Flying with a dog or cat on British Airways works differently from most airlines. Regular pets can’t travel in the cabin or as checked baggage, so the only option is cargo — unless you’re travelling with a recognised assistance dog. Here’s a quick guide to how it all works and what to expect.
British Airways pet policy – Complete guide
British Airways has quite strict rules when it comes to pets, so it’s good to know the rules before planning anything. The thing is regular dogs and cats can’t fly in the cabin or as checked baggage. Unless you’re travelling with a recognised assistance dog, everything goes through cargo.
The system is different from most European airlines, partly due to the UK’s strict pet import rules. In this article you’ll find all the available options of traveling with pets as well as how cargo works, what documents you need and of course a few tips at the end.
- Summary of BA pet policy ›
- Pet in cabin ›
- Pet in hold/cargo ›
- How to book a ticket for your pet ›
- Required documents ›
- Approved carrier ›
- Tips ›
- Pros & Cons ›
- FAQ about British Airways pet travel ›
1. Overview of British Airways pet policy
- Accepted Travel Options:
- ❌ In cabin: No (regular pets are not accepted; only recognised assistance dogs allowed)
- ❌ Checked baggage: No (British Airways does not accept pets as checked baggage)
- ✅ Cargo: Yes, all pets must travel via IAG Cargo or PetAir UK
- Minimum age: Depends on destination cargo requirements (typically 12–16 weeks)
- Main transit hub: London Heathrow (LHR)
- Booking deadline: Cargo bookings must be made well in advance
- Link to the BA website
2. British Airways pets in cabin travel
British Airways doesn’t allow pets in cabin. The one and only exception is for recognised assistance dogs, which can stay with their owner throughout the entire journey. These dogs must meet BA’s training and documentation requirements, and the airline needs to be notified in advance.
For all other pets — even very small dogs or cats — cabin travel simply isn’t an option with British Airways. If you’re flying this airline, your pet will need to travel through their cargo partners instead.
What does “recognised assistance dog” mean
A “recognised assistance dog” is a dog trained by an accredited organisation to support a person with a disability. British Airways only accepts officially trained and certified assistance dogs — not emotional support animals and not dogs trained at home. These dogs must have proper ID and meet airline behaviour standards to fly in the cabin.
3. British Airways pet travel in hold/cargo
British Airways does not accept pets as checked baggage, so all animals travel exclusively via cargo. This is arranged through IAG Cargo (most routes into the UK) or PetAir UK for pets leaving the country.
The reason behind this is simple: the UK has strict rules for travelling with animals, so British Airways handles all pets through approved cargo facilities. These places have trained staff and the proper checks in place for documents and animal handling, which regular check-in counters don’t. Because of that, pets can’t be checked in like normal baggage.
Cargo bookings are completely separate from your own ticket. The cargo team or shipper will confirm crate size, documentation, and drop-off details for the day of travel. Your pet must be in an IATA-approved kennel, and it is important to know that availability can vary by route, aircraft type, and breed — especially for snub-nosed dogs and cats.
4. Booking process
Booking a pet with British Airways works differently from airlines that allow pets in the cabin or in the hold. Your own ticket is booked as normal, but your dog’s journey has to be arranged separately through cargo.
- If you’re flying into the UK, the booking goes through IAG Cargo.
- If you’re flying out of the UK, most owners use PetAir UK, who coordinate everything directly with British Airways.
How to contact cargo companies
For flights to the UK (via IAG Cargo):
You can fill out the Live Animals / Pets enquiry form on their website.
Or email: ebookingsupport@iagcargo.com
For flights from the UK (via PetAir UK):
You can call: +44 (0)1725 551 124 or +44 (0)2039 266 622 (available Monday to Saturday, UK time).
Or fill out their online quote/request form.
💡 PetAbroad note: Because cargo space is limited, it’s best to arrange everything well ahead of time.
Booking an assistance dog with British Airways
If you’re travelling with a recognised assistance dog, the process is completely different. These dogs don’t go through cargo at all — they travel in the cabin with you.
To book a seat for an assistance dog, you contact British Airways after reserving your own ticket and send them the required training and identification documents. Once approved, the airline adds the assistance dog to your booking free of charge.
5. Required documents
The documents you’ll need depend mainly on where you’re flying and whether your dog is travelling as cargo or as an assistance dog in the cabin. British Airways follows the standard UK/EU rules, and the cargo partners will always tell you exactly what they need for your route.
For pets travelling via IAG Cargo or PetAir UK, you will usually need:
- Microchip
- Rabies vaccination
- Pet passport or health certificate
- Fit-to-fly certificate if required for your route
- Any import permits that your destination country might ask for
- Correct IATA-compliant crate details (the cargo team will confirm this)
For assistance dogs travelling in the cabin, British Airways also requires:
- Proof of training from a recognised organisation
- Identification paperwork for the dog
- Confirmation of your route’s entry requirements (passport/health certificate)
British Airways and the cargo partners are strict about paperwork, so it’s always best to prepare everything in advance and let the cargo team review the documents LINK before your travel date.
6. Approved crate for cargo
For British Airways, the only thing that really matters is having IATA-approved crate. Since pets travel through cargo, the crate has to fit properly — your dog needs to stand up, turn around and lie down without touching the top.
We recommend to check the SportsPet design crate with detachable wheels, which make it very comfortable for moving around. This crate comes in different sizes so you can choose the right one for your pet.
If you’re travelling with an assistance dog in the cabin, you won’t need a carrier — just a good harness and a short, steady leash for boarding.
🐾 — Check essential accessories for pet travel — ✈️
7. Tips from travelers
Book your pet’s space first, your own ticket second
People who used BA cargo say pet spaces can close weeks in advance, and you don’t always get your preferred date. Several agents even recommend reserving the pet’s route before you lock in your own flight.
Go bigger with the crate than you think
Travellers repeatedly mention that IAG Cargo are strict about crate size. If it’s even slightly too small, they’ll refuse it or make you upgrade on the spot. A few owners thought they were fine based on the website and then were told their crate was “one inch too small”. Measure your dog carefully and err on the generous side.
Use a trusted pet shipper – but check what’s included
Many owners were really happy with PetAir UK and similar agents – mostly because they handled the confusing UK rules, paperwork and route planning, and kept in touch during the journey. Others mention that the service is expensive and sometimes comes with upsells, so it’s worth reading the quote line by line and asking what you can realistically do yourself.
🐾 — Next read: Growing vet costs across Europe — ✈️
8. Pros & Cons of choosing BA for pet travel
Pros
- Cargo teams (IAG Cargo / PetAir UK) are used to handling animals and know the UK rules well.
- Dedicated animal facilities at Heathrow, not just a corner of the baggage hall.
- Recognised assistance dogs fly in the cabin for free.
- Clear paperwork guidelines once you’re in touch with the cargo team.
Cons
- No regular pets allowed in the cabin or as checked baggage.
- Cargo transport is expensive and takes more planning than with other airlines.
- Pets might not travel on the same flight as you.
- Strict crate and breed rules can limit some routes.
9. FAQs about dogs and cats in British Airways flights
Does British Airways allow pets?
British Airways does not allow regular pets in the cabin or as checked baggage. All animals (except recognised assistance dogs) must travel through cargo with IAG Cargo or PetAir UK.
Can I fly with my dog on BA?
Yes, but not in the cabin unless it’s a recognised assistance dog. All other dogs travel via cargo, booked separately from your ticket.
Is British Airways dog friendly?
BA follows strict UK rules for travelling with animals. They don’t allow pets in the cabin or hold, but their cargo partners have dedicated staff and proper animal facilities, so the process is organised and handled professionally.