Travelling with animals and birds
Travelling with animals and birds
We know how important your pets are to you, which is why we strive to extend our world-class service to your furry and feathered friends when they travel. Qatar Airways accepts domesticated dogs, cats and birds as checked baggage, either on your flight or on a separate one, in accordance with international air travel regulations.
To allow us to comply with the rules of different countries on your travel route, we advise that you notify us of your requirements to travel with pets at the time of booking. If this is not possible, please notify us at least 48 hours before departure, to avoid any inconvenience or delays.
Travel regulations require you to make all necessary documentation for your pet available before travel. Such documents include their health certificate (signed by your veterinarian, indicating that the animal is fit to fly) and identification or pet passport.
You can now fill in an online form to submit a request for carriage of pets using the link below.
Submit a requestService dogs
On certain routes, Qatar Airways allows service dogs in the passenger cabin, free of charge, to accompany a passenger with a disability. On all other routes, service dogs will be accepted free of charge as checked baggage within the aircraft hold.
Not all countries allow service animals/emotional support animals to arrive in the passenger cabin of the aircraft. Please contact our Call enter to verify any limitations that may exist for the countries in your itinerary.
Browse FAQsTravelling with pets as checked baggage
Domesticated dogs, cats and birds are accepted as checked baggage provided that the animal is in good health and all transport requirements are met.
- Service dog(s) can be transported in the cabin free of charge when travelling on specific routes.
- If a falcon is transported as checked baggage and not in the cabin, travelling cost of animals as checked baggage will apply.
For cost information, see our excess baggage page.
Health, breed or age restrictions
Qatar Airways does not permit transport of certain breeds of dogs and cats as these animals are normally susceptible to increased risk of heat stroke when exposed to stress or temperatures above 21°C (69.8°F).
Learn moreDoes your itinerary include other airlines?
Qatar Airways does not accept transporting animals transferring from flights operated by other airlines. However, transporting animals from Qatar Airways to other airlines is permitted.
If you plan to connect onwards after your Qatar Airways flight when travelling with your pet, you must ensure all the necessary arrangements are made with the carriers involved.
Travelling with our partners?
Find more information here if your journey includes a flight with one of our partners.
Travelling to the United States
There is a temporary suspension for dogs arriving into the United States from countries that CDC considers high risk for dog rabies. This includes dogs that have been in any high-risk country during the previous 6 months.
Dogs from high-risk countries may be brought into the U.S. only with CDC’s advance written approval (CDC Dog Import Permit) which must be provided at the time of requesting a dog either as a service animal or as checked baggage.
View more information on the CDC website.
Travelling to Canada
Effective 28 September 2022, commercial dogs from high-risk countries for dog rabies will no longer be permitted entry into Canada. Personal or assistance dogs originating from high-risk countries will continue to be permitted entry provided all import and documentation requirements are met. View more information on the Canadian Government's website.
Due to local regulations, Qatar Airways only accepts animals travelling to or from Australia as Cargo.
For further information travelling from Australia, please contact your nearest Qatar Airways Cargo office.
When travelling to Australia, note that animals can only be transported through Melbourne (MEL). For further information, please contact Post Entry Quarantine Services at PEQservices@agriculture.gov.au or phone at 1800 900 090 or (61 3) 8318 6700 (from outside Australia)
In addition, please refer to the 'Visa and other requirements' section here to view customs restrictions that may apply for your journey.