8 kg (dog + carrier, cabin) / 75 kg (hold)
Airline dog policy
Finnair
Finnair is widely regarded as one of Europe's most pet-friendly airlines and is an excellent choice for dog owners traveling between Europe and Asia. The airline's Helsinki hub provides uniquely efficient connections between Western Europe and destinations in Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, India, and Singapore, often with shorter total travel times than routing through Middle Eastern hubs. Finnair accepts dogs and cats in both the cabin and the cargo hold, plus rabbits, tortoises, and hedgehogs in cabin on some routes.
Book early and confirm aircraft acceptance.
Under-seat dimensions can vary by aircraft.
Fees can change by region and currency.
Booking tip
Finnair's Helsinki hub (HEL) is specifically designed for efficient transfers, with typical connection times of 35–60 minutes. This short connection is a significant advantage for dogs traveling in the hold, as it minimises the total journey time compared to routing through Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul. Book your pet via Finnair's website or call centre — the airline allows online pet booking on many routes, which is unusual for European carriers.
Why it can work
Finnair stands out for accepting a wider range of animals in the cabin than most competitors, including rabbits, tortoises, and hedgehogs on certain routes. The airline's Nordic reputation for efficiency and animal welfare is well-earned. Helsinki's compact airport makes connections smooth, and Finnair's partnership with Norra (Nordic Regional Airlines) extends coverage across Scandinavia. The 8 kg cabin weight limit is standard for European carriers.
Restrictions
Cabin pets not accepted on flights to the UK (cargo only). Route restrictions apply to some Asian destinations — check specific routes. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from hold travel. Dogs must be at least 8 weeks old domestically and meet EU Pet Passport requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination, 21-day waiting period) for international travel. Hold transport may be suspended during extreme temperatures.
Dog-owner notes
Finnair is a member of the Oneworld alliance. For EU travel, your dog needs a valid EU Pet Passport with microchip, rabies vaccination, and 21-day waiting period. Finnair operates primarily Airbus A320/A321/A330/A350 aircraft. The A350 wide-body fleet used on long-haul routes to Asia has spacious, climate-controlled cargo holds suitable for pet transport. Customer service: +358 9 818 0800.
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.