Akasa Air Pet Policy: Cabin, Check-In and Cargo Rules

Flying with a dog or cat within India has become easier with Akasa Air’s dedicated pet travel programme, Pets on Akasa. The Akasa Air pet policy allows passengers to travel with dogs and cats in three ways: in the cabin, as checked baggage, or through the cargo terminal, depending on the pet’s weight and eligibility. This guide explains the key rules, weight limits, booking process, required documents, and precautions you should know before planning your pet’s journey.

Akasa Air Pet Travel Rules: Quick Overview

Before diving into the details, here’s a snapshot of the Akasa Air pet travel rules:

Travel Mode	Weight Limit (Pet + Container)	Carrier Size	Booking Method
Cabin	Up to 10 kg	19″ L x 12.6″ W x 10″ H (48 x 30 x 25 cm)	Akasa Air Care Centre
Check-in (Airport)	Up to 32 kg	36″ L x 28″ W x 28″ H (91 x 71 x 71 cm)	Akasa Air Care Centre
Cargo Terminal	Up to 100 kg	36″ L x 28″ W x 28″ H (91 x 71 x 71 cm)	Cargo Terminal directly

Which Pets Are Eligible for Akasa Air?

Only cats and dogs are eligible under Pets on Akasa, and they must be at least three months old at the time of travel. Pets must be healthy, clean, and well-behaved. A valid health and vaccination certificate issued by a veterinarian is also mandatory, which we explain in detail below.

Currently, Pets on Akasa is available only on domestic flights within India, and up to three pets are permitted per flight: two travelling in the cabin and one through the cargo compartment.

Akasa Air Cabin Travel: Weight Limit and Rules for Pets

If your pet is small enough, flying in the cabin with you is the most convenient option. Under the Akasa Air pet cabin weight limit, the combined weight of your pet and its carrier must not exceed 10 kg.

A few cabin rules should be followed:

• The pet must travel in an airline-compliant, closed and zipped carrier.
• The carrier must be stowed under the seat in front of you.
• The carrier must not exceed 19″ L x 12.6″ W x 10″ H (48 x 30 x 25 cm).
• The pet must remain inside the carrier throughout the journey and cannot be taken out at the airport or during the flight.
• A maximum of two pets can travel in the cabin per flight.

If your pet (including carrier) weighs more than the 10 kg cabin limit, it cannot fly in the cabin and will need to travel as check-in baggage or cargo instead. Still, always check the latest Akasa Air pet policy before booking, because airline rules can change.

Akasa Air Check-In Baggage: Weight Limit and Rules for Pets

For pets that are too large for the cabin, the Akasa Air pet check-in baggage rules allow dogs and cats weighing up to 32 kg (including the carrier) to be checked in at the airport, just like regular baggage. You can book through the Akasa Air Care Centre.

Pets as check-in baggage travel in a temperature and pressure-controlled section of the cargo hold, separate from the passenger cabin, but on the same flight as their owner.

Important points to note:

• The carrier size limit for check-in pets is the same as for cargo: 36″ L x 28″ W x 28″ H (91 x 71 x 71 cm).
• Pets are not covered under the free baggage allowance, so an additional charge applies.
• The container must remain closed and zipped throughout the journey.

Akasa Air Cargo Terminal Booking: Weight Limit and Rules for Pets

Larger pets, or pets that are not travelling with their owners on the same flight, can be sent through the Akasa Air pet cargo terminal booking process. This option accepts pets weighing up to 100 kg, including the container, which makes it possible for some large dog breeds to fly. Akasa Air does not accept pets above 100 kg.

Cargo bookings differ slightly from cabin and check-in bookings:

• Reservations for pets above 32 kg must be made directly at the Cargo Terminal, rather than through the Akasa Air Care Centre.
• The pet travels in the cargo hold, which maintains cabin-equivalent temperature and pressure.
• Owners should plan ahead because cargo terminal processes usually require more time, paperwork, and coordination than cabin or check-in baggage booking.

Akasa Air Pet Travel Charges

Akasa Air charges a separate fee for pet travel. This fee is not part of the regular baggage allowance.

• Cabin pet travel: If the combined weight of the pet and container does not exceed 10 kg, the fee is ₹7,500, inclusive of applicable taxes.
• Pet travel up to 32 kg: If the combined weight of the pet and container does not exceed 32 kg, the fee is ₹15,000, inclusive of applicable taxes.

Akasa Air says these fees are subject to change from time to time, so pet parents should confirm the latest charges before booking.

