Turkish Airlines Pet Policy

Turkish Airlines offer comprehensive pet-friendly travel, with pets being permitted on board on nearly every route they fly provided their travel is in accordance with the issued guidelines. Here are the general and specific guidelines you must comply with for pet travel aboard a Turkish Airlines flight.

Making a Reservation

• If travelling with a pet animal, the reservation must be made and confirmed no more than 6 hours before the given time of departure. A maximum of two pets are permitted per passenger, with one carrier acceptable in-cabin and one in the cargo hold.

• The passenger’s name, surname, address, telephone number, number of animals and the name of the pet or pets must be visible on a label affixed to the crate or container.

• The pet must be accompanied with vaccination cards which contain identification information for dogs and cats. The rabies vaccination listed on the record must be given at least 30 days and no more than 1 year before travel.

• Pets that are in poor health and appearance may not be accepted for transportation.

• Note: transportation of pets is not included in baggage allowance and is subject to additional baggage fees.

Boarding & Travelling with Pets

Turkish Airlines allows passengers to carry their pets in-cabin and in the cargo hold. Both modes have different requirements your journey must comply with.

For In-Cabin Travel

• Pets under 8 KG and with carrier dimensions of 40 cm length X 30 cm width X 23 cm height can travel in the cabin.

• Pregnant animals and puppies or kittens under 10 weeks old are not permitted to fly. The same rules apply for pets under 10 weeks old who are still nursing or mother pets which are still nursing.

• Full liability of passengers is assumed regarding compliance to health, safety, animal management, and all conditions and permits mandated by governments, regulations, entry and exit permits, health certificates of countries plus restrictions of states, regions or relevant authorities. Requests for traveling with pets may be rejected at airport even if the related reservation is confirmed.

• Cats and dogs or cats and birds are not permitted on the same plane, regardless of if they are separated by cabins. Dogs and birds may be carried in different cabins, or in the same cabin at the furthest distance possible.

• Cats with respiratory problems (Birman, Exotic, Persian, Himalayan, Burmese, Scottish Fold and British Shorthair etc.) and dogs (Affenpinscher, Pekinese, Pug (All breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Spaniel, Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bull Mastiff (English Mastiff), etc.) are carried in the cabin together with the passenger (PETC) provided that the weight of the animal with the crate does not exceed 8 kg and the measure of the crate does not exceed dimensions of 40 cm length X 30 cm width X 23 cm height.

For Cargo Hold Travel

If your pet exceeds the dimensional or weight requirements for in-cabin travel, it will travel in the cargo hold.

• Pets travelling in the cargo hold must travel in an IATA-approved fiber crate. Soft containers/bags are not permitted for travel in the cargo hold.

• Pets must be able to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably in their crate.

• If you have a waiting period of 4 hours or more, or if your flight time is over 8 hours, remember to provide food and informative instructions attached to your pet’s cage as well as an automatic drinker for your pet’s nutritional or special needs.

• The passenger’s name, surname, address, telephone number, number of animals and the name of the pet or pets must be visible on a label affixed to the crate or container.

• Pilots make the final decision on whether pets can be transported in the aircraft hold. If the pilot informs staff that ventilation conditions in the aircraft hold are unsuitable, the pet cannot be transported in the aircraft hold.

• For cat breeds (Birman, Exotic, Persian, Himalayan, Burmese, Scottish Fold and British Shorthair etc.) and dog breeds (Affenpischer, Pekinese, Pug (All breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Spaniel, Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon and Bull Mastiff (English Mastiff, etc.) if they are not suitable for transportation in the cabin, they can be carried in the cargo section of the aircraft, provided that the reservation and boarding procedures are done through Turkish Cargo.

• Turkish Airlines can transport the dangerous dog breeds: American Bulldog, Bandog Tosa Inu, Caucasian Ovcharka, Dogue de Bordeaux, Doberman (Pincher Doberman and all Doberman breeds), Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Mastiff (except Bull Mastiff), Wolf Dog Mixed-Breeds, Anatolian Shepherd, Boerboel breeds and crossbreeds only if accepted by Turkish Cargo.

Please Note: Turkish Airlines bears no responsibility for any health issues your pet may experience during or after the flight.