Ryanair dog policy: no pets in the cabin or hold

Let's start with the answer: Ryanair does not carry pets, on any flight, in any form. There is no pet fee, no weight limit and no compliant carrier, because the service does not exist. The only exception is certified guide and assistance dogs.

At a glance

• Dogs and cats. not accepted, in cabin or hold
• Assistance dogs. accepted on selected routes, free of charge
• Certification required. ADI, Assistance Dogs UK or IGDF
• Emotional support. not recognised, not accepted
• Notice. ideally on the same day you book
• On board. harness attached to the seat belt, dog at your feet

Why there is so much confusion

"Ryanair dog in cabin" is one of the most searched pet travel questions in Europe, and it is almost always misplaced hope: with the widest route network, it is the first airline people check. The policy, however, is clear and has not changed.

Be wary of group posts and circulating screenshots: they often refer to other airlines, or to assistance dogs mistaken for pets.

Guide and assistance dogs: the conditions

The dog must be trained to perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability — physical, sensory or psychiatric — and certified by a full member organisation of Assistance Dogs International, Assistance Dogs UK or the International Guide Dog Federation.

Emotional support or therapy dogs not recognised by those bodies are not permitted to travel.

Ryanair should be told preferably on the same day as booking: without notice the service may be unavailable at the airport and you could be denied boarding on the flight you already paid for.

On board the dog wears an identifying jacket or harness, stays on the floor at the passenger's feet, and must be restrained with a harness attached to the seat belt during take-off, landing and turbulence.

Documents

On all EU/EEA flights you need a valid EU pet passport or a third-country official veterinary certificate with the required medical documentation, plus confirmation of the dog's affiliation to Assistance Dogs International.

What alternatives you have

On routes served only by Ryanair, three options remain: a connecting flight with a pet-friendly airline, cargo transport through a specialist agent, or train and ferry over medium distances.

The same airport pair is often served by a pet-friendly carrier on an indirect flight: more than a Ryanair ticket, far less than cargo — and that comparison is exactly what the Puppyonair search engine runs for you.

Frequently asked questions

• Does Ryanair allow dogs in the cabin?
  No. Ryanair does not carry pets on any flight, in the cabin or the hold. Only certified guide and assistance dogs are accepted, on selected routes.
• Does Ryanair carry pets in the hold?
  No. There is no pet transport service in the hold.
• How much does an assistance dog cost on Ryanair?
  Nothing: recognised guide and assistance dogs travel free of charge. They must be declared in advance and the required certifications apply.
• Does Ryanair accept emotional support dogs?
  No. Emotional support or therapy dogs not recognised by ADI, Assistance Dogs UK or IGDF are not accepted.
• What alternatives do I have if only Ryanair flies my route?
  Look for the same route with a pet-friendly airline including connections, consider cargo with a specialist agent, or train and ferry over medium distances.

Experiences from people who flew Ryanair

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