Which Middle Eastern Airlines Allow Dogs in the Cabin?

When it comes to Middle Eastern airlines and flying with pets, there’s a wide variety of policies. There are some airlines that allow dogs and cats in the cabin, while many other airlines only allow dogs and cats to fly as cargo.

To help you out, I’ve reviewed the pet policies of over a dozen Middle Eastern carriers, including Turkish airlines. Find out which Middle Eastern airlines allow dogs in the cabin…

Do Any Middle Eastern Airlines Allow Pets in the Cabin?

Below, I’ve summarised the pet policies of multiple Middle Eastern airlines, in particular whether they allow pets to fly in the cabin. While some airlines don’t allow pets in the cabin (except for sometimes falcons!), there are quite a few airlines that allow dogs and cats in the cabin.

To save you from scrolling, here’s the shorter list of the Middle Eastern airlines that allow pet dogs and cats to travel in the cabin. Additionally, I’ve listed the weight limit for each airline. This is usually but not always 8kg.

• AJet – 8kg
• El Al Airlines – 9kg
• Etihad Airways – 8kg
• Pegasus Airlines – 8kg
• Royal Jordanian – 7kg
• SunExpress – 8kg
• Turkish Airlines – 8kg

Many of the pet-friendly Middle Eastern airlines are Turkish airlines, that tend to have policies more in keeping with European airlines, but there is also a scattering of other airlines across the Middle East that also permit pets in the cabin.

What is the Most Pet-Friendly Middle Eastern Airline?

In previous years when asked what is the most pet-friendly Middle Eastern airline, I would have said Etihad Airways. After all, they have a generous policy for pets in the cabin, including the option of purchasing the adjacent seat.

However, in 2022, Etihad substantially increased their fee for pets in the cabin. While previously the pet in cabin fee was $200, it was raised to an astronomical $1500 – definitely not pet-friendly in my view!

On the other hand, Turkish Airlines also allows pets up to 8kg (including their carrier) to fly in the cabin, although it doesn’t allow the adjacent seat to be purchased.

Turkish Airlines have also added check-in queues just for pet owners at Istanbul Airport, plus there is a pet lounge for pets flying in the hold through Istanbul Airport. For pets flying in the cabin transiting in Istanbul, there’s pet relief areas available – a rarity in the region.

Flying into the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar

There are some destinations around the world that don’t allow pets to fly in the cabin on flights arriving in the country, such as the UK and Australia. This also applies to some Middle Eastern destinations, although I’m not sure if there are blanket bans.

Many airlines don’t fly pets in the cabin on flights to the United Arab Emirates, or UAE for short. Sometimes this just applies on flights to Dubai. (On the other hand, Etihad allows pets to fly in the cabin on its flights to and from Abu Dhabi.)

Other destinations to be aware of are Bahrain and Qatar – at least some airlines don’t fly pets in the cabin to these destinations. Double check the policy of your selected airline.

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

Air Arabia (UAE)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? No

Only falcons are permitted to be flown in the cabin on Air Arabia flights, as long as certain conditions are met. No other pets are permitted, either in the cabin or in the hold.

See: https://www.airarabia.com/en/animals-and-pets

AJet (Turkey)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

A regional subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, previously known as AnadoluJet, AJet also allows pets to fly in the cabin, although the rules are slightly different than with the parent Turkish Airlines. Note also that pets are not allowed in the cabin on flights to Bahrain, the UAE and the UK.

AJet has a maximum weight of 8kg for pets in the cabin, with a maximum carrier size of 40 x 30 x 23cm. Only dogs, cats and small birds are permitted in the cabin, with advance reservations required. The maximum number of pets allowed in the cabin varies by aircraft.

Pet in the cabin fees start at 250 TRY on domestic flights (but higher through the call centre), increasing to €85 on international flights to or from Turkey or €170 on flights transiting through Turkey. Larger pets can fly as carog.

