8 kg (cabin, dog + carrier combined)
Airline dog policy
Air France
Air France is one of Europe's most popular and pet-accommodating carriers for flying with dogs, offering cabin, checked baggage (hold via the AVIH — Animal Vivant In Hold service), and cargo options. The airline is part of the Air France-KLM group, so policies are closely aligned with KLM, making it easy to plan multi-leg journeys through both Paris CDG and Amsterdam Schiphol hubs. Dogs under 8 kg including their soft carrier can travel in the cabin on most routes, while larger dogs up to 75 kg (with IATA crate) can travel in the temperature-controlled, pressurised hold. For pets exceeding 75 kg or requiring unaccompanied transport, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo handles shipments.
Book early and confirm aircraft acceptance.
Under-seat dimensions can vary by aircraft.
Fees can change by region and currency.
Booking tip
Air France requires pet reservations at least 48 hours before departure — you can book online through the 'Manage My Booking' section or by calling customer service. Book early, as cabin pet slots are limited to one or two per cabin section. The cabin fee structure is tiered: approximately €70 for domestic French flights, €125 for European and North African routes, and €200 for long-haul intercontinental. The hold (AVIH) fee is typically €75–€300 depending on route and crate size — significantly cheaper than third-party pet shipping. Note that pets are not permitted in Business or La Première cabins on intercontinental flights. The 8 kg limit is strictly enforced at check-in — if your dog weighs 5–6 kg, the carrier alone may push you over. Weigh everything at home first.
Why it can work
Air France is particularly valuable for routing pets into the UK via Paris. Since the UK requires all pets to arrive as manifest cargo, many owners fly into CDG with their dog in the cabin, collect it, then take the Eurostar or ferry to the UK with a separate cargo arrangement. The AVIH cargo hold service is well-regarded and available to civilian passengers, unlike many US carriers. The captain is informed when live animals are aboard. Air France also has strong connectivity to French overseas territories (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion) with relaxed age requirements for domestic French flights (8 weeks vs. 15 weeks internationally). CDG has a dedicated animal handling facility called the Station Animale in the Cargo 4 zone — collect your dog from there upon arrival, not from the baggage carousel.
Restrictions
Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dog breeds — including Persian, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, and Himalayan — are NOT permitted to travel in the hold due to respiratory risks, particularly between May and October. They may travel in the cabin if they meet weight requirements. Pets cannot fly in the cabin to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, the UK, or South Africa. Category 1 dogs (defined by French law) are completely banned. Dogs must be at least 15 weeks old for international travel (8 weeks for domestic French flights), with rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days prior to EU travel. Puppies under 15 weeks cannot enter the EU from a non-EU country. Only soft-sided carriers are accepted in the cabin. One carrier per passenger. Pets not allowed in Business or La Première cabins.
Dog-owner notes
Air France is part of the Air France-KLM group, so codeshare flights may operate under KLM's pet policy — always confirm which airline is operating your specific flight. For travel within the EU, an EU Pet Passport with microchip registration and valid rabies vaccination is standard. For travel from outside the EU, your dog will need an ISO-compliant microchip (implanted before the rabies vaccination), a valid rabies titre test if coming from a non-listed country, and an endorsed veterinary health certificate. For cargo shipments, contact Air France KLM Cargo directly. The airline's pet travel helpline: +33 1 57 02 18 88.
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.