Flying Iberia With Your Dog: Cabin, Hold, Fees and How to Book
Iberia is one of the easier airlines to fly with a dog: you can add a cabin pet yourself while you book, and the hold takes dogs up to 45 kg. The same rules apply across the group, so Iberia, Iberia Express and Iberia Regional Air Nostrum. Here's the short version, checked September 2026. Rules change, so confirm on Iberia's pet page before you fly.
In the cabin: up to 8 kg, dog and bag together
Weight: max 8 kg including the carrier.
Bag: max 45 × 35 × 25 cm, and the three measurements together may not exceed 105 cm. The carrier must be sturdy, leak-proof and ventilated on at least 16% of its four sides. On flights operated by Air Nostrum the carrier may not be rigid.
In the plane: the bag stays under the seat in front of you, not on a seat, and not next to an emergency exit. Your dog stays inside for the whole flight.
Together: three small animals of the same species may share one carrier. The fee is per carrier, not per animal.
What the cabin costs
Per flight segment, booked online:
- Within Spain (not the Canary Islands): €40 online, €44 at the airport.
- Canary Islands, Europe, North Africa and Israel: €60 online, €66 at the airport.
- America, Asia and Qatar: €180 online, €198 at the airport.
With a connecting flight the price goes up to €60, €80 and €200 respectively. If your trip crosses zones, the most expensive zone counts.
In the hold: up to 45 kg with the crate
Cats and dogs may fly in the hold, except snub-nosed breeds and breeds classed as dangerous. You need permission in advance through Iberia's booking office, at least 48 hours before departure, and you must give the breed. Dog and crate together may weigh up to 45 kg. On Air Nostrum flights the crate may be at most 83 × 65 × 56 cm. With a connection, the transfer time must be between 90 minutes and 4 hours.
Hold fees start at €135 per segment for Europe for a dog up to 10 kg, €145 for 11 to 25 kg and €155 for 26 to 45 kg, and are paid at the airport.
How to book your dog's spot
- While booking: open the passenger menu and choose "Pet in cabin", then give the species and breed. The price shows before you confirm.
- At the airport: you can check in online, but you collect the boarding pass at the desk, where staff check the papers and fill in the IATA form.
- Papers: an EU pet passport, a microchip and a rabies shot at least 21 days old. See our EU pet passport guide.
Not sure if your dog fits the rules?
Our free Dog Flight Checker takes your dog's weight and tells you whether Iberia, and 26 other airlines, take it in the cabin or the hold. Flying in the hold? It also gives the crate size your dog needs.
Also flying with: Vueling · KLM · Air France. Need a bag? Which Dog Carrier Bag Is Really Airline-Approved?
Source: Iberia travelling with pets page, checked September 2026. Always confirm with the airline before you book.