PetFlightCheck

TAP Air Portugal Pet Policy (2026): Fees, Carrier Size & Rules

Yes. TAP allows dogs and cats in the cabin on domestic and international flights from $183 per route, intercontinental flights. The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you, up to 45 × 30 × 23 cm (soft-sided). Your pet and carrier together can weigh up to 8 kg (≈ 17.6 lb).

Last verified against TAP's official pages

PetFlightCheck is independent and not affiliated with TAP Air Portugal. This page summarizes TAP's official pet policy pages as of September 28, 2026; confirm the rules with TAP before you book. Report an error

How to add your dog to a booking

  1. Request the service at least 24 hours before your flight. For the cabin, add it in Manage your Booking once you have a ticket, or book through the TAP Contact Center, a TAP airport desk or a travel agent. For the hold, book through the Contact Center, an airport desk or a travel agent.
  2. Tell TAP the species and number of pets, the carrier's size and type (hard or soft), and the total weight of pets plus carrier. TAP then confirms whether your pet goes in the cabin or the hold, and the price.
  3. On travel day, get to the check-in desk early so TAP can check your documents. A pet in the hold is handed over in its carrier at check-in or the bag drop counter.

Source: Traveling with pets

Pet fee

$183

Intercontinental flights (low season, booked online)

starting price, per route

$206

Intercontinental flights (high season, booked online)

starting price, per route

$272

Intercontinental flights, hold up to 32 kg (low season, via the Contact Center)

In the hold, per route

$295

Intercontinental flights, hold up to 32 kg (high season, via the Contact Center)

In the hold, per route

  • Prices vary with where you book (online, the Contact Center, the airport or a travel agent), how far ahead, the travel date, and the route. Booking online is cheapest; the airport and travel agents charge the most.
  • For flights between Portugal and the U.S., Canada or Mexico, high season is June 5 to August 31, 2026, plus December 11, 2026 to January 4, 2027 and March 19 to April 4, 2027.
  • Flights within Europe cost less (cabin from $86 online in low season). The fee isn't refundable, and TAP also accepts miles.

Source: Traveling with pets

Carrier size and weight

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

Soft (flexible) carrier (maximum)

45 × 30 × 23 cm

≈ 17.7 × 11.8 × 9.1 in (L × W × H)

  • Only flexible carriers that close securely are allowed. TAP gives the maximum as 45 x 30 x 23 cm (18 x 12 x 9 in). The carrier must be watertight, fit under the seat in front of you, and be roomy enough for your pet to stand up, turn and lie down. If your pet and carrier weigh more than 8 kg (17 lb), your pet goes in the hold instead.
  • Pets must be at least 10 weeks old, or 6 months old for dogs on flights to the United States.
  • 1 carrier per passenger, with up to 2 pets of the same species inside.

Where you can sit

  • Pets aren't allowed in Business on long-haul flights (assistance animals excepted, in specific circumstances).

Source: Traveling with pets

Routes, breeds and other restrictions

Where pets can't fly

TAP lists these limits:

  • United Kingdom: no pets in the cabin or the hold, direct or with stopovers (assistance animals excepted)
  • London Gatwick: no pets as baggage, in the cabin or the hold, on flights departing from LGW
  • Connections within Brazil on GOL or Azul flights
  • Lisbon to Luanda: pets always travel as cargo

Breeds

Short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds are not accepted in cargo. TAP lists the breeds it won't take in the hold, including Boxers, Bulldogs (all types), Pugs, Shih Tzus, Boston Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Chihuahuas, and Persian, Himalayan and Exotic cats. It accepts them, and crosses, only with a vet certificate that the pet had surgery to improve its breathing or doesn't have its breed's features. The same list includes American Staffordshire and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

Also good to know

  • Potentially dangerous breeds 6 months or older (Fila Brasileiro, Argentine Mastiff, Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Tosa Inu) must travel in a special wooden or metal CR82 crate.
  • Each passenger can take up to five pets in total, in the cabin and the hold.
  • TAP doesn't carry pregnant pets.
  • Dogs flying to the U.S. must be over 6 months old, microchipped, and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
  • If your pet is in the hold and you have a layover of 6 hours or more in Lisbon or Porto, you collect your pet and check in again for the next flight.

Source: Traveling with pets

Cargo and checked pets

TAP carries pets in the cargo hold through pets in the aircraft's hold. Pets too heavy for the cabin fly in the hold: up to 32 kg (70 lb) including the carrier on flights to, from or via the U.S., in a sturdy carrier with locks and screws, no wheels, and ventilation on all four sides. Heavier pets go as cargo. TAP doesn't accept snub-nosed breeds in the hold.

Source: Traveling with pets

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 Relief Attestation Form on flights of 8 hours or more.

Source: Traveling with service animals

Other details

  • Service dogs fly free, in the cabin at your feet on a leash. TAP doesn't accept emotional support animals as service animals.
  • Someone else can fly with your pet only if you travel within 5 days before or after it, with your signed authorization, a copy of your ID and the pet's documents in your name.

Before you fly

TAP can change its pet policy at any time. We last checked these official pages on September 28, 2026. Confirm the rules with TAP before you book and again before you travel.

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

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