Flying on Turkish Airlines with a pet can be very stressful if you are not familiar with all the Turkish Airlines Pet Policy. Turkish Airlines allows you to travel with your pet in both the cabin and in the aircraft cargo hold or as cargo, depending upon your pet’s size, weight, breed, destination, and documentation. Understanding the policy helps you to plan your travel journey more comfortably with your pet.
What Is Turkish Airlines Pet Policy?
The Turkish Airlines Pet Policy is a set of rules and conditions under which passengers are allowed to travel with their pets on Turkish Airlines flights. The policy is all about which animals are allowed and whether the pet can travel in the cabin or must be transported in the aircraft’s cargo hold. The policy also covers pet size and weight limits, carrier requirements, health documents, and extra fees. This is designed for pet safety while traveling and helps the travelers so they can plan ahead. The policy also covers pet size and weight limits, carrier requirements, health documents, and extra fees.
General Terms
Fee and Eligibility
- Passengers can fly with their pets by paying the pet transportation for the routes they travel. For more information, review the pet transportation fee tables.
- The passengers who have a confirmed flight ticket are allowed to book and pay for the pet transportation
Permitted Pets
- Only cats, dogs and small songbirds such as budgies and canaries are allowed as pets
- Budgies and canaries can travel in the cabin. Pigeons and parrots are transported in the aircraft’s hold section. Other small birds (other than budgies and canaries) can be transported through the Turkish Cargo.
Read more: What is Turkish Airlines Infant Policy?
How To Make A Booking For Your Pet On Turkish Airlines?
Under Turkish Airlines Pet Policy, to make a booking for your pet, you need to follow some steps:
- Passengers who have purchased the pet carrier online need to verify the information they have submitted at the check-in counter. If the information does not match what was provided online, and at the time of check-in it is changed, then it can result in the pet not being allowed to travel on the flight.
- Pets transportation rights can be purchased online through mobile app or website, up to 6 hours before the flight
- Passengers may purchase pet carriage right before 24 hours of the flight through the ticket management page.
- You cannot make a payment for pet travel online if the passenger is an unaccompanied child.
Seat Selection
- Passengers who have purchased the ticket to carry the pet online are allowed to sit in the standard window seat.
- Seat selection is provided free of charge at checkout for passengers who have purchased the pet travel rights. If you first pay for a seat and add pet carriage later on, then the money won’t be refunded for the seat.
- Passengers who have purchased a seat that is not allowed for traveling with pets are not allowed to add pet carriers online.
Read more: Does Turkish Airlines Give a Student Discount?
Pet Carrier Specifications
Cabin
- Under Turkish Airlines Pet Policy, pet with carrier must not exceed 8 kg.
- Carrier dimension should be 23 cm height, 30 cm width and 40 cm length.
- If two animals of the same species are sharing the same carrier in the cabin, then the total weight should not exceed 8 kg.
- Carriers should be designed to be soft and closed throughout the flight, and should have ventilation and must fit under the seat infront of you.
Hold section
- Pets with a carrier/cage must not exceed 50 kg.
- Carrier/Cage dimensions must not exceed 75 cm in height, 7 cm in width, and 125 cm in length.
- The carrier should be hard-surfaced, and soft-sided carriers/bags are allowed in the hold.
- If the carrier exceeds these dimensions, then transport is done through Turkish cargo
- A passenger can travel with 2 pet carriers; however, only one pet is allowed in the cabin, and another one is allowed in the cargo hold, or both the pet carriers can be transported in the cargo hold instead of the cabin.
- For flights from Moldova/Ukraine to the USA, 1 carrier per passenger is allowed, with a max of 2 of the same breed of pets per cage.
Carrier Requirements
- The carrier must be comfortable for the pet to stand, sleep, turn, and be ventilated and watertight, mean leakproof, with a lateral locking system.
- If the waiting time is more than 4 hours or the flight duration is longer than 8 hours, the carrier must have food and an automatic water dispenser inside. And also the identification tag with the pet’s or owner’s details must be attached to the carrier for safety and for proper identification.
Health, Vaccination & Documentation
Documentation
- Under Turkish Airlines Pet Policy, cats and Dogs require a vaccination certificate with identification information. Birds require a flight certificate.
