PetFlightCheck

Aer Lingus Pet Policy (2026): Cabin, Hold & Fees

No. Aer Lingus does not allow pets in the cabin. Pets travel in the aircraft hold, booked through a pet agent at IAG Cargo. You can't bring a pet to the Aer Lingus check-in desk.

Last verified against Aer Lingus's official pages

PetFlightCheck is independent and not affiliated with Aer Lingus. This page summarizes Aer Lingus's official pet policy pages as of October 2, 2026; confirm the rules with Aer Lingus before you book. Report an error

How to add your dog to a booking

  1. Don't bring your pet to the Aer Lingus check-in desk: it won't be accepted.
  2. Book your pet with a pet agent at IAG Cargo. From North America, contact the North American Pet Desk at 1 (866) 300-4004 or petdesk@iagcargo.com.
  3. The agent you book with arranges to meet you at the airport on the day of your flight.
  4. Flying into Ireland from a non-EU country (including Great Britain, but not Northern Ireland)? Notify Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine at least 24 hours before departure and schedule a compliance check on arrival. You'll need to show evidence at check-in.

Source: Travelling with Pets (cats or dogs)

Pet fee

Aer Lingus doesn't publish a pet fee. Pets are booked through IAG Cargo, which sets the price.

Carrier size and weight

Aer Lingus doesn't allow pets in the cabin, so there are no cabin carrier rules. See the cargo section for pets in the hold.

    Source: Disability Assistance (Travelling with trained service dogs)

    Routes, breeds and other restrictions

    Where pets can't fly

    Aer Lingus can't carry pets on these flights:

    • Aer Lingus Regional flights operated by Emerald Airlines
    • Flights on the A321neo LR aircraft (the cargo holds are not ventilated)

    Breeds

    Aer Lingus says some dangerous dog breeds and snub-nosed breeds of cats and dogs may not be accepted for travel. It doesn't list the breeds; confirm yours with IAG Cargo. Confirm with Aer Lingus before you book a short-nosed dog or cat.

    Also good to know

    • Animals must be at least 15 weeks old.
    • Pets must be accompanied by their owner or an authorised person.

    Source: Travelling with Pets (cats or dogs)

    Cargo and checked pets

    Aer Lingus carries pets in the cargo hold through IAG Cargo (pet agent). Aer Lingus accepts domestic cats and dogs only. Maximum weight limits apply to containers and animals, but the page doesn't give them: it refers you to IAG Cargo. Customers travelling with pets from North America can contact the North American Pet Desk at 1 (866) 300-4004 (Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST) or petdesk@iagcargo.com.

    Compare every airline's hold rules in our guide to airlines that fly dogs in the hold.

    Source: Travelling with Pets (cats or dogs)

    Service dogs and emotional support animals

    • Only trained service dogs are accepted as service animals.
    • Required paperwork: For flights to/from the USA: the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form, plus the DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form if the flight is eight hours or longer. For Canada, Barbados or Mexico: Aer Lingus's Service Animal Air Transportation Form.

    Source: Disability Assistance (Travelling with trained service dogs)

    Other details

    • Service dogs fly free in the cabin if they fit at your feet, under your seat or in your lap. Aer Lingus accepts only dogs as service animals; emotional support animals and service animals in training aren't accepted in the cabin. Contact Aer Lingus's Special Assistance team at least 24 hours before departure (48 hours for travel within Europe, and for documentation on flights to/from North America booked more than 48 hours ahead).
    • Service dogs of these breeds must be securely muzzled and led on a strong leash of no more than two metres by a person over 16: American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, Doberman Pinscher, English Bull Terrier, German Shepherd (Alsatian) and Japanese Akita.
    • Flying with a partner airline for part of your trip? Check that airline's pet rules too: Aer Lingus says to contact the other airline directly.
    • Dogs coming into the U.S., including service dogs, need the CDC Dog Import Form.

    Before you fly

    Aer Lingus can change its pet policy at any time. We last checked these official pages on October 2, 2026. Confirm the rules with Aer Lingus before you book and again before you travel.

    Planning a trip? Our trip checker checks your dog against Aer Lingus's cabin rules and, for trips abroad, gives you a dated checklist of what your dog needs.

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