See: https://ajet.com/en/corporate/rules-and-conditions/pet

Corendon Airlines (Turkey)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? No

Corendon Airlines is a low-cost carrier based in Turkey. Unfortunately, part of their low-cost ethos is not to transport pets, whether in the cabin or in the hold.

See: https://www.corendon.com/en/frequently-asked-questions#pets

El Al Airlines (Israel)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

El Al Airlines is the flag carrier airline of Israel. El Al allows pets to fly in the cabin, with a generous weight limit of 9kg applying. The maximum dimensions of the carrier vary based on the aircraft, plus between classes.

A fee of $100 applies for flights within Europe and the Middle East, rising to $150 for flights to and from North America and the Far East. For pets flying in the cabin, up to two pets can travel in the same carrier, which can be soft or hard.

Larger dogs are required to travel in the hold. Pets travelling in the hold can generally fly as excess baggage, except for pets weighing over 100kg (including their crate) and to and from certain destinations.

Note that pets travelling with El Al to Hong Kong, Johannesburg and London must travel as cargo, not in the cabin or as excess baggage.

See: https://www.elal.com/en/PassengersInfo/Baggage/Pages/Pets.aspx

Emirates (UAE)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? No

The major Middle Eastern carrier Emirates does not permit pet dogs to fly in the cabin. Only falcons on certain routes as well as guide dogs are permitted in the cabin. Instead, pet dogs are required to be transported as excess baggage or as cargo (using the Emirates Pets service).

All pets must travel as cargo on Emirates flights to Dubai. On flights departing Dubai, pets can fly as excess baggage where the destination permits it, as long as the total journey time (including transits) is less than 17 hours, and if the cage dimensions are less than 300cm.

For pets flying as excess baggage, a charge between $500 and $650 USD applies, depending on the total weight and dimensions.

See: https://www.emirates.com/english/help/faq-topics/baggage-and-lost-property/faq/what-are-the-rules-and-charges-for-travelling-with-animals/, https://www.emirates.com/au/english/help/forms/pets-travel/, https://www.skycargo.com/product/emirates-pets/

Etihad Airways (UAE)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

Small pets are permitted to fly in the cabin on Etihad Airways flights both to and from Abu Dhabi, except for when flying to or from selected destinations, including flying to Qatar.

Your pet including their carrier needs to weigh no more than 8kg. If flying in economy, their bag needs to be no larger than 40 x 40 x 22cm. There is the option to buy an adjacent seat, in which case maximum dimensions of 50 x 43 x 50cm applies, although the weight limit is still the same.

If you are flying in business class, the only option to fly with a pet in the cabin is to buy an adjacent seat, with maximum dimensions of 50 x 43 x 50cm also applying. Pets are not permitted in first class.

In October 2022, Etihad’s fees for flying a pet in the cabin increased substantially. Previously the charge was $200, but now the charge is now an eye-watering $1500. This is in addition to buying an extra seat, if selected.

For larger pets, you will need to book your pet with the LiveAnimals service through Etihad Cargo.

See: https://www.etihad.com/en-au/fly-etihad/baggage/travelling-with-pets, https://www.etihadcargo.com/en/products/liveanimals

flydubai (UAE)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? No

Pets are generally not allowed to fly on flydubai flights, whether in the cabin or as checked baggage. The only exceptions are for falcons with pre-approval, plus service animals to certain destinations.

Pet can instead be booked to fly as cargo through flydubai Cargo.

See: https://www.flydubai.com/en/flying-with-us/baggage/special-baggage, https://www.flydubai.com/en/information/cargo

Gulf Air (Bahrain)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? No

The Bahrain-based Gulf Air does not permit animals to fly in the cabin or as checked baggage, except for falcons and guide dogs.

Other animals can only be carried in the hold, booked through the airline’s cargo department, Falcon Cargo.

