Traveling with pets is becoming increasingly popular – whether for relocation, holidays, or temporary stays abroad. In 2025 alone, more than 2,000 animals were transported on FlyArystan flights.
To ensure a smooth and stress-free journey with a pet, passengers should prepare in advance and comply with several important requirements – from arranging the necessary documents to completing airport procedures.
Can pets travel on board? What documents are required? Where does check-in take place? These are among the most common questions asked by passengers planning to fly with animals. In this article, we address these questions and explain the key rules for pet transportation.
Preparing for Your Flight
When planning to travel with a pet, it is important to remember that animal transportation requires prior approval. Passengers must notify the airline no later than 24 hours before departure by contacting their travel agency or submitting a request directly through the airline’s feedback form on the website or via email at special.services@flyarystan.com.
Please note that the airline reserves the right to decline a request for safety reasons regardless of when it was submitted.
Special attention should also be paid to the travel itinerary. If the journey includes connecting flights, passengers must obtain confirmation from all airlines involved in advance. Otherwise, the animal may be denied transportation during check-in.
Passengers traveling with pets may complete online check-in for their flight. However, boarding passes can only be issued at the airport check-in counter after all transportation requirements have been verified.
This is because several mandatory procedures cannot be completed remotely. At the airport, airline staff will:
•verify veterinary documentation;
•inspect the pet carrier to ensure compliance with transportation requirements;
•complete the animal acceptance checklist.
Passengers, pets, and carriers are also subject to standard aviation security procedures at the airport. If necessary, the carrier may undergo additional screening using technical inspection equipment. Passengers are required to comply with all lawful instructions from security personnel and maintain control of their pet at all times.
To complete all procedures comfortably and without delays, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport well in advance, allowing extra time for additional checks and formalities.
Animals Allowed on Board
In accordance with the established regulations, only dogs, cats, and turtles are permitted for transportation in the FlyArystan cabin, with a maximum of three animals allowed per flight. In addition, a minimum distance of 10 seats must be maintained between passengers traveling with pets. For safety reasons, passengers accompanied by animals are not permitted to occupy seats in the first row or near emergency exits.
Transportation is only permitted upon presentation of all required veterinary documentation, including the animal acceptance checklist issued at the airport check-in counter prior to departure.
Rodents – including hamsters, guinea pigs, and domestic mice – are not accepted for transportation. Birds may only be transported as cargo and require an air waybill. The transportation of laboratory animals is strictly prohibited.
Please note that each passenger may travel with only one pet. Pet transportation is provided on a paid basis, with payment processed after the service request has been confirmed in accordance with the airline’s current tariffs.
Transportation Conditions and Carrier Requirements
A pet’s comfort and safety largely depend on the correct choice of carrier. The primary requirement is that the container complies with the airline’s established standards, including:
•dimensions not exceeding 30×47×27 cm for transportation in the passenger cabin;
•proper ventilation;
•durable and secure construction;
•sufficient space for the animal to sit, stand, turn around, and lie down naturally;
•secure placement in the area beneath the passenger’s seat.
The animal must remain inside the carrier throughout the entire flight.
The maximum permitted combined weight of the animal and carrier for cabin transportation is 8 kg. If the total weight exceeds this limit, transportation is only possible as a cargo shipment.
These requirements are designed to ensure flight safety, compliance with sanitary and veterinary regulations, prevention of blocked aisles and emergency evacuation areas, and the comfort of both passengers and animals on board. The rules are aligned with international aviation practices and take into account the technical specifications of the airline’s aircraft fleet.
Documentation and Security Procedures
Traveling with a pet is not possible without a complete set of veterinary documents. Depending on the destination, the required documentation may include a veterinary passport, health and vaccination certificates, as well as additional documents required by the regulations of both the departure and destination countries. In addition to the standard certificates, an animal acceptance checklist is completed during airport check-in.
Passengers traveling with animals are subject to standard airport security screening procedures. Airport representatives may request additional inspection of the carrier using technical screening equipment. Passengers are kindly asked to cooperate with these procedures and comply with all applicable requirements.
It is also important to note that destination countries may impose their own sanitary and veterinary regulations regarding the transportation of animals. These requirements can vary significantly, and responsibility for compliance rests entirely with the passenger.
Special Conditions for Guide Dogs
Special provisions are available for passengers with visual impairments traveling with guide dogs. Guide dogs are transported free of charge.
Guide dogs must wear a muzzle and collar and must remain secured next to the owner’s seat throughout the flight. Passengers are required to carry veterinary documentation as well as a certificate confirming the dog’s specialized training.
Prior to travel, passengers must notify FlyArystan’s Special Services team in advance by contacting: special.services@flyarystan.com.
Recommendations for Traveling with Pets
Even when all transportation requirements are met, air travel can still be stressful for animals.
One of the most important recommendations is to help the pet become familiar with its carrier in advance. If the animal perceives the carrier as a safe and comfortable space, the journey is likely to be significantly less stressful.
Passengers are also advised to consult a veterinarian before travel. If necessary, a specialist may recommend mild calming medication. It is also useful to bring a small pet first-aid kit, food, and familiar toys to help the animal feel more comfortable during the trip.
Liability and Responsibility
When transporting animals, the airline is not liable for any physical injury, illness, or death of an animal caused by circumstances beyond the airline’s control. Such circumstances may include pre-existing health conditions of the animal or breed-specific sensitivities to air travel conditions.
