IATA Issues New Pet Travel Guidelines.
In order to help airlines handle in-cabin pet travel more uniformly throughout the whole passenger journey from reservation and check-in to boarding, the onboard experience, and arrival the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published new operational guidelines.
As part of the association’s larger initiatives to increase uniformity in animal transportation by air, the new guidelines come after IATA’s recently released Guidance on Travelling with Service Dogs.
“A pet is a much-loved member of the family,” stated Brendan Sullivan, Global Head of Cargo, IATA, in response to the proposal. When travelling with pets, people need to know exactly what to expect at every stage of the trip. This is crucial because well-prepared passengers and industry-wide best practices allow airlines to provide pet owners with a reliable, efficient, and safe travel experience.
About 25% of respondents to IATA’s 2025 Global Passenger Survey said they have travelled with a pet or would think about doing so. However, the poll revealed a number of difficulties, including 41% of respondents who were unsure about pet eligibility, 36% who were unsure about airline restrictions, and 34% who were unsure about the entire travel procedure.
According to IATA, the revised “Operational Guidelines for In-Cabin Pet Transport” offer suggested practices to solve these issues, assisting airlines in providing a more consistent travel experience while upholding operational effectiveness, safety, and animal welfare.
