This complete guide covers everything about traveling with a dog on Finnair, including booking steps, carrier size rules, required documents, and the difference between Finnair and Norra-operated flights.
Finnair – Complete guide to flying with dogs
Finnair is a pet friendly airline which allows dogs in cabin as well as in hold. Flights are operated either directly by Finnair or Norra, which plays a big role in some pet travel rules such as size of pet carrier, so it’s worth paying attention before booking.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to prepare for flying with your dog on Finnair: cabin and in hold rules, all about the booking process, travel gear recommendations, required documents, and tips from travelers.
- Summary ›
- Pet in cabin ›
- Pet in hold/cargo ›
- How to book a ticket + VIDEO ›
- Required documents ›
- Recommended travel gear ›
- Tips ›
- Pros & Cons ›
- FAQs ›
1. Overview of Finnair pet policy
- Accepted Finnair pet travel options:
- ✅ In cabin: Yes (dogs allowed if total weight incl. carrier is max 8 kg; rabbits, tortoises, hedgehogs also accepted only from EU)
- ✅ Checked baggage: Yes, dogs, cats, ferrets up to 75 kg incl. carrier; 50 kg on Norra flights; rabbits, tortoises, hedgehogs only from EU
- ✅ Cargo: Required for heavier pets or destinations like UK, Hong Kong, UAE, Australia
- Cabin weight limit: Max 8 kg (incl. soft carrier or crate)
- Carrier size (in-cabin):
- Soft carrier: max 55 × 40 × 23 cm (Finnair) / 55 × 40 × 20 cm (Norra)
- Hard carrier: max 35 × 30 × 20 cm (Finnair & Norra)
- Minimum age: Not officially stated; recommend at least 8 weeks (check destination requirements)
- Main transit hub: Helsinki Airport, Finland
- Booking deadline: As early as possible; limited space per flight (2 pets)
- Link to the Finnair website
2. Finnair pet in cabin travel
Price for Finnair dog in cabin is € 60 per flight (in a case you book the flight for your pet less than 6 days before the planned departure, it costs € 65) when it comes to European flights. If you travel outside of Europe, incl. Middle East, the price rise up to € 120 (/€ 130 if you book your pet 6 or less days before departure).
As all European airlines even Finnair accepts only IATA approved dog carriers with solid bottom and good ventilation. We recommend soft pet carriers – you can check our TOP 5 options here. Weight limit for the box including your pet is 8 kg and you can carry up to 2 pets there as long as they fit and the weight does not exceed the limit.
Finnair allows a maximum of two pets per flight, with one pet carrier per customer, so booking early gives you the best chance of availability.
Finnair pet carrier size limits
- Flights operated by Finnair: soft bags 55 x 40 x 23 cm/ hard carriers 35 x 30 x 20 cm
- Flights operated by Norra: soft bags 55 x 40 x 20 cm/ hard carrier 35 x 30 x 20 cm
3. Finnair flying with pets in hold or cargo
Pet flights in hold or cargo require a little more preparation than pet flights in cabin, so we have prepared all the important information for you right here.
a) Finnair flying with pets in hold
When booking pet in hold, make sure to do it as soon as possible (at least 7 days before departure). Finnair usually confirms a reservation within 2 days, for USA fligths at least 2 weeks before departure. If it is a longer flight with 1 or more connections, keep in mind that you need to have at least 3 hours between flights.
Finnair also put limits on the number of animals you can travel with: on flights operated by Finnair it’s 2 pets per person, on Norra flights it is only one. Also, it’s not possible to travel with a pet in hold if your ticket includes flights operated by other airlines than Finnair or Norra.
Weight limit for pet in the hold is maximum 75 kg (Finnair) or 50kg (Norra) incl. the container.
Finnair dog in hold pricing
- Flight within Europe: € 120
- Intercontinental flights: € 600/ $ 650
Tips for traveling with your pet in hold
As the space in holdcraft is air-conditioned and for safety reasons the temperature is above 10 degrees Celsius, we definitely recommend packing blankets for your dog in the crate. It is also important that your dog knows the crate well, so training is half the battle won.
The dog should also have access to water, so a sipper water bottle is a great choice as long as it knows how to use it. 🙂
🐾 — Your story: Finland – Malta with a dog — ✈️
b) Finnair pet cargo
You can ship your pet as a cargo via Finnair Cargo, the reservation must be done via forwarding company, eg Travelcargo – Pet Express.
Finnair Cargo only transports animals on direct selected routes, not via partner airlines. If your destination is Finland, pets can only be transported through Helsinki Airport.
4. Booking process
Booking process with Finnair is quite easy, even though could be even easier. However you can do it online – we’ll show you how to book a spot for pet in cabin as well as in hold/cargo.
