Flying To and From Ireland with a Dog

Given that it’s an island, the easiest way to travel to and from Ireland is by flying. This includes if you’re travelling with a dog, especially a dog small enough to fly in the cabin. While the United Kingdom has a strict ban on pet dogs flying into the country in the cabin, there is no such prohibition in the Republic of Ireland, although not all airlines offer the option. Find out more about flying to Ireland with a dog.

Are Dogs Allowed to Fly To Ireland?

Like many people, I used to have the erroneous belief that dogs aren’t allowed to fly in the cabin or as checked baggage on flights into the Republic of Ireland, the same as for the United Kingdom. However, this is not true about flying to Ireland with a dog (or at least not true these days, perhaps the rules have changed).

Dogs don’t need to fly as cargo into the Republic of Ireland. They can fly in the cabin or larger dogs can fly as checked baggage, if the airline allows. So the answer to can I fly to Ireland with my dog is yes, depending on the airline.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, “it is up to the airline to decide whether to carry the animal in the cabin or as excess baggage” (as previously stated on the Department of Agriculture website). There is no obligation to use a cargo handling company, it is “a matter for the airlines to decide how the pet is carried”.

What About Flights Out of Ireland?

Dogs are also allowed to fly out of Republic of Ireland in the cabin or as checked baggage. There is no need for dogs to fly as cargo when leaving Ireland.

Up until recently, dogs were not able to fly out of Dublin Airport as excess baggage, due to an “upgrade” of their baggage system. However, as of 31 January 2024, this is again possible, with the re-introduction of a screening facility for pets in Terminal 1, which is used for pets flying out of both Terminals 1 and 2.

Are There Any Pet-Friendly Airlines in Ireland?

There are two main Irish airlines: Aer Lingus and Ryanair. Neither airline is pet-friendly, with neither airline allowing pets in the cabin or as excess baggage, whether on flights within Ireland or to and from Ireland.

Aer Lingus is the flag-carrier airline of the Republic of Ireland. Only trained service dogs are allowed in the cabin, subject to certain conditions. Previously they flew pets as excess baggage on selected flights, but Aer Lingus now only flys pets as cargo, booked through IAG Cargo.

The Irish budget airline Ryanair does not permit pets to fly at all. Only guide and assistance dogs are permitted to fly on selected routes. There is no option to fly pets as cargo.

Which Airlines Fly Pets To and From Ireland?

So, given that neither Aer Lingus or Ryanair permit pets to travel in the cabin or as excess baggage on flights to and from Ireland, which airlines can you use to travel to Ireland with a pet? In particular, which airlines allow pets in the cabin to and from Ireland?

It can be tricky to find a suitable airline. For instance, quite a few European airlines specify on their website that they don’t fly pets in the cabin on flights to and from Ireland, the same as flights to the UK.

On the other hand, many other airlines don’t specify whether they do fly dogs to and from Ireland, meaning you need to contact the airline directly to find out the latest policy, with policies sometimes changing.

These are some pet-friendly European and American airlines that currently fly pets to and from the Republic of Ireland, based on information on their websites and reports from recent travellers.

Aegean Airlines (Greece)

Start planning for a Greek vacation, with Aegean Airlines having no restrictions on pets in the cabin or hold on flights to and from Ireland. I’ve flown with Aegean before with my dog and been quite pleased with their service. An 8kg weight limit applies for pets in the cabin.

Air Canada (Canada)

If you’re travelling between Canada and Ireland with your dog, the best option is Air Canada. They specify online that pets are permitted both in the cabin and hold on flights to Dublin, although not flights to Shannon.

Pets are also allowed in both the cabin and hold on any flight leaving Ireland, except for in the hold on flights departing Dublin due to the baggage system issue. Just ensure the flight doesn’t have a stopover in the UK.

When flying with a pet in the cabin on Air Canada, there is no maximum weight limit, just a maximum carrier size for soft-sided carriers of 55 x 40 x 27cm (21.5 x 15.5 x 10.5 inches). Rigid carriers should be no taller than 23cm (9 inches).

Air France (France)

I’ve heard reports that Air France allows pets to travel in the cabin and hold on flights to and from Dublin, although there is no mention of this on their website, other than to check with the embassy for the requirements of pets flying into Ireland.

Note that Air France does not fly pets in the Business cabin on intercontinental flights. An 8kg limit applies for pets flying in the cabin.

Air Transat (Canada)

Fellow Canadian airline Air Transat also allows pets in the cabin on flights out of Dublin, but not to Dublin. Only pre-arranged certified service dogs are allowed on flights to Dublin. Otherwise, both small and large pets must fly as cargo on other flights to and from Ireland.

No hard-sided carriers are permitted on Air Transat flights, only soft-sided carriers up to 43.2 x 25.5 x 24.1cm (17 x 10 x 9.5 inches). There is a weight limit of 10kg.

Delta (USA)

If you’re travelling from the USA to Ireland with a dog, the best option is to fly with Delta. I’ve heard multiple reports from people flying between various airports in the USA and Dublin with Delta. On the other hand, United Airlines doesn’t allow pets in the cabin both to and from Dublin.

Note though that I’ve heard recent reports on an embargo on pets in the hold – although this doesn’t affected pets in the cabin. (Let me know if you hear when this is over.) There was also concerns in early 2024 that Delta was no longer allowing pets in the cabin, but this is due to some old, incorrect information on the Delta website.

Delta does not have a weight limit for pets in the cabin. The maximum size of the pet carrier depends on the aircraft, but Delta recommends a soft-sided kennel with maximum dimensions of 18” x 11” x 11” (45.7 x 27.9 x 27.9cm).

