Cats and small dogs in the cabin 

• Max. 8kg/18lbs (including the pet bag) 
• Older than 15 weeks 
• Please note: from August 1, 2024, only dogs that are at least 6 months old will be accepted on trips to the USA.
• Clean and healthy  
• Calm and well behaved  
• Must stay inside the bag or container (including tail and head) during the entire flight  
• The pet must not be pregnant

• The maximum size is 118 cm (55 x 40 x 23 cm) or 47 in (22 x 16 x 9 in).
• The total weight of the transport container, including the animal, must not exceed 8 kg.
• The animal must be able to stand in its natural position in the closed transport container, and also lie down and turn without any restriction.
• The container must be escape-proof, leak-proof and bite-proof.
• The container must not have a sturdy frame, wheels or a telescopic handle, so that it can be stowed under the seat in front of you.
• The inside of the container must be lined with absorbent material. We recommend a blanket or old clothing. Newspaper, cardboard and straw are not permitted.
• On board, the animal will be stowed in its transport container under the seat in front of you. The animal will remain in its transport container.
• Only one transport container per passenger is allowed in the cabin.
• The number of animals per transport container is limited to one animal. However, exceptions apply.¹

¹ Exceptions: two young animals of comparable size and a minimum age of 12 weeks, or two fully grown animals of comparable size, or a mother animal with one young animal (0–6 weeks) still dependent on the mother are permitted in the same transport container. The requirement for transporting several animals in the same container is that all the animals in the container must be able to stand, lie down and turn in their natural positions, the animals are used to being together and the maximum total weight of all the animals including transport container does not exceed 8 kg.

It is the exclusive responsbility of the passenger to comply with the import and export regulations and to provide the correct travel documents. You should inform yourself about the import and export regulations for your pet before booking your flight and this for the countries of departure, transit and destination. This information can be found at the relevant consulates, for example. 

Always ask your vet about applicable welfare provisions when you travel with your pet.

You’ll need all travel documentation required for your pet so that nothing stands in the way of your trip. Such documents may include: 

• Export, import or transit permits  
• Health and/or vaccination certificates  
• Pet passport/ID  

Brussels Airlines is not responsible if a pet is refused entry into or transit through a country. 

If you're travelling to Belgium, more info can be found ​here.  

If you're travelling to another country in the EU, more info can be found ​here.

When travelling with a pet in the cabin, you must have a window seat and cannot be seated in the following places on the aircraft:  

• In the emergency exit rows  
• In the first row with bulkhead where there is no possibility to stow the PETC bag under the seat in front
• Near other pets  
  

Pet strollers must be checked in as part of your checked baggage allowance. They may not be used in the airport or transported on board as hand baggage. If your pet stroller exceeds the free baggage allowance, excess baggage fees will apply.  

If you are unable to travel together with your cat or dog, another person may accompany your pet for you upon presentation of a written permission. You must be reunited with your pet within 5 days of its relocation. 

Due to new restrictions imposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the entry regulations for dogs into the USA are changing. 

New bookings for dogs to the US with a flight date on or after August 1, 2024 will only be accepted for the airports in Washington DC, New York-JFK, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.

The transport of dogs to Newark (EWR) is possible, provided that your dog has not been in a high-risk area (rabies) in the last six months before entering the USA.

Only dogs that are at least 6 months old will be accepted for travel to the USA.

Please also complete the CDC Dog Import Form. 

You must present the confirmation from the American authorities in digital or printed form when entering and leaving the country.

Animal transports as air freight are still possible. Passengers are requested to contact a pet shipping agent for this. 

The transportation of assistance dogs remains possible under the new CDC regulations, provided all CDC requirements can be fulfilled. Full requirement details can be found on the CDC website. It is the passenger's responsibility to comply with all requirements. Failure to present the necessary documents required by the CDC upon check-in will result in Import/Transport refusal. 

If passengers already have a confirmed booking for themselves and their assistance dog, we ask that they contact our service center.

Pets are not accepted on Brussels Airlines flights to/from the United Kingdom. They can only be transported as cargo. 

You are welcome to take your four-legged friend with you into our lounges, but your pet should not wander around freely and should await its journey in the transport container or pet carrier.