Pet bookings cannot be cancelled separately from the passenger’s ticket. If the pet service is not used after booking, or if the passenger is a no-show or gate no-show, the pet travel fee is not refunded. Refunds depend on Akasa Air’s cancellation rules and the specific flight sector for which pet travel was booked.

Documents Needed for Akasa Air Pet Travel

Proper pet travel documents are required to fly your pet with Akasa Air regardless of whether the pet travels in the cabin, as checked baggage, or through cargo. Akasa Air requires pets to be accompanied by the latest health and vaccination certificates, including rabies vaccination.

The health and vaccination certificate should be issued by a registered veterinarian within 72 hours of travel. According to Akasa Air pet policy, the certificate remains valid for 15 days from the date of issue, which can help passengers on a short return trip avoid a second vet visit within that validity period.

You will also need to sign Akasa Air’s indemnity and disclaimer form. In this form, the pet parent accepts responsibility for the pet’s health, behaviour, and travel-related risks, including additional risks for brachycephalic or flat-faced breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, Persian cats, and similar breeds. Akasa also has a separate brachycephalic breed information document for reference.

Carry both printed and digital copies of your pet’s documents, booking details, pet travel confirmation, and your own ID proof. Passengers travelling with pets are not eligible for web check-in, so document verification must be handled at the airport counter.

A health certificate confirms your pet’s basic fitness for travel, but a proper pre-travel vet check can also help you discuss anxiety, breathing concerns, motion sickness, age-related issues, and whether flying is suitable for your pet. Read: Does Your Pet Need a Vet Check Before Travel?

Akasa Air Pet Booking Process

The Akasa Air pet booking process should be completed before your travel date, because pets cannot be added casually at the airport without prior confirmation.

• Book at least 24 hours before departure: Pet bookings must be confirmed at least 24 hours before the scheduled flight departure so the airline can prepare for your pet’s travel.
• Call the Akasa Air Care Centre: To add your pet to an existing booking, call the Akasa Air Care Centre at +91 9606 11 21 31.
• Pets up to 32 kg, including the carrier, can be booked through the Care Centre.
• For pets above 32 kg: If your pet and carrier weigh more than 32 kg, contact or visit the cargo terminal directly to arrange cargo travel.
• Arrange the vet certificate in time: Get the required health and vaccination certificate from a registered veterinarian within the 72-hour window before travel.
• Complete the indemnity form: Fill and carry Akasa Air’s indemnity and disclaimer form on the day of travel.
• Arrive early at the airport: Reach the airport early enough to complete pet check-in, document verification, carrier checks, and payment formalities, if any.

For pet-related queries, Akasa Air can also be contacted at pets@akasaair.com.

Carrier and Container Specifications

The carrier or container is as important as your pet’s weight. The carrier should be sturdy, well-ventilated, leak-proof, escape-proof, and secure. Your pet must be able to stay safely inside the closed carrier or container throughout the journey. Akasa Air has separate size limits for cabin travel and check-in or cargo travel.

• Cabin carrier: The carrier must not exceed 19″ L x 12.6″ W x 10″ H or 48 x 30 x 25 cm. The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you
• Check-in and cargo container: The container must not exceed 36″ L x 28″ W x 28″ H or 91 x 71 x 71 cm. The container should be strong enough for airport handling and comfortable enough for your pet to sit, stand, turn around, and lie down naturally.

Your pet has to remain inside the closed, zipped container from the moment you enter the airport until you exit at your destination, so proper ventilation is also essential.

Before buying or using a carrier, confirm the latest size and container rules directly with Akasa Air, especially if your pet is close to the weight or size limit.

Complimentary Services for Pet Parents

Akasa Air’s Pets on Akasa program offers a few complimentary conveniences for passengers travelling with pets:

• Window seat allocation: Passengers flying with pets are usually provided a window seat, subject to availability and airline rules.
• Priority check-in and baggage handling: Pet parents may receive priority support during check-in and baggage handling.
• Priority boarding: Passengers travelling with pets may be allowed to board early so they have enough time to settle the pet carrier safely.

These services can make airport movement easier, but passengers should still confirm the latest pet-travel support directly with Akasa Air before the journey.

Restrictions to Keep in Mind

Before booking pet travel with Akasa Air, check the restrictions carefully because the service is not available for every route or travel situation.

