Flying with a dog from the UK to Europe

Leaving the UK with a dog is allowed in the cabin with several airlines. The hard part is the return: pets cannot re-enter Great Britain in the cabin.

The route in one picture

Leaving the UK is the easy half. No British rule stops your dog flying out in the cabin — the limit is the airline's own policy, and the four biggest UK-based carriers (British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air) carry no pets at all. The airlines that do accept dogs out of London and other UK airports are the continental ones: Lufthansa, SWISS, Air France, KLM, Iberia, TAP and ITA Airways, within their usual weight and carrier limits.

Two exceptions are worth knowing before you search. Vueling does not carry pets on any flight to or from the UK — the service simply cannot be bought on those routes. And Iberia accepts no pet in the cabin at London Gatwick, on any flight arriving or departing, so from Gatwick you need a different airline.

The return is the hard half: pets cannot enter Great Britain in the cabin with any airline. They must come back as cargo on a route approved by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, or overland via Eurotunnel or ferry from France. Plan the return before you book the outbound, or you will find yourself in Europe with a dog that has no simple way home.

Verified airlines on these routes

Airlines from our database flying the relevant airports and accepting pets in the cabin, ranked by permitted weight, carrier included.

• Air Canada — up to 10 kg with the carrier, solo trasportino morbido, sotto il sedile, hold up to 45 kg
• Vueling — up to 10 kg with the carrier, 45 x 39 x 21 cm, no hold option
• WestJet — up to 10 kg with the carrier, sotto il sedile, razze brachicefale ammesse, hold up to 75 kg
• Alaska Airlines — up to 9 kg with the carrier, 43 x 28 x 19/24 cm sotto il sedile, hold up to 45 kg
• American Airlines — up to 9 kg with the carrier, 46 x 28 x 28 cm (morbido), no hold option
• JetBlue — up to 9 kg with the carrier, sotto il sedile, programma JetPaws, no hold option
• United Airlines — up to 9 kg with the carrier, sotto il sedile, chiuso, no hold option
• Air France — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 46 x 28 x 24 cm (morbido), hold up to 75 kg
• Austrian Airlines — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 55 x 40 x 23 cm, hold up to 75 kg
• Delta — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 46 x 28 x 28 cm (morbido, consigliato), no hold option
• Etihad Airways — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 40 x 40 x 22 cm sotto il sedile (50 x 43 x 50 con posto extra), hold up to 75 kg
• Finnair — up to 8 kg with the carrier, sotto il sedile, hold up to 75 kg
• ITA Airways — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 55 x 40 x 23 cm (morbido), hold up to 75 kg
• Iberia — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 45 x 35 x 25 cm (somma 105 cm), hold up to 45 kg
• KLM — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 46 x 28 x 24 cm (morbido), hold up to 75 kg
• LATAM — up to 8 kg with the carrier, solo su voli operati LATAM, hold up to 75 kg
• Lufthansa — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 55 x 40 x 23 cm, hold up to 75 kg
• SAS Scandinavian Airlines — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 40 x 25 x 23 cm, hold up to 50 kg
• SWISS — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 55 x 40 x 23 cm, hold up to 75 kg
• TAP Air Portugal — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 45 x 30 x 23 cm (morbido), hold up to 45 kg
• Turkish Airlines — up to 8 kg with the carrier, 40 x 30 x 23 cm, hold up to 50 kg

They fly these routes but carry no pets on board: British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, easyJet, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, ANA, Icelandair, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, Aer Lingus.

Frequently asked questions

• Can my dog fly from London to Europe in the cabin?
  Yes, with continental airlines such as Lufthansa, SWISS, Air France, KLM, Iberia, TAP or ITA Airways, within their weight and carrier limits. British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air carry no pets, and Vueling does not offer the service on UK routes at all. From London Gatwick, Iberia does not accept pets in the cabin either.
• Can my dog fly back to the UK in the cabin?
  No. Pets cannot enter Great Britain in the cabin with any airline: the return must use cargo on an approved route, or Eurotunnel and ferry via France.
• What documents does my dog need to leave the UK for the EU?
  A microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU animal health certificate issued by an official vet within 10 days of travel, plus tapeworm treatment for re-entry. Check DEFRA guidance for your dates.
• Is the Eurotunnel easier than flying with a dog?
  For the return to Great Britain it is often the only practical option, and many owners use it both ways: the pet stays with you in the car for the whole journey and the route is approved for pet travel.
• Do I need to book the pet space in advance from UK to Europe?
  Yes, always. Pet spaces are limited per flight and separate from your ticket: add the pet as early as possible and confirm it before paying. A purchased ticket does not guarantee your pet boards.
• Does the weight limit include the carrier?
  Yes, with every airline verified except Air Europa, which sets two separate limits. Weigh pet and carrier together at home: a bag adds 800 g to 1.5 kg.