Etihad Airways Pet Policy (2026): Fees, Carrier Size & Rules

How to add your dog to a booking

1. Seven days before your flight, submit Etihad's pet booking form. If you fly in Business, call Etihad before you book to check that a pet-friendly seat is available.
2. 72 hours before your flight, email all the required documents.
3. Flying to Abu Dhabi: apply for a pet release permit, get a UAE Health Certificate (or, from some countries, a local government health certificate, signed within five days before your flight), and request an Abu Dhabi Customs Bill of Entry by emailing auhcustoms@noatumlogistics.ae up to 48 hours before your flight.
4. Check in at the airport three hours before your flight with your pet in a suitable carrier and all the required documents. Without them your pet won't be allowed to fly.

Source: Travelling with pets

Pet fee

• Etihad's page shows the price as "Price per flight" and doesn't spell out whether that's per pet or per booking. It does require a separate booking form for each pet if you travel with two.
• In Business you pay for an extra seat on top of the USD 399. The page doesn't say what the extra seat costs.
• If you're transiting, the combined price applies. You can pay the fee with Etihad Guest Miles by calling the Contact Centre.
• Voluntary changes are allowed up to three hours before departure, but you must complete all approvals again. Full refunds are only given when Etihad can't carry your pet because of an irregular operation.

Source: Travelling with pets

Carrier size and weight

The weight limit is 8 kg (≈ 17.6 lb) including the carrier.

• If you've bought an extra seat, the carrier can be up to 50 × 43 × 50 cm. The carrier must be big enough for your pet to sit, stand, turn around and lie down in a natural position, with at least 16% of it ventilated (on at least three sides). It must be escape-proof and leak-proof, and lined with absorbent material.
• Pets must be at least 16 weeks old.
• 1 carrier per passenger.

Where you can sit

• You can't sit in an exit row or a bulkhead seat
• In Business you pay for an extra seat for your pet, and you should call Etihad before booking to check whether pet-friendly seats are available

Source: Travelling with pets

Routes, breeds and other restrictions

Where pets can't fly

Because of government or operational restrictions, Etihad says you can't travel with your pet on these routes:

• Australia: flights to Melbourne, and to or from Sydney
• China: flights to Shanghai
• Hong Kong, China: flights to Hong Kong
• India: flights to or from Ahmedabad, Kozhikode, Jaipur and Thiruvananthapuram
• Indonesia: flights to or from Bali
• Maldives: flights to or from Male
• South Africa: flights to or from Johannesburg
• Taiwan, China: flights to Taipei
• Thailand: flights to or from Krabi
• United Kingdom: flights to London and Manchester
• USA: flights to the USA
• Vietnam: flights to or from Hanoi

Breeds

Etihad doesn't mention short-nosed breeds.

Also good to know

• One pet per passenger. If you travel with another guest, you may bring two pets if they're from the same household and know each other, with a separate booking form for each.
• You must be at least 18 to travel with a pet.
• Pregnant pets can't be accepted.
• You must be on an Etihad-operated flight: if part of your trip is on another airline, Etihad can't carry your pet.
• Banned dog breeds (and crosses): Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, Brazilian Mastiff (Fila Brasileiro), Argentinian Mastiff (Dogo Argentino), any Mastiff, Tosa, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, Canario Presa and Boxer.
• Only dry pet food can go in your cabin baggage, in a sealed container. Bring enough absorbent sheets for your pet for the whole trip, including connections.
• If another passenger is allergic to animals, the crew may re-seat you and your pet, or in rare cases Etihad may need to rebook your flight. A trained service dog takes priority over a pet.

Source: Travelling with pets

Cargo and checked pets

Not verified yet.

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

Source: Travelling with pets

Service dogs and emotional support animals

• Required paperwork: To or from the U.S.: the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form and the DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form; for flights to the U.S., also the CDC Dog Import Form. Elsewhere: an official ADI or IGDF certification (not needed on direct flights to and from the U.S.), plus your dog's health and vaccination certificates.

Source: Travelling with pets

Other details

• Etihad takes small dogs and cats on flights to and from Abu Dhabi, and Etihad says it's the only airline in the UAE to welcome small dogs and cats on board.
• Etihad's pet route list includes "Flights to the USA", so pets can't fly to the U.S. on Etihad. Flights from the U.S. aren't on that list; confirm your route with Etihad before you book.
• Trained service dogs fly free in the cabin (one dog, or two on flights to/from the U.S.). Etihad accepts trained service dogs of all breeds and sizes with an ADI or IGDF certification, but not emotional support dogs or service dogs in training.
• Dogs coming into the U.S. need the CDC Dog Import Form.

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