PetFlightCheck

Cathay Pacific Pet Policy (2026): Cabin, Hold & Fees

No. Cathay Pacific does not allow pets in the cabin. Pets travel as cargo with Cathay Cargo's Cathay Live Animal service, which only takes direct bookings from approved parties. Cathay Pacific isn't accepting new bookings for pets as checked baggage until further notice.

Last verified against Cathay Pacific's official pages

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

How to add your dog to a booking

  1. Pets can't be booked on the passenger flight: Cathay Pacific doesn't allow them in the cabin and isn't accepting new checked-baggage bookings for pets for now.
  2. Pets travel as cargo with Cathay Cargo. Book through an IPATA or ATA member pet travel agent, an IATA accredited freight forwarder, or someone with a valid IATA Live Animals Regulations training certificate; Cathay Cargo accepts direct bookings only from these.
  3. For a pet leaving Hong Kong, you can book Cathay Live Animal through any agent.
  4. Assistance dogs: contact Cathay Pacific Customer Care as far ahead as you can, and at least 48 hours ahead for a flight segment of 8 hours or more.

Sources: Is there free baggage allowance for pets?, Travelling with animals, Guide/Assistance Dogs

Pet fee

Cathay Pacific doesn't publish a pet fee. Pets travel as cargo with Cathay Cargo; ask your pet travel agent or Cathay Cargo for a quote.

Carrier size and weight

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

    Source: Are pets allowed in the cabin?

    Routes, breeds and other restrictions

    Where pets can't fly

    We haven't verified which routes, if any, don't accept pets on Cathay Pacific. Check the official page before you book.

    Breeds

    Cathay Cargo accepts certain snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds from January to May and from October to December, on Hong Kong to London Heathrow, Hong Kong to Melbourne and Hong Kong to Singapore. London Heathrow to Hong Kong is temporarily unavailable for them until further notice. You must work with an IPATA-certified snub-nosed (BOAS) pet shipper. Confirm with Cathay Pacific before you book a short-nosed dog or cat.

    Also good to know

    • Pets can't travel in the cabin, and Cathay Pacific isn't taking new bookings for pets as checked baggage for now.

    Sources: Travelling with animals, Is there free baggage allowance for pets?

    Cargo and checked pets

    Cathay Pacific carries pets in the cargo hold through Cathay Live Animal (Cathay Cargo). From September 1, 2025, Cathay Cargo accepts direct bookings of pet shipments only from members of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) or the Animal Transport Association (ATA), IATA accredited freight forwarders, and holders of a valid IATA Live Animals Regulations training certificate. Cathay Pacific recommends using a pet travel agent that's an IPATA or ATA member. If your pet is travelling from Hong Kong, you can book Cathay Live Animal through any agent. Cathay Pacific can decide whether to accept your animal, subject to the laws of the places you depart from, arrive at and transit through.

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

    Sources: Travelling with animals, Is there free baggage allowance for pets?

    Service dogs and emotional support animals

    • Required paperwork: Original copies of all the documents that allow your dog to travel, shown at check-in and on arrival, plus your destination's requirements. For Hong Kong, a Special Permit from the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). Cathay Pacific's page doesn't mention U.S. DOT forms; confirm what you need on flights to or from the U.S.

    Source: Guide/Assistance Dogs

    Other details

    • Guide and assistance dogs fly in the cabin. The dog must be accredited by Assistance Dogs International, Assistance Dogs Europe or (for guide dogs) the International Guide Dog Federation. Larger dogs sit at your feet and smaller ones on your lap, leashed or harnessed throughout. Any other dog has to travel as a pet, which means not in the cabin.
    • Flying into or transiting Hong Kong with an assistance dog? Apply for an AFCD Special Permit before the trip; the AFCD can also give written approval for the dog to travel in the cabin.
    • The Cathay Pacific pages we captured don't say what the cargo service costs, how large a pet can be, or how long to book ahead (the page's FAQ answers on cargo formalities load only on click and weren't captured). Ask your pet travel agent or Cathay Cargo.
    • Dogs coming into the U.S. need the CDC Dog Import Form.

    Before you fly

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

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

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