Air India Pet Travel Policy

Planning to travel with pets can be a daunting task. As pet parents, we know that nothing matters as much as the safety and comfort of your baby while traveling, so it is natural to have some questions when it comes to the relocation process. Is flying with my pet safe?

The answer is yes, it is safe to fly with your pet. Often when a pet must be transported or moved, it is via air due to the shortest travel time involved, as well as the ability to travel long distances in shorter periods when compared to road or railways. If a pet is being relocated internationally, then it is almost impossible to avoid a plane journey.

Founded in 1932 as Tata Airlines by J.R.D. Tata, Air India is India’s oldest airline. Initially established as an airmail service, they quickly grew in their scale of operations and started carrying passengers as well. It was nationalized in 1953, and after a pause of 68 years, Air India is out of government ownership and has returned to the Tata Company once more. With a storied history behind them, Air India now looks forward to flying as the country’s premier international transportation provider once again.  

Flight Policy for Domestic Pet Transportation Flights

• Small pets such as dogs, cats, and birds are accepted on Air India domestic flights, in the cabin or in the cargo hold. The pet must be accompanied with a valid Health Certificate and Rabies Vaccination certificates.

• The pet must be properly carried in soft ventilated bags/kennel in the prescribed size (kennel size not to exceed 18” x 18” x 12”). The weight of the pet including the container should not exceed 5 kgs. for carriage in the cabin.

• Pets of larger size/weight will be carried in the cargo hold. Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks of age to travel. A maximum of two pets are permitted in-cabin per flight. Pregnant pets will not be accepted.

• A label will be affixed on the container showing the name of the pet. A moisture absorbent mat must be placed in the container. The pet dog must be properly muzzled and leashed. The Pets/Guide Dogs will not be allowed to occupy a passenger seat.

• Pet animals can be carried as accompanied baggage or shipped as Cargo. Bookings can be made for pets as Accompanied Baggage/Excess Baggage through Air India reservations.

• Pets will be carried at an additional charge and will not be included in the Free Baggage Allowance, even if the passenger has no other baggage. Normal Excess Baggage Charges will be applicable for carriage of accompanied pets on domestic shifting within India. Weight of the pet plus container as well as food carried per container will be charged.

Flight Policy for International Pet Transportation Flights

Animals such as dogs, cats, and other pets when properly crated and accompanied by valid health and vaccination certificates, entry permits, and other documents required by countries of entry and/or transit will provisionally be accepted for carriage, with the advance agreement of carrier.

All Passengers intending to Import/Export pets into/from India from/for all countries as baggage are required to comply with applicable regulations and to have No Objection Certificate/Pre-import Clearance from Animal Quarantine & Certification Service (AQCS) in India before the commencement of the journey to India.

The import/export of pets by passengers having the requisite clearance & permission from Animal Quarantine & Certification Service – India (AQCS) can only be done via 6 Airports in India presently viz. BANGALORE (BLR)/CHENNAI (MAA)/DELHI (DEL)/HYDERABAD (HYD)/KOLKATA (CCU)/MUMBAI (BOM).

The import/export of pets must be done only from the port/s mentioned on the permission obtained by the passenger.

For example, if the permission to import/export/relocate a pet has been granted by the AQCS office in DELHI, then the first port of arrival for this pet will only be DELHI.

Existing Air India Policy for International Flights:

• Pet must be properly carried in soft ventilated bags/kennels in the prescribed size. (Kennel size not to exceed 18″x18″x12″)

• The pet must be properly muzzled and leashed and the weight of the pet including the container should not exceed 5kgs.

• Valid health and rabies vaccination certificates.

• Entry permits and other documents required by countries of entry or transit.

• Pets are accepted at owner’s risk and Air India will not be responsible in the event of such pets being refused entry into or passage through any country or territory.

• The owner will be responsible for compliance with all governmental customs and health requirements, including quarantine arrangements at destinations.

• The owner will assume all the risks of injury, sickness or death of the pet accepted for carriage.

• A declaration indemnifying the airline will be obtained from the passengers.

• The owner must ensure their pets meet the quarantine requirements. Pets may be subjected to quarantine at destination at the owner’s expense. The quarantine period may vary and would be at the discretion of the vet authorities at destination.

Important Notices:

1. Pets will be accepted only when properly crated and accompanied by valid documentation e.g., Official health certificate from the country of origin certifying that the cat or dog is free from clinical sign and symptoms of all infectious and contagious diseases including Rabies, Distemper, Leptospirosis etc., entry permits, and all other documents required by countries of entry for transit of Pets.

2. The dog and cat (three months of age and older) must be vaccinated against Rabies more than one month prior to travel, but within 12 months prior to actual embarkation and all details shall be officially certified or mentioned in the official Health certificate. Also, all other vaccination record/detail shall be officially certified or mentioned in the official Health Certificate.

3. The name of owner in the official health certificate must match with the name as mentioned in the ticket of owner to establish ownership. Passengers booking reference must include a remark indicating that he/she will travel with a pet.

4. Pets will be carried at an additional charge and will not be included in the Free Baggage Allowance, even if the passenger has no other baggage, to the exception for Guide/Service Dogs. Normal excess baggage charges will be applied according to the baggage system applicable, i.e., piece or weight, for carriage of accompanied pets. Weight of the pet plus container, as well as food carried per container, will be charged.

5. Carriage of Pets is not permitted either in the Hold or Cabin on Ultra Long Haul (ULH) Sectors (Direct Flights), the only exception being service dogs required to assist the blind or deaf, which may be carried in the cabin.

Excess Baggage Charges on Air India Flights

Pets must travel as accompanied baggage as they do not fall under the free baggage allowance, even if the passenger has no other luggage. To help simplify your journey, here are the excess baggage charges levied by Air India for domestic and international flights. Remember that the weight of your pet’s crate must also be considered when calculating charges for international pet travel.

Check-in Baggage Limit for your Ticket

Baggage allowance for domestic Air India flights is 25 Kg. Your baggage allowance is measured either by piece (PC) or weight (Kg). These details can be found in your itinerary under ‘baggage’. 

Excess Baggage Charges by Weight (Domestic)

Excess Baggage Rates are in provided in USD and hence rates would be applicable in USD or its equivalent in local currency.

GST rates will be applicable on the value reflected on all Excess Baggage tickets (EBTs), issued in India, except from the exempted airports.

Airports exempted from GST.

Excess Baggage Charges by Weight (International)

Excess Baggage Rates are provided in USD and hence rates would be applicable in USD or its equivalent in local currency.

Piece Concept Bands

For bands 2, 5, and 6, the Piece Concept will be applied only in case of a connecting journey to a destination with Piece Concept, else passengers will be charged under Weight Concept only.

Excess Baggage Rates are provided in USD and hence rates would be applicable in USD or its equivalent in local currency.

* Permissible Checked in Baggage is 23 Kgs. For any baggage which is between 23 Kgs to 32 Kgs overweight charges will apply.

** If an Extra Piece between 0 to 23 Kgs is carried over and above the Checked In Baggage allowance Extra Piece charges will apply.

Piece Concept

Oversize Baggage Fee Between India and USA

Oversize Baggage Fee Between India and Canada

Excess Baggage Rates are provided in USD and hence rates would be applicable in USD or its equivalent in local currency.

For bands 2, 5, and 6, the piece concept will be applied only in case of a connecting journey to a destination with piece concept, else passengers will be charged under Weight Concept only.