Which airlines allow pets in India? The options are more limited than many travellers expect. Air India and Akasa Air currently offer the clearest options for passengers travelling with pet dogs and cats, while other major Indian airlines have much more restrictive policies.
This guide compares the current airline pet policies in India, including cabin travel, cargo or hold options, important restrictions, and what you should confirm before booking.
If you are flying with pets in India, choose the airline before you choose the flight. A dog or cat that qualifies to travel with one airline may not be accepted at all by another.
At present, Air India and Akasa Air are the main Indian passenger airlines offering regular pet travel services for cats and dogs. SpiceJet does not allow ordinary pets in the passenger cabin and directs pet-cargo enquiries to its cargo division; IndiGo and Air India Express do not offer a standard onboard service for ordinary pets.
Vistara is no longer a separate airline. Its operations were transferred to Air India in November 2024.
Policy check: October 2026. Airline rules can change, so always confirm the current policy for your particular flight before booking.
Airlines That Allow Pets in India: Quick Answer
Here is the current picture for regular pet dogs and cats:
- Air India allows eligible dogs and cats in the Economy cabin, as checked baggage where available, or as cargo depending on their combined weight with the carrier.
- Akasa Air accepts eligible cats and dogs through its Pets on Akasa service, with limited spaces available in the cabin and cargo compartment.
- SpiceJet does not allow regular pets in the passenger cabin. Its current FAQ directs passengers to SpiceJet Cargo for domestic pet-cargo enquiries, so availability should be confirmed directly before planning the journey.
- IndiGo does not permit regular pets or animals on its aircraft. Guide dogs for eligible passengers are an exception under its assistance rules.
- Air India Express does not permit regular pets onboard under its standard policy, although it has provisions for eligible service animals.
- Alliance Air accepts eligible small dogs, cats and household birds in the passenger cabin on domestic flights. Pets are not permitted in the cargo hold.
- FLY91 accepts eligible small domestic dogs and cats in the passenger cabin, subject to its weight, carrier, documentation and limited pet-slot rules.
Travellers looking for pet cabin travel in India can check Air India, Akasa Air, Alliance Air and FLY91, although their routes, weight limits, carrier rules and number of pet spaces differ considerably.
1. Air India Pet Policy
Air India currently has one of the most detailed published airline pet policies in India.
Air India accepts only domesticated cats and dogs. For cabin travel, the combined weight of the pet and soft carrier must not exceed 10 kg. Cabin pets travel in Economy and must be at least eight weeks old.
Air India currently allows a maximum of two pets in the Economy cabin on a flight, with one cabin pet per accompanying passenger. For domestic travel:
- Pets weighing up to 10 kg, including the carrier, may qualify for cabin travel.
- Pets over 10 kg and up to 32 kg, including the carrier, may travel as checked baggage or cargo where the aircraft and route permit it.
- Pets over 32 kg, including the carrier, must travel as cargo.
The current domestic cabin charge is ₹7,500 per sector, while pets travelling as checked baggage between 10 and 32 kg are charged ₹16,000 per sector.
Cabin bookings should normally be arranged at least 48 hours before departure. Air India also requires passengers travelling with pets to report at least three hours before departure.
For domestic flights, the airline currently requires up-to-date vaccination records and a valid health and rabies vaccination certificate issued within seven days before departure, along with the required indemnity forms.
Air India also has specific restrictions for flat-faced breeds. They don’t accept Brachycephalic dogs and cats in the cargo compartment because of increased breathing and temperature-related risks; however, eligible flat-faced pets may travel in the cabin after veterinary consultation.
For complete booking steps, carrier dimensions, and current charges, read our Air India Pet Policy: Paws on Board Booking Guide.
2. Akasa Air Pet Policy
Akasa Air’s Pets on Akasa service accepts cats and dogs aged three months or older on eligible flights.
The airline currently limits pet numbers to three per flight, with up to two pets travelling in the cabin and one in the cargo compartment. Because these spaces are limited, pet acceptance depends not only on your animal meeting the rules but also on availability on that particular flight.
Pets must remain inside their designated carrier during the flight, and passengers need to complete the required pet documentation and airline formalities.
Akasa’s cabin and cargo rules depend on the pet’s combined weight with its carrier, so check the current weight category, carrier dimensions, fee, documentation, and available pet slot directly before confirming your passenger ticket.
For detailed booking process, see our Akasa Air Pet Policy guide. You can also read our Air India vs Akasa Air comparison if your pet qualifies for both airlines.
