Which South American Airlines Allow Dogs in the Cabin?

Whether you’re travelling to and from South American, or around the continent, the quickest and easiest way to travel with your pet is by flying, especially if you have a cat or dog small enough to travel in the cabin.

Luckily, the majority of airlines in the region allow pets to fly in the cabin, at least the more major airlines, although there are some exceptions. This includes Argentinean airlines, Brazilian airlines, Chilean airlines, Colombian airlines and Peruvian airlines.

To help you out, I’ve reviewed the policy of 15 airlines based in South America, including their size and weight restrictions, fees and other important details. Read on to find out more about South American airlines that allow dogs in the cabin…

Do Any South American Airlines Not Allow Pets in the Cabin?

The vast majority of South American airlines conveniently allow pets to fly in the cabin. Out of the airlines that I reviewed, only a single airline doesn’t allow pets in the cabin: Boliviana de Aviación.

However, note that some airlines don’t allow pets on all routes. In particular, there are some airlines that only allow pets on domestic flights, not on international flights, including EASYFLY, and Flybondi.

Additionally, some of these airlines also restrict pets on flights to and from the United States, likely due to the restrictions for transporting pets from high-rabies countries to the USA.

Do Any South American Airlines Have Higher or Lower Weight Limits?

The most common weight limit of South American airlines is 10kg (22 lbs), higher than the standard weight limit of 8kg that applies for most European airlines that allow pets in the cabin.

Out of the airlines that I reviewed, none of the airlines had a higher weight limit than 10kg. Additionally, there were no airlines that had no maximum weight limit, a common condition for pets flying in the cabin on United States airlines.

However, there are a few airlines that have a lower weight limit, as follows:

• Aerolíneas Argentinas – Weight limit of 9kg (20lbs)
• LATAM – Weight limit of 7kg (15 lbs)

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

Aerolíneas Argentinas (Argentina)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

Aerolíneas Argentinas allows both dogs and cats to fly in the cabin, as long as the combined weight of the pet and their carrier is no more than 9kg. This applies on both domestic and international flights, except for in Business class on selected aircraft.

Both soft and rigid carriers are accepted by the airline. The maximum dimensions of rigid carriers should be no more than 44 x 30 x 17cm. A higher height of 20cm is permitted for soft carriers.

Passengers are only permitted to transport a single dog or cat in the cabin. However, a second pet can be transported in the hold. You need to book at least 72 hours in advance via the WhatsApp number provided, or at the airport on the day of the flight, subject to availability.

Payment of the pet fee is required in advance. There is a fee of $150 USD for pets flying between Argentina and the rest of South America, while a fee is $200 USD applies to fly a pet to the USA or $250 USD to fly a pet to Europe.

Aerolíneas Argentinas also transports pets in the hold and as cargo. Note that selected breeds can only be transported as cargo.

See: https://www.aerolineas.com.ar/en-ar/useful-information/pets

Avianca (Colombia)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

Avianca allows the transportation of both cats and dogs that are at least four months old in the cabin, in addition to service animals and emotional support animals, on most flights. However, pets are not permitted on flights to the Galapagos Islands, to the UK, and to or from Aruba and Curaçao, except for a permanent move.

Your pet and their carrier combined should weigh no more than 10kg. Only flexible containers are permitted, with maximum dimensions of 55 x 35 x 25cm. Note that pets weighing up to 50kg can be transported in the hold.

This service needs to be booked at least 48 hours in advance. You will be required to present your pet’s vaccination card, health certificate and other required paperwork, plus fill in the Avianca pet form.

See: https://www.avianca.com/otr/en/before-your-trip/special-needs/pets-on-board/, https://help.avianca.com/hc/en-us/articles/10723627941275-How-do-I-fly-with-my-pet-in-the-cabin-

Azul (Brazil)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

The Brazilian airline Azul permits pets to fly in the cabin. Up to three pets on domestic flights and five pets on international flights are permitted, but only a single pet per passenger.

The maximum combined weight of the pet and their carrier is limited 10kg. For flexible bags (which should have internal metal rods to reinforce the structure), the maximum size is 43 x 31.5 x 20cm. Depending on the aircraft, either a flexible or rigid bag is allowed – see the website for more details.

The fee charged for pets vary, starting at 250 BRL (or $50 USD) for domestic flights within Brazil. On flights between Brazil and the USA or Europe, thee fee is $150 USD in Economy class or $300 USD in Business class.

