8 kg (cabin, dog + carrier combined)
Airline dog policy
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines is one of the world's most genuinely dog-friendly airlines, which is perhaps unsurprising given Turkey's famous cultural affection for dogs. The airline offers cabin, checked baggage, and cargo options across its enormous network spanning over 340 destinations — more than any other carrier. For dog owners, Turkish is particularly valuable because it serves routes that many Western carriers do not, connecting Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia through its Istanbul hub. The airline opened a dedicated soundproofed 2,700-square-foot Pet Lounge at Istanbul Airport in late 2024 — the first of its kind in commercial aviation — with capacity for 36 dogs, 32 dogs, and 10 birds, including an indoor space and outdoor terrace.
Book early and confirm aircraft acceptance.
Under-seat dimensions can vary by aircraft.
Fees can change by region and currency.
Booking tip
Turkish Airlines allows online pet reservations via their website or mobile app — one of the few international airlines offering this convenience. You can book as late as 6 hours before departure. Fees are calculated per segment, so a connecting flight through Istanbul incurs two separate charges. Use the official Turkish Airlines Pet Fee Calculator on their website to get an exact price for your route. Soft-sided carriers are mandatory for cabin travel — hard-sided carriers are not accepted in the cabin. Two pets of the same species can share one carrier if their combined weight stays under 8 kg. A maximum of 2 carriers per passenger is allowed, but only 1 in the cabin — the second goes in the hold.
Why it can work
Turkish Airlines' affordability is outstanding — domestic pet fees start at just $15 and international cabin fees from $70, compared to $125–$200 on US and European carriers. The Pet Lounge at Istanbul Airport is a game-changer for transiting dogs, providing a climate-controlled, soundproofed environment with separate areas for dogs, cats, and birds. For dogs traveling in the cargo hold (AVIH), the section is pressurised and temperature-controlled, and Turkish Airlines staff will transfer your dog between aircraft during short layovers of up to 3 hours. The hold allows crates up to 125×75×75 cm with a maximum weight of 50 kg. Turkish also flies to many destinations difficult to reach with other pet-friendly carriers, making it essential for routes to Central Asia, the Caucasus, and much of Africa.
Restrictions
Dogs and dogs cannot fly on the same aircraft, even in different cabins — this is a unique Turkish Airlines rule. Dogs and birds also cannot share an aircraft. Brachycephalic dog breeds (Persian, Birman, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Burmese, Scottish Fold, British Shorthair) can travel in the cabin but have been restricted from the cargo hold since October 2021 due to respiratory risks. Pets are banned from the cabin on flights to the UK, Bahrain, and the UAE (must go cargo). Only one carrier per passenger in the cabin. Pregnant animals are not accepted. All cabin pets must be assigned window seats. Puppies under 10 weeks are not accepted. For flights over 8 hours or layovers over 4 hours, food and an automatic water dispenser must be provided in the carrier.
Dog-owner notes
For checked baggage pet travel, the combined weight of pet and crate must not exceed 32 kg. For larger animals or unaccompanied shipments, Turkish Cargo handles live animal transport. Turkish Airlines requires all permits, licences, test results, and health certificates to be presented at check-in. For EU destinations, an EU Pet Passport with microchip and rabies vaccination is mandatory. Turkish Airlines' call centre can be reached at +90 212 444 0849 for pet travel enquiries.
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.