2026 Complete Guide to Major Airlines' Pet Policies

Flying with Pets: What to Know Before You Go

The biggest fear when flying with your furry companion isn't expensive tickets—it's being turned away at the airport. From health certificate expiration windows and crate specifications to summer embargo lists for short-nosed breeds, the pitfalls are endless without proper research. This article consolidates the 2026 pet policies of major airlines flying out of Taiwan, so you can get the big picture before booking.

What to Consider Before Flying with Pets

Regardless of which airline you choose, three things apply across the board: documentation, the crate, and health assessment.

Three Ways Pets Can Fly

In-Cabin: For small dogs and cats, the pet (along with a soft carrier) must typically fall within the airline's published weight limit (varies by carrier—check the official website). Your pet stays in the footwell under the seat for the entire flight. This is the most popular option for pet owners.

Checked Baggage / Hold: Pets that exceed in-cabin limits or medium-to-large dogs are placed in the pressurized, temperature-controlled cargo hold beneath the aircraft. A hard-sided crate is required, and you must reserve a pet slot with the airline in advance.

Cargo / Freighter: For long-haul international flights or large dogs and cats, pets are shipped as air cargo in a dedicated compartment. This option carries the highest cost but the fewest restrictions.

Required Documents

Quarantine requirements vary dramatically by destination country, but most flights departing from Taiwan require:

• Animal Health Certificate (issued by a licensed veterinarian within a specified window before departure)
• Rabies Vaccination Certificate
• Additional documents required by the destination country (e.g., Japan and the EU require a rabies antibody titer test report)
• Microchip implantation certificate—the chip number must match the one on the vaccination certificate

Crate Standards

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations serves as the baseline standard. Crates must:

• Have a sturdy structure with dual-locking doors
• Feature ventilation openings on all four sides
• Include a leak-proof bottom tray to absorb accidents
• Provide enough interior space for the pet to stand, turn around, and lie down

For short-nosed dogs and cats, due to their respiratory anatomy, it's recommended to choose a crate at least 10% larger than the standard size to reduce heatstroke risk.

EVA Air vs. China Airlines: Pet Policy Comparison

These are the two airlines most commonly chosen for departures from Taiwan. Below is a summary of key points from their 2026 public announcements.

Paw Editor's Note: This table reflects the general direction of 2026 public announcements. Carriers occasionally make minor adjustments, so always recheck the official website before booking and departure. Fees fluctuate based on route, weight, and class—use the "Special Baggage" or "Traveling with Pets" page on the official site to calculate costs, rather than relying on verbal quotes from agents.

Starlux Airlines (JX)

Starlux has established clearer pet transportation guidelines in recent years, with in-cabin limits similar to the two legacy carriers. Before departure, confirm current regulations through customer service or the official website form—particularly the summer restrictions on short-nosed breeds.

Tigerair (IT) and Other Low-Cost Carriers

Some budget airlines, based on their aircraft type and service model, do not offer in-cabin or checked pet services on certain flights. With Tigerair, for example, you must check each individual flight to see if pets are allowed. If you're taking a pet abroad on a low-cost carrier, Paw Editor strongly recommends completing your research before booking—otherwise you risk being refused at the airport with no standby flights available.

Common Choices for International Routes

If your destination is Japan, Korea, or Southeast Asia, Japan Airlines (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA), and Cathay Pacific are also popular choices among Taiwanese pet owners. Each has different rules on short-nosed breeds and seasonal embargoes—winter tends to be more lenient, but summer restrictions remain strict.

What to Do When Short-Nosed Breeds Are Banned in Summer?

Roughly from May to September each year, major airlines almost universally announce embargoes on short-nosed dogs and cats, because these breeds face a significantly higher mortality rate in cargo hold environments due to heat and their respiratory structure.

Commonly embargoed breeds include:

• French Bulldog
• English Bulldog
• Pug
• Boxer
• Pekingese
• Short-nosed cats (Persian, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair, etc.)

Alternative 1: Avoid the Embargo Period

The most straightforward solution. Shift your travel dates to after October or before April to avoid the summer peak. Note, however, that cold-climate destinations in winter bring their own challenge—extremely low temperatures requiring separate evaluation.

Alternative 2: Choose an Airline or Route That Allows Them

Embargo periods vary by carrier—some offer buffer periods in May or September. If your timing is fixed, consider switching to:

• ANA (more lenient on certain routes for short-nosed dogs—confirm flight by flight)
• Singapore Airlines (generally accommodating for medium and large dogs)
• Emirates (Dubai hub, predominantly wide-body fleet with more spacious cargo holds)

However, please note: even these carriers may impose stricter limits on routes with extreme temperatures. Before departure, always confirm by email and retain the reply as documentation.

Alternative 3: Ship via Air Cargo

Use a professional pet transport company that handles full cargo shipments. Some specialized operators have temperature control and monitoring equipment installed—suitable for large dogs or embargoed breeds. Costs are typically at least 30% higher than airline checked baggage, but restrictions are fewer, and your pet travels in a dedicated compartment rather than being mixed with regular luggage.

Alternative 4: Ship by Sea or Ground

For short distances (such as to Japan or Korea), consider pet-specific sea ferries or chartered ground transport. The time investment is higher, but the stress on short-nosed breeds is much lower, and you also avoid high-altitude pressure changes.

Paw Editor's Reminders

Q1: What documents do I need before departure?

Health certificate, vaccination certificate, and microchip certificate are the baseline. For entry into Japan, the EU, the UK, Australia, and similar countries, a rabies antibody titer test report is also required (blood draw and lab testing takes 1–3 months). Complete documentation is more important than scoring a cheap ticket—missing a single document can result in being denied boarding. We recommend scanning the entire document set to the cloud, keeping a copy on your phone, a paper copy on hand, and another copy inside the checked crate.

Q2: What if my pet is "over capacity"?

"Over capacity" typically means exceeding the airline's published in-cabin weight limit, or the pet quota being full and your reservation denied. Contact customer service immediately to check:

1. Whether the pet can be switched to checked baggage (lower cargo hold)
2. Whether the next flight still has availability
3. Whether a partner cargo company can handle the shipment

Don't force it. The risk to your pet in the wrong crate or an overloaded environment is extremely high—it's better to reschedule than to compromise.

Q3: What should I know about connecting flights?

A connection means your pet will go through loading and unloading again at the transit airport. Some countries have additional quarantine requirements or prohibitions for transiting animals (for example, London Heathrow is extremely strict about transit animals). Choosing a direct flight, or connecting within the same airline alliance, is the safest approach.

Q4: Should I buy insurance for my pet?

Paw Editor strongly recommends it. Before departure, consider adding comprehensive pet travel insurance covering flight delays, lost baggage (pets are classified as baggage under airline terms), and medical emergencies. Domestic insurance companies in Taiwan already offer plans tailored for pet travel. Purchase at least one week before departure—don't wait until the last minute and find out the application window has closed.

Q5: Can I bring my pet into business class?

Rules vary by airline, but on most carriers the under-seat space in business class doesn't always meet in-cabin pet specifications, and business class acceptance of pets is inconsistent. Confirm directly with airline customer service—don't book business class simply because the website says "pets allowed."

Airline policies are adjusted every year, and this article summarizes the general direction of 2026 public information. Before booking and departure, be sure to check the official website or call airline customer service to confirm the current weight limits, fees, embargoed breed list, and required documents. Your pet's safety is worth an extra half-hour of final confirmation.