Hold/cargo or checked-pet weight limits vary by route and aircraft
Airline dog policy
Air China
Air China is China's flag carrier and a frequent direct operator on China routes from Europe, Asia and North America. Its English pet page focuses on pets as checked baggage: domesticated cats and dogs only, carried in oxygen-equipped cargo compartments after airline approval. For ordinary dog travel, treat Air China as a hold or cargo-style option rather than a cabin-pet airline.
Book early and confirm aircraft acceptance.
Under-seat dimensions can vary by aircraft.
Fees can change by region and currency.
Contact before booking
Confirm the dog booking directly with Air China.
Ask for written confirmation of the exact route, aircraft, dog weight, breed, carrier or crate size, fee and documents before paying.
Booking tip
Submit the pet request when making the reservation and ask Air China to confirm the exact route, aircraft type, cargo-compartment oxygen availability, crate size and destination documents. This is especially important for long-haul China routes because some aircraft types and route situations cannot carry pets.
Why it can work
Air China can be a useful direct option into Beijing or other Chinese gateways when it is the operating carrier. A confirmed direct checked-pet booking can reduce the complexity of interline handovers, which Air China does not currently offer for pet transportation.
Restrictions
Air China accepts only domesticated cats and dogs as checked pets. It refuses aggressive, snub-nosed or breathing-risk breeds, pregnant animals, animals under 8 weeks, sick animals, and pets on aircraft without oxygen-equipped cargo compartments. The airline says it does not currently offer interline pet transportation. It also states that from February 1, 2025, dog transportation on flights to the United States is temporarily suspended because of CDC rules.
Dog-owner notes
For domestic China flights, quarantine certification is required. For international or regional flights, Air China says passengers must satisfy all exit, entry and transit requirements in addition to quarantine certification. China Customs entry rules for pets can require microchip, rabies documents, approved ports and quarantine depending on origin status.
Final check before paying
Confirm the exact aircraft, route, dog breed, carrier size, temperature rules and destination import law directly with the airline. A country can allow dogs while a specific airline or aircraft refuses them.