The Azul website currently states that they will not fly dogs to the USA due to the current rabies restrictions implemented by CDC. However, they will fly cats to the USA, plus both cats and dogs to Brazil from the USA.

See: https://www.voeazul.com.br/en/for-your-trip/services/pet-inside-the-cabin, https://www.voeazul.com.br/en/for-your-trip/international-flights/pets

Boliviana de Aviación (Bolivia)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? No

Unfortunately, Boliviana de Aviación does not permit pets to fly in the cabin. Pets can only fly in the cargo hold on its flights. Bookings must be made at least 72 hours in advance and no brachycephalic pets can travel in the cargo hold.

See: https://www.boa.bo/BoAWebSite/Home/About?item=equipaje_mascotas&primary=politica_equipaje

Copa Airlines (Panama)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

While not technically a South American airline, Copa Airlines is one of the most frequently used airlines for international flights in South America. Many flights operate via its hub at Tocumen International Airport, which has a handy pet relief area past security.

Copa Airlines allows both small dogs and cats to fly in the cabin, in lieu of your carry-on luggage. Pets are allowed on all flights, except on weekend flights to and from Armenia, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa. Note that pets are also excluded from connecting flights with other airlines.

A single pet is permitted per passenger, with up to three pets per flight and no pets allowed in Executive class. Bookings are recommended at least 48 hours in advance. The pet fees range from $29-33 for domestic flights and $147-166 for international flights.

Your pet should be transported in a proper soft sided carrier, up to 28 x 45.7 x 28cm in dimensions. The maximum weight of the carrier and your pet is limited to 10kg.

Proof of your pet’s current vaccinations and a certificate of good health is required, at a minimum, plus the completion of the Terms and Conditions form for pets in cabin.

See: https://www.copaair.com/en/web/ca/pets

EASYFLY (Colombia)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

The regional Colombia airline EASYFLY permits pets to fly in the cabin on its domestic flights. Only dogs, cats and roosters are permitted onboard, with brachiocephalic and guard dog breeds not permitted.

Your pet has to fly in a soft carrier, that can be no larger than 33 x 48 x 28cm. A weight limit of 10kg for the pet and carrier combined applies.

Bookings need to be made at least 48 hours in advance, with a fee of COP $60,000 + VAT applying per pet. Larger pets can also fly in the hold.

See: https://easyfly.com.co/transporte-de-mascotas (Spanish only)

Flybondi (Argentina)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

The ultra low-cost Argentinean airline Flybondi permits both dogs and cats to fly in the cabin on domestic flights, but not on regional flights.

The cat or dog must be at least 4 months old. Along with their flexible kennel, which can be up to 32 x 43 x 24cm, the maximum weight is 10kg.

Pets need to be booked online, once you have your own ticket, they cannot be booked at the airport. Both a vaccination card and health certificate is required.

Note that larger pets cannot fly in the hold, plus there are a number of short-nosed dog and cat breeds that are not accepted.

See: https://ayuda.flybondi.com/pt-br/article/81-posso-viajar-com-meu-animal-de-estimacao-na-cabine-em-voos-nacionais (Spanish and Portuguese only)

GOL (Brazil)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

Both cats and dogs that are at least 6 months old and weight no more than 10kg including their carrier are permitted to fly in the cabin on GOL flights. This includes both domestic and international flights, except for flights to and from the United States. Pets are also allowed in the Premium Economy cabin on international flights.

The maximum dimensions of the pet carrier should be no more than 32 x 43 x 22cm. Pets can be booked online when purchasing your ticket or from the My Reservations area of the website. There is a charge of $70 USD on domestic flights and $170 USD on international flights, at least when purchased in the USA.

Larger pets weighing up to 30kg can be transported in a special cargo compartment on most routes, using the Dog&Cat + Space service. Even larger dogs and other species need to fly GOLLOG Animals.

See: https://www.voegol.com.br/en/gol-services/travelling-pets

JetSMART (Chile)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

The Chilean airline JetSMART allows pets to fly in the cabin on its flights. Only a single dog or cat is permitted per passenger, with no breed restrictions. Up to four pets are allowed on each flight.

Your pet should fly in a specially designed soft pet travel carrier, that is no larger than 38 x 35 x 22cm. No rigid carriers are permitted, plus the maximum combined weight of your pet and their carrier is limited to 10kg.

