Pet-Friendly Airlines: A Cargo & Travel Guide

Delta Cargo maintains a standing embargo on manifest cargo shipments for general-public pets. The only current exception is active-duty U.S. Military and State Department Foreign Service Officers traveling on official PCS or transfer orders. Delta still accepts small pets in-cabin on many domestic and select international routes, independent of the cargo embargo. Brachycephalic breeds are not accepted in cargo even under the military exception.

Well-established cabin and cargo pet programs with clear documented procedures. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds face additional restrictions or outright exclusion from cargo transport due to respiratory risk at altitude.

PetSafe is United’s purpose-built cargo program for pets, with dedicated ground handling and climate-controlled vehicles between check-in and the aircraft. A useful option on routes where Delta or American have tighter breed or size limits.

One of the more consistently pet-friendly domestic U.S. carriers for both in-cabin and checked/cargo travel, with a straightforward booking process for smaller pets. Primarily useful for the domestic leg of a larger relocation, especially from Pacific Northwest and West Coast origins.

One of the most established live-animal cargo operations in the industry, with a dedicated animal handling facility at its Frankfurt hub offering veterinary oversight and climate-controlled holding between connections. A common routing choice for U.S.-to-Europe and onward Middle East/Africa moves.

Strong live-animal handling reputation through both the Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle hubs, with dedicated animal-holding facilities at each. A frequent routing for clients moving to continental Europe, Scandinavia, and onward connections to Africa.

Every animal arriving in the UK by air — regardless of airline — is processed through the government-run Heathrow Animal Reception Centre for documentation and health checks. IAG Cargo, as British Airways’ cargo division, is a common carrier for U.S.-to-UK relocations and coordinates directly with that facility.

Cargo space for live animals on transatlantic routes is limited per flight and books up faster than passenger seats, especially in summer relocation season (May–August) and around major holidays. Most European carriers recommend securing a cargo booking as early as your documentation timeline allows.

Emirates’ dedicated cargo division operates one of the more active live-animal programs for routing between North America, the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa through its Dubai hub. Extreme summer ground temperatures in Dubai can trigger tarmac handling restrictions on the tightest connections.

A frequently used alternative to Emirates for Gulf-region routing, particularly relevant for military and government relocations connecting onward to South Asia and East Africa. Documentation and permit requirements at the Doha hub should be confirmed per shipment, as they can differ from Dubai’s process.

Qantas Freight’s live-animal program is built around Australia’s strict biosecurity and quarantine framework, which is separate from and stricter than most destinations’ airline requirements. Coordination with Australia’s Department of Agriculture import permit process matters as much as the airline booking itself.

Well-regarded for live-animal care standards on Japan routes, which see steady demand from our military PCS clients. Cargo space is limited per flight, and Japan’s own import quarantine process runs independently of the airline booking and typically needs to begin months in advance.