Short answer: Most major airlines now keep flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs and cats out of the hold. That includes Lufthansa (since January 1, 2020), Air France, KLM, Turkish Airlines (since October 1, 2021), Air India, American and Singapore Airlines. Qatar Airways doesn’t accept listed breeds at all. Small breeds and cats can usually still fly in the cabin within the 8 kg limit. Large flat-faced dogs such as Boxers and English Bulldogs are left with specialist cargo options on some carriers. The reason: in UK vet records, flat-faced dogs had 2.1 times the odds of heatstroke.
Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds, including Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians and similar breeds, face a genuinely elevated health risk during air travel because of their reduced airway capacity. Airlines treat them differently as a result. Planning a relocation for one of these breeds takes more advance work than for a standard-muzzled pet.
Why Are Flat-Faced Breeds at Higher Risk?
A shortened skull narrows the airway, and dogs rely on panting to cool down. Stress, heat and a crate combine badly. A Royal Veterinary College VetCompass study of 905,543 UK dogs (Hall et al., Scientific Reports, 2020) found:
- Brachycephalic dogs had 2.10 times the odds of heat-related illness compared with medium-muzzled dogs.
- Compared with Labradors, the odds were 16.6 times higher in Chow Chows, 14.0 times in Bulldogs and 6.5 times in French Bulldogs.
- About 14% of heat-related illness cases were fatal.
Cats are affected too. A CT study of Persian cats (Sieslack et al., 2021) found that flatter faces went with a narrower bony nasal opening. IATA says snub-nosed breeds “require 10% larger container” and that transporting snub-nosed dogs in the hot season “is not recommended.”
Which Airlines Restrict Flat-Faced Pets?
From each airline’s official pet page:
| Airline | In the hold | In the cabin |
|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa | Barred since January 1, 2020 (dogs and cats, including crossbreeds) | Allowed within 8 kg; air freight via Lufthansa Cargo possible |
| Air France | Not permitted; snub-nosed dogs also barred from cargo since July 15, 2019 | Allowed within 8 kg (vet advice recommended) |
| KLM | Not permitted | Allowed within 8 kg, or cargo |
| Turkish Airlines | Restricted since October 1, 2021 | Allowed within 8 kg |
| Air India | Not permitted in the cargo compartment | Allowed within 10 kg on permitted routes |
| American | Not accepted as checked pets | Only on permitted routes, not transatlantic or transpacific |
| Singapore Airlines | Not accepted as checked baggage | No cabin pets |
| Qatar Airways | Listed breeds not accepted at all | No cabin pets |
| Delta | Pet page says brachycephalic dogs, cats and their mixes are not permitted | Check with Delta |
Emirates SkyCargo announced it would temporarily lift its snub-nosed pet ban from November 1, 2025 to April 1, 2026. We couldn’t confirm its policy after that date, so ask Emirates directly.
Breed lists differ widely. KLM’s includes Great Danes, Cane Corsos and Mastiffs. Lufthansa’s includes Boxers, Shih Tzus and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. For cats, most lists name Persians, Himalayans and Exotic Shorthairs, and several add Burmese, British Shorthairs or Scottish Folds. Check your airline’s own list, including for mixed breeds.
What Extra Steps Does Relocating One of These Breeds Require?
- Get an airway-focused vet exam before booking. Tell your vet about any noisy breathing, snoring, gagging or tiring easily, so they can judge whether your pet is fit to fly.
- Weigh your pet in its carrier. Cabin travel, usually within 8 kg including the carrier, is the safest and often the only option. Book the cabin space the moment you book your seat.
- Choose cooler travel dates and a direct route, and avoid long connections in hot airports.
- For large breeds, talk to a specialist pet shipper early about which carriers’ cargo divisions still accept your breed. Our guide to the real cost of flying a large dog internationally covers what that involves.
- Don’t sedate. The Australian Veterinary Association says dogs and cats “should not be sedated for air transport.”
- Line up a vet at your destination before you land, in case of breathing trouble after the flight.
What Signs Mean You Need a Vet Urgently?
Loud or laboured breathing that doesn’t settle with rest, gums that look blue or grey, collapse, or heavy panting in a cool room all need emergency veterinary care. Move the pet somewhere cool and call a vet straight away.
Breed-Specific Reading
- Dogs: our guides to French Bulldog breathing and joints and Pug mobility, and the Boxer and English Bulldog breed profiles.
- Cats: relocating a Persian cat internationally.
- Airline comparison: airlines that allow pets in the cabin on international flights.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace guidance from your veterinarian. Airline policies change often; confirm your airline’s current breed list before booking.
Sources
- Hall EJ, Carter AJ, O’Neill DG, Scientific Reports — Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016, 2020
- Sieslack J et al., PLOS ONE — Correlation of brachycephaly grade with level of exophthalmos, reduced airway passages and degree of dental malalignment in Persian cats, 2021
- International Air Transport Association — Traveler’s Pet Corner
- Lufthansa — Travelling with animals; Air France — Traveling with your dog or cat; KLM — Pets: reservation and conditions
- Turkish Airlines — Traveling with pets; Qatar Airways — Travelling with animals; Singapore Airlines — Travelling with pets
- Air India — Travelling with pets; American Airlines — Pets; Delta Air Lines — Pet travel
- Emirates SkyCargo — Service updates and alerts
- Australian Veterinary Association — Medication of dogs and cats for air transport
