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Travelling with pets

Pets can travel with you in the aircraft cabin and as baggage in the hold

Pets

These requests are subject to availability and you must therefore contact our Booking offices to guarantee the service.

There is a specific procedure for guide dogs. Please check the assistance dogs section to find out how to fly with these animals.

Check the documents you need and the legal requirements and conditions to fly with your pet.

The Exceptional cases section explains the restrictions on the transport of certain animals and the entry requirements for certain countries.

Acceptance in hold

Iberia permits the transport of dogs and cats in the hold with the exception of brachycephalic animals and dangerous breeds.

To transport your dog or cat on an Iberia, Iberia Express or Iberia Regional Air Nostrum flight, you must place it in a crate that complies with international regulations:

  1. The crate must be made of solid material and must have a secure locking system to ensure that it remains closed at all times.

  2. It must be comfortable for the size of the animal, enabling it to stand in a natural position, turn round and lie down.

  3. Without any exterior or interior damage that could harm your pet and with ventilation.

  4. The bottom must be waterproof and have a cushioning material or insulating layer to avoid direct contact between the base and the aircraft floor.

  5. The same carrier may be used to transport two adult animals accustomed to living together and weighing no more than 14 kg each, or three animals less than 6 months old and born in the same litter.

 

 

The maximum weight permitted is 45kg (pet + crate). If it weighs more than 45 kg, you can still fly with Iberia and send your pet through WOOF Airlines.

If you are taking a connecting flight, the transit time between flights must be no less than 90 minutes and no more than 4 hours. Otherwise, you can't take your pet with you.

Book well in advance. Please bear in mind that the airport staff need to know that you will be bringing a pet. Bookings must be made at least 48 hours before the departure of the flight and you will need to indicate the breed of your dog or cat.
Permission to travel with your pet will only be granted when all the flights in the booking have been confirmed.

The number of crates and the crate sizes permitted vary according to the type of aircraft. For Iberia Regional Air Nostum flights, the maximum dimensions permitted are 83cm x 65cm x 56cm.

 

Charges for the carriage of pets in the hold, each way

Charge payable at the airport only

Charges for the carriage of pets in the hold, each way
Spain (except
Canary Islands)*
Canary Islands, Europe,
North Africa and Middle East
 America and Asia 
100€/$120/£90 145€/$170/£130 360€/$435/£330

*The price will be €145/$170/£130 for flights operated by Iberia Express.

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Acceptance in the cabin

Dogs, cats, fish, tortoises and birds (except birds of prey) are accepted in the cabin provided you obtain prior approval from our Booking offices.

Your pet can travel with you in the cabin if it meets the conditions explained below. You must show proof of compliance to the agent at the check-in desk, who will fill in the official IATA form.

  1. A maximum weight of 8 kg, including the container.

  2. The maximum container size is 45 cm (length) x 35 cm (width) x 25 cm (height), and the sum of these dimensions must not exceed 105 cm.

  3. The pet crate must be well constructed and ventilated (at least 16% of the total surface of the four sides), with a safe, leak-proof floor.

  4. Birds must be transported in a strong cage with a secure lock and non-spillable food and drink, and the cage must be kept covered at all times.

  5. Two small, lightweight animals of the same species can be transported in a single container.

  6. You are responsible for the pet travelling with you and you must ensure that it does not inconvenience nearby passengers. In addition, your pet must remain inside the container for the duration of the flight.

  7. We do not accept animals with special characteristics, e.g., a strong odour, etc., that may inconvenience other passengers and the crew.

  8. For safety reasons, you cannot travel with your pet in a seat next to the emergency exit.

 

 

Fees for the transport of pets in the cabin, one way (origin-destination)

Fees for the transport of pets in the cabin, one way (origin-destination)
 
Spain
(except Canary Islands)
Canary Islands, Europe, North
Africa and Middle East
America
and Asia
€40/$50/£35 €60/$73/£55 €180/$210/£165

Fees payable at the airport only

 

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Acceptance as cargo

If for any reason your pet cannot travel with you in the cabin or hold, you can transport it as cargo...

  • If it weighs more than the permitted 45 kg (total weight of the animal plus carrier).

  • If there are legal entry restrictions for animals in the destination country or if they are only accepted as cargo.

  • If your dog/cat's breed has transport restrictions (breeds considered dangerous or brachycephalic dogs and cats).

  • If the animal does not belong to any of the species we accept.

  • If you need to send your pet on its own.

For any of these cases, please get in touch with WOOF Airlines.