See: https://www.gulfair.com/en/transparency/conditions-of-carriage, https://www.gulfair.com/cargo

Oman Air (Oman)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? No

Oman Air does not allow pets to fly in the cabin on its flights. Pets can only be booked to fly as excess luggage or as cargo in their temperature-controlled, ventilated holds. Note that there are restrictions for brachycephalic dogs and cats, plus dangerous dog breeds.

In some cases pets can only travel as cargo, including for when the weight exceeds 75kg and if it is a requirement of the destination country. The fees charged vary between $113 and $750, depending on the kennel size and route.

See: https://www.omanair.com/au/en/travelling-w-pets

Pegasus Airlines (Turkey)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

The Turkish-based Pegasus Airlines flies an extensive network of domestic routes within Turkey, plus operates international flights to a range of destinations across the Middle East and Europe.

Pets are allowed in the cabin on Pegasus Airlines flights, with a maximum weight of 8kg and generous maximum carrier dimensions of 50 x 32 x 32cm. Note that pets are not permitted in the cabin on flights to Bahrain, Qatar or the UAE, plus flights to and from Saudi Arabia and the UK.

On domestic flights the pet in cabin fee is 450 TRY, while a charge of €65 applies on international flights. 

See: https://www.flypgs.com/en/travelling-with-pets

Qatar Airways (Qatar)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? No

The only animals that are permitted to fly in the cabin on Qatar Airways flights are falcons and service animals on certain routes; no pet dogs are permitted in the cabin.

Pet dogs and cats instead need to travel in the hold, either as excess baggage or as cargo. For pets travelling as excess baggage, a maximum weight of 32kg applies (including the crate) and normal excess baggage rates apply. Make sure you book your pet at least 48 hours in advance.

See: https://www.qatarairways.com/en-au/baggage/animals.html

Royal Jordanian (Jordan)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

Both pet dogs and cats are allowed to travel in the cabin on Royal Jordanian flights, although only in the economy class cabin on flights up to 5 hours. Up to two pets are allowed in the cabin, and they must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.

The pet and its carrier should weigh no more than 7kg, with maximum carrier dimensions of 50 x 40 x 26cm. The pet fee is $60 for flights to Aqaba, $75 for flights to and from Beirut, $150 for other flights within the Middle East, and $180 for flights to and from Europe.

Pets are also permitted to fly as excess baggage in the hold.. Up to four pets can be flown in the hold per flight.

See: https://rj.com/en/info-and-tips/special-services/flying-with-pets

SunExpress (Turkey)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

SunExpress is a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, so not surprisingly pets are permitted in both the cabin, plus in the hold.

For pets in the cabin, there is a maximum weight of 8kg, including the carrier. The carrier should be no larger than 55 x 40 x 23cm and must stay on the floor at all times.

An advance booking is required at least three working days in advance, through the Customer Service Centre. On domestic flights there is a 249.99 TLR charge each way, with a charge of €89.99 on international flights.

See: https://www.sunexpress.com/en/information/luggage-info/transporting-animals/

Turkish Airlines (Turkey)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

Turkish Airlines allows pets to fly both in the cabin and in the hold. For pets travelling in the cabin, a maximum weight of 8kg including the carrier bag applies. The maximum carrier size permitted is 40 x 30 x 23cm.

For flights within Turkey, there is a charge of 425 TRY for pets in the cabin. When flying internationally, the fee varies between $65 USD and $185 USD for flights to and from Turkey, higher for flights with a transit.

If departing from Istanbul, I’ve seen photos of check-in counters just for people travelling with their pets. On the other hand, if you’re transiting through Istanbul Airport with Turkish Airlines, you’ll be relieved to know that the airport has pet relief areas. Animals flying in the hold and transiting in Istanbul have access to a pet lounge.

See: https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-ua/any-questions/traveling-with-pets/index.html, https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-ua/any-questions/traveling-with-pets/fees-for-carrying-pets/

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