Pet travel charges on Indian airlines can range from a fixed cabin fee to weight- and route-based cargo pricing. The amount you pay depends not only on the airline, but also on your pet’s combined weight with the carrier and whether they travel in the cabin, aircraft hold, or as cargo.
Before comparing prices, first check whether the airline accepts regular pets at all. Several major Indian airlines still do not.
Pet Travel Charges on Indian Airlines: Quick Comparison
Here is a quick look at the main domestic options in 2026.
| Airline | Pet Travel Option | Weight Limit | Current Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air India | Cabin | Up to 10 kg including carrier | ₹7,500 per sector + applicable taxes |
| Air India | Checked baggage/hold | Over 10 kg up to 32 kg including carrier | ₹16,000 domestic + applicable taxes |
| Air India | Cargo | Over 32 kg incl. carrier | Cargo pricing applies |
| Akasa Air | Cabin | Up to 10 kg including carrier | ₹7,500 |
| Akasa Air | Aircraft hold | Over 10 kg up to 32 kg | ₹15,000 |
| Akasa Air | Cargo terminal | Over 32 kg, up to published cargo limit | Quote required |
| Alliance Air | Cabin | Pet up to 5 kg; pet + container up to 8 kg | Twice the applicable excess-baggage rate |
| FLY91 | Cabin | Up to 7 kg including container | Service fee per sector; confirm current tariff |
| SpiceJet | Cargo only for regular pets | Depends on cargo booking | Quote required |
| IndiGo | Regular pets not accepted | — | — |
| Air India Express | Regular pets not accepted under standard policy | — | — |
Pet policies and charges can change, so always verify the fee with the airline before paying for your own ticket.
Air India Pet Travel Charges
Air India currently has one of the clearest published pet-fee structures in India. Air India pet travel charges for domestic flights:
- Pet in cabin: ₹7,500 per sector, plus applicable taxes
- Pet as checked baggage: ₹16,000 per sector, plus applicable taxes
- Pet over 32 kg including the container: must travel as cargo, with separate cargo charges
For cabin travel, the combined weight of the dog or cat and its carrier cannot exceed 10 kg. Pets weighing more than 10 kg and up to 32 kg travel separately as checked baggage or cargo, depending on the booking and aircraft.
The important phrase here is per sector. A direct Delhi-Mumbai flight has one sector. A Delhi-Mumbai-Goa itinerary has two. Air India states that the pet charge applies separately to each segment. So a ₹7,500 cabin fee can become ₹15,000 on a two-sector journey before taxes and other pet-travel expenses are added.
For complete eligibility, carrier, document, and booking rules, see our Air India Pet Policy and Paws on Board Guide.
Akasa Air Pet Travel Charges
Akasa Air also carries dogs and cats through its Pets on Akasa service. Current published/recently verified domestic charges are:
- Cabin: ₹7,500, including taxes
- Aircraft hold up to 32 kg: ₹15,000, including taxes
- Larger pets travelling as cargo: pricing depends on the booking
Pets travelling in the cabin can weigh up to 10 kg including the carrier. Current Akasa information also allows heavier pets to travel in the aircraft hold subject to its pet-travel requirements and availability.
Akasa limits the number of pets accepted on individual flights, so paying the normal passenger fare does not automatically secure a place for your pet. Check availability before finalising your plans.
Our detailed Akasa Air Pet Policy explains the booking process, documents, carrier requirements and current pet limits.
Alliance Air Pet Charges
Alliance Air accepts small dogs, cats and household birds in the cabin only under its current published policy. The pet itself must weigh no more than 5 kg, while the combined weight of the pet and container cannot exceed 8 kg.
Alliance Air does not publish one flat pet fee. Instead, it charges twice the current excess-baggage rate for the sector. Its current domestic excess-baggage rate is ₹700 per kg, including GST.
Because the pet charge depends on the airline’s calculation for your booking, confirm the final amount directly with Alliance Air rather than estimating it yourself.
FLY91 Pet Travel Charges
FLY91 accepts small dogs and cats in the passenger cabin, subject to availability.
The pet and container combined must not exceed 7 kg, and only one pet is accepted in the cabin on a flight under its published rules.
FLY91 states that a service fee per sector applies and directs passengers to its tariff information for the current amount. Since the fee may change, confirm the latest charge directly with FLY91 before booking.
SpiceJet Pet Cargo Charges
SpiceJet does not accept regular pets in the passenger cabin. It does, however, permit live animals to travel in the cargo hold on domestic flights through its cargo service. Cargo pricing can depend on factors such as:
- Animal and crate weight
- Crate dimensions
- Route
- Cargo handling
- Availability on the selected flight
Contact SpiceJet Cargo for the current quote before making travel arrangements.
What About IndiGo and Air India Express?
Two of India’s biggest passenger airlines currently do not offer standard travel for regular pets.
IndiGo states that pets and animals are not permitted on its aircraft, with an exception for guide dogs for blind customers under its published policy.
Air India Express similarly states that its standard policy does not permit pets onboard, although exceptions exist for service animals.
The Airline Pet Fee Is Not the Full Cost
A ₹7,500 pet ticket does not mean your entire pet-travel expense will be ₹7,500. Depending on the journey, you may also need to pay for:
- A compliant soft carrier or hard travel crate
- Veterinary consultation
- Health or fit-to-fly certificate
- Vaccinations that need updating
- Rabies documentation
- AQCS clearance for international travel
- Import permits or destination-specific paperwork
- Airport or cargo handling
- Ground transport
- Professional pet relocation assistance
For larger pets travelling as cargo, the crate itself can become a significant part of the expense.
This is why it is better to calculate the total cost of the journey, not simply compare the airline’s headline pet fee.
How to Find the Real Pet Travel Cost Before Booking
Before buying your passenger ticket, confirm five things with the airline:
- Does this particular flight accept pets?
- Where will your pet travel: cabin, hold, or cargo?
- What is the combined weight of your pet and carrier?
- Is the pet fee charged per sector?
- Are there additional cargo, handling, or documentation charges?
Do this before booking whenever possible. Pet acceptance can depend on the aircraft, route, weather, destination rules, and the number of animals already booked on the flight.
Final Verdict
For a small dog or cat that qualifies for cabin travel, ₹7,500 is currently the headline domestic fee on both Air India and Akasa Air, although Air India states that applicable taxes are additional.
Larger pets cost considerably more. Air India currently charges ₹16,000 for domestic checked-baggage pet travel up to 32 kg, while Akasa charges ₹15,000. Beyond those limits, cargo pricing becomes less standardised.
Before comparing prices, first decide where your pet can travel safely and comfortably. Then calculate the complete journey cost, including the carrier, veterinary paperwork, additional sectors, and any cargo or ground-handling expenses.
Airline pet policies, charges, weight limits, and route restrictions can change. Always confirm the latest requirements directly with the airline before booking.
Image Disclaimer: Some images used in this article are AI-generated or digitally created for illustration purposes. They are meant to help explain pet travel situations and may not show exact airline interiors, airport procedures, carrier placement, or real arrangements. Always follow the latest airline instructions and official pet travel rules.
