Which Mexican Airlines Allow Dogs in the Cabin in 2024?

Mexico is a popular winter destination within North America, thanks to its warmer climate, particularly along the coast in the south. And the easiest way to get to Mexico from the USA or Canada is to fly, including if you are travelling with a pet.

Many Mexican airlines allow pets to fly on board, including in the cabin. And unlike long-distance buses in Mexico that are not dog-friendly, the easiest way to get around the large country with a small dog is to fly on domestic flights.

To help you with planning your visit to Mexico, I’ve reviewed the pet policies of every Mexican airline, both international and regional airlines, as of September 2024. Find out size and weight restrictions, fees and other key points for flying with different airlines.

Read on to find out more about Mexican airlines that allow dogs in the cabin…

Do Any Mexican Airlines Not Allow Pets in the Cabin?

Out of all the Mexican airlines that I reviewed, see below, all Mexican airlines allow pets to fly in the cabin. Note though that only dogs and cats are generally allowed, not more exotic animals, and many airlines forbid brachycephalic pets from flying, even in the cabin.

Note that there may also be restrictions with pets flying on certain aircraft or on longer routes. For instance, Aeromexico does not allow pets to fly on flights with a duration exceeding six hours.

Do Any Mexican Airlines Have No Weight Limit?

The majority of Mexican airlines have a maximum weight for pets flying in the cabin. Only one airline doesn’t have a weight limit, Volaris.

Previously, Volaris had a weight limit of 10kg, but this has been removed. The only requirement now is that your pet can move about in their carrier, with maximum dimensions specified for the carrier.

What Are the Weight Limits on Other Mexican Airlines?

The weight limits on Mexican airlines vary greatly. The most common weight limit is 9kg (19.8 lbs) or 10kg (22 lbs). A 9kg weight limit applies on Aeroméxico flights, while regional airlines Mexicana and TAR Aerolíneas both have a 10kg weight limit.

Vivo Aerobus has a more generous weight limit of 27 lbs (12.25kg). However, note that the maximum carrier size is still quite small.

On the other hand, Aerus is has rather low weight limit of only 5kg. Presumably this includes the carrier, although it isn’t clear on their website. Be wary of booking a flight with your pet on Aerus unless your pet is particularly small.

What PETC Fees are Charged by Mexican Airlines?

The fees charged by Mexican airlines for pets to fly in the cabin (PETC) are quite reasonable. While not all airlines clearly list their pet fees, those that do typically charge around 1500 MXN for a pet on domestic flights, about $75 USD.

The government-owned Mexicana airline charges substantially less, just 880 MXN (or $45 USD), although their full pet policy is the hardest to locate on their website!

Note that the fees charged can vary between low and high season. Plus expect that the fees on international flights are higher. In particular, Aeroméxico charges $162 to $168 USD for international flights.

Do Any Mexican Airlines Allow Seats to Be Booked for Pets?

Finally, do any airlines in Mexico allow you to book a seat for your pet? Unfortunately, there are no Mexican airline that mentions that this is possible.

Instead, check out my guide to airlines around the world that offer the option to buy a seat for your pet dog, including some US airlines.

And here’s the key details of the pet policies of all the major Mexican airlines…

Aeroméxico Pet Policy

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

Aeroméxico is one of the major Mexican airlines, flying to a variety of international and domestic destinations. Along with its regional subsidiary, Aeroméxico Connect, it permits both dogs and cats to be flown in the cabin on its flights, but only on flights up to six hours in duration.

Your pet and their carrier should weight no more than 9kg, with the carrier having maximum dimensions of 40 x 30 x 20cm. Larger pets can be checked into the hold, or flown with Aeroméxico Cargo.

Pets are only permitted in the cabin of Premier or Premier Light class on selected aircraft. The total number of pets permitted varies between flights, between 3 and 6, depending on the type of aircraft.

The fees charged vary between 1350 and 1700 MXN for domestic flights, or $162 to $168 USD/EUR/GBP for international flights. Double check the documentation requirements based on your destination.

View the full pet policy.

Aerus Pet Policy

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

Aerus is a relatively new Mexican airline, that only began operations in April 2023, based out of Monterrey International Airport. The airline mainly operates domestic flights, but also plans to offer some international flights, such as to Brownsville, Texas.

