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5 Airlines

Compared

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5–10 kg

Typical Cabin Limit

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48 hrs

Advance Booking Needed

Search "how to travel with pet in India" and you will get a wall of generic advice - pack water, bring a leash, talk to your vet. None of it tells you the one thing that actually decides whether your dog flies with you or gets left behind: every Indian airline has a genuinely different policy, and a few of them contradict each other across the internet. This guide compares what each airline actually allows, in cabin and in cargo, with real 2026 numbers - and is honest about where the information itself is still unsettled.

Is it safe to fly with a dog in India?

Generally yes, for healthy adult dogs of normal build, on short-to-medium domestic routes. The two real risk factors are brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds in cargo - Pugs, Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, and similar breeds face genuine respiratory risk in unpressurised or poorly climate-controlled holds, which is why airlines restrict or refuse them in cargo specifically - and very long international cargo routes with multiple transfers. For most dogs flying domestically in the cabin or as checked baggage, the bigger practical risk is paperwork and timing mistakes, not the flight itself.

Airline-by-airline: what's actually allowed

Quick comparison

Air India - cabin up to 10 kg (pet + carrier), cargo/checked baggage above that, up to 32 kg as baggage
Vistara (now merged into Air India) - cabin up to 5 kg, cargo for heavier pets, select routes only
Akasa Air - conflicting information exists; see the dedicated note below
IndiGo - cargo only via IndiGo CarGo, no cabin pet option as of 2026
SpiceJet - cargo only, booked through SpiceJet's cargo desk

Air India - the most pet-friendly mainstream option

Air India's "Paws on Board" program is the most developed pet policy among Indian carriers. Pets under 10 kg (including the carrier) can fly in the cabin, seated in the last-row aisle seats of economy, with a maximum of two pets per flight and at least five rows separating pets travelling in the same cabin. Pets between 10–32 kg travel as checked baggage in an IATA-compliant hard crate; above 32 kg, they go as manifest cargo. Bookings must be confirmed at least 48 hours before departure, and brachycephalic breeds are not accepted in cargo at all, though some may still fly in-cabin with veterinary clearance. Domestic cabin/cargo charges are roughly ₹7,500 flat for in-cabin travel and around ₹16,000 for checked baggage, though airlines do revise these periodically - always confirm the current fare when booking.

Documents needed: pet passport or equivalent, up-to-date vaccination record, a signed and stamped health and rabies certificate from a registered vet, and indemnity forms. Pets must be at least 8 weeks old, and pregnant or recently-delivered pets are not accepted.

Akasa Air - the one to call directly before booking

Conflicting information - verify directly

We found genuinely contradictory information while researching this. One detailed 2026 source describes Akasa allowing pets up to 7 kg in the cabin on domestic flights. Another, more recent dedicated guide states Akasa's published policy only covers trained service dogs in-cabin, with all other pets routed through cargo via ground handlers - no general cabin-pet booking active as of mid-2026. Akasa's policy appears to be evolving, and the safest move is to call Akasa's customer service directly before you book, rather than trust any single source - including this one - for a final answer.

IndiGo and SpiceJet - cargo, not cabin

Neither IndiGo nor SpiceJet currently offers a cabin pet option. IndiGo moves pets exclusively through IndiGo CarGo, its dedicated cargo arm, in the pressurised belly hold. SpiceJet routes pet bookings through its cargo department directly, with 24–48 hours advance notice recommended. Both require a health certificate, vaccination records, and a signed declaration at check-in.

Cabin vs. cargo: which should you choose?

Our honest take

If your dog qualifies for cabin travel by weight, take it - you stay together, and there's no ambiguity about handling. If cargo is the only option, shorter flights reduce time in the hold, which matters more for heat-sensitive breeds than for a typical medium dog on a 2-hour domestic sector. Get a written cargo quote in advance - pricing for live-animal cargo in India varies far more between agents than passenger fares do, sometimes by 30–40% for the identical route and weight.

What you actually need at the airport

Health and fitness-to-fly certificate from a registered vet, typically required within 7–10 days of travel (confirm your specific airline's window)
Up-to-date vaccination record, including rabies
An IATA-compliant carrier - soft-sided for cabin (fits under the seat), hard-shell for cargo/checked baggage
A pet not sedated before the flight - sedated pets are refused by every major carrier under IATA guidance
Arrival at least 3 hours before departure if cargo/checked baggage is involved

Flying internationally with your dog from India

International pet travel adds AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Service) clearance on top of airline requirements, plus the destination country's own import rules. Some sectors - flights to the US, Canada, UK, and Australia on Air India, for instance - only accept pets as cargo, not in-cabin, regardless of weight. Pets are not permitted at all on flights departing India and landing in the UAE in the cabin - this catches people out specifically because it's not symmetrical with the return direction. Always check both the airline's policy and the destination country's import requirements separately; meeting one doesn't guarantee the other.

FAQ

What is the best way to travel with your dog by plane in India?

Air India currently offers the most accessible cabin option for dogs under 10 kg. For heavier dogs, cargo on a short domestic route is generally preferable to a long drive, provided you've confirmed crate specs and gotten a written cargo quote in advance.

How much does it cost to fly a dog in India?

In-cabin fees on domestic flights typically run ₹3,000–7,500 per sector. Cargo can range from ₹8,000 to over ₹30,000 depending on the dog's weight, crate size, and route - get quotes from more than one source before committing.

Can I carry my dog in flight in India without a cargo booking?

Only if your dog and carrier together weigh under the airline's cabin limit (5–10 kg depending on carrier) and you've booked at least 48 hours ahead. Above that weight, cargo or checked baggage is mandatory on every major Indian carrier.

Related guides

Guides tagged “air india pet policy”

How to Fly with Your Dog in India - Every Airline's Real 2026 Rules