Policy checked August 2026
Which airlines actually carry pets, what it costs, and whether your pet flies in the cabin or the hold. We check live airline policy for your exact route before booking, not a policy that might already be out of date.
Airline pet policy changes without much notice. Treat the table below as a starting point, and let us confirm the live rule for your date before you book.
Short answer first
Answer, checked August 2026
Air India and Akasa Air carry pets on domestic routes, in the cabin for small pets and in the hold or cargo terminal for larger ones. IndiGo carries only certified guide and service dogs, no other pets at all. SpiceJet's live animal cargo service has been inconsistent, so we confirm current availability before quoting it.
Eligibility always depends on your pet's exact weight, breed and the specific flight, not just the airline. We check live availability for your route and date before booking rather than relying on a general policy that may have changed.
Airline by airline
Checked against each airline's own stated policy in August 2026. Airlines revise pet policy without much notice, so confirm with us before booking either ticket.
Swipe the table sideways to see everything.
| Airline | Cabin | Hold, with you | Cargo terminal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air India Carries pets | Up to 10 kg (pet plus carrier combined) | 10 kg to 32 kg, in the hold on your flight | Above 32 kg, as unaccompanied cargo | Runs a dedicated pet travel programme. The most workable option for most pet parents. |
| Akasa Air Carries pets | Small pets, limits confirmed per booking | 10 kg to 32 kg, in the hold with you on the same flight | 32 kg to 100 kg, via the cargo terminal | Growing pet-friendly network. Book at least 24 hours ahead; flight-wise pet limits apply. |
| IndiGo Service dogs only | Certified guide or service dogs only, 48 hours notice | Not accepted | Not accepted | Does not carry pet dogs, cats or any other pet, in the cabin, as checked baggage or as cargo. |
| SpiceJet Check current status | Not offered | Availability changes; confirm before booking | Availability changes; confirm before booking | Live animal cargo has been offered in the past through SpiceXpress but availability is not consistent. We check current status before quoting this airline. |
Looking for Vistara? Vistara merged into Air India in November 2024 and no longer operates as a separate airline. If you are looking for Vistara's old pet policy, Air India's current policy above is what now applies.
Weight limits are combined pet plus carrier weight unless stated otherwise. Brachycephalic breeds are restricted from the hold and cargo terminal on every airline above, see the breed restrictions section.
How pets fly
Small pets that meet the weight limit travel in an airline-approved soft carrier at your feet. This is the most comfortable option when your pet qualifies, since they stay with you the whole flight.
Larger pets travel in the cargo hold of the same aircraft you are on, in a hard IATA compliant crate. This hold is pressurised and temperature controlled, the same as the cabin.
The heaviest pets, or pets travelling without their owner on the same flight, go as manifest cargo through the airline's cargo terminal, handled separately from passenger baggage.
Cost
Two charges apply: the airline's own cargo or baggage fee, which is set per kilogram and changes by route and date, and the crate plus handling cost if you use a relocation service. Below are our own real ranges, including both.
Swipe the table sideways to see everything.
| Distance | Typical cost, one pet | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500 km | Rarely the best option | Road or train usually costs less and suits the distance. |
| 1,500 km to 2,000 km | ₹17,000 to ₹48,000 | Delhi NCR, Hyderabad and similar mid-long routes. |
| 2,000 km to 3,000 km | ₹20,000 to ₹60,000 | Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata and Kerala cross country routes. |
These are real ranges from our own bookings, not a published airline tariff. The exact figure depends on your pet's weight and crate, the airline's live rate for your date, and whether a handler travels with your pet. See the full pet relocation cost guide for road and train pricing too.
Breed restrictions
Brachycephalic, or flat faced, breeds are more prone to breathing difficulty in a pressurised hold, so airlines restrict them from the hold and cargo terminal. Cabin travel may still be possible if your pet meets the weight limit.
This list can vary by airline and is not exhaustive. If your pet is a mixed breed or not listed here, tell us its build and we will check before booking.
Paperwork
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Vaccination record | Rabies current, given at least 30 days before travel |
| Veterinary health certificate | Issued within 72 hours of travel by a registered vet |
| IATA compliant crate | Correctly sized, leak proof, ventilated, airline approved |
| Owner ID proof | For the booking and airline acceptance paperwork |
| Airline booking confirmation | Pet travel is booked separately from your own ticket |
This is a domestic move. No NOC, quarantine certificate or rabies titer test is required, those apply only to international relocation.
Tell us your pet's breed and weight, and the route. We check live airline eligibility and give you a straight answer, road or train included, on the same call.
Questions people ask
As of August 2026, Air India and Akasa Air carry pets, both in the cabin for small pets and in the hold or cargo terminal for larger ones. IndiGo carries only certified guide and service dogs, no other pets. SpiceJet's live animal cargo service has been inconsistent, so we confirm current availability before quoting it.
Airline pet policy changes without much notice, so we check live availability for your exact route and date before booking rather than relying on a general answer.
No, not as regular pets. IndiGo does not carry dogs, cats or any other pet in the cabin, as checked baggage or as cargo. The only exception is a certified guide or service dog for a passenger with a disability, arranged with 48 hours notice.
If IndiGo is your preferred airline for the route, we typically suggest Air India or Akasa Air instead, or a train or road option depending on the distance.
There are two separate charges: the airline's own cargo or excess baggage fee, and the crate and handling cost if you use a relocation service. Airline fees are set per kilogram of chargeable weight and vary by airline and route, so we check the live fee for your date rather than quote a fixed number.
Including our handling and coordination, a typical air move on a 1,500 to 3,000 km route costs ₹17,000 to ₹48,000 to ₹20,000 to ₹60,000, based on our own bookings. Short routes are rarely worth flying, since road or train usually costs less for the same result.
Yes, on the airlines that carry them. Air India and Akasa Air both accept dogs and cats on domestic routes, in the cabin if small enough or in the hold and cargo terminal for larger pets. Eligibility depends on weight, breed and the specific flight.
Not every airline carries pets, so the airline you already have a ticket with may not be the one that can carry your pet. We check this before you book either ticket.
Brachycephalic, or flat faced, breeds are restricted from the cargo hold and cargo terminal on every airline we work with, because they are more prone to breathing difficulty in a pressurised hold. This includes Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese and similarly built breeds, and flat faced cats such as Persians and Himalayans.
If your pet is a flat faced breed and too large for the cabin, we usually recommend road travel or a first AC train coupe instead of flying.
A current vaccination record with a valid rabies shot, a veterinary health certificate issued within 72 hours of travel, an IATA compliant crate of the correct size, and your ID proof. The pet's airline booking is separate from your own ticket and needs to be confirmed ahead of time.
For most healthy pets, yes. The hold used for live animals on passenger aircraft is pressurised and temperature controlled, the same as the cabin. The real risk is on the ground, in the waiting time before loading and after landing, which is why our handler stays with your pet through that window rather than leaving them at a counter.
It is not the right choice for brachycephalic breeds, pets with heart or breathing conditions, very young puppies or very senior pets.
Keep reading
