What is the Weight Limit for Dogs on Planes?

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The easiest way to fly with a dog on a plane is if they are allowed to fly with you in the cabin. I’ve been lucky enough to do this with my small dog around Europe, the US and on some international flights. However, most airlines have a weight limit for dogs in the cabin.

To help you choose an airline to fly with your dog, especially if they’re small but close to the weight limit for flying in the cabin, I’ve put together a list of the weight limits of different airlines that allow dogs in the cabin, in different parts of the world. Find out more about the weight limit for dogs on planes…

Schnitzel in his carrier bag inside the cabin

Does the Weight Limit Include the Carrier Bag?

When weight limits are published as part of airline pet polices, they nearly always include the carrier bag, although I’ve come across two European airlines that publish both a weight limit for your dog and their carrier, plus your dog alone.

So keep in mind, if an airline has a weight limit for pets to fly in the cabin, your dog actually needs to weigh even less than the maximum weight limit. Most carrier bags weigh 1-2kg alone. So if the airline has a dog weight limit of 8kg, your dog can actually weight no more than 6-7kg.

Obviously, if your dog is close to the weight limit, it is beneficial to find a lighter carrier bag – check out my tips for buying a carrier bag, including their weights.

What Airlines Don’t Have a Weight Limit?

Not all airlines have a weight limit for pets flying in the cabin. This most commonly occurs in the United States, but I’ve also come across some other airlines in North and South America.

The following airlines have no weight limit for pets in the cabin:

United Airlines Plane
Many US airlines including United have not weight limit for pets on planes

Note however that your pet still needs to fit comfortably in their bag. They need to be able to stand, turn-around and lay down in their bag. Some airlines enforce that they shouldn’t touch the top of the bag when standing.

What Airlines Have a Weight Limit Over 10kg?

On the other hand, some other airlines do have a weight limit, but it’s quite high. Once again though, keep in mind that your dog still needs to comfortably fit in their bag.

The following airlines have a weight limit over 10kg for pets in the cabin:

Hawaiian Airlines Special Services Sign
Hawaiian Airlines has a weight limit for pets in the cabin

What Airlines Have a Weight Limit of 10kg?

The most common weight limit for pets in the cabin on airlines in North and South America, other than the United States, is 10kg or 22 lbs. This high weight limit also applies to a handful of airlines in Europe.

The following airlines have a weight limit of 10kg (22 lbs) for pets in the cabin:

GOL Plane Above Sao Paulo
Brazilian airline GOL is one airline with a 10kg weight limit

What Airlines Have a Weight Limit of 9kg?

While not a common weight limit for pets flying in the cabin, there are a handful of airlines that have an intermediate weight limit of 9kg (20lbs).

The following airlines have a weight limit of 9kg (20 lbs) for pets in the cabin:

What Airlines Have a Weight Limit of 8kg?

In Europe, the most common weight limit for pets to fly in the cabin is 8kg (17.6lbs), although in recent years a number of European airlines have started to increase their weight limits. There are also some other airlines in other parts of the world with the same max weight for dogs.

The following long list of airlines have a weight limit of 8kg (17.6 lbs) for pets in the cabin:

Iberia Plane
Many European airlines such as Iberia have an 8kg weight limit
Dog in Paris
Check the weight limits before flying in Europe with your dog

What Airlines Have a Weight Limit Under 8kg?

While most airlines allow pets weighing at least 8kg to fly in the cabin, there are a handful of airlines that have a lower weigh limit, including many Asian airlines.

The tricky thing about these weight limits is that when you take into account your pet’s carrier bag weighs at least a kilogram, the actual maximum weight of your dog must be very low – no more than 4kg if there is a 5kg weight limit!

The following airlines have a weight limit of 7kg (15 lbs) for pets in the cabin:

South Korea Monastery
Multiple South Korean airlines have a 7kg weight limit

The following airlines have a weight limit of 6kg (13 lbs) for pets in the cabin:

The following airlines have a weight limit of just 5kg (11 lbs) for pets in the cabin:

Do Airlines Weigh Dogs at the Airport?

I’m commonly asked whether airlines weigh dogs at the airport before boarding the flight. My answer is yes, this may happen, but it doesn’t always happen – the same as for your carry-on luggage.

When flying with my dog in Europe, this has happened to me about every second time. This happened at the check-in desk, when my dog’s paperwork was examined. (On the other hand, my dog’s carrier bag has never been measured.)

Speaking to other pet owners, they have also sometimes had their dog in their carrier bag weighed, but not always. So be prepared that it may happen!

Checking Dog Weight
Pets in their carrier may be weighed at the airport

Do Weight Limits Apply for Pets Flying in the Hold?

Just like pets flying in the cabin, there are also weight limits for pets allowed to fly in the hold as excess baggage. This is similar to the maximum weight of a single bag that you can check-in for a flight.

Once again, the weight limit for pets flying as excess baggage includes the pet’s crate, which in this case can be quite heavy. The weigh limits vary, but can be as low as 32kg (70.5 lbs).

For larger pets again, there is the option of flying as cargo. The weight and size limits for pets flying as cargo are higher again.

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About the Author

Photo of Shandos & Schnitzel

Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.

2 thoughts on “What is the Weight Limit for Dogs on Planes?”

  1. Thank god I came across your post. I was looking for this information on PetCareRx and PetMD but could not find anything. Very informative article. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

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