TAP accepts dogs and cats up to 8 kg in the cabin, but with a tighter carrier than most: 45 x 30 x 23 cm. In exchange it has some of the lowest pet fees in Europe — and it publishes the full price list.
At a glance
- Cabin. pet + carrier up to 8 kg in total
- Cabin carrier. soft-sided, maximum 45 x 30 x 23 cm
- Cabin fee, Europe. from €70 online in low season, from €80 in high season
- Cabin fee, Portugal. from €40 online (€50 in high season)
- Hold. up to 45 kg including the container, but 32 kg for the USA, Hungary, France and the Netherlands
- Minimum age. 10 weeks in the cabin, 12 in the hold
- Maximum per passenger. 5 pets, cabin and hold combined
The carrier is the real constraint
The 8 kg limit is in line with the rest of the market, but 45 x 30 x 23 cm is among the tightest in Europe: 10 cm shorter than SWISS and 1 cm shorter than Air France and KLM. If you already own a 46 cm carrier, it may not pass with TAP.
Only soft containers are accepted: with a rigid crate the pet travels in the hold, even within the weight limit.
In the cabin one carrier can hold up to two pets of the same species; in the hold, up to three.
Fees, published in full for once
TAP publishes its complete price list, which is rare. In the cabin, booking online in low season, fees start at €40 on Portuguese domestic flights, €70 to Europe, Morocco and Tunisia, and €150 on intercontinental routes. In high season they become €50, €80 and €170.
The sales channel matters: booking through the contact centre or at the airport adds a few euros to every line. Add the pet online, right after the ticket.
In the hold, up to 32 kg, fees range from €78 domestic to €118 in Europe and €227 intercontinental in low season. Between 32 and 45 kg they rise to €128, €228 and €297.
Hold travel and sedatives
The hold limit is 45 kg including the container — lower than the 75 kg allowed by Air France, KLM and Lufthansa. For a large dog in a heavy IATA crate, the difference matters.
TAP explicitly advises against tranquillisers and sedatives: they lower blood pressure, an effect that at altitude can be fatal for an animal travelling in the hold. Most aviation veterinarians take the same position.
Frequently asked questions
- Does TAP allow dogs in the cabin?
Yes, dogs and cats up to 8 kg including the carrier, which must be soft-sided and no larger than 45 x 30 x 23 cm. - How much does a dog in the cabin cost on TAP?
Booking online, from €40 on Portuguese domestic flights, from €70 to Europe, Morocco and Tunisia and from €150 on intercontinental routes in low season. High season fees are €50, €80 and €170. - What size carrier does TAP allow?
Maximum 45 x 30 x 23 cm, soft-sided. It is one of the tightest limits in Europe: a 46 cm carrier accepted by other airlines will not pass with TAP. - How many pets can I take with TAP?
Up to 5 per passenger, cabin and hold combined, always subject to availability. One carrier can hold two pets of the same species in the cabin, three in the hold. - Can I sedate my dog before the flight?
TAP explicitly advises against it: sedatives lower blood pressure and at altitude the effect can be fatal for an animal in the hold. Talk to your vet before you travel.
Experiences from people who flew TAP Air Portugal
We have no verified stories for this airline yet. If you have flown with your dog or cat, tell us how it went: we only publish real, moderated experiences, and every story helps someone deciding right now. The others are in our experience archive.
The pet space is separate from your ticket and limited per flight. Check availability, fees and documents on the airline's website before paying: a purchased ticket does not guarantee your pet gets on board.