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Traveling with your pet shouldn’t be a stressful experience. Unfortunately, many airlines today don’t make it easy for passengers to fly with their furry friends. Fortunately, there are several major airlines that service the UK that allow you to bring your pet on board.
Here, we discuss the 8 most pet-friendly airlines in the UK and their policies regarding traveling with pets. From British Airways to American Airlines, these provide the best in customer service and pet-friendly travel policies. Keep reading to find out more!
A Quick Look at the Best Pet-Friendly Airlines (2025 Update)
| Airline | Animals Allowed | Price (One-Way) | Size Restrictions |
| British Airways | Cabin: Service dog; Cargo: Cats, dogs, horses, fowl, and more |
£850 to £1,185 | N/A |
| Emirates | Cabin: Service dog; Cargo: Cats, dogs, birds, and falcons |
£395 to £635 | N/A |
| Lufthansa | Cabin: 2 pets in kennels; Cargo: Dogs, cats, and rabbits |
£69 to £330 | Up to 17 lbs. |
| KLM | Cabin: 1 pet in kennel; Cargo: Dogs and cats |
£60 to £425 | Pet must be in kennel sized 46 x 28 x 24 cm |
| United | Cabin: 2 pets; Cargo: Cats, dogs, and rabbits |
£94 | Pet must be in kennel sized 19 x 44 x 30 cm |
| American Airlines | Cabin: 1 pet in kennel; Cargo: Cats and dogs |
£112 to £150 | Pet must be in kennel sized 48 x 33 x 22 cm |
| Air Canada | Cabin: 1 pet in kennel; Cargo: Dogs and cats |
£80 to £225 | Pet must be in kennel sized 27 x 40 x 55 cm |
| Kenya Airways | Cabin: Service dog; Cargo: Cats, dogs, others |
£1,400 to £4,000 | N/A |
The 8 Most Pet-Friendly Airlines
1. British Airways
| Animals Allowed: | Cats, dogs, horses, fowl, and more |
| Price (One-Way): | £850 to £1,185 |
| ✈️ Max. Number of Pets in Cabin: | Service dog only |
British Airways is one of the leading pet-friendly airlines in the UK, offering a range of services and facilities for passengers traveling with their furry friends. Pets are allowed to fly in cargo and baggage holds but must be accompanied by an approved pet passport.
Owners should also ensure that their pet is in a suitable travel crate, and they are required to pay excess baggage fees. So, while you can’t have any animals in the cabin (unless it’s a service dog), pets can be transported in the aircraft’s hold.
- Service dogs allowed in cabin at no charge
- Excellent customer service
- Many pets accepted
- No standard pets in cabin
2. Emirates
| Animals Allowed: | Cats, dogs, birds, and falcons |
| Price (One-Way): | £395 to £635 |
| ✈️ Max. Number of Pets in Cabin: | Service dog only |
Emirates is a great choice for pet owners who want to travel with their furry friends. Pets are allowed to travel in the aircraft’s cargo hold but must be accompanied by an approved pet passport.
The airline also offers special services for owners, such as pre-flight check-in and post-arrival assistance. Pets must be in a suitable travel crate in order to fly with Emirates, and owners must also make sure to pay the excess baggage fees.
- Unique pets allowed
- Friendly customer service
- Expensive to fly with pets
3. Lufthansa
| Animals Allowed: | Cats, dogs, and rabbits |
| Price (One-Way): | £69 to £330 |
| ✈️ Max. Number of Pets in Cabin: | 2 |
Lufthansa is well known for its pet-friendly services and facilities, offering an array of options for passengers traveling with their furry friends. You have the option to either place your pet in cargo or the cabin. If you choose to place your pet in the cabin, they must not weigh more than 17 pounds; otherwise, they will need to be placed in the cargo hold.
Owners should make sure that their pet is in an approved travel crate, and they may also be required to pay excess baggage fees.
- Pets can fly in cabin and cargo
- Reasonable excess baggage fees
- Heavier pets must go in cargo hold
4. KLM
| Animals Allowed: | Dogs and cats |
| Price (One-Way): | £60 to £425 |
| ✈️ Max. Number of Pets in Cabin: | 1 |
If you want to fly with a pet-friendly airline, you should definitely check out KLM. This Dutch airline is one of the top pet-friendly airlines in the UK for a good reason.
It offers a wide variety of services to ensure that your furry travel companion has a comfortable journey. Whether you’re traveling with your dog or cat, KLM can accommodate them while also ensuring their safety and security.
