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Turkish Airlines Pet Policy (2026): Fees, Carrier Size & Rules

Yes. Turkish Airlines allows dogs and cats in the cabin on domestic and international flights. The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you, up to 40 × 30 × 23 cm (soft-sided). Your pet and carrier together can weigh up to 8 kg (≈ 17.6 lb).

Last verified against Turkish Airlines's official pages

How to add your dog to a booking

  1. Book your own ticket, then add your pet on turkishairlines.com or in the app using your booking code (PNR). Online pet purchases close 6 hours before the flight.
  2. Choose a window seat. The seat is free if you pay for the pet when you buy your ticket.
  3. At check-in, confirm the details you gave when you bought the pet service.

Sources: Traveling with Pets, All terms and conditions (Traveling with Pets)

Pet fee

Depends on the route. Turkish charges a fixed fee per carrier for the 0 to 8 kg cabin category, shown in its pet fee calculator.

  • The fee is per carrier, not per animal (two cats in one carrier pay once).
  • With a stopover in Istanbul, you pay each leg: for example, Frankfurt to New York in the cabin costs the Frankfurt–Istanbul fee plus the Istanbul–New York fee.
  • Pet fees aren't refunded if you change or cancel your flight yourself; they're refunded automatically if Turkish changes or cancels it.

Carrier size and weight

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

Soft-sided carrier or bag (maximum)

40 × 30 × 23 cm

≈ 15.7 × 11.8 × 9.1 in (L × W × H)

  • Pets in the cabin must be in a specially made soft-sided carrier or bag, kept closed and under the seat in front of you. Two pets of the same species that are used to each other can share one carrier if the total stays under 8 kg.
  • Pet transport isn't part of your free baggage allowance and has its own fee.
  • 1 carrier per passenger, with up to 2 pets of the same species inside.

Where you can sit

  • Window seats only (not emergency exit or infant bassinet rows)
  • Turkish's terms page also says passengers with pets must sit in "standard window seats and front row seats". Check your seat with Turkish.

Sources: Transport in the cabin, All terms and conditions (Traveling with Pets)

Routes, breeds and other restrictions

Where pets can't fly

Turkish says:

  • The UK: no pets on Turkish Airlines flights to the UK, including connecting flights

Breeds

Short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds are not accepted in cargo. Short-nosed cats and dogs (such as Persians, Scottish Folds, Pugs, French and English Bulldogs, Boxers, Shih Tzus) can fly in the cabin within the 8 kg and size limits, but aren't accepted in the hold.

Also good to know

  • Banned on all flights: Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, Fila Brasileiros, American Bullies and their mixes.
  • Some large breeds (such as Rottweilers, Dobermans, Presa Canarios, Boerboels) can only go through Turkish Cargo, if accepted.
  • Pets must have a rabies vaccination, and sedated or pregnant pets aren't accepted.
  • Flying into or out of Türkiye: a Pet Passport, a rabies titer test and a Veterinary Health Certificate are needed.

Source: All terms and conditions (Traveling with Pets)

Cargo and checked pets

Turkish Airlines carries pets in the cargo hold through pets in the hold (AVIH). Pet and kennel up to 50 kg, kennel up to 125 x 75 x 75 cm with a hard shell. Dogs up to 14 kg each and cats up to 10 kg each can share a kennel in some cases. Bigger kennels go through Turkish Cargo.

Source: All terms and conditions (Traveling with Pets)

Service dogs and emotional support animals

  • Required paperwork: DOT Service Animal Transportation Form and Relief Attestation Form on U.S. flights; service dogs need confirmation at least 48 hours before the flight.

Source: Service animals (SVAN)

Other details

  • Small songbirds (parakeets and canaries) can also fly in the cabin.
  • Psychiatric service dogs are accepted only on flights between Istanbul and the U.S.; on other legs they travel under the pet rules and fees.

Before you fly

Turkish Airlines can change its pet policy at any time. We last checked these official pages on September 27, 2026. Confirm the rules with Turkish Airlines before you book and again before you travel.

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