Planning a trip to Spain or South America with your dog or cat? The Iberia pet policy is actually one of the easiest to navigate in Europe. Check out our guide, get the info you need and enjoy a smooth flight.
Iberia pet policy โ Complete guide to flying with dogs and cats
Iberia is honestly one of our go-to pet friendly airlines when we’re heading towards Spain or South America. Their main base in Madrid is huge, but it’s actually one of the better places to be with a dog.
Unlike some other big carriers, Iberia keeps their pet rules pretty easy to follow. Here you can find all the current 2026 rules to keep you updated.
- Summary of Iberia pet policy โบ
- Pet in cabin โบ
- Pet in hold/cargo โบ
- How to book โบ
- Required documents โบ
- Recommended travel gear โบ
- Tips โบ
- Pros & Cons โบ
- FAQ โบ
1. Overview of Iberia’s pet policy
- Accepted Travel Options:
- โ In cabin: Yes (dogs, cats, fish, turtles, and birds up to 8 kg including carrier and food)
- โ Checked baggage: Yes (for dogs and cats up to 45 kg including carrier and food)
- โ Cargo: Yes, pets exceeding 45 kg, or those required to travel as freight due to destination laws or breed restrictions
- Cabin weight limit: Max 8 kg on all flights
- Carrier size (in-cabin): 45 cm (L) x 35 cm (W) x 25 cm (H) (the sum of the three dimensions must not exceed 105 cm)
- Minimum age: At least 12 weeks (for EU travel)
- Main transit hub: Madrid-Barajas, Spain
- Booking deadline: Minimum 48 hours before departure
- Link to the Iberia website
2. Iberia pets in-cabin travel with dogs and cats
If you have a smaller dog, cat, ornamental fish, tortoise or bird (except poultry and birds of prey), you can have take them to the cabin with you, which makes Iberia one of the most pet-friendly airlines in Europe. The size limit for in cabin carrier is 45 x 35 x 25 cm.
We at the PetAbroad Team always recommend to use a soft-sided carrier. Itโs way easier to squeeze under the seat than a hard plastic box, and your dog will probably find it more comfortable too. And in case you already have a rigid carrier, make sure that your flight is not operated by Air Nostrum as they do not accept this type of carrier.
When it comes to pricing it can differ based on your destination, but in general you pay around โฌ40 for flights inside Spain, โฌ60 for Europe, and about โฌ180 or more for America and Asia flights.
3. Iberia Airlines pet policy in hold or cargo
Bigger dogs and cats that don’t fit to the 8kg limit for cabin, can travel either in hold or by cargo.
Iberia pets in hold
Dogs and cats up to 45 kg are transported in hold however there is an exception for snub-nosed dogs and “dangerous breeds” (you can find the full list of banned breeds here).
The price depends not only on your destination but also weight of your dog or cat, which is only fair! Here is what you can expect:
| PET WEIGHT | SPAIN | CANARY ISLANDS, EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA, MIDDLE EAST | AMERICA, ASIA, DOHA |
| Up to 10 kg | โฌ85 | โฌ125 | โฌ280 |
| 11 – 25 kg | โฌ90 | โฌ135 | โฌ300 |
| 26 – 45 kg | โฌ100 | โฌ145 | โฌ330 |
List of banned breeds for in hold travel
Dogs: Affenpinscher, American Staffordshire Terrier, Argentine Dogo, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all breeds), Brazilian Mastiff, Bull Mastiff, Canary Prey dog, Cane corso, Cavalier Spaniel, Chihuahua, Chow Chow, Doberman, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Japanese Spaniel, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Mastiff, Miniature Pinscher, Pekingese, Pit Bull, Pug, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Tibetan Spaniel, Tosa and Akita, Yorkshire Terrier.
Cats: Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian
Cargo
If for some reason your pet is not bale to travel in hold, you can use cargo. In this case you need to contact directly a cargo agent such as Woof Airlines. You will need information about your pet – age, weightm, height as well as size of your crate.
Your pet must travel in cargo if:
- It has more than 45 kg,
- Your destination has strict pet import rules,
- Your dog’s/cat’s breed is restricted for in hold travel,
- Is different species than Iberia accepts,
- Is sent on his own.
4. Iberia Airlines pets booking
Booking your pet’s spot in cabin or in hold with Iberia is done only via their Offices at least 48 hours before your flight, however as we always say: the sooner the better!
Here’s how to book your pet with Iberia
- Open the Iberia page – Booking offices,
- Call the number based on your country,
- Have prepared booking reference to add your pet to,
- Tell the agent information about your pet, carrier size etc.,
- Pay for the ticket either via sent link or at the airport.
5. Required documents to fly with Iberia
Iberia pet policy does not require to get a fit to fly certificate, however, of course, your pet must have rabies vaccine, the EU pet passport or AHC, and any other possible vaccination required by the destination country or tapeworm treatment for trips to Malta, Norway, Finland or Ireland.
6. Recommended travel gear for Iberia flights
When it comes to the size of soft bag carrier, Iberia is quite generous. The maximum limits are 45 cm (L) x 35 cm (W) x 25 cm (H) and it is important to keep in mind that the sum of the three dimensions must not exceed 105 cm.
If you are on the hunt for bags for your pet, you can check out these 5 options we put together!
7. Tips from travelers
When flying with Iberia, here is some advice for you and your furry friend. If you fly with your pet in cabin, try to snag a window seat (A or L); the floor space is usually a bit wider, which makes fitting the carrier much, much easier.
Also, a quick, friendly word to the flight attendant to confirm your dog is safely in the hold is totally normal on Iberiaโjust ask, itโs the best way to relax for the rest of the flight.
8. Pros & Cons of choosing Iberia pets travel
Pros:
- Madrid Hub: Their main airport is very dog-friendly and well-equipped for pets in transit.
- Reasonable Fees: Compared to other major carriers, their pet fees are quite fair and consistent.
- Hold Safety: They have a good track record and clear protocols for dogs traveling as checked baggage.
- Flexible In-Cabin Species: Besides dogs and cats, they are quite open to other small pets like birds or tortoises.
- Experienced Staff: Because they handle so many pets daily, the ground crew usually knows exactly what to do with the paperwork.
Cons:
- Manual Booking: You can’t book your pet online; you have to call their service center, which often means long wait times.
- Strict Weight Limits: They are known to be quite firm about the 8 kg limit in the cabin, including the carrier.
9. FAQ about the Iberia Airlines pet policy
How can I book a flight for my dog with Iberia?
You need to call the Iberia service center or visit an official sales office. We recommend doing this immediately after buying your own seat to ensure there is still space in the Iberia pet quota for that specific flight.
Does Iberia allow dogs in the cabin on long-haul flights?
Yes, the Iberia pet policy allows small dogs in the cabin on long-haul routes, including flights to the US or Latin America, provided the total weight of the dog and carrier is under 8 kg.
What are the Iberia pet fees for international travel?
Fees vary by destination. Usually, youโll pay around โฌ50 for flights within Europe and North Africa, while long-haul international flights with Iberia cost about โฌ150. You typically pay this at the airport check-in desk.
Are there breed restrictions for the Iberia hold?
Iberia restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds, such as Bulldogs or Pugs, from traveling in the hold due to safety risks. These breeds are generally still welcome in the cabin if they meet the weight limits.
What is the maximum carrier size for Iberia in-cabin travel?
The maximum dimensions for an Iberia-approved pet carrier are 45 x 35 x 25 cm. The sum of these measurements must not exceed 105 cm, and the carrier must be well-ventilated.