Travelling with your pet can be an adventure, but it can also create a lot of anxiety if you don’t fully understand the airline’s rules. Air France has a clearly defined and structured pet policy that allows many customers to travel with their pets in the cabin, hold, or as cargo, depending on the pet’s size, weight, and destination.

This guide provides an overview of Air France’s pet policy. It includes eligibility to travel with a pet, as well as their booking procedures, fees, and useful tips. It also includes a list of frequently asked questions related to travelling with a pet on Air France. For personalized services or to book pet travel services, you can contact Air France customer service at 1 (800) 237-2747.

How can Pets Travel on Air France?

There are three pet transportation methods in which Air France allows Pets to travel:

1. Travelling with Pets in Cabin

According to Air France’s Pet Policy, small dogs and cats can be transported. They can be carried in the passenger cabin if they adhere to certain standards.

Requirements for Cabin Travel

• Your pet must only be a cat or a dog.
• Your pet, weight-wise, including its carrier, should not be more than 8 kg/17.64 lbs.
• Your pet must remain within an airport-approved carrier (a soft or hard side carrier). Carrier should be placed under a seat in front of you.
• As a rule of thumb, each passenger is allowed only one pet in the cabin.
• Pet must be at least 15 weeks old and be up-to-date on their vaccines.
• All pets must remain in their carrier for the entire flight. Preferred items for your pet’s comfort include absorbent pads so that your pet is as clean and comfortable as possible.
• Air France does not allow pets in business class or on intercontinental flights.

2. Pets Travelling in the Hold

If your pet weighs more than the maximum weight limit for cabin travel, Air France’s pet policy allows you to transport larger pets in the hold of the aircraft. The hold provides a pressurized, temperature-controlled environment that designers specifically created for the safe transport of animals.

Guidelines for Pets Travelling in the Hold

• Airlines will transport cats and dogs in a bag in the hold of an aircraft if the weight of the animal is between 8 kg (17.64 lb) and 75 kg (165.35 lb).
• Animals that weigh under 8 kg (17.64 lb) can also be transported in the hold of an aircraft.
• We limit the number of animals you can take with you in the hold to a maximum of three per passenger (this may vary according to the aircraft type).
• You can let us know if you will be travelling with an animal in the hold immediately after you purchase your ticket, if possible, or at a minimum, 48 hours in advance of departure. 

3. Pets Travelling as Cargo

• If your pet cannot travel in the cabin due to its breed or weight, you will need to ship it in the animal’s carrier in the cargo area of the airplane.
• Such pets may include snub-nosed breeds such as Boxers, Pekingese, or Shih Tzus, as well as Birmans and Persians. 
• Airline regulations govern the maximum allowed weight for an animal and its carrier; if an animal weighs more than the maximum weight, the airline must ship the pet in cargo.
• Additionally, owning a pet may be illegal in some jurisdictions due to regulations put in place by the destination country.

Cost of Carrying Pets on Air France (in Cabin or in Hold)

The price of a ticket does not include the cost of transporting your pet, but it will vary depending on where you are flying to. 

Transporting your pet will require a FLAT FEE that can be paid online or at Air France’s sales counter upon arrival at the airport.

Flights from the United States/Canada to all other countries.

• In the Hold: 500 EURO/ 500 USD/CAD (24 hrs or less before flying)
• In the Cabin: 250 EURO/250 USD/CAD

Both FEES are for ONE WAY ONLY with 1 pet carrier (or kennel). If you are travelling with multiple connections, we will determine the fees based on the country of departure and final destination.

You can contact the Air France Live Representative at 1 (800) 237-2747 and ask them for the exact information about the fees and other things.

Certificates and Documentation Needed

Before boarding an Air France flight, you must verify that your pet meets all health and legal regulations. You should confirm that your pet is compliant with both your own country’s and the destination country’s requirements before departing.

The required documents are:

• Microchip identification (particularly in the EU and many other countries);
• The veterinarian administered valid rabies vaccination after the microchip insertion and within the required time period.
• A veterinarian licensed to practice in your geographic area must sign a veterinary certificate (a veterinarian should issue this document within a specified time frame before your travel to your destination, usually five days to ten days in advance).
• A pet passport or similar type of certificate will usually apply in certain locations, including the EU.

How to Book a Flight with a Pet on Air France?

To book a flight with a pet, follow the steps below:

• First, book a regular ticket for yourself on Air France’s website or app.

• When you have booked your own ticket, verify eligibility by confirming your pet type/species, pet’s weight and the size of the carrier/crate meets their guidelines, as well as determining if your route allows transporting pets as either a carry-on or as checked/bulky cargo.

• After doing so, contact Air France by calling the customer service at 1 (800) 237-2747 to make arrangements to add a pet to your reservation as soon as possible after booking. When speaking with Air France customer service, have your weight and carrier dimensions available for reference.

• Air France will inform you about space availability of your pet in the cabin or in the luggage hold. Also, they will let you know with the price of your pet fare for your route.

• Before flying with your pet, it is very important to prepare the appropriate documentation, including Microchip Documents, Proven Rabies Vaccination Records, an Official Health Certificate from a Veterinarian and All Necessary Import/Passport Paperwork. 

• When Using a Commercial Airline to Travel to and From an International Destination, You Must Arrive at the Airport as Early as Possible on the Day You Are Scheduled to Fly to be Able to Complete Pet Check-In and Make Any Necessary Payments for Transportation / Hold Your Pet’s Space (Ticket) on the Plane.

Conclusion

There are multiple ways to travel with pets on Air France. However, the process is meticulous and takes some foresight and effort to prepare and understand the restrictions involved. In addition to validating the most up-to-date rules, it’s also best to start preparing your pet well in advance by coordinating with both your veterinarian and the airline so they can give you a comprehensive list of what needs to happen on your part as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I travel with my Pet on Air France?

Yes, you can travel with pets on Air France in the cabin, hold or in cargo.

What are the restricted animals on Air France?

Authorities restrict dogs coming from nations with a significant risk of rabies. Also, those intended for resale, adoption, care, breeding, shows, exhibitions, research, or other commercial uses.