This limitation of liability also applies in cases where an animal is denied entry into or transportation within the destination country by the relevant authorities.
To ensure a smooth and stress-free journey with a pet, passengers should prepare in advance and comply with several important requirements – from arranging the necessary documents to completing airport procedures.
Can pets travel on board? What documents are required? Where does check-in take place? These are among the most common questions asked by passengers planning to fly with animals. In this article, we address these questions and explain the key rules for pet transportation.
Preparing for Your Flight
When planning to travel with a pet, it is important to remember that animal transportation requires prior approval. Passengers must notify the airline no later than 24 hours before departure by contacting their travel agency or submitting a request directly through the airline’s feedback form on the website or via email at special.services@flyarystan.com.
Please note that the airline reserves the right to decline a request for safety reasons regardless of when it was submitted.
Special attention should also be paid to the travel itinerary. If the journey includes connecting flights, passengers must obtain confirmation from all airlines involved in advance. Otherwise, the animal may be denied transportation during check-in.
Passengers traveling with pets may complete online check-in for their flight. However, boarding passes can only be issued at the airport check-in counter after all transportation requirements have been verified.
This is because several mandatory procedures cannot be completed remotely. At the airport, airline staff will:
•verify veterinary documentation;
•inspect the pet carrier to ensure compliance with transportation requirements;
•complete the animal acceptance checklist.
Passengers, pets, and carriers are also subject to standard aviation security procedures at the airport. If necessary, the carrier may undergo additional screening using technical inspection equipment. Passengers are required to comply with all lawful instructions from security personnel and maintain control of their pet at all times.
To complete all procedures comfortably and without delays, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport well in advance, allowing extra time for additional checks and formalities.
Animals Allowed on Board
In accordance with the established regulations, only dogs, cats, and turtles are permitted for transportation in the FlyArystan cabin, with a maximum of three animals allowed per flight. In addition, a minimum distance of 10 seats must be maintained between passengers traveling with pets. For safety reasons, passengers accompanied by animals are not permitted to occupy seats in the first row or near emergency exits.
Transportation is only permitted upon presentation of all required veterinary documentation, including the animal acceptance checklist issued at the airport check-in counter prior to departure.
Rodents – including hamsters, guinea pigs, and domestic mice – are not accepted for transportation. Birds may only be transported as cargo and require an air waybill. The transportation of laboratory animals is strictly prohibited.
Please note that each passenger may travel with only one pet. Pet transportation is provided on a paid basis, with payment processed after the service request has been confirmed in accordance with the airline’s current tariffs.
Transportation Conditions and Carrier Requirements
A pet’s comfort and safety largely depend on the correct choice of carrier. The primary requirement is that the container complies with the airline’s established standards, including:
•dimensions not exceeding 30×47×27 cm for transportation in the passenger cabin;
•proper ventilation;
•durable and secure construction;
•sufficient space for the animal to sit, stand, turn around, and lie down naturally;
•secure placement in the area beneath the passenger’s seat.
The animal must remain inside the carrier throughout the entire flight.
The maximum permitted combined weight of the animal and carrier for cabin transportation is 8 kg. If the total weight exceeds this limit, transportation is only possible as a cargo shipment.
These requirements are designed to ensure flight safety, compliance with sanitary and veterinary regulations, prevention of blocked aisles and emergency evacuation areas, and the comfort of both passengers and animals on board. The rules are aligned with international aviation practices and take into account the technical specifications of the airline’s aircraft fleet.
Documentation and Security Procedures
Traveling with a pet is not possible without a complete set of veterinary documents. Depending on the destination, the required documentation may include a veterinary passport, health and vaccination certificates, as well as additional documents required by the regulations of both the departure and destination countries. In addition to the standard certificates, an animal acceptance checklist is completed during airport check-in.
Passengers traveling with animals are subject to standard airport security screening procedures. Airport representatives may request additional inspection of the carrier using technical screening equipment. Passengers are kindly asked to cooperate with these procedures and comply with all applicable requirements.
It is also important to note that destination countries may impose their own sanitary and veterinary regulations regarding the transportation of animals. These requirements can vary significantly, and responsibility for compliance rests entirely with the passenger.
Special Conditions for Guide Dogs
Special provisions are available for passengers with visual impairments traveling with guide dogs. Guide dogs are transported free of charge.
Guide dogs must wear a muzzle and collar and must remain secured next to the owner’s seat throughout the flight. Passengers are required to carry veterinary documentation as well as a certificate confirming the dog’s specialized training.
Prior to travel, passengers must notify FlyArystan’s Special Services team in advance by contacting: special.services@flyarystan.com.
Recommendations for Traveling with Pets
Even when all transportation requirements are met, air travel can still be stressful for animals.
One of the most important recommendations is to help the pet become familiar with its carrier in advance. If the animal perceives the carrier as a safe and comfortable space, the journey is likely to be significantly less stressful.
Passengers are also advised to consult a veterinarian before travel. If necessary, a specialist may recommend mild calming medication. It is also useful to bring a small pet first-aid kit, food, and familiar toys to help the animal feel more comfortable during the trip.
Liability and Responsibility
When transporting animals, the airline is not liable for any physical injury, illness, or death of an animal caused by circumstances beyond the airline’s control. Such circumstances may include pre-existing health conditions of the animal or breed-specific sensitivities to air travel conditions.
This limitation of liability also applies in cases where an animal is denied entry into or transportation within the destination country by the relevant authorities.