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Legal limits and documentation

 

You can take your pet with you so long as you meet all the legal requirements and have the necessary documentation.

Travel within domestic territory

You do not need a special veterinary ID to travel within Spain; you just have to have the animal’s official health card with you.

Vaccine requirements in Spain are limited to a rabies vaccine, which is mandatory in some autonomous communities and voluntary in others. If your pet is not vaccinated because it is not mandatory in your place of residence, consult with your vet whether the vaccination needs to be administered to travel to your destination.

Travelling between European Union member states (except Finland, Malta and the United Kingdom).

Veterinary passport for travel with dogs and cats as pets indicating that:

  • They have been identified with an electronic microchip or a readable tattoo.

  • They have an up-to-date rabies vaccination.

The transport of animals under the age of three months requires authorisation from the health authorities of the EU member states and the animal must have a passport and documentation certifying that it has remained in the place of birth without any contact with wild animals, and must be accompanied by its mother if it is still dependent on her.

Travelling to Finland, Malta and the United Kingdom.

In addition to the rules for the other member states of the European Union, the following applies to pets travelling to any of these countries.

  • If you are travelling with your dog from a country other than Finland, Malta or the United Kingdom, you must provide proof that it has been treated for tapeworm no more than 120 hours (five days) and no less than 24 hours before you arrive at your destination.

  • IBERIA is still not authorised to transport animals to the United Kingdom and will there-fore not accept any pets for this destination.

If you need to transport your pet to or from the United Kingdom, contact WOOF Airlines and fly with Iberia as planned.

Pets (except ferrets) shall travel with a pet passport that meets the same requirements as above. Additionally, you should be able to prove they have had a clean rabies neutralising antibodies test (blood test).

Journeys from other countries with favourable conditions to the European Union:

For some European countries (Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican), entry will be admitted according to the applicable national regulations (except Finland, Malta and the United Kingdom).

They will also be admitted entry into European states (except Finland, Malta and the United Kingdom) from certain rabies-free countries (Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Aruba; Ascension Island; Australia; Barbados; Bahrain; Belarus; Bermuda; Bosnia and Herzegovina; British Virgin Islands; Canada; Cayman Islands; Chile; Croatia; Dutch Antilles; Falkland Islands; Fiji; French Polynesia; Hong Kong; Jamaica; Japan; Malaysia; Mauritius; Mayotte; Mexico; Montserrat; New Caledonia; New Zealand; Russian Federation; Saint Helena; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Pierre and Miquelon; Saint Vincent and Grenadines; Singapore; Taiwan; Trinidad and Tobago; United Arab Emirates; United States of America; Vanuatu; Wallis and Futuna) with a valid certificate that meets applicable national regulations.

Journeys from other countries with other conditions to the European Union:

For cases of entry from some countries with an unfavourable situation with regard to rabies not included in the point above, entry will be admitted into European states (except Finland, Malta and the United Kingdom) with a certificate that meets applicable national regulations certifying that the animal has had a rabies vaccination or, where applicable, a booster shot in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer laboratory, with an inactivated vaccination of at least one antigen unit per dose (WHO standard) and that the animal has had a blood test to confirm a neutralising antibody titration at least equal to 0.5 IU/ml in a sample taken by a qualified veterinarian at least 30 days following vaccination and 3 months before the trip.


For more information about the transport of pets, check the IATA website (available in English only) or the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Spain (available in Spanish and English only).

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Exceptional cases

Countries with laws restricting animal entry

United Kingdom: Animals are not permitted in the cabin (PETC) on flights to London, or in the hold (AVIH) on flights to/from London. However, they are permitted to travel as cargo. Please speak with a freight agent who will made the booking with IAG Cargo. You cannot contact IAG Cargo directly. If you're entering the UK (always through London), your dog must meet the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme offered by the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Ireland: Animals are not permitted in the hold (AVIH) on flights from Dublin. However, they are permitted to travel as cargo.

Brazil: only allows the entry of birds that meet a series of requirements. More information.

Argentina: Present an animal health certificate, issued by a licensed veterinarian, to the authorities that ensures that the animal is disease-free and has a rabies shot valid for a maximum of 1 year.

Panama: See all the Panamanian authorities' requirements for bringing dogs and cats into the country.

Qatar: Animals are not allowed in the cabin (PETC) on flights to/from Doha, only in the hold (AVIH). Only assistance dogs are authorised to travel in the cabin.