Booking need to be made at least 48 hours in advance. Pet fees start at 40,000 CLP for domestic flights in Chile, while the pet fee for international flights starts at $80 USD, if purchased at the time of purchasing your ticket.

See: https://jetsmart.com/us/en/PreguntasFrecuentes, https://jetsmart.com/us/en/opcionales

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

LATAM (Chile)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

Pets are allowed to fly in the cabin on approved flights with the major airline LATAM, in both the Economy and Premium Economy cabins.

Both dogs and cats are accepted, either in a specialised travel bag or in travel kennel, with a maximum combined weight of 7kg. The bag or kennel must be no larger than 36cm x 33cm x 23cm, and large enough for your pet to stand up, move and turn around, without touching the walls or the roof, plus be secure.

Note that pets are not permitted on selected LATAM flights, including to and from Australia, New Zealand, England and the Galapagos Islands. Also, pets are not permitted on codeshare flights or flights connecting with other airlines. Only a single pet is permitted per passenger.

Pet fees vary, starting at $45 USD for domestic flights within Peru or Ecuador, ranging up to $200 USD for regional flights and $250 USD for long-haul flights.

See: https://www.latamairlines.com/us/en/experience/prepare-your-trip/pets-transportation

SATENA (Colombia)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

The Colombian airline SATENA is based in Bogota, mainly operating domestic flights. Pets can be flown both in the cabin (with a weight up to 10kg, including the carrier) and in the hold on SATENA flights. There are separate regulations for emotional support dogs.

On most flights, the number of animals in the cabin is limited to four animals, including pets in the cabin, emotional support animals and service animals. However, on smaller planes with a capacity of 19 or fewer passengers, the limit is two. Bookings should be made at least 48 hours before departure, with a limit of one pet per passenger in the cabin.

For pets flying in the cabin, their completely closed cloth carrier should be no larger than 40.6 x 27.9 x 20.3cm. Both a vaccination certificate and health certificate are required. A fee of COP $60,000 applies.

See: https://www.satena.com/aeropuerto/transporte-de-animales/ (Spanish only)

SKY Airline (Chile)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

Both dogs and cats can fly with you in the cabin on SKY Airline flights, if there is availability, except for on flights to the United States. Each passenger is permitted to travel with a single pet, with a maximum of four pets per flight.

The maximum weight of the pet and its kennel combined is limited to 10kg. The kennel must be made of soft material, plus have a water proof floor and a zipper, with backpacks not permitted. Its maximum dimensions should be no larger than 18cm wide x 37cm deep x 24cm high.

Bookings for pets must be made at least 48 hours in advance. Your pet’s vaccination record and a health certificate issued by a veterinarian is required. An additional Letter of Release of Liability is required for short-nosed pets.

The fee to fly with a pet in the cabin is $76 USD if booked at the time of initial reservation, or $90 USD if booked later.

See: https://www.skyairline.com/english/services/faq/?c=5

Voepass (Brazil)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

Voepass is a Brazilian airline based in Ribeirão Preto, operating domestic flights within Brazil. Only small pets can be flown in the cabin, with no pets transported in the hold, and only on flights operated by Voepass – contact the other airline for codeshares.

The weight of the pet and their carrier is limited to 10kg. The maximum size of the carrier, ideally a soft-sided carrier, is 43 x 32 x 24cm. A vaccination certificate and health certificate is required.

Only eight animals can be transported per flight, so advance bookings are required. However, payment of the set fee of R$250 is payable at check-in.

See: https://www.voepass.com.br/empresa/site/transporte-animais (Portuguese only)

Wingo (Colombia)

Pets Allowed in the Cabin? Yes

Wingo permits both cats and dogs to fly in the cabin on domestic flights within Colombia, plus on selected international flights. Note that pets are not permitted on Wingo flights to and from Aruba, Curaçao and Havana.

One pet is permitted per passenger, with up to six pets permitted on each flight. Your pet must fly in a non-rigid travel carrier, with a maximum size of 33 x 43 x 25cm. The weight limit of the pet and their carrier combined is limited to 10kg.

Pets can be booked onto flights up to 3 hours before departure, but higher prices likely apply for bookings not made when you book your own tickets.

See: https://www.wingo.com/en/help-center/travel-with-pets

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