Pets are permitted to fly in the cabin on flights operated by Aerus, but only cats and dogs. They must be no more than 5kg (11 lbs) in weight, and fly in a carrier that is no larger than 30 x 20 x 20cm (11.81 x 7.87 x 7.87 inches).

Only two pets are permitted per flight, with only a single carrier permitted per passenger. Also, brachycephalic dogs and cats are not accepted.

Strangely, the website states that a rabies vaccination certification that is no older than 30 days should be presented. Double check when booking. The fee charged is 1499 MXN per flight.

See the full pet policy.

Mexicana Pet Policy

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

Mexicana, officially known as Aerolínea del Estado Mexicano, is a state-owned low-cost airline in Mexico. It only began operations in December 2023, after the government acquired the assets of Mexicana de Aviación. It flies to a number of destinations across Mexico from its hub in Mexico City, with some flights currently operated by TAR Aerolíneas (see below).

Pets are allowed to fly both in the cabin and in the hold on flights operated by Mexicana. Very limited details are provided on the Mexicana website “Additional Services” page about flying pets in the cabin, other than brachycephalic pets are not accepted and the fee charged is a low 880 MXN.

Further details are provided deep on the Terms and Conditions page, also only in Spanish. For pets flying in the cabin, a maximum weight of 10kg applies. The carrier can be either rigid plastic or a bag-type carrier, with no maximum size specified but it must be small enough to fit under the seat. Up to three pets are permitted in the cabin per flight.

For pets flying in the cabin, a number of documentation requirements apply. The pet requires a current vaccination card, proof of the last internal and external worming, and a health certificate issued by a veterinarian within the last five days.

See their short pet policy and terms and conditions (both in Spanish only).

TAR Aerolíneas

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

TAR Aerolíneas is a Mexican regional airline, that operates from a hub in Querétaro. It operates domestic flights to a wide variety of destinations across Mexico, with its focus on northern Mexico.

Both pet dogs and cats are permitted to fly in the cabin on TAR flights, with a maximum weight of 10kg applying. No brachycephalic dogs or cats are permitted. A maximum of four pets can fly per flight, possibly including pets both in the cabin and in the hold.

A vaccination certificate and health certificate should be supplied for all pets. With the former, the pet should have been vaccinated for rabies within the last year and at least 30 days before the flight, plus dewormed within the last six months.

See their full pet policy (access blocked to selected countries).

Viva Aerobus Pet Policy

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

Viva Aerobus is the third largest airline in Mexico, based on passenger numbers. The low-cost airline is headquartered at Monterrey International Airport and flies to destinations across Mexico, the United States, Central and South America.

Viva Aerobus has previously claimed that they are the airline with “the most space to transport pets in Mexico”. Both cats and dogs are permitted on flights to all destinations, with up to five pets in the cabin and six in the hold. Note though that only one pet is permitted per passenger.

For pets travelling in the cabin on Viva Aerobus flights, your pet and their carrier combined should be no more than 27 lbs (12.25kg). The carrier can be up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches (46 x 35.5 x 20cm), and be either rigid or semi-rigid.

Make sure you check the documentation requirements in advance. A health certificate, vaccination card, proof of deworming and letter of responsibility is required, plus a Certificado Zoosanitario issued by Sagarpa for international flights.

See the full pet policy.

Volaris Pet Policy

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

Low-cost airline Volaris is the largest domestic airline within Mexico. With multiple bases throughout the country, it flies to an extensive list of destinations across Mexico, plus to the United States and multiple countries in Central and South America.

Volaris permits pets to travel in the cabin, both cats and dogs, except for on flights operated by Frontier. Pets can be added during the online booking process, or later on through the call center or at the airport.

Previously, Volaris had a 10kg weight restriction for pets to fly in the cabin, but this has been removed. Now pets just need to be able to move within the carrier they fly in. The carrier can be either fabric, sturdy plastic or a bubble backpack carrier, with maximum dimensions of 44 x 30 x 19cm (17.3 x 11.8 x 7.5 inches).

The fee for a pet in the cabin is up to 1650 MXN during the low season or 1900 MXN during the high season. Larger dogs, weighing up to 45kg including their crate, can be flown in the hold.

See their full pet policy.

You May Also Like

• What are the Most Pet-Friendly Airlines Around the World?
• Which US Airlines Allow Dogs in the Cabin?
• Which Canadian Airlines Allow Dogs in the Cabin in 2024?