Flying With Your Dog on Ryanair: What You Need to Know (2026)

Hoping to fly with your dog on Ryanair? It is one of the few airlines that do not accept pets on board at all, whether in the cabin or in the hold — only recognized assistance dogs are admitted. Here is what that means, and above all the alternatives to reach your destination with your dog.

In the cabin: no

Ryanair does not allow dogs in the cabin — assistance dogs are the only exception.

In the hold: no

Ryanair does not offer hold transport for dogs. Assistance dogs only.

How to book

Pet spots on board are limited: book as early as possible.

1. Buy your ticket, then contact Ryanair to add your dog to the booking.
2. Prepare the health documents (microchip identification, rabies vaccination, passport or health certificate, sometimes a rabies titer test) — see our guide to international travel with a dog.
3. Choose the right container: an approved soft carrier (cabin) or an IATA crate (hold). Size it with our IATA dog crate calculator.

🧰 Our tools to plan your trip

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

Compare with other airlines

How dogs are treated varies widely from one airline to another. To find the best option for your route and your dog’s weight, use our can-my-dog-fly comparison tool and check the comparison of 62 airlines. To prepare for the flight itself, also read our advice on dog travel anxiety.

🌍 Where can you fly with Ryanair? Our entry-requirement guides for its destinations: Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway, European Union, Greece, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom.

Sources

Ryanair — carriage of animals, accessed June 2026. Conditions and fees change regularly: confirm with Ryanair before booking.