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Travelling with pets

We want your trip with your pet to be as easy and pleasant as possible. Here's what you need to know:

Planning your flightAt the airport During the flight After the flight

Planning your flight

Which animals are allowed?

  • Only cats and dogs.
  • Small ones can travel in the cabin, bigger ones go in the plane's cargo area.
  • Other animals (like rabbits or birds) must be shipped as cargo — contact airBaltic Cargo.

Check the rules for your destination
You need to follow the pet travel rules of the country you’re flying to.
Usually, you’ll need:

  • A microchip
  • An EU pet passport
  • A rabies vaccination (pet must be at least 15 weeks old)

Book early

  • You must tell airBaltic about your pet when you book your ticket.
  • There's a limit to how many pets can fly on each flight.

Confirm and pay

Pet carrier rules
The box or bag your pet travels in must be big enough for them to:

  • Stand up

  • Turn around

  • Lie down

    If not, check-in may be refused.

Small pets in cabin

  • Weight: Max 8 kg (pet + carrier)

  • Carrier size: Max 55 x 40 x 23 cm

  • Carrier must be:

    • Closed, leakproof, and breathable
    • Placed under the seat in front of you

  • Rules:

  • One pet per person

  • No bad smells or noise

  • No seats in the first row or emergency exit

  • Price:

    • €70 per crate per direction on airBaltic flights;
    • if your layover is over 24h, fee per each flight applies;
    • if your journey is with several airlines, pet transportation fee shall be paid to each airline separately;
    • fee is non-refundable

Large pets in cargo hold

  • Weight: Up to 75 kg (pet + crate).
    • On flights to/from Amsterdam: max 39 kg
  • Crate size: Max 84 x 142 x 84 cm
  • Crate must be:
    • Hard plastic or wood (not soft or wire mesh)
    • Big enough for pet to stand, turn, and lie down
    • Escape-proof, leakproof, with food/water bowls
  • More than one pet?
    • 2 pets of same kind allowed together in one crate
  • Price:
    • 1–32 kg: €110 per crate per direction on airBaltic flights
    • 33–75 kg: €220 per crate per direction on airBaltic flights
    • over 75 kg: must go as cargo — contact airBaltic Cargo
    • if your journey is with several airlines, pet transportation fee shall be paid to each airline separately
    • fee is non-refundable.

At the airport

  • Come early if your pet flies in the cargo hold (at least 2  hour before)
  • bring all papers for your pet (passport, vaccine proof, etc.)
  • Check the crate – it must meet the rules, or your pet might not be allowed
  • For pets in cargo hold:
    • Line the crate with absorbent material
    • Add your pet’s name, your name + contact, and “LIVE ANIMAL” labels

During the flight

For pets in cabin

  • Feeding:
    • Feed no later than 4 hours before the flight.
    • Give water before boarding (not too much).
  • Keep calm:
    • Bring a blanket or toy with your smell.
    • Calming sprays/collars may help (ask your vet).
  • The pet must remain quiet and non-disruptive throughout the flight.
  • Keep pet inside carrier the whole time — no taking them out.
  • Cabin is climate-controlled, but use breathable carriers, especially in summer.

For pets in cargo hold

  • Cargo area is pressurized and temperature-controlled, but may be slightly different from the cabin.
  • It’s dark (this helps most animals remain calm) and can be noisy (especially at takeoff/landing - can cause slight stress).
  • No one can check on pets during the flight.

After the flight

  • For pets in cargo hold

    Pets are usually unloaded first, but delays can happen.

  • Have documents ready in case customs checks your pet.

  • Traveling onward? Make sure your pet’s papers are valid for the next country too.

FAQ