Airlines That Allow Pets in the Cabin
What to Feed Your Dog Before Take-Off
(Copyright , text , Sophie Chanel and Years, reproduced with kind permission)
As more pet owners plan trips with their dogs in 2026, questions around which airlines allow dogs in the cabin, and how to keep them comfortable in the air are surging.
Dog nutrition experts Years has analysed airline pet policies and shared expert guidance on what dogs should (and shouldn’t) eat before flying, to reduce stress, bloating and in-flight discomfort.
Airlines That Allow Dogs in the Cabin
Airlines That Allow Pets in the Cabin and What to Feed Your Dog Before Take-Off
As more pet owners plan trips with their dogs in 2026, questions around which airlines allow dogs in the cabin, and how to keep them comfortable in the air are surging.
Dog nutrition experts Years has analysed airline pet policies and shared expert guidance on what dogs should (and shouldn’t) eat before flying, to reduce stress, bloating and in-flight discomfort.
Airlines That Allow Dogs in the Cabin
While UK-based airlines generally do not allow pets in the passenger cabin (with the exception of registered assistance dogs), several European and international airlines permit small dogs to fly in-cabin, subject to strict rules.
Dogs must usually:
- Weigh around 8kg or less including carrier
- Travel in an approved soft carrier
- Remain under the seat for the duration of the flight
- Be booked in advance (spaces are limited)
Airlines That Allow Pets in the Cabin and What to Feed Your Dog Before Take-Off
As more pet owners plan trips with their dogs in 2026, questions around which airlines allow dogs in the cabin, and how to keep them comfortable in the air are surging.
Dog nutrition experts Years has analysed airline pet policies and shared expert guidance on what dogs should (and shouldn’t) eat before flying, to reduce stress, bloating and in-flight discomfort.
Airlines That Allow Dogs in the Cabin
While UK-based airlines generally do not allow pets in the passenger cabin (with the exception of registered assistance dogs), several European and international airlines permit small dogs to fly in-cabin, subject to strict rules.
Dogs must usually:
- Weigh around 8kg or less including carrier
- Travel in an approved soft carrier
- Remain under the seat for the duration of the flight
- Be booked in advance (spaces are limited)
Airlines that allow dogs in the cabin include:
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Air France
- Vueling Airlines
- Aegean Airlines
- Iberia
- Air Canada
- Turkish Airlines
- Qatar Airways
Policies vary by route and aircraft, so owners are advised to check airline requirements well in advance.
According to the fresh pet food brand – Years, diet plays a major role in how dogs cope with air travel, particularly when it comes to digestion, anxiety and motion sensitivity.
A spokesperson for Years says:
“Flying is unfamiliar for dogs, changes in pressure, temperature and routine can all affect digestion. The goal is to keep the gut calm, stable and predictable before travel.”
Best foods for dogs before flying include:
- Light, easily digestible meals (lean proteins with simple carbohydrates)
- Pre- and probiotics, which support gut balance and reduce gas
- Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help regulate inflammation and stress responses
- Small meals, served several hours before departure rather than right before boarding
“Calm digestion often equals a calmer dog,” the spokesperson adds. “A settled stomach reduces discomfort, restlessness and excessive panting during flights.”
What to Avoid Feeding Dogs Before a Flight
Airlines That Allow Pets in the Cabin and What to Feed Your Dog Before Take-Off
As more pet owners plan trips with their dogs in 2026, questions around which airlines allow dogs in the cabin, and how to keep them comfortable in the air are surging.
Dog nutrition experts Years has analysed airline pet policies and shared expert guidance on what dogs should (and shouldn’t) eat before flying, to reduce stress, bloating and in-flight discomfort.
Airlines That Allow Dogs in the Cabin
While UK-based airlines generally do not allow pets in the passenger cabin (with the exception of registered assistance dogs), several European and international airlines permit small dogs to fly in-cabin, subject to strict rules.
Dogs must usually:
- Weigh around 8kg or less including carrier
- Travel in an approved soft carrier
- Remain under the seat for the duration of the flight
- Be booked in advance (spaces are limited)
Airlines that allow dogs in the cabin include:
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Air France
- Vueling Airlines
- Aegean Airlines
- Iberia
- Air Canada
- Turkish Airlines
- Qatar Airways
Policies vary by route and aircraft, so owners are advised to check airline requirements well in advance.
What Dogs Should Eat Before Flying
According to the fresh pet food brand – Years, diet plays a major role in how dogs cope with air travel, particularly when it comes to digestion, anxiety and motion sensitivity.
A spokesperson for Years says:
“Flying is unfamiliar for dogs, changes in pressure, temperature and routine can all affect digestion. The goal is to keep the gut calm, stable and predictable before travel.”
Best foods for dogs before flying include:
- Light, easily digestible meals (lean proteins with simple carbohydrates)
- Pre- and probiotics, which support gut balance and reduce gas
- Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help regulate inflammation and stress responses
- Small meals, served several hours before departure rather than right before boarding
“Calm digestion often equals a calmer dog,” the spokesperson adds. “A settled stomach reduces discomfort, restlessness and excessive panting during flights.”
What to Avoid Feeding Dogs Before a Flight
The subscription based pet food brand Years, advises owners to avoid foods that are known to cause bloating, gas or nausea, particularly before flying.
Foods to avoid include:
- Rich or fatty foods
- Large meals close to departure
- Dairy products
- High-fibre vegetables such as beans or lentils
- New or unfamiliar treats
- Human leftovers, which can ferment in the gut at altitude
“Gas expands at altitude,” the Years spokesperson explains. “Foods that might seem harmless at home can become very uncomfortable in the air, leading to whining, restlessness or distress.”
A Growing Trend in Pet-First Travel
With more airlines adapting to pet-friendly demand, and owners increasingly treating dogs as full travel companions, experts expect pet travel to become more regulated, not less.
“Airlines are setting clear boundaries around size, weight and behaviour,” says the Years.com spokesperson. “For owners, preparation is everything, from booking early to feeding correctly. When done right, flying with a dog can be calm, safe and surprisingly straightforward.”
