Etihad Airways
📍 United Arab Emirates · AUH✓ Verified 11 Jul 2026
★ Moderate 3.5/5
70/100 · MyDogCanFly score
Small cats, dogs & falcons fly in the cabin to/from Abu Dhabi — but many routes are excluded.
⚖️ Where does your dog travel?
Cabin≤ 8 kg
Hold—
Cargolarge
Weight includes the carrier or kennel.
🐾 CabinAllowed
Small cats & dogs (min. 16 weeks, ≤ 8 kg incl. carrier) under the seat, to/from Abu Dhabi; falcons too. Many route exclusions.
$399
🧳 HoldNot allowed
Cats & dogs aren't carried as checked baggage (falcons: $500/cage). Service dogs fly in the cabin.
—
✈️ Etihad CargoOn request
Cats, dogs & small pets in climate-controlled, pressurised holds via Etihad Cargo LiveAnimals.
Quote
💶 Fares
| Cabin — Economy (≤ 8 kg) | $399 |
| Cabin — Business | $399 + extra seat |
| Falcon (checked) | $500 / cage |
| Etihad Cargo | Quote |
| Service dog | Free |
USD, to/from Abu Dhabi. Only dry pet food is allowed in the cabin. ✓ Official source
⚠️ Key restrictions
🐶 Flat-faced breeds
Cargo: seasonal only
The cabin sets no snub-nosed rule; via Etihad Cargo, brachycephalic breeds are accepted only seasonally (1 Nov–1 Mar) with extra checks and Live Animals approval.
🚫 Banned breeds
Not acceptedNo pregnancy
Pit bull, American Staffordshire, American Bully, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, mastiffs, Tosa, Rottweiler, Doberman, Presa Canario, boxer & hybrids aren't accepted. Sedation only under veterinary supervision; pregnant pets refused.
🌡️ Temperature & hold
Climate-controlled, pressurised (cargo)Cabin temperature: not disclosed
Etihad Cargo LiveAnimals uses climate-controlled, pressurised hold compartments, with maximum pet transport time extended to 24 h. No numeric temperature limit is published.
📦 Check your crate size for this airline →🦮 Assistance dog
✓ In the cabin
One trained service dog free (two from the US); ADI/IGDF certification required (not on direct US flights).
📄 Documents
Book via form + call ≥ 48 h ahead. US: DOT forms + CDC Dog Import Form. Not permitted from China.
ℹ️ Good to know
🚫 Route exclusionsPets banned on many routes: USA, London, Manchester, Sydney, Bali, Hong Kong, Malé, Johannesburg.
🧳 Carrier sizeUnder-seat carrier max 40 × 40 × 22 cm (50 × 43 × 50 cm with an extra seat).
🐾 Two petsTwo pets only if from the same household and known to each other, each with its own form.
🗺️ Where Etihad Airways flies with dogs
Main hubs
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🛡️ Official source3 Etihad & Etihad Cargo sources · last verified 11 July 2026