Flying Air France With Your Dog: Cabin, Hold, Fees and How to Book

Air France is one of the few airlines that publishes a clear price list for pets — and it shares most rules with KLM, since they're one group. Here's the short version, checked September 2026. Confirm on Air France's pet page before you fly.

In the cabin: up to 8 kg, dog and bag together

  • Weight: max 8 kg for dog + bag together.
  • Bag: a closed, well-ventilated soft bag of max 46 × 28 × 24 cm, big enough for your dog to stand and turn around. It goes under the seat in front of you.
  • Age: at least 10 weeks old, with all required vaccinations.
  • Where you sit: not in Business on intercontinental flights — there's no space under those seats.

In the hold: 8 to 75 kg, on your own flight

Over 8 kg with the bag? Your dog flies in the hold — the heated luggage space under the floor of your own plane — in a hard kennel. You hand it over at check-in and pick it up after landing.

  • Weight: dog + kennel together max 75 kg. Heavier than that is only possible through Air France KLM Cargo.
  • Kennel: hard, IATA-approved; your dog must be able to stand, turn around and lie down in it.
  • Up to 3 animals in the hold per passenger.

Where Air France won't take your dog

  • United Kingdom, Dubai and Abu Dhabi: cargo is the only option — no dogs in the cabin or the hold, until further notice. Going to England? Read how to take your dog to the UK by ferry or Eurotunnel.
  • Moscow → Paris: no dogs in the hold.
  • Intercontinental Business class: no dogs in the cabin (see above).

Air France also warns that it can refuse a dog on a specific flight when the pet spots are full — so book early.

Flat-nosed dogs: cabin only

Air France does not take snub-nosed breeds in the hold — pugs, bulldogs, boxers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese and similar. Under 8 kg with the bag, the cabin is fine. Over that, the only option is cargo, and honestly: think twice.

What it costs (per one-way flight, per pet)

  • Within Europe, or Europe ↔ North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia): €125 in the cabin, €200 in the hold.
  • Within mainland France: €70 in the cabin, €100 in the hold.
  • Europe ↔ United States / Canada: €200 in the cabin, €600 in the hold.
  • Other intercontinental flights: €200 in the cabin, €400 in the hold.

With a connection, the fee is based on your departure country and final destination — not per leg. You pay online or at the Air France desk at the airport. Add your dog less than 24 hours before departure and you pay a surcharge (25% on international flights, 50% within France), if the airport still accepts it at all.

How to book your dog's spot

A dog is not part of any Air France fare. You add it after you've booked your own ticket.

  1. Book your own ticket first.
  2. Add your dog through My Bookings on airfrance.com (under "Add baggage or services") or by phone — no later than 24 hours before departure, and as early as you can. Flying to the US with a dog? Request it at least 48 hours ahead.
  3. Wait for the confirmation. Adding the dog is a request; Air France confirms it depending on the spots left on that flight.
  4. Don't see the option? Either your route is on the list above, or the pet spots on that flight are gone. Try another flight time or call Air France.
  5. Bring the EU pet passport (or Animal Health Certificate if you live outside the EU), a rabies shot at least 21 days old, and a microchip.
  6. Cabin: the bag goes under the seat. Hold: be at the check-in desk early with your dog in the kennel.

Not sure if your dog fits the rules?

Our free Dog Flight Checker takes your dog's breed and weight and tells you whether Air France — and 24 other airlines — take it in the cabin or the hold, with a checklist for the vet dates.

Open the Dog Flight Checker →

Also flying with: KLM · Transavia · Lufthansa. Need a bag? Which Dog Carrier Bag Is Really Airline-Approved?

Source: Air France pet information and fee list, checked September 2026. Always confirm with Air France before you book.

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