Emirates does not allow pets in the cabin. With very limited exceptions for trained service dogs on specific routes and falcons on select flights, all pets must travel as checked baggage or manifest cargo through Emirates SkyCargo.
If you’re flying to or from Dubai, expect stricter rules: UAE government regulations require most pets arriving in the country to travel as cargo. Weight limits for checked baggage are 32kg (71lbs) combined pet and carrier weight, with anything heavier or larger requiring cargo shipment.
Quick Reference: Emirates Pet Travel
Not Available
32kg / 71lbs (pet + carrier)
$500-$1,150 USD
Phone or Online Form
Why Emirates Has Such Restrictive Pet Policies
Emirates operates differently from most airlines when it comes to pet travel. As a Dubai-based carrier, the airline must comply with UAE government regulations that prohibit pets from traveling in passenger cabins on flights arriving in Dubai. This isn’t an airline preference; it’s a legal requirement enforced by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE).
Even on routes that don’t touch Dubai, Emirates maintains a no-pets-in-cabin policy across its network.
The only exceptions are trained service dogs on specific routes (primarily US-Canada-Dubai flights) and falcons on select Dubai-Pakistan routes, reflecting the cultural significance of falconry in the region.
If you’re planning to fly Emirates with your pet, you need to prepare for cargo travel or look at alternative airlines that allow cabin pets on your route.
Checked Baggage vs. Manifest Cargo: Understanding Your Options
Checked Baggage
Weight Limit: 32kg (71lbs) combined pet and carrier
Dimension Limit: 300cm (118in) total (L+W+H)
Availability: Select routes only (not available for Dubai arrivals)
Booking: Through passenger reservations
Best For: Small to medium pets on eligible routes
Manifest Cargo
Weight Limit: No upper limit (custom quotes for large pets)
Dimension Limit: Flexible based on aircraft capacity
Availability: All routes, required for Dubai arrivals
Booking: Through Emirates SkyCargo division
Best For: Large pets, multiple pets, or restricted routes
Checked baggage is not available on all routes. Flights arriving in Dubai require manifest cargo due to UAE import regulations. Contact Emirates directly to confirm if your specific route allows checked pet baggage.
For manifest cargo, you’ll work with a cargo agent rather than passenger reservations. Your pet travels on the same flight but under a different manifest system, requiring advance coordination with Emirates SkyCargo.
Crate Requirements You Must Meet
Whether traveling as checked baggage or cargo, your pet’s crate must meet IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards. Emirates enforces these requirements strictly.
IATA-Compliant Crate Requirements
- Hard-sided construction only (no wire, soft-sided, or collapsible crates)
- Solid roof and floor (no wire tops)
- Secure door with locking pins (not just spring latches)
- Ventilation openings on at least three sides, minimum 16% of total wall space
- Leak-proof bottom with absorbent material
- Food and water dishes that attach to the inside of the door
- Handles or grips on opposite sides for safe lifting
- Live animal labels clearly visible on top and at least one side
- No wheels (must be removed or permanently disabled)
- Large enough for pet to stand naturally, turn around completely, and lie down comfortably
Breed Restrictions and Seasonal Limitations
Emirates bans or restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds year-round or limits them to winter months due to breathing difficulties at altitude and temperature sensitivity.
Banned or Restricted Dog Breeds
The following breeds cannot travel on Emirates at all, or only during winter months (November through April) via SkyCargo:
- All Bulldogs (English, French, American)
- Pugs
- Shih Tzus
- Boston Terriers
- Boxers
- Pekingese
- Lhasa Apsos
- Bull Terriers
- Mastiffs (all varieties)
- Japanese Chin
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Banned or Restricted Cat Breeds
- Persian cats
- Exotic Shorthairs
- Scottish Folds
- British Shorthairs
- Himalayans
- Burmese
How to Book Pet Travel on Emirates
You cannot book pet travel online. Emirates requires phone or form-based booking for all pet transport to ensure proper documentation and route eligibility.
- Contact Emirates early: Reach out at least one week before your intended travel date (earlier for complex routes or Dubai destinations requiring government permits)
- Submit the pet travel form: Complete the request at https://www.emirates.com/english/help/forms/pets-travel/ with flight details, pet species, breed, weight, and crate dimensions
- Wait for confirmation: Emirates will verify space availability and route eligibility (Dubai arrivals require coordinating with UAE MOCCAE for import permits, taking a minimum of 4 working days)
- Gather required documents: Once approved, you’ll receive a list of specific documents needed for your route
- Pay applicable fees: Fees are collected at booking or check-in depending on whether you’re using checked baggage or cargo services
For cargo bookings, contact Emirates SkyCargo directly at https://www.skycargo.com/products/live/pets/ or through their regional offices.
