Travelling with pets
The safety and well-being of your pet during transport in the aircraft are very important to us. Please read the following information carefully.
Please note
- You can carry up to two healthy pets in an approved carrying container.
- Your pet must be at last twelve weeks old (16 weeks from or to the USA). Young animals must be weaned from their mother.
- Your pet may be carried in the cabin and/or the cargo hold depending on your pet’s size, weight (including carrying container) and the applicable regulations in the country concerned. You will find the respective details on this page below.
- Special conditions apply to the carriage of your assistance dog (for example guide dog or hearing dog).
The carriage of large animals to certain destinations in the cargo hold is not possible due to local conditions and restrictions.
Please note that the carriage of dogs and cats belonging to short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds has been restricted since 1 January 2020. Existing, confirmed bookings will continue to be valid even after 1 January 2020.
Please notify us in good time if you wish to bring your pet with you. We will check the conditions of carriage and the space available.
General information and registration by telephone on +43 5 1766 1000 or by email to our Service Centre.
Small pets in the cabin
The carrying container must:
- be soft, bite-proof and leak-proof.
- insulated against odours.
- be adequately ventilated even when closed.
- be large enough to accommodate the pet in a natural position.
The total weight of the pet and the carrying container must not exceed 8 kg, a maximum size of 118 cm (55 x 40 x 23 cm) so that it can be stowed easily under the seat in front of you.
Please note: In some countries, such as Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Hong Kong and South Africa, pets must be carried as freight irrespective of their size.
General information and registration by telephone on +43 5 1766 1000 or by email to our Service Centre.
| Flight segment | The price for carriage in the passenger cabin up to a maximum weight of 8 kg¹ and a max. volume² of 118 cm | Austrian Airlines destinations |
| Domestic | EUR 50 | Flights within Austria |
| Europe | EUR 60 | Europe incl. Morocco and Armenia |
| Intercontinental short distance | EUR 80 | Between Europe and Jordan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq and Israel |
| Intercontinental medium distance | EUR 100 | Between Europe and Chicago, Maldives, Miami, Canada, New York and Washington D.C. |
| Intercontinental long distance | EUR 110 | Between Europe and Thailand, South Africa, Los Angeles, Mauritius, China and Japan |
1 = including pet
2 = length + width + height
Please note: A ticket service fee is also charged in addition to the fare specified and is calculated differently depending on the place of departure. Other rules and fares may apply on flights operated by partner airlines (codeshare) and on charter flights.
Large animals in the cargo hold
Animals for which there is no space in the passenger cabin may be carried in the cargo hold subject to compliance with the relevant conditions of carriage. Please inform us of the size and weight of the carrying container you are providing at the time of booking. The container must comply with the IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations. We will check the availability of space and the loading options in the aircraft.
A maximum of two pets, who must be accustomed to one another, with a maximum individual weight of 14 kg per animal may be accommodated in a single carrying container.
Austrian Airlines reserves the right to check the condition of the carrying container and the pet’s behaviour at check-in to ensure it is carried safely and securely throughout the entire journey.
| Flight segment | Price for carriage in the cargo hold up to a dimension of 60 x 45 x 40 cm | Price for carriage in the cargo hold with dimensions above 60 x 45 x 40 cm | Austrian Airlines destinations |
| Domestic | EUR 80 | EUR 160 | Flights within Austria |
| Europe | EUR 100 | EUR 200 | Europe incl. Morocco and Armenia |
| Intercontinental near distance | EUR 130 | EUR 260 | Between Europe and Jordan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq and Israel |
| Intercontinental medium distance | EUR 170 | EUR 340 | Between Europe and Chicago, Maldives, Miami, Canada, New York and Washington D.C. |
| Intercontinental long distance | EUR 190 | EUR 380 | Between Europe and Thailand, South Africa, Los Angeles, Mauritius, China and Japan |
Please note: A ticket service fee is also charged in addition to the fare specified and is calculated differently depending on the place of departure. Other rules and fares may apply on flights operated by partner airlines (codeshare) and charter flights.
- Every animal must be able to stand upright within it and have sufficient freedom of movement.
- Water and food containers must be present.
- The base must be leak-proof and supplied with sufficient absorbent material.
- There must be air holes on at least three sides.
- It must be generally robust and escape-proof.
- Special conditions apply to pedigree dogs and short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds of dogs
Please note that in some countries pets must be carried as freight depending on their size.
Please contact our Service Centre by email if you have any further questions.
You will find more information about the transport of unaccompanied animals on the Lufthansa Cargo website.
You will find more information about the transport of animals that are too big or too heavy on the Lufthansa Cargo website.
Dogs classified as fighting dogs and short-nosed/brachycephalic breeds
There are special conditions for the carriage of dogs classified as fighting dogs and brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, for example the use of a special cage.
