The airlines that allow pets to travel to and from the UK

Unlike some countries, in the UK our options are a bit more limited, as pets cannot be in the cabin. They must go into the hold. Only a select few airlines have such cargo holds, so we've rounded up those for you. We've also found some pet-friendly airlines that allow for inter-European travel with your furry friends.

One thing we have noticed is that the weight allowance can be quite low for all airlines, so if you're like me and have a chunky slab of a labrador for a dog, you might be a bit stuck. But if your pet is 8kg or less, you're good to go.

Top pet-friendly airlines for travelling to and from the UK:

1. Lufthansa

• 1 pet per passenger

• Pets allowed: dogs and cats

• Maximum weight: 8kg including carrier

• Additional Fee: €50 for domestic flights (Europe only), £50 for within Europe and up to £100 for long-haul flights

2. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

• 1 pet per passenger

• Pets allowed: dogs and cats

• Maximum weight: 8kg including carrier

• Additional Fee: £60 - £400 each way

3. Air France

• 1 pet per passenger

• Pets allowed: dogs and cats

• Maximum weight: 8kg including carrier

• Additional fees: Varies between travel locations but usually upwards of £50

Top pet-friendly airlines for travelling in Europe:

With a lot of these options, your pet can fly right beside you in the cabin!

1. Aegean Airways

• 1 pet per passenger

• Pets allowed: dogs and cats

• Maximum weight: 8kg including carrier

• Additional Fee: €35 for domestic, €65 for international flights

2. Air Baltic

• 2 pets per passenger (must be the same kind)

• Pets allowed: dogs and cats

• Maximum weight: 12kg including carrier

• Additional fee: €70

3. Air Belgium

• 1 pet per passenger

• Pets allowed: dogs and cats

• Maximum weight: 8kg including carrier

• Additional Fee: €100 fee per pet

4. Air Malta

• 1 pet per passenger

• Pets allowed: dogs and cats

• Maximum weight: 10kg including carrier

• Additional Fee: €70 (pet stroller is free of charge)

5. Alitalia

• 5 pets per passenger (animals of the same species in the same carrier)

• Pets allowed: cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits, and hamsters

• Maximum weight: 8kg, 10kg including food and carrier.

• Additional Fee: €60 for domestic flights within Italy, €90 for flights across Europe, and €210 for other global destinations

6. Austrian Airlines

• 2 pets per passenger

• Pets allowed: dogs and cats

• Maximum weight: 8 kg including carrier

• Additional Fee: €50

7. Condor

• 1 pet per passenger

• Pets allowed: dogs and cats

• Maximum weight: 8 kg including carrier

• Additional Fee: €59.99 - €99.99

8. Eurowings

• 1 pet per passenger

• Pets allowed: dogs and cats

• Maximum weight: 8kg including carrier

• Additional Fee: from 60€

9. Finnair

• 1 pet per passenger

• Pets allowed: cats, dogs, pet rabbits, tortoises, and hedgehogs

• Maximum weight: 8kg including carrier

• Additional Fee: €60 for flights within Europe or €120 for intercontinental flights

10. Iberia

• 2 pets per passenger

• Pets allowed: dogs, cats, fish, tortoises, and birds (except birds of prey)

• Maximum weight: 8kg including carrier

• Additional Fee: €40 for pets within Spain, €60 for flights within Europe, and €180 for flights to America and Asia

11. LOT

• 1 pet per passenger

• Pets allowed: dogs, cats and ferrets

• Maximum weight: 8kg including carrier

• Additional Fee: €40 for domestic flights, €60 for flights within Europe, to €120 for flights to North America or Asia.

12. Norwegian

• 1 pet per passenger

• Pets allowed: dogs and cats

• Maximum weight: 8kg including carrier

• Additional Fee: €55-75 if paid online or €60-85 at the airport

13. SWISS

• 2 pets per passenger (1 in cabin, 1 in hold)

• Pets allowed: dogs and cats

• Maximum weight: 8kg (in cabin)

• Additional Fee: from €50 for domestic travel within Switzerland to €110 for long-haul intercontinental flights

14. TAP Air Portugal

• 2 pets per passenger

• Pets allowed: dogs and cats

• Maximum weight: 8kg including carrier

• Additional Fee: from €40 for domestic flights in Portugal, €70 for European flights, to €160 for intercontinental flights

15. TUIfly

• 1 pet per passenger

• Pets allowed: dogs and cats

• Maximum weight: 8kg including carrier

• Additional Fee: €50

16. Turkish Airlines

• 2 pets per passenger

• Pets allowed: dogs, cats, and small singing birds (e.g., parakeets, canaries)

• Maximum weight: 8kg including carrier

• Additional Fee: Depends on route

17. Vueling

• 2 pets per passenger

• Pets allowed: dogs, cats, birds (excluding brids of prey) and tortoises

• Maximum weight: 8kg including carrier

• Additional Fee: €50 for domestic flights and €60 for Canary and international flights

For more information, please visit the website of the airline you are interested in.