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Ryanair Pet Policy (2026): Cabin, Hold & Assistance Dogs

No. Ryanair does not allow pets in the cabin. Ryanair says it does not carry animals on board any of its flights, except guide and assistance dogs on certain routes. The page doesn't mention a hold or cargo option.

Last verified against Ryanair's official pages

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

How to add your dog to a booking

  1. Pets can't be booked: Ryanair doesn't carry animals, except guide and assistance dogs.
  2. Assistance dogs: tell Ryanair in advance, preferably on the same day you book, online or through the Ryanair Assisted Travel team. If you don't, the service may be unavailable at the airport and you may be unable to travel on your booked flight.
  3. Bring a suitable harness for the dog (the owner provides it) to attach to your seat belt for take-off, landing and turbulence.

Sources: Does Ryanair carry animals?, General Guidelines for Travel (guide and assistance dogs)

Pet fee

No pet fee: Ryanair doesn't carry pets. Guide and assistance dogs fly free of charge.

Carrier size and weight

Ryanair doesn't allow pets in the cabin, so there are no cabin carrier rules.

    Source: Does Ryanair carry animals?

    Routes, breeds and other restrictions

    Where pets can't fly

    Ryanair doesn't carry pets on any route.

    Breeds

    Ryanair doesn't mention short-nosed breeds.

    Also good to know

    • Guide and assistance dogs are accepted on all Ryanair intra EU/EEA flights and all Ryanair domestic flights.
    • Guide and assistance dogs are not accepted on flights to or from Morocco or Israel.
    • Emotional support or therapy dogs that are not recognized as assistance dogs by ADI, Assistance Dogs UK or the IGDF are not permitted to travel with Ryanair.
    • A maximum of four guide and assistance dogs are permitted per flight.

    Sources: Guide/Assistance dogs are accepted on the following routes, Guide/Assistance dogs are NOT accepted on the following routes, General Guidelines for Travel (guide and assistance dogs)

    Cargo and checked pets

    Ryanair doesn't carry pets in the hold either. Ryanair says it does not carry animals on board any of its flights, except guide and assistance dogs on certain routes. Its Help Centre pages don't mention a hold or cargo option for pets.

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

    Source: Does Ryanair carry animals?

    Service dogs and emotional support animals

    • Only trained service dogs are accepted as service animals.
    • Required paperwork: The pages don't mention U.S. DOT forms. For entry to the UK or Ireland: a valid EU pet passport or a third-country official veterinary health certificate (plus required medical documentation), supported by documents showing the dog is affiliated to the International Guide Dog Federation, Assistance Dogs UK or Assistance Dogs International.

    Sources: General Guidelines for Travel (guide and assistance dogs), Specific Guidelines for the entry of Guide/Assistance Dog into the UK & Republic of Ireland, Specific Guidelines for Guide/Assistance Dog Entry travelling on Intra EU/EEA Flights

    Other details

    • Assistance dogs must be certified by a full member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI), Assistance Dogs UK or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF), and must wear an identifying jacket or harness throughout the journey.
    • Assistance dogs travel in the cabin on the floor at the passenger's feet, and the owner's harness is attached to the seat belt.
    • For the UK and Republic of Ireland the supporting organizations named are the International Guide Dog Federation, Assistance Dogs UK and Assistance Dogs International; for EU/EEA flights the page names the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International.
    • Between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ryanair says an assistance dog needs a Northern Ireland pet travel document (PTD) and must be microchipped; with a PTD it doesn't need rabies vaccinations or tapeworm treatment. You must tell the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) at least 10 working days before you travel.
    • Ryanair says it is the passenger's responsibility to make sure the pet passport is up to date and meets the destination country's vaccination and treatment requirements.
    • The Ryanair pages list two accepted route groups (intra EU/EEA and domestic flights) and two excluded ones (Morocco and Israel). They don't say anything about other routes.

    Before you fly

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

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

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