Cathay Pacific Pet Policy – Travel with Pets

If you are a pet owner and planning to travel with your furry friends, it is essential to note that Cathay Pacific Pet Policy generally does not allow pets inside the cabins of their aircraft. It means that if you want to take your pets along with you on your trip, they must be transported as checked baggage instead. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that only service dogs are permitted inside the cabin for safety reasons. It’s understandable that many pet owners may feel uneasy about checking their beloved companions as baggage during air travel. But don’t worry; Cathay Pacific has made provisions for some pets to be accepted for transportation in the aircraft hold. If this is something you’re interested in doing, we recommend reading Pet Policy before making any decisions about traveling with your pets.

Cathay Pacific Airlines Pet Policy Overview

Below is a brief overview of Cathay Pacific Airlines pet policy.

• Only certified service dogs can travel in the cabin with their owners without any fee.
• Pets such as cats, dogs, and birds can be transported as checked baggage in the cargo hold or as manifest cargo.
• Pets traveling between Hong Kong and New Zealand must be transported as cargo baggage on non-stop flights rather than as checked baggage.

Cathay Pacific Pet Fees

1. Passengers on weight-concept flights are charged for excess baggage based on the weight of their luggage at a standard rate per kilogram.
2. Passengers traveling with pets on flights that follow a piece-concept system will charge 2x the additional baggage fee per piece if their pet’s total weight is up to 50lb/23kg and size is within 158cm/62in. 
3. An additional cost of USD 150 applies for each overextended limit up to 70lb/208cm/80in, while those exceeding limits beyond this point will charge a 4x fee per piece. 
4. Puppies and kittens must be weaned and eight weeks old to participate.
5. To reserve a pet for travel, it is necessary to make the reservation at least 48 hours before departure.
6. Brachycephalic cat and dog breeds are not allowed.
7. Cathay Pacific has temperature restrictions for pets traveling on their flights. If the departure airport’s runway temperature is above 84°F or below 45°F, they may not accept your pet unless you provide an Acclimation Certificate.
8. Pet carriers or crates used for transporting dogs must meet IATA standards and wooden crates are prohibited.
9. Don’t give your pet food or water within four hours of your flight’s departure.

Which pets can fly according to Cathay Pacific pet travel policy?

• If you want to travel with your pets, like dogs, cats, or birds, they will keep in the cargo compartment. Before traveling, make sure to check with local government offices for necessary travel permits and health certificates.
• Brachycephalic animals, such as dogs and cats with snub-noses or flat faces, are not allowed to be checked as baggage on flights due to concerns over their high risk of breathing problems during air travel. It could cause negative health effects for the animals.

Cathay Pacific Airlines Pets in cabin Policy

Cathay Pacific only permits service dogs in the passenger cabin. The airline allows guide/assistance dogs to fly with their owners in the Cathay Pacific pet in cabin. These dogs are trained to assist people with physical disabilities, including guide, hearing, and service dogs.

Guide and assistance dogs must be accredited by specific organizations for air travel, such as Assistance Dogs Europe, Assistance Dogs International, or the International Guide Dog Federation. Airlines require notification 48 hours in advance if any leg of the flight will exceed 8 hours to ensure pet comfort.

Pets are flying in the cargo as Checked Baggage

• According to Pet Policy, the airline allows pets to travel as checked baggage in the cargo hold on most flights, with matching temperature and pressure to the passenger cabin.
• Cathay Pacific has specific conditions for pets traveling in the cargo hold, which must be followed.
• If you’re flying out of Hong Kong with a pet, check with Cathay Pacific to see if they can be checked as baggage.
• When traveling to Hong Kong with a pet, it must be transported as cargo baggage. To learn more about the specific requirements, contact your local Cathay Pacific office and refer to the Agriculture and Conservation Department’s guidelines.
• Dogs that have been trained as service animals are allowed to travel for free with their owners in the passenger cabin.

Certain Requirements for Pet Carriers

Cathay Pacific has specific requirements for pet carriers that must be met in order to comply with Pet Policy.

Guidelines

• Pet carriers or containers that are larger than 203cm/80in and heavier than 70lb/32kg (including the pet) must be approved beforehand to be accepted.
• The pet carrier should have certain features, such as lockable, escape-proof, and leak-proof.
• The pet carrier needs enough ventilation and holes for breathing.
• The carrier for a pet should allow it to stand, sit, lie down, and turn around comfortably.
• The Cathay Pacific approved pet carrier should be IATA-compliant.
• The floor must have absorbent material. 
• Cathay Pacific approved pet carrier must have a non-spillable water container inside.
• The water container needs to be reachable from the exterior.
• The water container needs to be firmly attached to the bottom of its container.
• The pet’s water container should be easily accessible.

Dog container

• Dog containers can be made of fiberglass or plastic/metal with welded mesh.
• Wooden containers are not allowed.
• The container should be easy to handle and prevent handlers from being attacked.  

