Dog or Cat in the Airplane Cabin

The airline weighs the animal together with its carrier. If you exceed the limit, there’s no room for negotiation at the counter: either you check it as cargo—if the route allows it—or you don’t fly.

TAROM and LOT list a total of 8 kg. Many major airlines list the same figure. Don’t treat this as a universal rule: on some flights, the limit is lower, and low-cost carriers in Chișinău and Bucharest usually do not allow standard pets at all.

• The animal remains in its carrier for the entire flight.
• The carrier should be placed under the front seat, not on the seat or in the aisle.
• The animal must remain calm. An animal that barks persistently may be rejected.
• Pregnant females are generally excluded.

55 × 40 × 23 cm is a common limit, not an IATA standard for carry-on luggage. The total of 115 cm (for example, 50 × 40 × 25) is specified by some carriers in Chișinău. They measure the empty carry-on bag, including pockets and rigid handles.

• Ventilation on at least three sides.
• Waterproof bottom. No leaks onto the cabin carpet.
• A secure lock that the animal cannot open.
• The animal must be able to stand in a natural position without putting pressure on the soft ceiling.

The service code for animals in the cabin is PETC. The number of animals per flight is small—sometimes two or three. With many airlines, this seat cannot be “added” during the online booking process.

We request approval for each segment. A flight with a layover requires two approvals. If the second carrier refuses, we change the route before issuing the ticket.