

Of course, pets must stay in their carriers, with a maximum carrier size of 19.5 x 15.7 x 7.5″. The maximum weight, including the carrier, cannot exceed 17.5 lbs.