Iberia (Spain)

The Iberia website states that pets are not permitted to fly as excess baggage on flights departing Dublin, due to the baggage system upgrade, only as cargo. However, this implies that dogs can fly in the cabin or as excess baggage on other flights to and from Ireland.

Iberia flies between Madrid and Dublin, with an 8kg weight limit for pets in the cabin, including their carrier.

Iberia Express (Spain)

The Iberia Express website states that pets are allowed in the cabin on flights from Madrid to Dublin and vice versa. Larger pets are also accepted as excess baggage on flights from Madrid to Dublin (but not leaving Dublin due to the restrictions of the baggage system) – instead they can fly as cargo.

Iberia Express only fly between Madrid and Dublin. Like most European airlines, they have an 8kg weight limit for pets in the cabin.

KLM (Netherlands)

While there is no indication on their website whether or not they allow pets on flights to and from Ireland, I have heard multiple reports that pets are allowed on KLM flights to and from Dublin, both in the cabin and in the hold. Make sure it is an actual KLM flight, not a codeshare.

Note also that pets are not allowed in the hold on flights operated with a Boeing 787-9 or 787-10 aircraft or where there is transfer time of longer than 3 hours. An 8kg weight limit applies for pets in the cabin.

Norwegian (Norway)

I’ve recently heard reports that budget airline Norwegian allows pets to fly in cabin on its flights to and from Ireland. Note, however, that according to their website they still don’t accept larger pets to fly to and from Ireland as excess baggage in the hold.

I’ve confirmed that you can add a dog or cat in the cabin when making a booking on their website. An 8kg weight limit applies. Norwegian flies between Dublin and Gardermoen Airport in Oslo.

TAP Air Portugal (Portugal)

While TAP Air Portugal make clear on their website that they don’t fly pets in the cabin to the UK, there is no prohibition on flying pets in the cabin or the hold to or from Ireland. They do mention that if you are flying pets into Ireland from outside the EU you must inform the authorities.

TAP Air Portugal regularly fly between Lisbon and Dublin. An 8kg weight limit applies for pets in the cabin.

Transavia & Transavia France (Netherlands & France)

Transavia states on their website that they can’t fly pets to all destinations – but don’t exclude Ireland (unlike the UK), and they do fly between Dublin and Orly Airport in Paris.

Both cats and dogs are permitted to fly in the cabin and hold, although their weight limit for pets in the cabin has been reduced from 10kg to 8kg .

Vueling (Spain)

Spanish budget airline Vueling states in their pet policy that pets can be booked in the cabin on its flights to and from Ireland by calling its service centre or at the airport on the day of the flight, subject to limits on the total number of pets.

Note that Vueling doesn’t fly pets as excess baggage, and they recently reduced their weight limit for pets in the cabin back down to 8kg. I’ve flown multiple times with my dog on Vueling and have enjoyed the flights.

Let me know which airlines you have used to fly to and from Ireland with a pet! Additionally, if you have issues flying with any of these airlines, leave a comment.

What About Flying to Ireland from the UK?

While there are a handful of airlines that will fly pets in the cabin out of the UK, I am not aware of any airline that flies pets in the cabin from the UK to Ireland. This is partially because virtually no British airlines allow pets to fly in the cabin, as well as no Irish airlines, as discussed above.

The same issue applies for flyings dogs as excess baggage to Ireland. The only option available is to fly dogs as cargo, also in the hold, with one of the few British or Irish airlines that allows this.

The easier alternative is to instead take a ferry with your dog to Ireland. There are multiple ferries that permit pets on board, including with foot passengers. And as of 2023 an increasing number have better facilities for pets, including pet-friendly cabins on many of the Stena Line ferries.

Requirements to Travel to Ireland with a Dog

Before flying to the Republic of Ireland with your dog, make sure you tick off all the requirements for dogs to be transported to the country. At a minimum, pet dogs require a microchip, an up-to-date rabies vaccine done at least 21 days ago, and an EU pet passport or EU pet health certificate. Check out my guides on travelling from another EU country or from outside of Europe to an EU country.

Additionally, pets travelling to Ireland also require a worming treatment, done between 24 hours and five days of arriving in the country. It should be recorded in your pet’s passport or on their pet health certificate. The only exception is for dogs travelling directly from Finland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway (but no longer the rest of the United Kingdom).

Additionally, if you are flying directly to Ireland from outside of the EU, an additional step is required.

Preparation for Flying a Dog to Ireland from Outside of the EU

If you are flying directly to Ireland from outside of the EU or a list of related countries (Andorra, Gibraltar, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City), there is an additional requirement for dogs.

You need to provide advance notice of your intention to bring your pet to Ireland, at least one working day in advance. You need to fill out and email this form, or email the details of your arrival, to the relevant email address. Pets can only fly to Cork, Dublin and Shannon Airports.

On arrival, your pet will be met and undergo compliance checks. This will usually be carried out at the port or airport. A fee will apply (approximately €50), except for pets arriving from Great Britain. For full details, see this page.

Before boarding your flight, you may be required to present confirmation from the airport that your animal has been booked in for the compliance checks. Keep this handy along with the rest of your paperwork.

Pet Relief Areas at Airports in Ireland

Like most airports in Europe, none of the airports in Ireland have pet relief areas that I am aware of. This includes the most likely airport you will fly in and out of, Dublin Airport.

Considering that Dublin Airport still hasn’t rectified the long-term issue with their baggage handling system, that has stopped pets flying in the hold departing Dublin since 2021, I am not holding my breath for a Dublin Airport pet relief area!

The Dublin Airport website states in their FAQ that only guide and assistance dogs are allowed inside the terminal. However, presumably dogs in carriers and crates, that will be boarding a flight, must be allowed inside Dublin Airport, too.

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