South Africa: Animals travelling in the cabin or in the hold as luggage are not allowed to enter or leave the country. They must be transported as cargo or goods and must comply with the regulations currently in force. More information at www.gov.za     

If you need to send your pet to or from any country with entry restrictions for animals or that only accepts pets as cargo, contact WOOF Airlines.

Spanish airports authorised for the entry of animals from non-Schengen countries

If you travel with your pet to Spain from a non-Schengen country, make sure your airport of arrival appears on the list of airports authorised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment:

  • Corunna

  • Alicante

  • Almería

  • Barcelona

  • Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

  • Madrid-Barajas

  • Malaga

  • Palma de Mallorca

  • Santander

  • Santiago

  • Tenerife Norte

  • Tenerife Sur

  • Valencia

  • Vigo

Travelling to/from the USA and with a connecting flight with another airline

If you are travelling with an AVIH (Live Animal in Hold) you cannot send it to the final destination in transit. You have to pick up your AVIH from the transit airport and check it in again with the other carrier, paying a charge for each. You must send your animal as air freight so it can travel in transit.

If you need to send your pet on a connecting flight in the United States, contact WOOF Airlines.

If you are travelling with a PETC (Pet in the Cabin), you will have to pay each carrier separately.

American Airlines has its own restrictions and regulations for checking in pets. Only guide dogs and sniffer dogs used in search and rescue missions may travel in the cabin. Animals that travel in hold may not be checked-in in transit, at the final destination. If you are travelling with American Airlines and wish to travel with your pet, find out how on the airline’s website, at the bottom of this page.

Different charges, fees or taxes may apply depending on the laws in each country.

Ban on the transport of animals in the weasel family

Iberia does not transport animals in the weasel family (including ferrets, pine martens, etc.)

If you need to transport an animal in the weasel family, please get in touch with WOOF Airlines.

Flights operated by Iberia for LEVEL

LEVEL accepts pets and assistance dogs in the cabin, meaning they can fly with you provided they meet the requirements and you provide the necessary documentation. The pets cabin requests are subject to availability and you must therefore contact our Booking offices to guarantee the service.

If you need to transport your pet in the hold when flying with LEVEL, contact WOOF Airlines.

Travelling on Iberia flights operated by Vueling

You cannot take rodents in the cabin and AVIH (animals in hold) are not accepted. If your pet is a rodent and has to travel in the hold, contact WOOF Airlines to arrange transport.

If you are travelling on an Iberia flight operated by Vueling and connecting to another flight operated by Iberia or Iberia Regional, the same fees that Iberia applies regarding origin/destination will apply. On point-to-point Iberia flights operated by Vueling or on connecting Iberia flights operated by Vueling the fee varies according to whether the route is domestic, to/from the Canary Islands or international.

Dog breeds classified as dangerous

Iberia does not accept for carriage in either the hold or cabin the following dog breeds classified as dangerous:

  • Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Doberman, Argentine Dogo, Brazilian Mastiff, Tosa and Akita.

  • Acceptance of other breeds will depend on their build, muscle, height and weight.

If you need to fly with your dog and it's a breed classified as dangerous, contact WOOF Airlines to transport it.

Breeds requiring special care: brachycephalic animals

Brachycephalic animals are dogs and cats with a short, snub nose and a disproportionately broad head.

Conscious of the importance of caring for your pet, we cannot transport certain dog and cat breeds in the aircraft hold since they are more susceptible to heat stroke and breathing problems when exposed to stress or high temperatures. If your pet is one of these, you can travel with it on board but it must meet the conditions for carriage in the cabin.

The breeds affected are as follows:

  • Dogs: Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all breeds), Bull Mastiff, Canary Prey dog, Cane corso, Cavalier Spaniel, Chihuahua, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Japanese Spaniel, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Mastiff, Miniature Pinscher, Pekingese, Pit Bull, Pug, Saint Bernard, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Tibetan Spaniel, Yorkshire Terrier.

  • Cats: Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian.

If your dog or cat is a brachycephalic breed, contact WOOF Airlines to transport it.

And remember

  • Your pet can travel in the cabin or as baggage in the hold.
  • If it weighs up to 8 kg, including the cage or pet pack, you can take it with you in the cabin.
  • Check that you have all the legal documentation and permits.
  • You will require confirmation from the Booking Office.
  • Carry them in a suitable cage or pet pack.

See how it applies to flights operated by

  • British Airways
  • American Airlines
  • Finnair

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Excess baggage

Above 23 kg. And up to a maximum of 32 kg. A surcharge of 60€ per piece will apply as excess weight. With exceptions for Iberia Plus customers.

More information

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