3. Alliance Air Pet Policy
Alliance Air allows small domestic dogs, cats, and household birds to travel in the passenger cabin on domestic flights. Unlike Air India and Akasa Air, Alliance Air does not permit pets in the cargo hold under its published passenger-pet policy.
For cabin travel, the pet must be carried in a soft, ventilated bag or kennel measuring no more than 18 × 18 × 12 inches. The combined weight of the pet and carrier must not exceed 8 kg, and the pet itself must weigh no more than 5 kg.
Alliance Air currently permits a maximum of two pets per flight. Passengers travelling with pets are seated in the last row of the booked cabin class, subject to the aircraft commander’s approval.
Passengers must carry valid health and rabies vaccination certificates. Pet carriage is charged separately, and Alliance Air states that the charge is twice the applicable excess-baggage rate for the sector.
For travellers with a very small dog or cat, Alliance Air is therefore another cabin option worth checking, particularly on routes served by its domestic network.
4. FLY91 Pet Policy
FLY91 allows small domestic dogs and cats to travel in the passenger cabin on eligible flights.
The combined weight of the pet and carrier must not exceed 7 kg. The ventilated carrier must measure no more than 17 × 10 × 8 inches and must remain stowed under the seat during the flight.
Only one pet is accepted in the passenger cabin per flight, and FLY91 requires passengers to give at least 24 hours’ notice and report at the airport at least two hours before departure when travelling with a pet.
Dogs and cats must be at least three months old, and passengers need to carry current health and rabies vaccination certificates. An absorbent mat is required in the carrier, and passengers must complete FLY91’s indemnity form.
Passengers travelling with pets are allocated window seats and cannot use emergency-exit-row or premium seats. FLY91 also states that pets showing disruptive behaviour may be refused boarding.
FLY91 does not offer a regular cargo option under this published pet-travel service, so it is mainly relevant to travellers with small cats and dogs that fall within the airline’s cabin weight and carrier limits.
5. Does SpiceJet Allow Pets?
SpiceJet does not allow regular pet dogs or cats in the passenger cabin.
Its current official FAQ contains slightly confusing wording about pets. One section states that pets are not permitted onboard but may be carried in the cargo hold on domestic flights and directs passengers to SpiceJet Cargo for assistance. Another section states that pets are not permitted on SpiceJet flights while exempting guide dogs for visually impaired passengers.
Because the airline’s own published information is not completely consistent, do not assume that your pet can travel as cargo simply because SpiceJet operates your route.
Contact SpiceJet Cargo directly and obtain confirmation for your specific origin, destination, aircraft, and travel date before making plans around pet cargo.
If cargo travel is your only available option, also consider whether flying is necessary for your pet. Our guide on pet travel in cargo explains the welfare questions, ground-handling risks, and alternatives worth considering before booking.
6. Does IndiGo Allow Pets?
No. IndiGo’s current policy states that it does not permit regular pets or animals on its aircraft.
There is an exception for eligible guide or service dogs travelling with passengers who require them, subject to the airline’s assistance requirements.
This is different from ordinary pet travel. A small dog or cat does not become eligible simply because the animal fits inside a cabin carrier.
If you are travelling with a regular pet, do not book an IndiGo passenger ticket expecting to arrange pet carriage separately at the airport.
7. Does Air India Express Allow Pets?
Air India Express also does not offer standard onboard travel for regular pets.
Its current FAQ states that pets are not permitted under its standard policy but that exceptions exist for passengers travelling with eligible service animals.
Passengers travelling with a service animal should contact the airline in advance and meet its training, restraint, vaccination and documentation requirements.
For an ordinary pet dog or cat, Air India Express therefore should not be treated as a pet-travel option.
What Happened to Vistara’s Pet Policy?
Older pet-travel articles may still list Vistara as a separate Indian airline. That information is now obsolete.
Vistara operated its final flight on 11 November 2024, and from 12 November 2024 its operations were transferred to Air India. Former Vistara aircraft now operate within the Air India network under Air India flight numbers.
If you are flying on an aircraft that was previously part of the Vistara fleet, check Air India’s current pet policy, not an old Vistara policy.
Which Airlines Allow Dogs and Cats in the Cabin in India?
For regular pet dogs and cats, Air India, Akasa Air, Alliance Air, and FLY91 currently offer cabin-travel options, although not every airline serves the same routes or accepts pets under the same conditions.
