Air France Pet Policy: Cabin, Hold and Cargo Rules

Air France offers three separate animal-transport pathways: cabin, accompanied passenger hold and air freight. A passenger ticket does not automatically confirm the animal.

1. Start with the operating carrier

Air France pet rules apply to Air France-operated flights. If another airline operates a codeshare sector, check that airline’s pet policy separately and confirm the animal on every sector.

2. Cabin pets: 8 kg including the carrier

The current Air France/KLM cabin checklist requires pet + carrier to weigh no more than 8 kg / 17.6 lb.

The animal must be able to stand, turn and lie down, and must stay inside the closed carrier through boarding, flight and deplaning. See How to Choose a Pet Travel Carrier or Crate.

3. One pet per cabin passenger

Air France’s current tariff says one animal per bag and one pet per passenger in the cabin.

4. Minimum age: 15 weeks

The current tariff says ordinary passenger pets must be at least 15 weeks old. Dogs entering the U.S. must also satisfy the current CDC six-month minimum.

5. Intercontinental Business cabin restriction

Air France’s current tariff says ordinary pets are not accepted in the Business cabin on intercontinental flights. If otherwise eligible, the animal must use the hold or another applicable transport pathway.

6. Snub-nosed pets: cabin and hold are different

Air France’s tariff treats snub-nosed dogs and cats as potentially eligible for cabin travel when normal cabin rules are met, while warning about respiratory risk. Those animals are not accepted in the passenger hold.

7. Booking deadline: current sources differ

The live pet page says a hold pet should be added no later than 24 hours before departure. Inside 24 hours, if the airport accepts the request, Air France applies a late surcharge of 50% on Metropolitan France/intra-Caribbean flights and 25% on international flights.

The current tariff says cabin and hold pet arrangements should be made at least 48 hours before departure. U.S.-bound dog guidance also asks for a request 48 hours ahead.

8. U.S. dog rules are separate

Current CDC rules require a Dog Import Form receipt for every dog entering or returning to the U.S., plus a detectable microchip and a minimum age of 6 months. High-rabies-risk history can add further requirements.

9. Passenger hold: over 8 kg and up to 75 kg combined

Air France’s live page says dogs/cats over 8 kg and up to 75 kg / 165 lb including the kennel travel in the hold. Above 75 kg combined, the current tariff directs the animal to freight.

10. Up to three hold pets

The current tariff allows a maximum of 3 hold animals per passenger, subject to aircraft limits. Certain pairs of comparable adults or groups of three young littermates may share a kennel when each animal is no more than 14 kg and all sharing conditions are met.

11. Snub-nosed pets are prohibited in the hold

Air France’s current hold waiver and tariff both prohibit brachycephalic dogs and cats from passenger hold transport.

12. Category 1 and Category 2 dog rules

Category 1 dogs: the current tariff says they are not accepted in cabin, as baggage or as cargo.

Category 2 dogs: the current tariff directs the traveller to Air France customer service for freight arrangements and says a compliant special kennel is mandatory.

13. Hold kennel construction

Air France’s current hold form requires a hard-plastic or fibreglass kennel, removed/disabled wheels, top-and-bottom door locking, locking pins extending at least 1.6 cm, bolts joining two-piece shells, an outside-fillable bowl, sufficient pet fit and absorbent floor material.

Air France explicitly warns that a commercial crate marked “IATA-approved” still has to comply with the actual construction requirements. Pet Fieldbook therefore does not describe retail kennels as IATA certified.

14. Hold animals must not be tranquilized

The hold form says the animal must not show physical weakness, be injured or be under a tranquillizer. Leashes and muzzles should not be left on or inside the kennel.

15. Airport check-in and paperwork

The current tariff says hold-pet passengers should present themselves at check-in 3 hours before departure. Cabin travellers need the current PETC checklist; hold travellers need the signed Air France hold conditions/waiver. Air France’s online-check-in guidance says normal online check-in is not available when travelling with an animal in the hold.

16. Paris-CDG hold connections: verify before ticketing

17. Where a hold connection is permitted

The current tariff says a permitted hold-pet connection requires at least 2 hours; the pet is checked for the first leg only, then the traveller collects pet and baggage and checks them again for the onward flight. Transit immigration/document rules can therefore apply.

18. Current North America tariff fee reference

These are tariff references, not a promise of one universal worldwide fare. Check the live Air France rate shown for the actual itinerary. Late hold additions can also attract the separate 25%/50% surcharge.

19. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is separate freight

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo operates a dedicated LIVE network for animal shipments. Freight is relevant when the pet exceeds passenger limits, a legal/route rule requires cargo, or the ordinary passenger-hold product cannot be used.

AFKL Cargo’s current LIVE network lists 169 destinations. Cargo uses its own booking/air-waybill, terminal acceptance, documentation, transfer handling, customs/veterinary clearance and destination collection process.

20. Government permission remains separate

Air France says passenger animals must have required vaccinations. Within the EU, dogs/cats need electronic identification and the applicable EU pet passport/vaccination documentation. Non-EU origin, destination and transit rules must be checked separately.

See International Pet Travel and Pet Travel Documents & Health Certificates.

21. Practical Air France booking sequence

1. Identify every operating carrier.
2. Choose cabin, passenger hold or freight.
3. Check species, age and breed/legal category.
4. Check cabin class.
5. Check route and Paris connection status.
6. Measure and weigh pet + carrier/kennel.
7. Register the pet 48 hours or earlier.
8. Complete the current Air France checklist/hold form.
9. Build government-document timelines separately.
10. Reconfirm after any flight, cabin or operating-carrier change.

FAQ

Does Air France allow pets in the cabin?

Yes. One dog or cat may travel in cabin on an eligible Air France-operated flight when pet + soft carrier weigh no more than 8 kg.

What size cabin carrier does Air France allow?

Maximum 46 × 28 × 24 cm / 18 × 11 × 9 in; Air France-operated flights use soft-sided pet bags.

How old must a pet be?

At least 15 weeks under the current tariff, subject to stricter government rules.

Can a pet travel in intercontinental Business?

Not as an ordinary cabin pet under Air France’s current tariff.

Can a larger dog travel in the hold?

Potentially, if dog + kennel are over 8 kg and no more than 75 kg combined and all route/breed/kennel rules are met.

Can a brachycephalic dog travel in the hold?

No. Air France prohibits snub-nosed dogs and cats from passenger hold transport.

Can a hold pet connect through Paris-CDG?

Do not assume so. The current North America tariff says hold pets to/from CDG are authorized only on direct flights.

How early should I register my pet?

Plan on 48 hours or earlier. The live page gives a 24-hour latest threshold for hold pets, but the current tariff uses 48 hours for advance arrangements.