- The rabies vaccination certificate should be present at least 30 days old and no older than 1 year on the date of the flight.
- A health certificate from a vet is needed while traveling.
- From December 27, 2023 onwards, rabies titer test reports must include a QR code; the code is compulsory for the verification when cats or dogs are traveling to the UK or the European Union.
- Pets have must have an implanted microchip.
Age Criteria
- Pets such as kittens/puppies should be less than 10 weeks old or unweaned, nursing cats/dogs, and cats/dogs 10-12 weeks old and need veterinary approval; without approval, you are not allowed.
- In the hold section, a max of 3 babies born from the mother, aged 10-24 weeks, can be in the same carrier. Animals of the same breed, max 14 kg, close in size, and used to living together are allowed to share a carrier. Pets over 14 years old must be alone.
Health Restrictions
- Under Turkish Airlines Pet Policy, pregnant dogs and cats are not allowed.
- Animals must be clean, odor-free, and calm.
- Animals with health problems before the flight are not allowed to travel.
- If the health condition worsens, then the responsibility is over the owner. Turkish Airlines is not responsible for it.
Read more: Turkish Airlines Senior Discount: Complete Guide for Senior Travelers
Breed And Special Cases
Below is the clear table mentioned about the breed restrictions and transport rules:
| Category | Pet Type | Breed Examples | Hold (AVIH) Allowed? | Important Notes |
| Brachycephalic (Respiratory-Sensitive) Breeds | Cats | Birman, Exotic, Persian, Himalayan, Burmese, Scottish Fold, etc. | No (restricted after Oct 1, 2021) | Due to breathing risks, these breeds are not allowed in the hold |
| Brachycephalic (Respiratory-Sensitive) Breeds | Dogs | Affenpinscher, Pekingese, Pug (all), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Japanese Dog, Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Spaniel, Chow Chow, English Little Spaniel, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bullmastiff, English/British Mastiff, etc. | No (restricted after Oct 1, 2021) | Cabin travel only if weight and size rules are satisfied |
| Dangerous/Aggressive Breeds | Dogs | American Bulldog, Bandog, Tosa Inu, Caucasian Ovcharka, Dogue de Bordeaux, Doberman (all), Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Mastiff (except Bullmastiff), Wolf Dog Hybrids, Anatolian Shepherd, Boerboel, etc. | Yes, only via Turkish Cargo | Cannot travel in cabin or standard pet hold booking; cargo handling required |
Protected species And Local Restrictions
Certain animals native to Türkiye (like the Sivas kangal, Angora Cat, and Van Cat) are accepted for carriage on international flights from Türkiye, but only with prior approval from the Ministry.
For these outbound international flights from Turkey, passengers must have a certificate of portability issued by the Ministry. Well, this requirement does not apply to flights arriving in Türkiye or flights departing from another country, even if the journey involves Türkiye.
Conclusion
Understanding the Turkish Airlines Pet Policy is important for planning to travel with a pet. travelling with a pet is very stressful, so having knowledge gives you a little peace of mind throughout the journey. By carefully reviewing all the details, you can plan proper preparation.
Hope this blog provides you enough information and makes travelling with pets on Turkish Airlines smoother, safer, and far less stressful for both the passenger and the pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1 Can Pets Travel In The Cabin On Turkish Airlines?
Ans: Yes. Cats, dogs, and small birds can travel in the cabin if the total weight with the carrier is under 8 kg and the carrier fits under the seat.
Q.2 How Much Does Turkish Airlines Charge For Pet Travel?
Ans: Fees vary by route and pet size. Charges depend on whether the pet travels in the cabin or the aircraft hold.
Q.3 What Documents Are Required For Pet Travel On Turkish Airlines?
Ans: Pets need vaccination records, a rabies certificate, a vet health certificate, and a microchip. EU and UK routes also require a rabies titer test with a QR code.
Q.4 Are There Breed Restrictions For Pets On Turkish Airlines?
Ans: Yes. Short-nosed breeds cannot travel in the aircraft hold, and aggressive dog breeds must be transported via Turkish Cargo only.
Q.5 How Do I Book Pet Travel On Turkish Airlines?
Ans: Pet travel can be added online through the website or mobile app up to 6 hours before departure or via ticket management up to 24 hours before the flight.
