Vueling dogs in cabin: 10 kg pet policy and booking rules

Dogs can fly in the cabin with Vueling up to 10 kg including the carrier, the highest cabin weight among the European airlines compared here. The trade-off is that Vueling does not carry pets in the hold — above 10 kg there is no alternative.

At a glance

• Cabin. dog or cat up to 10 kg with carrier
• Carrier. non-rigid, maximum 45 x 39 x 21 cm
• Hold. not available, under any circumstances
• Routes excluded. no pets to or from the UK and Iceland
• Per passenger. one pet only
• Per flight. maximum 5 pets in the cabin (2 on Iberia-operated flights)
• Species accepted. dogs, cats, non-raptor birds and tortoises
• Seat. you and your pet fly in a window seat

Two extra kilos change a lot

The 10 kg limit is the highest among European airlines and opens the cabin to dogs that would otherwise travel in the hold: an 8.5 kg dog with a 1 kg carrier exceeds the limit at Air France, KLM, Lufthansa and ITA — but not at Vueling.

The carrier, though, is tighter than average at 45 x 39 x 21 cm, and must be approved and non-rigid. It is an unusual profile: more weight, less height.

No hold: the limit is absolute

Vueling does not carry animals in the aircraft hold. Above 10 kg combined there is no option at all: no excess baggage, no middle ground.

For a medium or large dog, rule Vueling out from the start and move the search to Iberia, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa or ITA Airways.

The UK and Iceland: the service does not exist

Vueling's pet service is not available on flights to or from the United Kingdom and Iceland. It is not a matter of weight or capacity: on those routes the service simply cannot be bought.

This is the most expensive mistake to make with this airline, because Vueling runs several London routes: you buy the flight expecting to add the pet later, and you cannot.

Limited spaces and how to book

Each passenger may bring one pet, and a maximum of five pets are allowed in the cabin per flight. On flights sold by Vueling but operated by Iberia the cap drops to two. That is a low ceiling: on holiday routes in high season it fills quickly.

The service is added to your booking during the ticket purchase. If you have already bought the ticket and want to add the pet afterwards, you have to call Customer Services. Vueling's Fly Light bundle or Iberia's Basic fare is enough — you do not need a higher package.

To add the pet to just one leg of a return trip you need Customer Services, or two separate bookings.

Your seat is assigned at the check-in desk on the day: you and your pet will fly in a window seat, never in the first row or by an emergency exit. During the flight the carrier stays on the floor under the seat in front, and the animal cannot come out until disembarking.

Up to two animals may share one carrier, provided they are the same species or litter and stay within the weight and size limits.

Which animals are allowed

Besides dogs and cats, Vueling accepts non-raptor birds and tortoises in the cabin. Rodents, rabbits, ferrets, farm animals, birds of prey, fish and reptiles are not allowed. On flights operated by GetJet or AirHub, only cats and dogs.

The airline may refuse an animal whose smell, health, hygiene or behaviour could distress or endanger other passengers: a discretionary clause, applied at the desk.

Documents

You need the EU pet passport for dogs and cats issued by a vet, with the vaccination record and microchip. The rabies shot must have been given at least 21 days before the flight: a precise window worth checking before you book.

Flying to Ireland from the EU or Schengen area also requires tapeworm treatment; arriving from outside the EU you additionally need a rabies serology test, documentation sent to petmove@agriculture.gov.ie and a notification to the Pet Import Portal at least 24 hours before arrival.

Frequently asked questions

• How much can a dog weigh in the cabin on Vueling?
  Up to 10 kg including the carrier: the highest limit among European airlines.
• Does Vueling carry pets in the hold?
  No. Vueling does not carry animals in the hold: above 10 kg combined there is no alternative with this airline.
• What carrier do I need for Vueling?
  Approved and non-rigid, with maximum dimensions of 45 x 39 x 21 cm. It goes under the seat in front and the pet cannot leave it during the flight.
• How many pets can travel on a Vueling flight?
  One pet per passenger and a maximum of five pets in the cabin per flight, dropping to two on Iberia-operated flights. Book early, especially in high season.
• Can I take my dog to London with Vueling?
  No. The pet service is not available on flights to or from the United Kingdom and Iceland: on those routes it cannot be purchased at all.
• What documents do I need to fly with Vueling?
  A microchip and the EU pet passport issued by a vet, with a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before the flight.

Experiences from people who flew Vueling

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