All the bookings for pets are confirmed manually so make sure you receive the confirmation – you can also check it in “Manage booking”.
How to book Finnair pet in cabin
- Start booking your flight.
- During booking add a pet at “Travel extras” – “Pets in cabin”.
- OR if your flight is already booked.
- Go to “Manage booking”.
- Add a pet to your booking.
If you do not see the option Pets in cabin, it means there’s no available space for your pet on this particular flight. You can check different time or day and may have more luck!
How to book dog in hold with Finnair
- Book your flight ticket.
- Contact Finnair within 24 hours to add “pet in hold” via chat/by phone.
- Provide the required information (about pet, breed, carrier size, weight,..).
- Wait for the confirmation.
- Pay the fee (usually via sent link).
- Receive confirmation.
- Done!
Video: Booking a pet flight ticket with Finnair
5. Required documents
On Finnair flights within Europe, you’ll need an EU Pet Passport. For flights to or from other regions, an Animal Health Certificate is usually required. If you’re unsure which documents you need, check out our guide to pet travel documents .
If you’re traveling to Finland, Malta, Ireland, or Norway, make sure your dog has been treated for tapeworm. Also some destinations may require extra vaccines, even within Europe, even though travel rules are often the same across the EU, it can still happen that specific countries may have additional requirements.
The good thing about Finnair flying with pets is that you do not need a fit-to-fly certificate, which can make the process a bit easier.
6. Recommended travel gear
For Finnair flights for pets in cabin we recommend soft side bags:
- EQUICANI Hundetasche
- Wakytu Dog Bag
- Amazon Basics pet carrier
If you travel with Finnair more often, it’s good to think about the flights operated by Norra, which has slightly different size dimensions, get a pet carrier that fits the Norra criteria. For that reason one of the best options is the Amazon Basics pet carrier.
Do not forget about other important accessories such as water and food bowls and calming aids.
7. Tips from travelers
Contact Finnair in advance to confirm availability for your pet – via online chat or phone. The number of animals allowed in the cabin is limited (2 per flight), so make sure one of those spots is yours!
It’s also important to check who operates your flight. Pet carrier size limits differ slightly depending on whether the flight is operated by Finnair or by Norra. Norra allows slightly smaller carriers (maximum height 20 cm instead of 23 cm).
Whenever possible, choose a direct flight. Avoiding connections and layovers can make the journey much less stressful for your dog
🐾 — Next read: Growing vet costs across Europe — ✈️
8. Pros & Cons of choosing Finnair for pet travel
Finnair is a solid option if you’re flying within Europe with a dog. Small pets are allowed in the cabin on most routes, and there’s no need for a fit-to-fly certificate. Booking is straightforward once space is confirmed, and Finnair’s network covers many big European destinations.
That said, there are some cons. First of all only two pets are allowed in the cabin per flight. Also if your flight is operated by Norra, the allowed carrier height is slightly smaller, which can catch people off guard. Costs are also on the higher end, especially for larger dogs that need to travel as checked baggage or cargo.
9. FAQs about Finnair pet policy
What pets does Finnair allow on board?
Finnair allows small cats, dogs, rabbits, hedgehogs, and tortoises to travel in the cabin or in the hold, depending on the route and flight operator. Ferrets are only allowed in the hold, and all other animals must travel as cargo.
What are the weight and size limits for pets on Finnair flights?
For in-cabin travel, Finnair allows pets up to 8 kg including the carrier. The carrier must fit under the seat, be well-ventilated, and have a waterproof or solid bottom.
What carrier dimensions does Finnair accept?
On Finnair-operated flights, soft carriers up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm are allowed. On flights operated by Norra (Finnair’s regional partner), the maximum height for soft carriers is 20 cm. Hard carriers are limited to 35 × 30 × 20 cm on all flights.
How many pets does Finnair allow per flight?
Finnair typically allows a maximum of two pets in the cabin and two in the hold per flight. The number may vary depending on the aircraft and passenger allergies.
How much does it cost to fly with a dog on Finnair?
Finnair charges around €60–€65 for in-cabin pet transport on European routes, and €120–€130 for intercontinental flights.
Does Finnair require a fit-to-fly certificate for dogs?
No, Finnair does not require a veterinary fit-to-fly certificate for pets travelling in the cabin or hold, which makes the process simpler.
What documents do I need to fly with a dog on Finnair?
For travel within the EU, Finnair requires an EU Pet Passport or an EU Health Certificate showing valid microchip and rabies vaccination. Some destinations, such as Finland, Ireland, Norway, and Malta, also require tapeworm treatment.