SWISS
✈ Star Alliance📍 Switzerland · ZRH✓ Verified 11 Jul 2026
★ Moderate 4.5/5
89/100 · MyDogCanFly score
Cats & small dogs in the cabin or air-conditioned hold — snub-nosed breeds cabin-only, paperwork required.
⚖️ Where does your dog travel?
Cabin≤ 8 kg
Hold> 8 kg
Cargounaccompanied
Weight includes the carrier or kennel.
🐾 CabinAllowed
Dogs & cats ≤ 8 kg incl. carrier in a soft bag under the seat (max 55 × 40 × 23 cm); max 2, min 12 weeks. Signed cabin form required.
CHF 75–140
🧳 HoldAllowed
Non-snub-nosed dogs & cats over 8 kg as excess baggage in the air-conditioned hold, IATA crate. Stricter ventilation rules from May 2026.
CHF 115–440
✈️ Swiss WorldCargoVia cargo
Unaccompanied animals or countries requiring cargo (UK, Ireland, UAE, Hong Kong, South Africa). Zurich Animal Care Center.
Quote
💶 Fares
| Cabin (≤ 8 kg) | CHF 75–140 |
| Hold (by zone & crate size) | CHF 115–440 |
| Transfer surcharge (FRA/MUC/VIE/ZRH/GVA) | €150 / CHF 170 |
| Assistance dog | Free |
CHF, by zone; a transfer surcharge applies via certain hubs. Pets are always excess baggage, never in the free allowance. ✓ Official source
⚠️ Key restrictions
🐶 Flat-faced breeds
Cabin onlyHold forbidden
Snub-nosed breeds & crossbreeds are cabin-only (barred from the hold): bulldogs (except American), pugs, Boston terrier, boxer, Brussels Griffon, chow chow, Shih Tzu, Pekingese, Shar Pei, Lhasa Apso, Japanese Chin, and Persian/Exotic/Himalayan/British Shorthair/Scottish Fold cats. Via cargo, only with a BOAS grade 0–1 certificate.
🚫 Dangerous breeds
Cargo crate onlyMin. 12 weeks
Dangerous breeds (American Bulldog, American Bully, pit bull types, Caucasian Ovcharka, Dogo Argentino, Kangal, Rottweiler) only in a reinforced cargo crate. Pregnant animals & 'teacup' dogs refused; min. 12 weeks.
🌡️ Temperature & hold
Air-conditioned holdHeat limit 27 °C
Swiss WorldCargo restricts pet carriage when outside temperatures exceed 27 °C (rebooking to a cooler time). The Nov–Mar winter embargo covers cold-sensitive species but not dogs and cats. The hold is air-conditioned, similar to the cabin.
📦 Check your crate size for this airline →🦮 Assistance dog
✓ In the cabin
One assistance dog free (two on US flights), no carrier needed, in the footwell; min. 4 months.
📄 Documents
Accredited certificate (ADI/ADEu/IGDF). US flights: DOT forms ≥ 48 h, dogs 6 months+, CDC form. Emotional-support dogs not accepted.
ℹ️ Good to know
🐾 US entryDogs to the US only to specific airports, 6 months+, with the CDC Dog Import Form.
📦 New crate rulesFrom 4 May 2026, hold crates must meet stricter IATA ventilation limits or be refused.
🛋️ LoungesPets are welcome in SWISS lounges, in their carrier or crate.
🗺️ Where SWISS flies with dogs
Main hubs
🧭
Where to next?
Go straight to what you need — no need to run a new search.
🛡️ Official source5 SWISS & Swiss WorldCargo sources · last verified 11 July 2026