Do not choose between them solely by ticket price. Check:
- Whether your pet and carrier together fall within the airline’s cabin weight limit.
- Whether your carrier meets the airline’s exact dimensions and construction requirements.
- Whether a cabin pet slot is still available on the particular flight you want.
- Whether your pet’s age, health, and breed meet the airline’s requirements.
- Whether the route and aircraft permit the type of pet travel you need.
- What documents and health certificates must be issued before departure.
A cheaper passenger fare is irrelevant if your pet cannot be accepted on that flight.
What If Your Pet Is Too Large for Cabin Travel?
A larger dog does not automatically mean that cargo is the next sensible choice.
Air India may accept eligible pets between 10 and 32 kg, including the carrier as checked baggage on compatible flights, while heavier animals require cargo arrangements. Akasa also provides a cargo option under its pet service, subject to its current rules and available space.
SpiceJet may accept pets through cargo on eligible domestic arrangements, but this needs direct confirmation.
Before choosing any hold or cargo option, ask what alternatives exist. Depending on the journey, road transport, professional ground relocation, a shorter flight route, or leaving an animal with a trusted sitter for an optional trip may be more appropriate.
An airline accepting your pet as cargo tells you that transportation is permitted. It does not tell you whether cargo travel is the best choice for that particular animal.
Pet Travel Documents Are Not the Same for Every Airline
Do not rely on statements such as “get a health certificate 48 hours before flying.” Certificate validity and paperwork requirements vary. Depending on the airline and route, you may need:
- A current vaccination record, including rabies vaccination where required.
- A health or fitness-to-fly certificate issued within the airline’s specified period before departure.
- An airline indemnity or declaration form.
- Your confirmed pet booking or approval from the airline.
- Additional AQCS, import, export or destination documents for international journeys.
Carry original documents where required and keep digital copies as backup.
For a broader checklist, see our guide to documents required for pet travel in India.
Carrier Rules Also Differ Between Airlines
There is no single carrier that is automatically accepted by every airline.
For example, Air India currently requires a soft carrier for cabin travel with maximum dimensions of 17 × 10 × 9 inches, while animals travelling in the hold require a different type of container.
Do not buy something simply because the product listing says “airline approved.” Choose the airline and travel category first, then compare the carrier against that airline’s current dimensions, weight limits, ventilation, security, and construction requirements.
Flat-Faced Dogs and Cats Need Extra Attention
Pugs, Bulldogs, Persians, Himalayans and other strongly brachycephalic animals can face increased breathing and temperature-related risks during air travel.
Restrictions vary by airline and by whether the animal is travelling in the cabin or cargo compartment.
Air India, for example, does not accept brachycephalic cats and dogs in its cargo compartment, although eligible animals may travel in the cabin after veterinary consultation.
Do not interpret airline acceptance as proof that a flat-faced pet is medically suited to fly. Discuss the journey with your veterinarian before booking.
Before Booking a Flight With Your Pet
Before paying for your own ticket, confirm:
- The airline accepts your species of pet on that particular route.
- Your pet qualifies for cabin, checked-baggage, or cargo travel under the current weight rules.
- A pet space is available on your chosen flight.
- You know the complete pet charge, including whether it applies separately to each flight sector.
- You have the correct carrier dimensions and type.
- You know exactly when the health certificate and other documents must be issued.
- You understand the airport reporting time and check-in procedure.
- Your pet is physically and behaviourally suitable for the journey, not merely technically eligible under the airline policy.
Get important confirmations directly from the airline rather than relying only on an old blog post, booking platform or another traveller’s experience.
Which Airline Should You Choose for Pet Travel in India?
For travellers who want a regular dog or cat in the passenger cabin, Air India and Akasa Air currently provide the clearest options among major Indian carriers.
Air India also provides published checked-baggage and cargo options for eligible larger pets. SpiceJet may be relevant when cargo transport is required, but its current arrangements should be confirmed directly before booking. IndiGo and Air India Express do not provide standard travel for ordinary pets.
The final choice should not be based only on which airline will accept the animal.
Consider the length of the journey, number of connections, cabin eligibility, weather, your pet’s health and temperament, carrier confinement, and whether flying is actually necessary.
The best airline for your pet is not simply the one that says yes. It is the one that can accommodate the journey your particular pet can reasonably and safely make.
Airline pet policies, charges, routes, and aircraft restrictions can change. Always verify the latest requirements directly with the operating airline before booking.
Image Disclaimer: Images used are AI-generated or digitally created for illustration purposes.