What You’ll Pay: Fee Breakdown by Weight and Route
Emirates charges for pet travel based on combined pet and carrier weight, plus total dimensions. Fees vary by route region.
| Weight & Size Category | Requirements | Fee (USD) | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Up to 23kg (51lbs) & up to 150cm (59in) total dimensions | $500 | $700 |
| Tier 2 | 24-32kg (53-71lbs) & 150-300cm (59-118in) | $650 | $900 |
| Tier 3 | Over 32kg (71lbs) but under 300cm total dimensions | $800 | $1,150 |
| Manifest Cargo | Over 300cm (118in) total dimensions or any weight over Tier 3 limits | Custom quote from SkyCargo | |
These fees apply to routes between the Americas and Africa. Other route regions may have different pricing. Contact Emirates directly for exact fees on your specific routing.
Service dogs approved for cabin travel on eligible routes fly free of charge.
Required Documents and Health Certificates
Documentation requirements vary significantly by destination country. At minimum, you’ll need a veterinary health certificate stating your pet is fit to fly, issued within a specific timeframe before departure (typically 10 days, but this varies by destination).
Standard Documentation for Most Routes
- Veterinary health certificate: Issued by a licensed vet, confirming your pet is healthy and fit for air travel
- Rabies vaccination certificate: Must be current and administered at least 21 days before travel (but not expired)
- Microchip documentation: ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip for most international destinations
- Import permit: Required by many destination countries; must be obtained before travel
- Export permit: Required by some origin countries
Additional Requirements for UAE/Dubai Arrivals
- Rabies titer test (RNAT) showing adequate antibody levels
- Official vaccination book with complete history
- UAE import permit obtained through MOCCAE (takes 4+ working days)
- Payment receipt for import fees
- All documents must be submitted at least 4 working days before departure
High-Regulation Destinations (Australia, New Zealand, UK, Hong Kong, South Africa, Brazil)
- Extended quarantine periods upon arrival
- Additional blood tests and treatments
- Government-issued import permits that take weeks or months to obtain
- Specific parasite treatments within defined timeframes
Service Dogs: The Only Cabin Option
Emirates allows trained service dogs in the cabin on select routes, primarily flights between the United States, Canada, and Dubai. This is the only way a dog travels in the passenger cabin on Emirates.
Who Qualifies
Only dogs individually trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability qualify. The dog must be trained to do specific work directly related to the handler’s disability. Emotional support animals do not qualify and must travel as cargo.
Required Documentation for Service Dogs
You must submit the following at least 48 hours before departure (4+ working days for Dubai arrivals):
- Completed special assistance form from https://www.emirates.com/us/english/help/forms/special-assistance-and-wellness/
- Veterinary health certificate confirming fitness to fly
- Current rabies vaccination certificate
- Rabies titer test (RNAT) results for UAE arrivals
- Complete vaccination book
- UAE import permit and fee receipt for Dubai destinations
- Documentation of service dog training and task performance
In-Flight Requirements
Your service dog must remain at your feet throughout the flight without occupying a seat or blocking the aisle. The dog must be under your control at all times, either on a leash or in a harness.
Temperature Restrictions and Seasonal Considerations
Emirates maintains climate-controlled cargo holds, but extreme temperatures at origin or destination airports can delay or prevent pet travel. The airline restricts brachycephalic breeds to winter months (November through April) specifically because these breeds struggle with temperature regulation.
Summer travel through Dubai or other Middle Eastern hubs poses particular challenges. Ground temperatures can exceed 45°C (113°F), and even with climate control, the time spent on the tarmac during loading and unloading creates risks.
Summer Travel Strategies
- Book overnight or early morning flights when ground temperatures are coolest
- Avoid connections that require your pet to be unloaded and reloaded in hot climates
- Freeze water in your pet’s bowl so it melts gradually during the flight
- Choose direct flights whenever possible to minimize ground time
Routes Where Pet Travel Is Most Restricted
Certain Emirates destinations impose additional restrictions beyond the airline’s standard policies.
UAE and Dubai Arrivals
All pets arriving in Dubai or other UAE destinations must travel as manifest cargo, not checked baggage. This is a government requirement. The UAE import permit process through MOCCAE takes a minimum of 4 working days and often longer during peak periods.
