Flying with your dog in Australia: which airlines take dogs and the rules

At a glance

We could not confirm the pet policy of other regional carriers such as Alliance Airlines, so check directly with them. Rules and prices change, so confirm with the airline before you book.

• In the cabin: small dogs and cats only, with pet and soft carrier together weighing 8kg or less. Carrier maximum 44 x 28 x 28cm, and it must fit under the seat.
• Fee is $149 per pet, per flight. Book by phone on 13 67 89 more than 72 hours before you fly, and check in in person at least 75 minutes before departure. One pet per guest.
• Cabin flights currently leave from Melbourne, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Cairns. Sydney is not on the list, so check the route before you plan around it.
• In the hold: up to 65kg including the crate, and the animal must be over 8 weeks old. Virgin prefers you book through an animal transport partner, or direct with Virgin Australia Cargo on 13 82 87.
• Airbus A320 and Saab 340 aircraft do not carry animals, so some routes, including some Western Australian flights, are out.

Source: airline page and second page

• Dogs travel in a temperature-controlled area of the hold, booked under Q-GO Pets. The cabin is for assistance dogs only.
• Your dog must be at least 12 weeks old. Dogs over 12 years need a vet certificate saying they are fit to fly.
• You supply an IATA-approved crate. If the dog and crate together weigh more than 50kg, call 13 12 13 so Qantas can check the aircraft.
• Only selected domestic flights carry pets, with a limit per aircraft. Book your dog first, then your own seat. Changes and cancellations are free up to 24 hours before departure.
• Dogs do not fly if the forecast is above 35°C or below 5°C at the ports involved, and Qantas suggests early or late flights in summer.
• Check in your dog 90 to 120 minutes before departure (65 to 90 at regional ports). Do not sedate your dog.

Source: airline page and second page

• Dogs travel as checked baggage on Saab 340 flights in New South Wales and Victoria, charged as excess baggage per kilo. Call Rex on 13 17 13.
• Maximum container is 85 x 77 x 131cm. Qantas Freight notes pets cannot go on Rex aircraft if the dog and crate weigh more than 32kg.
• Rex no longer carries snub-nosed dogs, as baggage or freight.
• Between larger ports such as Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Cairns and Townsville, pets must go as cargo with Qantas Freight or Dogtainers.

Source: airline page

• Jetstar does not carry pets, and Qantas Freight does not accept pet bookings on any Jetstar service. Only assistance animals fly.

Source: airline page

Which breeds can fly

Breed is where most owners get caught out. There are three groups to know about.

• Banned breeds. The Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario and pit bull types cannot be carried. Virgin Australia also lists wolfdog breeds such as the Czechoslovakian, Kunming and Saarloos wolfdogs, and the Lupo Italiano, including crosses.
• Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds. Pugs, French and English bulldogs, Boston terriers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese and similar breeds have a higher risk of breathing problems in the air. Qantas and Virgin only take them through an approved pet transport company, and Virgin will not fly them on connecting flights the same day or on flights leaving between 9am and 6pm. Rex does not carry them at all.
• Strong breeds and greyhounds. Qantas requires American Staffordshire terriers to travel in a reinforced CR-82 crate or an airline-approved guard dog cage. It does not accept active racing greyhounds, and retired racing greyhounds only on selected routes through approved specialists.

If you have a French bulldog or a pug, in particular, start by calling an approved pet transport company rather than the airline. They manage the paperwork, pick the flight and often arrange early-morning or evening departures.

Age, health and heat

• Minimum age is 12 weeks on Qantas and over 8 weeks on Virgin. Virgin needs a vet certificate for dogs aged 8 to 12 weeks and for dogs over 12 years. Qantas asks for one from 12 years.
• Virgin also asks for a certificate, issued within 14 days of the flight, if your dog is pregnant, sedated, has a medical condition or recent surgery, or is snub-nosed.
• Both airlines advise against sedation. Sedated dogs travel at the owner's risk on Virgin.
• Qantas will not fly a dog if it is expected to be hotter than 35°C or colder than 5°C. In practice that means early or late flights in summer and midday flights in winter.

Crates

Your dog needs room to stand, turn around and lie down. Qantas requires an IATA-approved crate with an external water bowl and no food inside, and it lets you use an absorbent pad but not straw, litter or newspaper. Virgin accepts a ventilated, escape-proof crate, and asks for a metal or wooden one if your dog could break plastic. The Boeing 737 limit on Virgin is 131 x 85 x 80cm.

Flying to Tasmania or Western Australia

Biosecurity rules apply on top of airline rules. Dogs entering Tasmania need a declaration and must have been treated with a praziquantel wormer within 14 days before arrival, with proof. Virgin also flags that travel to or through Tasmania or Western Australia means meeting those states' biosecurity rules, so check them before you book. Puppies under 12 weeks are exempt from Tasmania's worming requirement.

Source: Biosecurity Tasmania

Before you book

1. Check your dog's breed against the lists above, then decide cabin or hold.
2. Book your dog's flight first. Pet spaces are limited, and a booking for you alone does not reserve one.
3. Measure and weigh your dog and crate, and check the limits for the aircraft on your route.
4. Check the forecast at both ends and any connecting port, and pick a cooler flight in summer.
5. Book a pet-friendly stay at the other end. PupFriendly lists them by region.