• Domestic flights only: Pets on Akasa is currently available only on domestic flights, not international routes.
• Direct flights: Pet travel bookings are generally limited to non-stop flights because layovers can complicate handling, documents, and custody of the pet.
• Maximum three pets per flight: Akasa Air allows a limited number of pets per flight, usually two in the cabin and one through cargo.
• Route-specific restrictions: Some sectors may have additional restrictions, so confirm availability with the Akasa Air Care Centre before booking, especially if your pet is travelling above the check-in weight limit.

Is Flying the Right Choice for Your Pet?

Akasa Air allows pets to travel in the cabin, as check-in baggage, or through cargo. This makes pet travel more flexible for owners, but it is important to remember that every option feels different for the pet.

For pets travelling in the cabin, even when they are close to their parent, they have to spend hours zipped inside a carrier, in a space they can’t see out of, surrounded by announcements, crowds, and unfamiliar noise, none of which they can make sense of.

For pets travelling as check-in baggage or cargo, the experience can be even harder. They’re separated from their owner entirely and experience the journey as a sequence of being moved, loaded, and handled inside a closed box. Even if the cargo hold is temperature and pressure-controlled, the pet only knows that it is inside a closed container, away from familiar voices, touch, and comfort.

This does not mean air travel should never be chosen. A calm, crate-trained, healthy adult pet can often manage a short domestic flight without much trouble. But anxious, senior, very young, unwell, heat-sensitive, or flat-faced pets and any pet that panics when confined may find it genuinely distressing, even when all airline rules are followed.

So before booking, look past the paperwork. Think about the whole journey, not just the time in the air: check-in, waiting, boarding, landing, and exit all add up. If cargo is the only option, ask where your pet’s container waits before loading, who supervises the handling, and where you’ll collect your pet upon arrival.

A ticket, a health certificate, and airline approval only mean your pet is allowed to travel. They do not always mean flying is the kindest choice for your pet. When in doubt, ask your vet and choose the travel option your pet can handle with the least stress.

Before you book, it is also worth checking whether your pet is physically and emotionally ready for the journey. Read: Does Your Pet Need a Vet Check Before Travel?

What Akasa Air Says About Pet Safety and Supervision

According to Akasa Air’s pet policy FAQ, the airline says it has taken steps to make pet travel safer and more comfortable. The FAQ mentions that:

• Akasa Air has included best-in-class processes and training for pet travel.
• The airline has also teamed up with Umeed for Animals Foundation for consultation and training on best practices to support the safety and comfort of pets and passengers.
• Akasa Air says pets are kept in a comfortable area and regularly supervised.
• If you are travelling on the same flight as your pet and the flight is delayed, the airline says you may be able to see your pet at the passenger terminal of that airport.
• In case of longer delays, Akasa Air says it will ensure that the passenger is reunited with their pet.
• If the flight is cancelled, Akasa Air says it will try to book the pet on the next available flight that day, subject to availability.
• If same-day rebooking is not possible, the airline says its team will contact and assist the passenger in reuniting with the pet at the earliest.
• It will also help rebook both the passenger and the pet on the next available flight, if the passenger chooses to continue the journey with Akasa Air.

For pet-travel guidance, Akasa Air’s FAQ also mentions that pet parents can contact Umeed for Animals Foundation at umeedforanimals@gmail.com

Frequently Asked Questions

For pets who may not tolerate flying, train travel may be worth exploring. Read our guide to IRCTC online dog and cat booking before comparing options.

Final Thoughts

Akasa Air’s Pets on Akasa policy makes it one of the more flexible domestic airlines for pet parents in India. Akasa Air’s stated pet cargo limit of up to 100 kg made air transport possible for large dogs that are not accepted for cabin or check-in baggage travel.

The airline has also backed that flexibility of pet travel with real infrastructure: trained staff, a working partnership with Umeed for Animals Foundation on pet-handling practices and supervised holding areas.

But an airline’s processes only cover its side of the journey. The other half is your pet, its temperament, age, health, and how it handles confinement and separation, none of which any policy document can account for.

A well-run system can still be the wrong fit for a particular animal. So make the final call about flying as you would with any decision about your pet’s wellbeing: with your vet’s input if there is any doubt, and without assuming that approval and good intentions can replace comfort.

Because airline pet policies are updated from time to time, always confirm the latest rules, charges, carrier requirements, route availability, and cargo restrictions directly with the Akasa Air Care Centre or the official Akasa Air website before booking, especially if your pet is travelling through cargo.

Note: Airline pet policies are subject to change. Always verify current rules, fees, and restrictions with Akasa Air directly before booking travel with your pet.

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 Akasa Air arrangements. Always follow the latest airline instructions and official pet travel rules.