Which Airlines Will Actually Let Your Pet On Board in 2026? The Honest Answer Might Surprise You

Ryanair carries approximately 200 million passengers per year. It does not carry pets. EasyJet carries approximately 90 million. It does not carry pets. Jet2 carries tens of millions more. It does not carry pets.

The Budget Airline Blind Spot

With the exception of certified guide dogs and assistance animals registered with recognised organisations such as Assistance Dogs UK, Britain's three largest budget carriers - Ryanair, EasyJet, and Jet2 - do not permit pets on board in the cabin or the hold. This is not a technicality or a loophole. It is policy, applied consistently, and unlikely to change in the near future.

For pet owners planning European holidays with their animals, this means that the cheapest and most convenient flight options are, categorically, unavailable. What remains is a narrower set of alternatives - some excellent, some inconvenient, all requiring planning that most people do not undertake until the last moment.

The Airlines That Do Allow Pets

British Airways permits pets to travel in the hold via its specialist cargo service - a well-established and professionally managed operation, but one that comes with costs, paperwork, and a process that differs materially from simply checking in your dog at the departures desk. Assistance dogs travel in the British Airways cabin free of charge.

Air France is, for UK pet owners travelling to or through France, the most practically useful option for in-cabin pet travel. Dogs and cats whose combined weight with carrier does not exceed eight kilograms can travel in the cabin on most Air France routes. For small dogs - a miniature dachshund, a chihuahua, a small terrier - this represents a genuinely good option. For anything larger, hold travel applies.

Vueling, the Spanish low-cost carrier with routes from several UK airports, also permits small pets in the cabin on most routes, subject to similar weight restrictions and advance booking requirements. TUI permits pets in the aircraft hold on certain routes, with specific carrier requirements and advance notification periods that vary by destination.

The Channel Crossing Alternative

For European destinations, the frequently overlooked alternative to flying is the ferry or the Channel Tunnel. DFDS, Brittany Ferries, and P&O all permit dogs and cats on board - in cabins, in designated pet-friendly areas, or in kennel facilities depending on the crossing. The Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, which transports cars through the tunnel between Folkestone and Coquelles, is one of the most popular and practical options for British families travelling to France with pets.

The Eurostar remains, for now, closed to pets other than assistance dogs. This is a source of persistent frustration for pet owners and has been the subject of ongoing campaigning - but in 2026, the policy has not changed.

Planning Your Route

Pet Holiday Club's platform covers not just the documentation your pet needs, but the practical journey planning - including which airports accept pets, what airline policies apply to your specific route, and what documentation is required at each stage. Find your route and your checklist free at petholidayclub.com.


Not sure which airline accepts your pet? Plan your entire journey at www.petholidayclub.com