Australia and New Zealand
These countries require extensive pre-arrival documentation and often mandate quarantine periods regardless of your pet’s health status. Pets must travel as manifest cargo, and you’ll need to coordinate with government-approved quarantine facilities before booking your flight.
United Kingdom
Post-Brexit, UK pet import requirements have become more complex. Pets from non-EU countries need specific documentation and may face different rules than EU pets. All pets must travel as cargo to the UK on Emirates.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong requires import permits and has breed-specific restrictions beyond Emirates’ policies. Certain dog breeds face additional scrutiny or outright bans.
South Africa and Brazil
Both countries have extensive import requirements including specific health certificates, permits, and in some cases, quarantine. Processing times for permits can extend several weeks.
Check-In Process and Airport Procedures
Arrive at the airport earlier than you would for a standard flight. Emirates recommends arriving at least 3-4 hours before departure when traveling with a pet in cargo.
What to Expect at Check-In
You’ll check in at the standard passenger counter, where agents will verify your pet documentation. Have all certificates, permits, and health records readily accessible in a folder. Agents will inspect your pet’s crate to ensure it meets IATA requirements.
For checked baggage pets, you’ll hand over the crate at the oversized baggage counter after passenger check-in. For manifest cargo, you may need to deliver your pet to a separate cargo facility, sometimes located away from the main terminal. Confirm exact procedures with Emirates when booking.
Loading and Unloading Priority
Emirates loads pets last and unloads them first to minimize time in the cargo hold while the aircraft is on the ground. You cannot accompany your pet to the cargo hold or observe loading.
What About Emotional Support Animals?
Emirates does not recognize emotional support animals as service animals. Since 2021, following changes to US Department of Transportation regulations, ESAs must travel as pets in cargo.
If you have an emotional support animal, you have two options: book your animal as checked baggage or manifest cargo following all standard pet travel procedures and fees, or choose a different airline that still accommodates ESAs in cabin (though these are increasingly rare).
Alternatives to Consider
Emirates’ restrictive pet policies make it one of the more challenging airlines for pet owners. If your route allows, consider these alternatives:
Airlines with more permissive cabin pet policies: Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, and several US carriers allow small dogs and cats in cabin on many routes. [INTERNAL LINK: airline pet policy comparison]
Pet shipping specialists: Companies like PetRelocation and AirAnimal specialize in international pet transport and can sometimes find better routing or handle complex documentation on your behalf.
Ground transport for shorter distances: If you’re traveling within Europe or other connected regions, professional pet ground transport services might offer less stressful alternatives to air cargo.
Your Questions Answered
Can I buy a seat for my small dog on Emirates?
No. Emirates does not allow pets in the passenger cabin regardless of size, with the sole exception of approved service dogs on specific routes. You cannot purchase an extra seat for your pet.
How much does it cost to fly a medium-sized dog on Emirates?
For a medium dog (around 20-25kg including crate), expect to pay $500-$650 USD as checked baggage on eligible routes. If your route requires manifest cargo or your dog exceeds 32kg total weight, you’ll need a custom quote from Emirates SkyCargo, which typically costs more.
Can my French Bulldog fly on Emirates?
French Bulldogs face severe restrictions due to their brachycephalic (snub-nosed) structure. Emirates either bans them entirely or restricts them to winter months (November-April) via SkyCargo only, depending on the specific route. Contact Emirates SkyCargo directly to ask about your specific travel dates and routing.
Do I need a pet passport for Emirates flights?
EU pet passports are recognized for travel within the EU, but Emirates requires destination-specific documentation for all international flights. Your pet passport may fulfill some requirements, but you’ll likely need additional certificates, permits, and health documentation depending on your destination. Always verify with both Emirates and your destination country’s import authorities.
How early should I book pet travel on Emirates?
Submit your pet travel request at least one week before departure, but earlier is strongly recommended. For Dubai destinations requiring UAE import permits, allow a minimum of 4 working days for government processing. For complex destinations like Australia or the UK, start planning 3-6 months in advance to gather all required documentation.
What happens if my connecting flight is delayed and my pet is in cargo?
Emirates ground staff will monitor your pet and provide water as needed during extended delays. However, this is one reason to avoid connections when possible. If you must connect, choose the shortest layover that still allows comfortable connection time, and try to avoid connections in extremely hot or cold climates where your pet might spend extended time on the tarmac.
This article is for informational purposes only. Airline policies change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the airline before booking.
