🔄 Updated : June 30, 2026

On British Airways (United Kingdom), dogs are not allowed in the cabin (except assistance dogs): they travel in the hold, in an approved crate. Here are the conditions and the steps to prepare your companion’s flight.

In the cabin: no

British Airways does not allow dogs in the cabin (except assistance dogs). Assistance dogs only in the cabin.

In the hold: cargo service only

British Airways does not carry dogs as checked baggage: hold transport goes through the cargo/freight service, priced by quote with dedicated logistics. Apart from assistance dogs, pets fly only via IAG Cargo / PetAir UK — never as accompanied baggage.

How to book

Pet spots are limited: book as early as possible.

  1. Buy your ticket, then contact British Airways (or its cargo partner) to arrange your dog’s transport.
  2. Prepare the health documents (microchip ID, rabies vaccination, health certificate or pet passport, sometimes a rabies titer test) — see our guide to international travel with a dog.
  3. Choose the right container: an approved soft-sided carrier (cabin) or an IATA crate (hold). Size it with our IATA dog crate calculator.

🧰 Our tools to plan your trip

Dog flight checker Can my dog fly? 62 airlines compared, by departure airport, destination and your dog's weight. Open the checker → IATA crate calculator IATA crate calculator The airline-approved crate size for your dog, using the official IATA formula. Calculate the size → Entry requirements by country Entry requirements checker Country-by-country entry rules: paperwork, vaccines, lead times and official sources. Check the rules →

Compare with other airlines

Pet rules vary widely from one airline to the next. To find the best option for your route and your dog’s weight, use our Can My Dog Fly? tool and browse our comparison of 62 airline pet policies. To prepare for the flight itself, also read our tips on dog travel anxiety.

➡️ Next step : your journey

  1. Check the health requirements
  2. Choose an IATA-compliant travel crate
  3. Prepare your dog for the stress of flying
  4. Compare all 62 airlines

🌍 Where can you fly with British Airways? Our entry-requirement guides for its destinations: United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Japan, Turkey, Brazil.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my dog in the cabin on British Airways?
No, only assistance dogs are allowed in the cabin.
How does a large dog travel on British Airways?
Only through the airline’s cargo/freight service, priced by quote.

Sources

British Airways — traveling with pets, accessed June 2026. Conditions and fees change regularly — double-check with British Airways before booking.