Furthermore, you may have your pet with you in the cabin (limit 1), but there is a caveat: They must fit in a 46 x 28 x 24 cm carrier, which will have to fit underneath your seat during the flight. Other than that, you can count on KLM to take excellent care of you and your pet.
- Ideal for single-pet owners
- Allows pets in the cabin (with restrictions)
- Carrier size requirement restricts some pets from traveling
5. United
| Animals Allowed: | Cats, dogs, and rabbits |
| Price (One-Way): | £94 |
| ✈️ Max. Number of Pets in Cabin: | 2 |
United is a great pet-friendly airline in the UK. This American carrier offers a few options when it comes to flying with your four-legged friend. You can either bring them in the cabin (up to two pets) or check them as baggage in the cargo hold. However, please note that certain breeds and sizes of cats and dogs are restricted from flying in the cabin, so make sure to check the United website before booking.
The fee to fly your pet in the cabin is reasonable when compared to other airlines, and United also has a great pet transport service that can help you with the process.
- Flexible pet travel options
- Reasonable fee for cabin travel
- Certain breeds/sizes not allowed in cabin
6. American Airlines
| Animals Allowed: | Cats and dogs |
| Price (One-Way): | £112 to £150 |
| ✈️ Max. Number of Pets in Cabin: | 1 |
If you wish to fly with your cat or dog with you in the cabin, American Airlines is a good choice. This US-based carrier allows one pet per passenger, though they have to be small enough to fit in a carrier under the seat in front of you.
There’s also a great pet travel service that can help with all the details of flying with your furry friend. It even provides assistance with vaccinations and health certificates for international flights.
American Airlines’ fee is on par with other airlines for cabin travel, and the experience is bound to be comfortable for your pet.
- Allows one pet in the cabin
- Great pet transport service
- Restricted size/weight for cabin pets
7. Air Canada
| Animals Allowed: | Dogs and cats |
| Price (One-Way): | £80 to £225 |
| ✈️ Max. Number of Pets in Cabin: | 1 |
Air Canada is a top pet-friendly airline in the UK. This Canadian carrier allows you to bring one cat or dog with you in the cabin as long as they can fit comfortably in a carrier (maximum size of 27 x 40 x 55 cm). If your pet doesn’t meet that criterion, they can travel in the cargo hold.
The fee to fly your pet in the cabin is fairly reasonable, and the airline also has a wide range of services to ensure that your furry friend has a safe journey.
- Perfect for owners with one small cat or dog
- Allows pets in the cabin (with restrictions)
- Not all pets can fly in cabin due to size
8. Kenya Airways
| Animals Allowed: | Cats, dogs, and more |
| Price (One-Way): | £1,400 to £4,000 |
| ✈️ Max. Number of Pets in Cabin: | Service dog only |
Kenya Airways makes this list because it allows you to book your pet in cargo. If you require a service dog or emotional support dog, they can fly free of charge. They’re also allowed to be with you in the cabin.
For all other owners, the fee to fly your pet in cargo is quite high. But if you can afford it, Kenya Airways offers a great experience for you and your furry travel companion, complete with in-flight entertainment, comfortable seating, and delicious meals.
- Great service for service animals
- Cargo transport available
- Pricey to fly pets in cargo hold
Some Notable Airlines That Don’t Allow Pets
Some of the more popular airlines that generally don’t allow pets are EasyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, and Virgin Atlantic. They all have restrictive pet policies, allowing only service animals to travel with passengers. These airlines do not allow pets in the cabin, as checked baggage, or in cargo, except for registered guide and assistance animals. Service animals must be trained by recognized organizations and are subject to specific regulations. Make sure to contact the airline in advance if you are planning to travel with a service animal to get the most up-to-date information on their policies, as they can vary between airlines and are subject to change.
Flying Safely With Your Pets
If you’re flying with an emotional support or service dog, it’s important to make sure your pet is comfortable and secure during the flight. Most reputable airlines will require you to provide documentation that certifies that your animal is fit for air travel before boarding a plane with them.
It’s also important to note that some countries have additional entry requirements for pets, so it’s a good idea to check these in advance.
Conclusion
When it comes to flying with your beloved pet, the UK has a range of pet-friendly airlines. Be sure to check all applicable fees and restrictions before booking your flight to ensure that your pet can travel with you safely and comfortably. With careful planning, you can find the airline that best meets the needs of both you and your pet.
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Featured Image Credit: Svitlana Hulko, Shutterstock
