Flying with pets
Technically, we’re referring to traveling by air with your pet. Traveling with an animal does necessitate a familiarity with the various steps involved in getting your pet on the aircraft, and we’ll go through this procedure step by step.
Pre-booking and boarding with pets
Before you show up at the airport with your pet, you must make a reservation. The reservation must be confirmed at least six hours prior to your flight’s scheduled departure time. After the reservation has been confirmed and you’ve paid the transportation fee, you can follow department-specific procedures for transporting your pet. You can calculate the pet transportation fee on this page.
Bringing your pet in the cabin
The following guidelines apply to traveling with your pet in the flight cabin.
- The combined weight of the animal and its crate cannot exceed 8 kg.
- The height, width and length of the crate cannot exceed 23 cm, 30 cm and 40 cm, respectively.
- Whether the crate has a hard surface or a soft structure, it must be specifically designed for pet carriage.
- The carrier must have ventilation holes of at least 2.5 cm in diameter on at least three sides.
During the flight, your pet must stay in the crate and the crate must be stored at your feet, under the seat in front of you. The crate’s cover or zippers must be closed. You can carry dry food for your pet in a sealed, leak-proof container.
Transporting your pet in the aircraft cargo compartment
If the dimensions of your pet’s crate exceed those listed above, Turkish Airlines can transport the animal in the cargo compartment of the aircraft. If you plan on transporting your pet in this manner, the following guidelines apply:
- The height, width, and length of crates/cages used to transport animals in the cargo area cannot exceed 75 cm, 75 cm and 125 cm, respectively.
- Crates/cages used to transport animals in the cargo compartment must have a hard surface. Soft-surfaced cages are not accepted in the cargo hold.
- The crate must be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down. It must be ventilated, so your pet can breathe. In addition, the crate must be watertight and have a lateral locking mechanism.
- If you have a wait time of 4 or more hours, or a flight time of 8 or more hours, you must provide food, an automatic drinking bowl, and an identification card designating any of your pet’s special needs, especially regarding nutrition.
Ultimately, the pilot has the final say on whether to transport animals in the cargo hold. If ventilation conditions in the cargo hold are deemed inadequate for an animal for any reason, the pilot can withhold approval for the pet’s carriage.
Not all animals are permitted on the flight
Due to international aviation rules, some pets are not permitted on our flights. You cannot travel with the following dog breeds:
- American Pitbull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Pitbull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- American Bully
Pets are allowed in Turkish Airlines Lounges
If you plan on spending time in the Turkish Airlines Lounges, your pet is welcome to join you, as long as you adhere to certain guidelines. Your pet must remain in its crate and both crate and pet must be with you at all times. If you’re traveling with a guide dog or support and service animals, the animal must wear a muzzle.
Within the scope of special circumstances, you can find more information here regarding pets and service animals.
