Flying SWISS With Your Dog: Cabin, Hold, Fees and How to Book
SWISS takes small dogs in the cabin and bigger dogs in the hold, with clear prices per route. Here's the short version, checked September 2026. Rules change, so confirm on SWISS'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 soft bag of max 55 × 40 × 23 cm. It goes under the seat in front of you.
- Where you sit: no pets in First or Business on the Airbus A350-900.
- How many: max 2 animals per passenger. Minimum age 12 weeks.
In the hold: for dogs over 8 kg
Too big for the cabin? Your dog flies in the hold, the heated luggage space under the floor of your own plane. You hand it over at check-in in a hard kennel and pick it up after landing.
- Kennel: hard, IATA-approved. SWISS's smallest size (size 1) is 57 × 37 × 36 cm; sizes 2 to 5 are bigger and cost more. Since May 2026 the ventilation holes may be no bigger than 25 × 25 mm for dogs. See what a hold kennel must have.
- Transfers: changing planes in Geneva, Frankfurt, Vienna or Zurich costs an extra €150.
Where SWISS won't take your dog
- Cargo only: to Hong Kong, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and South Africa. Your dog can't fly with you as a passenger's pet on those routes. Going to England? Read how to take your dog to the UK by ferry or train.
Flat-nosed dogs: cabin only
SWISS does not take snub-nosed breeds, such as pugs, bulldogs and boxers, in the hold. Under 8 kg with the bag, the cabin is fine.
What it costs
- Cabin: €80 within Europe (€65 within Switzerland), €125 on intercontinental flights.
- Hold, within Europe: €100 with a size 1 kennel, €200 with a larger one.
- Hold, intercontinental: €190 with a size 1 kennel, €380 with a larger one.
Prices are per one-way flight and can vary by route. Prices in Swiss francs are slightly higher.
How to book your dog's spot
- Book your own ticket first, then add your dog straight away. SWISS takes a limited number of animals per flight.
- At the airport: be at the check-in desk 2 to 3 hours before departure.
- Bring the EU pet passport, a microchip and a rabies shot at least 21 days old.
Not sure if your dog fits the rules?
Our free Dog Flight Checker takes your dog's weight and tells you whether SWISS, and 26 other airlines, take it in the cabin or the hold, with a checklist for the vet dates.
Also flying with: Lufthansa · Brussels Airlines · Eurowings · KLM. Compare all airlines: Dog in Cabin Weight Limit: 27 Airlines Compared.
Source: SWISS pet information, checked September 2026. Always confirm with SWISS before you book.