Thai Airways pet policy 2026: cabin, cargo and what to expect
Last updated: May 2026 · 7 min read
Before you contact Thai Airways: check these first
- 1Is your pet a dog or cat? (Only dogs and cats accepted as checked baggage)
- 2Is your pet's breed on the restricted list? (Flat-faced breeds excluded from checked baggage)
- 3Does your route operate on an A320? (AVIH not available on A320 aircraft)
- 4Have you obtained all destination country documents? (Japan requires 40-day advance notice)
Key facts at a glance
What Thai Airways accepts
Thai Airways does not allow regular pets in the cabin on any route. The exceptions are certified guide dogs and hearing assistance dogs, which travel with their owner at no charge, subject to advance registration and destination rules.
As checked baggage (AVIH): dogs and cats only. Sick or pregnant animals are not accepted. The hold section used for AVIH is temperature-controlled and pressurised to the same conditions as the passenger cabin.
As manifest cargo: dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, hamsters, and ferrets. Sick or pregnant animals are not accepted. Pit Bulls and Staffordshire Terriers are prohibited as cargo. A health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian, valid within 10 days of departure, is required for all cargo pets.
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Weight and crate limits
For checked baggage: the total weight of the animal plus crate must not exceed 70 kg. For routes to and from the US, container dimensions must not exceed 54 x 27 x 33 inches (137 x 69 x 84 cm). Charges are based on the total weight of animal and container, calculated per direction of journey.
If your route or connecting flight operates on an A320 aircraft, checked baggage pet travel is not available on that segment. Confirm the aircraft type with Thai Airways before booking.
Breed restrictions
Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds are not accepted as checked baggage. This includes Pugs, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boxers, and similar breeds. If your dog is a flat-faced breed, manifest cargo may be an option, but requires direct confirmation with the airline.
Dangerous breeds including Pit Bulls and Staffordshire Terriers are prohibited from cargo travel entirely.
Documentation
A health certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian is required for all animals traveling as AVIH or cargo. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of departure. All forms required by the country of origin and destination must be presented at check-in.
For travel to Japan: advance notification to the Animal Quarantine Bureau must be made at least 40 days before the scheduled arrival date. Japan then issues an Approval of Inspection of Animal document that must accompany the pet. Japan's full import requirements (microchip, vaccination sequence, titer test, 180-day wait) apply regardless of which airline you use.
For travel to EU countries: dogs and cats must be microchipped. For travel to India: a No Objection Certificate from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services is required.
Booking process
Thai Airways requires pet bookings to be made through the reservation desk, not online. Live animals are checked in at the airport terminal by reservation employees, not at standard check-in counters. The number of animals per flight is limited. Confirming space availability before buying your own ticket is advisable.
Call or visit Thai Airways to confirm pet space on your specific flight and route.
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Ask specifically if any segment operates on an A320. AVIH is not available on that aircraft type.
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Health certificate (within 10 days), all destination country forms, and a copy of your vaccination records.
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Live animals are not processed at standard check-in. Go to the reservation/special services desk at the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
No. Thai Airways does not allow regular pets in the cabin on any route. The only cabin exception is for certified guide dogs and hearing assistance dogs.
Yes. Thai Airways serves Tokyo and other Japanese airports. Japan's MAFF import requirements apply in full: microchip, rabies vaccination sequence, titer test, and the 180-day waiting period. Advance notification to the Animal Quarantine Bureau must be made at least 40 days before arrival.
Contact Thai Airways' reservation desk directly. Online booking for pets is not available. Confirm pet space on your specific flight before purchasing your own ticket.
Not as checked baggage. Brachycephalic breeds are excluded from AVIH due to respiratory risk. Manifest cargo may be an option, but requires direct confirmation with the airline.
Thai Airways is a workable option for pet transport to Southeast Asia, Japan, and beyond, but only via cargo or checked baggage, and only for eligible species and breeds. The cabin is not available for regular pets on any route.
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