Cats and dogs in the hold
Do you wish to travel together with your four-legged friend? Your pet is in good hands and will fly in full comfort. We provide you with all the essential information to ensure a smooth and safe journey.
New Entry Regulations for Dogs into the USA
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.
Update: with immediate effect, the transport of dogs to Newark (EWR) is possible again, 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.
Already confirmed bookings will be honored after 01AUG24 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.
We continue to offer the following options if a dog's booking was confirmed before July 3, 2024:
- Rebooking to a flight before August 1, 2024
- Rebooking without the dog
- Refund of the ticket
For further inquiries, passengers are requested to contact our service centers.
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.
How will my pet travel?
Your cat or dog will be well taken care of and will travel in a ventilated part of the aircraft hold. Check-in with your pet at least two hours before the latest check-in time and bring a transport container that is suitable for the entire trip. Please make sure that your carrying container complies with the latest IATA regulations. This applies especially to containers purchased before 2024. We’ll happily reunite you with your pet at your destination.
Which conditions apply for a transport in the hold?
- Above 15 weeks (16 weeks for USA); Please note: Only dogs that are at least 6 months old (24 weeks) will be accepted on trips to the USA.
- Clean and healthy
- Is not restricted in size or weight
- Must be kept in a suitable transport container
- Has to remain completely inside the container (including tail and head)
- Must have enough food and water for the whole flight
- May not be pregnant
- Maximum size of 125 x 75 x 85 cm (category large)
- Larger containers have to be sent as cargo.
- Large enough for the pet to stand up-right, turn around and lie down in a comfortable position.
- Must be a hard-sided container with solid top in order to prevent rain, snow or hail to come trough.
- Clean, lockable, leak-proof bottom, escape-proof and claw-proof.
- It must be easy for staff to handle and provide protection from being clawed or bitten by the animal.
- The floor must be covered with absorbent material.
- Containers with top and bottom part must be securely bolted.
- Door openings must have secure fastenings (e.g. cable ties).
- Wheels on the container are not permitted.
- Ventilated on 4 sides. The ventilation openings on the sides and back must be placed over the upper two thirds. For dogs, the vents may be a maximum of 25 mm x 25 mm in size, for cats a maximum of 19 mm x 19 mm.
- Spacer devices must be incorporated into the design as handles for moving as well as to provide space to other freight.
- One water and one feed dish must be attached to the cage. They should not be filled for the flight, but must be accessible from the outside. Food and water for the flight can be provided in non-spill containers.
- Feeding and watering instructions must be filled out on the information sticker.
1. Door hinges and latches must protrude above and below the door openings on the horizontal projections by at least 1.60 cm.
2. Ventilation holes
3. Rear view
4. Attached food and water containers
5. Door latch
6. Spacers
How much does it cost to travel with my pet?
These rates are valid on flights operated by Brussels Airlines and are per one-way. For flights operated by any of our partner airlines, different rates might apply. Check directly with the operating airline for their rates to travel with your pet.
If you transit with your pet via Brussels, Frankfurt, Zurich, Vienna or Geneva, an additional transfer surcharge of EUR 150 / CHF 170 / USD 170 / CAD 220 per direction will be added to your booking.
How can I book a flight for my pet?
Travelling with your pet on board is subject to availability and must be booked in advance via our Service Centre.
Pets in the hold cannot be transported from Brussels to Yerevan and from Yerevan to Brussels when travelling from 15 June to 15 September 2026.
Good to know
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 hereThe link will be opened in a new browser tab.
If you're travelling to another country in the EU, more info can be found here.
If you are unable to travel together with your cat or dog, there is the option of having your pet transported as cargo.
Pets are not accepted on Brussels Airlines flights to the United Kingdom. They can only be transported as cargo.
Checklist
To make your preparations easier, we have prepared a checklist with all the important points.
