Pet Policy: Etihad Airways

With its Headquarters in Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways is a flag bearing airline of the United Arab Emirates. Etihad Airways is a pet-friendly airline, with pet parents welcome to travel with their pet on board. Here’s the Etihad Airways pet policy in full.

Making a Booking for Pet Travel

A booking form has to be submitted one week ahead of your travel date. An email with the necessary documentation must be submitted no more than 72 hours prior to departure.

You will require a UAE Health Certificate if your journey is to Abu Dhabi, as well as a release permit. The health certificate must be completed and signed/stamped by a government official in the country of origin five days before your journey.

Guidelines for Pet Travel

•Your ticket must be issued on Etihad ticket stock.

•If you are travelling in Economy, your pet will sit in their carrier under your seat, or you can purchase an adjacent seat for them to sit in their carrier next to you. The pet travel bag or kennel must not exceed 40 x 40 x 22cm (L x W x H) to fit under your seat or 50 x 43 x 50cm (L x W x H) if you have purchased an adjacent seat.

•If you are travelling in Business or First, you can purchase an adjacent seat for your pet to sit in their carrier next to you. The pet travel bag or kennel must not exceed 50 x 43 x 50cm (L x W x H).

•Your cat or dog must be at least 16 weeks old and weigh no more than 8kg including their carrier.

•Pets will not be accepted on flights operated by Etihad partner airlines.

•You must be at least 18 years old to travel with a pet.

Guidelines for Pet Container

•The pet travel bag or kennel must not exceed 40x40x22cm (LxWxH) under your seat in Economy or 50x43x50cm (LxWxH) if you have purchased an adjacent seat in Economy, Business or First.

•The total combined weight of the pet and travel bag or kennel must not exceed 8kg.

•Your pet must stay in the travel bag or kennel for the entire flight.

•Your pet must be able to sit, stand in a natural position with its head fully erect (without touching the roof), turn around and lie down.

•The pet travel bag or kennel must be ventilated on at least three surfaces.

•The pet travel bag or kennel must be escape-proof (rigid door for kennels / secure entrance for pet travel bag) and leak proof.

•The floor must have an absorbent mat.

Arriving at Your Destination

Abu Dhabi

If Abu Dhabi is your destination, you must complete all arrival formalities according to UAE import regulations. This includes an inspection by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) veterinary officer. This will be performed in the Customs clearance area after you have cleared immigration and collected bags. This does not apply if you are transferring directly to another destination and are not planning to leave Abu Dhabi airport.

Other airports

For all other destinations, you must complete all arrival formalities according to local regulations. Inspection and clearance areas may vary from airport to airport. Check with the applicable authority at your destination for specific requirements.

Banned Breeds

Dogs posing a danger such as the below are not permitted on board.

Dangerous Breeds

•Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed of dog

•American Pit Bull Terrier breed of dog

•American Staffordshire Terrier breed of dog

•American Bully

•Brazilian Mastiff (Fila Brasiliero)

•Argentinian Mastiff (Dogo Argentino)

•Any Mastiff or Hybrid

•Japanese Tosa or hybrid

•Japanese Tosa or hybrid

•Rottweilers breed or hybrid

•Doberman Pinschers

•Canario Presa

•Boxer/Any mixed breed of above breeds of dog or their Hybrid