Dogs and cats that belong to short-nosed breeds have constricted airways due to their anatomy and may be short of breath as a result. The stress caused by transport or high temperatures at the departure, transfer or destination airport may lead to circulatory problems and increased shortness of breath as a result. You pet may therefore suffer serious injury to its health or even die during the journey. The carriage of these breeds in the cargo hold has therefore been restricted since 1 January 2020.
You can get further information at specialcases@austrian.com.
- Affenpinschers
- Bull dogs (all breeds except American bull dogs)
- Pugs (all breeds)
- American pit bull terriers
- American Staffordshire terriers
- Boston terriers
- Boxers
- Brussels griffons
- Bull mastiffs
- Bull terriers
- Chow chows
- English toy spaniels
- Japanese chins
- Japanese spaniels
- Lhaso apso
- Pekinese
- Pit bulls
- Shar Pei
- Shih tzus
- Staffordshire bull terriers
The restrictions also apply to mongrels of the breeds specified.
- British short-haired cats
- Exotic shorthairs
- Himalayan cats
- Persian cats
- Scottish fold cats
The restrictions also apply to mongrels of the breeds specified.
Existing, confirmed bookings will continue to be valid even after 1 January 2020.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs (guide dogs or hearing dogs) may be carried with you in the cabin free of charge on Austrian Airlines providing all the safety requirements are met.
The dog must fit into the footwell in front of your seat and must be secured on a lead intended for this purpose and wear a muzzle on board. Please note that the obligation to wear a muzzle may be lifted by the cabin crew on board in certain cases.
Please register your dog at the time of booking, because assistance dogs are limited in size and weight. Please state the dog’s service ID and its breed and weight.
Emotional Support Animals
There is the option of carrying a dog in the cabin for therapeutic purposes (Emotional Support Animal) if you have booked a flight from or to the USA.
The specific training of your dog must be verified at check-in. You must also register your dog in advance no later than 48 hours before departure. You will also require up-to-date evidence from your treating psychologist to prove that you must have the animal with you during the flight.
We will also have to take hygiene precautions on long-haul flights. You must therefore submit written confirmation that the dog will not foul the passenger cabin during the flight.
Until 31 January 2021, carriage is free of charge on our direct flights from/to America, including feeder and connecting flights.
From 1 February 2021, dogs who provide emotional support will only be transported free of charge on Austrian flights to and from the USA. No special conditions apply to all other routes, including connecting flights. The dog will travel in a suitable transport container in the passenger cabin or in the cargo hold, depending on the size and weight, for an additional fee. Please refer to the tables listed above.
Please note:
- Bring a suitable transport container for the animal with you at the start of your journey.
- On connecting flights outside the USA, upon which the dog cannot be transported as additional hand luggage in the cabin, you are responsible for the entry, exit and customs formalities for your accompanying emotional support dog yourself.
- Allow enough time (3 hours) to either pick the dog up or check it in.
This is how you can take your pet with you when you travel
Register by telephone
Please state that you wish to bring your pet with you at the time of booking. We will check the conditions of carriage and the availability of space and contact you.
Preparing for the flight
To be ideally prepared check the conditions for carrying boxes before departure. Consult your vet about your pet’s general condition and obtain the necessary documents depending on the entry requirements at your destination.
Check-in
Guests with pets can use online and mobile check-in 23 hours before departure. You must collect your boarding pass from the check-in desk at the airport. Bring your pet to the check-in desk in a suitable carrying container no later than two hours, but no earlier than three hours before departure.
Register by telephone
Please state that you wish to bring your pet with you at the time of booking. We will check the conditions of carriage and the availability of space and contact you.
Preparing for the flight
To be ideally prepared check the conditions for carrying boxes before departure. Consult your vet about your pet’s general condition and obtain the necessary documents depending on the entry requirements at your destination.
Check-in
Guests with pets can use online and mobile check-in 23 hours before departure. You must collect your boarding pass from the check-in desk at the airport. Bring your pet to the check-in desk in a suitable carrying container no later than two hours, but no earlier than three hours before departure.
Tips for the well-being of your four-legged friend
Flying is not only stressful for us humans. We have put together a few tips for you so that your pet is relaxed and well prepared:
- As far as possible get your pet used to the carrying container at home by placing the pet in the closed container for a few hours several times and then rewarding it afterwards.
- Many pets are very nervous before and during the flight. If you are considering whether you want to calm your pet with medication, please speak to your vet about this. The pet’s reactions are often not predictable and may lead to circulatory problems.
- Place a blanket with a familiar smell and a favourite toy in the carrying container to calm the animal.
Enquire from your vet how you can adjust your pet’s food during the flight.
Frequently asked questions
Please refer to the official Brexit information.
All the regulations given here apply solely to flights operated by Austrian. With codeshare flights please make sure therefore that you check the regulations of the airline operating the flight. If you are travelling with several airlines, verify that your pet will also be accepted with all airlines concerned.
