Turkish Airlines Pet Policy

General Terms

Fee and Eligibility

• Turkish Airlines passengers can travel with pets by paying the pet transportation fee determined for the route they travel. For more information, please review the pet [transportation fee tables].
• Only ticketed passengers can benefit from the pet transportation right purchase application.

Permitted Pets

• Only cats, dogs and small songbirds (budgies and canaries) can be carried as pets in the passenger cabins.
• Budgies and canaries can be carried in the cabin. Pigeons and parrots (except those in CITES List 1) are transported in the aircraft’s hold section. Other small bird breeds (other than budgies and canaries) can be transported via Turkish Cargo.

Booking & Verification

Purchase and Verification

• Passengers who have purchased pet carriage rights through online channels must verify the information they submitted at the check-in counter. If there are discrepancies, the pet may not be permitted on the flight.
• Pet transportation rights can be purchased via online channels (mobile app or website) up to 6 hours before the flight.
• Passengers may purchase pet carriage rights up to 24 hours before the flight via the ticket management page.
• Pet carriage purchases cannot be made via online channels on behalf of unaccompanied child passengers.

Seat Selection

• Passengers who purchase pet carriage rights through online channels are required to sit in the standard window seat.
• Seat selection is provided free of charge at checkout for passengers who purchase pet carriage rights. If seats are purchased for a fee and then pet carriage rights are added later, the prepaid seat fee is not refunded.
• Passengers who have purchased a seat unsuitable for carrying pets may not purchase pet carriage rights via online channels and must contact a sales office or the call center.

Pet Carrier Specifications

Cabin

• Pets (with carrier) must not exceed 8 kg.
• Carrier dimensions must not exceed 23 cm (height), 30 cm (width), and 40 cm (length).
• If two animals of the same species (used to living together) are sharing the same carrier in the cabin, their total weight (including carrier) must not exceed 8 kg.
• Pets must be in specially designed soft-sided cages/bags, closed throughout the flight, and placed under the seat in front of the passenger.

Hold Section

• Pets (with carrier/cage) must not exceed 50 kg.
• Carrier/cage dimensions must not exceed 75 cm (height), 75 cm (width), and 125 cm (length).
• Carriers must have a hard surface; soft-sided carriers/bags are not permitted in the hold.
• If the carrier exceeds these dimensions, transport is via Turkish Cargo.
• Maximum of two pet carriers per passenger, but only one in the cabin; the second is transported in the hold. Alternatively, both may be in the hold.
• For flights from Moldova/Ukraine to the USA, 1 carrier per passenger (max. 2 same-breed pets per cage).

Carrier Requirements

• The carrier must allow the animal to sleep, stand, turn, and be ventilated and watertight, with a lateral locking system.
• For waiting time of 4+ hours or flights longer than 8 hours, food and an automatic water dispenser must be placed in the carrier, and an identification tag attached.

Health, Vaccination & Documentation

Documentation

• Cats and dogs require a vaccination certificate with identification information. Birds require a flight certificate.
• Rabies vaccine on the certificate must be administered at least 30 days and not more than 1 year prior to the flight.
• A health certificate from a vet is needed for travel abroad from Türkiye.
• As of Dec 27, 2023, rabies titre result reports must have a QR code; verification is mandatory for all cats/dogs traveling to the UK and EU.
• Pets must be chipped. Confirmation is obtained via chip information.

Age Criteria

• Kittens/puppies less than 10 weeks old or unweaned, nursing cats/dogs, and cats/dogs 10–12 weeks old without veterinary approval are not permitted.
• In the hold section, max. 3 animals (cats/dogs) born from a single mother, aged 10–24 weeks, can be in the same carrier. Animals of the same breed, each max 14 kg, close in size and used to living together, may share a carrier. Pets over 14 kg must be alone.

Health Restrictions

• Pregnant dogs and cats are not permitted.
• Animals must be clean, odor-free, and calm.
• Animals with health problems or administered sedatives/tranquilizers before the flight are not permitted.
• If health condition worsens during/after the flight, responsibility lies with the owner; Turkish Airlines does not accept liability.

Breeds and Special Cases

Breed Regulations

• Certain breeds (Birman, Exotic, Persian, Himalayan, Burmese, Scottish Fold, etc. in cats; Affenpinscher, Pekingese, Pug (all), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Japanese Dog, Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Spaniel, Chow Chow, English Little Spaniel, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bullmastiff, English/British Mastiff, etc. in dogs) with respiratory problems are restricted from being transported in the hold section after Oct 1, 2021.
• These breeds may be permitted in the cabin if the combined weight (with carrier) does not exceed 8 kg and meets dimension limits.
• Dangerous breeds (American Bulldog, Bandog Tosa Inu, Caucasian Ovcharka, Douge De Bordeaux, Doberman (all breeds), Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Mastiff (except Bullmastiff), Wolf Dog Hybrids, Anatolian Shepherd, Boerboel, etc.) cannot be transported in the cabin; these must be handled by Turkish Cargo for carriage in the hold.

Protected Species and Local Restrictions

• Certain animals native to Türkiye (like Sivas Kangal, Angora Cat, Van Cat) are accepted for carriage on international flights from Türkiye with prior Ministry approval.
• For international flights from Türkiye, a certificate of portability from the Ministry is required. This does not apply for flights arriving in/redeparting abroad from Türkiye.

Country-Specific Regulations

• Pets cannot be transported on Turkish Airlines flights with England as the final destination.
• According to the CDC, the rules and conditions for accepting dogs into the USA changed on August 1, 2024.
• Cats and dogs with QR unverified reports for rabies titre will not be permitted on flights to the UK and Europe.
• All information and conditions listed  are subject to change depending on your point of origin and destination.

Psychiatric Support Dogs (PSD) and Service Animals

Conditions

• Psychiatric Support Dogs (PSD) are permitted only on flights between Istanbul and the US.
• On connecting flights before/after these, standard pet travel rules apply.
• Fees for connecting flights are collected at the first departure point for PSAN holders from/to the USA.
• PSAN/SVAN reservations cannot be made through online channels.

Check-In & Transport Rules

Check-In

• Passengers traveling with pets must allow sufficient time for check-in.
• For pets in the hold, waiting times of 4+ hours and/or flight durations of 8+ hours require an automatic water dispenser and food in a no-spill container/dispenser.

Pet Reservations & Medical Allergies

• If a passenger provides a medical report of allergy to cats, dogs, or birds, pet reservations may be altered under certain conditions.

Limitations & Special Notices

Other Rules

• Pet carriage rights are non-transferable and cannot be moved to other passengers/flights.
• Pet transportation fees are not refunded except in cases of involuntary flight cancellation or change.
• No guarantees are given in cases of operational issues; alternative options will be provided.
• Pets not in compliance with the terms, destination requirements, or documentation/carrier/weight/chip/vaccine requirements will not be permitted.
• Service is not included in the checked baggage allowance and is subject to additional fees. [Fees and rules] for Ajet flights may vary.

Cargo & Hold Transportation

Hold Section Transport

• Animals permitted only if carrier meets requirements.
• Soft-sided carriers are not allowed in the hold.
• For animals sharing a carrier in the hold: max. Three, aged 10–24 weeks, same mother; or same breed, each max 14 kg; animals over 14 kg must be in their own carrier.

For Further Information

• For details, see the airline’s web pages, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Turkish Cargo, and official email for inquiries about verification: hayvanhayvansalurunlerihracat@tarimorman.gov.tr.