Cat container

• Cat containers can be made of different materials, such as solid fiberglass, rigid plastic, wood, or metal.
• Avoid welded as well as wire mesh containers.
• Easy to handle and prevent attacks.

Certificates and Documents 

• To transport your pet, you need a health certificate stating that it is being transported in an approved cargo crate.
• Before traveling with your pet, you must ensure that they are healthy and free of communicable diseases by getting a certification from their veterinarian.
• In extremely hot or cold weather, you may need to carry an acclimation certificate.
• When traveling to a foreign country, it is vital to have the necessary certificates and documentation with you.

Restrictions

• Pets cannot be checked or transported as baggage on flights that involve another airline.
• Cathay Pacific airline does not allow certain dog breeds on its flights:

1. Brachycephalic dogs

Cathay Pacific has a list of dog breeds that they do not allow on their flights, such as:

• Brachycephalic dogs include Pug (all breeds), Bulldog, Boxer, Shih Tzu, Shar Pei, Pekingese, and Brussels Griffon.
• Other dog breeds with brachycephaly are Tibetan Spaniel, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Mastiff (all breeds), Lhasa Apso, Japanese Chin (Japanese Spaniel), English Toy Spaniel, and Dogue de Bordeaux.
• Chow Chow and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. 

2. Fighting dog breeds 

Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasileira, Dogo Argentina, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull.

3. Brachycephalic cats

Several breeds of brachycephalic cats are prohibited, including the Sphynx, Scottish Fold, Persian, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair, Burmese, and British Shorthair.

Long Flights

Cathay Pacific pet travel policy mandates pre-departure hydration for pets and requires owners to provide water during journeys lasting 12 hours or more to prevent dehydration.

Cathay Pacific Pet Cargo Baggage

Cathay Pacific requires pets to travel in an IATA-compliant crate, regardless of the mode of transportation. Moreover, Wooden crates are not permitted for dogs.

Guidelines for passengers traveling with guide dogs

Many people need to travel with guide dogs. However, the flight has different guidelines for guide dogs. Below are the same:

Accreditation

Your dog must be accredited by one of the following:

• Assistance Dogs Europe
• Assistance Dogs International
• IGDF (International Guide Dog Federation)
• Before traveling to or through Hong Kong, a special permit from the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department (AFCD) must be obtained. Contact Cathay Pacific’s global contact center for help or information.

Reservation

To book, contact a local office at least 48 hours in advance.

Conditions

Here are some conditions you should abide by when traveling with a guide dog:

Guide Dog

• It must only be a dog and at least four months old.
• Dogs traveling on Cathay Pacific must be fully trained; otherwise, they must follow the Cathay Pacific Pet Policy as checked or cargo baggage.
• According to regulations, passengers must keep their pets seated on the floor under a seat or in their lap if they are small enough.
• Passengers traveling with dogs on flights must adhere to health and sanitation guidelines, particularly when their pets need to use the restroom.
• Passengers are not allowed to extend any part of their body beyond the seat’s “footprint,” into the aisle or another passenger’s foot space.
• Do not occupy a seat.
• If larger than a 2-year-old lap infant, the dog must remain seated on the floor.
• Dogs must be kept with the passenger at all times.

Behavior Recommendation

Given below are some of the behavior recommendations that you need to keep in mind while traveling with your dog.

Do’s for Guide Dog

The guide dog must always be under the owner’s control, leashed, harnessed, or tethered.

Don’ts for Guide Dog

There are various things that guide dogs should not do, including excessive barking, growling, or biting, lunging at people, urinating or defecating in public areas, and eating from the seat back tray tables.

During Travel Day

• Arriving at the airport early, before the usual check-in time.
• When traveling, it is crucial to bring original copies of necessary documents as they will be required during check-in and upon arrival at the destination.

Booking

To secure a seat for your pet on a trip, contact the booking office at least 48 hours in advance and provide the necessary information.

• Total weight of the animal and carrier.
• Containers: Composition, Dimensions, and Manufacture.
• Travelers need to ensure they have the necessary medical and immunization certificates, entrance licenses, and other required documents for their destination country or any transit stops. This information can find on the IATA Travel Center website’s Immigration, Finance, and Terminal information section.
• Before embarking on a trip with your pet, ensure they are healthy and hydrated. If the journey lasts more than 12 hours, provide water for them in a container that is not too full.

Cathay Pacific traveling with Pets Price

• Cathay Pacific pet travel cost for animals under 50lb/23kg and 158 cm/62 in combined dimensions range from USD 300-500 on flights to/from the US and Canada. 
• On other routes, cathay pacific pet cargo price are based on weight and range from USD 13-65 per kilo.

Cathay Pacific understands how much people love their furry friends and wants to ensure a smooth and safe journey for both passengers and animals alike. Therefore, they have put strict measures in place regarding transporting live animals via air transport.

Finally, if you plan on traveling by air with your four-legged friend(s), make sure you read up on Cathay Pacific Pet Policy beforehand so that there are no surprises or disappointments when it comes time for boarding!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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