Traveling with cats and dogs in the cabin

The pet-in-cabin service must be booked for a fee in advance via the Discover Airlines Service Center by calling +49 (0) 69 86 798 200. Travelers must also complete the form for the transport of cats and dogs in the cabin and bring it with them to the check-in counter at the start of their journey. The form is not required for assistance dogs on direct flights to/from the USA.

Form for traveling with animals in the aircraft cabin (pdf) The link will be opened in a new browser tab
Please note that with this link you are visiting an external website that may not follow the same privacy, security or accessibility policies.
Illustration of animals in the cabin
  • Advance registration and confirmation of transportation are required.
  • Only cats and dogs are permitted in the cabin.
  • A maximum of two animals may be transported in a single transport bag.
  • The minimum age for animals is 15 weeks for journeys to/from Germany and 6 months for trips to/from the USA.
  • The total weight of your animal and the transport bag must not exceed 8 kg.
  • The dimensions of the transport bag may not exceed 55 x 40 x 23 cm (height x width x depth) or a total of 118 cm if you add up all sides.
  • The transport bag must be able to fit under the seat, be made of soft material and must not have a rigid frame.
  • Please note that the animal must remain in its closed travel carrier throughout its time on board. Opening the bag or removing the animal is not permitted.
  • The transport bag must not be placed on the seat.
  • The transport bag must be puncture-proof and leak-proof and sufficiently ventilated even when closed.
  • The transport bag must be spacious enough to allow the animal to sit, stand, turn around and lie down in a natural position.

The cost of transporting your pet is dependent on the route. You can find detailed information in the baggage calculator according to the flight route:

Go to baggage calculator

Cats and dogs are not allowed in the cabin on the following flights:

  • To and from Reykjavik, Iceland
  • To and from Shannon, Ireland
  • To and from Malé, the Maldives
  • To Mauritius
  • To Mahé, the Seychelles
  • To the USA (excluding Philadelphia)

For flights to Philadelphia, please refer to the ​CDC websiteThe link will be opened in a new browser tab. It is the passenger’s responsibility to meet all requirements. If the documents required by the CDC are not presented at check-in, import/transportation will be refused.

Only animals from the EU/EEA are allowed to enter Alta, Bodo and Evenes in Norway.

At Discover Airlines, registered assistance dogs can be taken on board free of charge. Please note the information on the following page:

Transportation of assistance dogs

Flights to the USA

Transporting assistance dogs to the USA is possible as long as all CDC requirements are complied with. For the full requirements, please see the CDC website.The link will be opened in a new browser tab It is the passenger’s responsibility to meet all requirements. If the documents required by the CDC are not presented at check-in, import/transportation will be refused.

Please register the transportation of search and rescue dogs via the Discover Airlines Service Center and complete the form for transporting animals in aircraft cabins.

Go to the Discover Airlines Service Center

For anatomical reasons, dogs and cats that are flat-faced breeds have constricted airways and therefore have difficulty breathing. Stress caused by transportation or hot temperatures at the departure, transfer or destination airport can lead to circulatory problems and, consequently, increased shortness of breath. This can cause animals to suffer serious health damage or even to die during the trip,

so these animals need to be prepared as well as possible for the upcoming trip. Passengers should ask their veterinarian about possible medication for sedating the pets or bring a blanket/pillow with a familiar smell with them on board.