Traveling with pets can be both exciting and stressful, especially when aviation rules come into play. The Latam Airlines Pet Policy lays out what types of animals can fly, where they can fly (cabin or hold), what documentation is needed, breed and health considerations, and how service or emotional support animals fit into the picture. This content is intended to be useful for pet owners planning a flight operated exclusively by LATAM, whether domestic or international.

Which Pets Are Allowed

Not all animals are treated the same in the Latam Airlines Pet Policy. Only dogs and cats are officially allowed to travel with passengers on standard pet services. Other animals, such as birds, reptiles, rabbits and fish, are not accepted as pets in cabin or checked baggage and must be arranged via LATAM Cargo as special shipments. Birds and similar pets need permits and specialist handling if transported, because they cannot travel in the cabin or in the aircraft hold under the normal pet travel rules.

Dogs and cats that travel must be at least 16 weeks old and in good health. They must not be sedated for travel and should have up‑to‑date vaccinations; pregnant pets or those that have given birth very recently (within about 48 hours) are typically not accepted.

Travelling With Pets in the Cabin

One of the most common questions owners have is whether they can keep their pets with them on the plane. Under the Latam Airlines Pet Policy, small dogs and cats can travel in the cabin with passengers, but there are rules that must be followed.

Size and Carrier Requirements

Pets in the cabin must stay inside a transport carrier during the entire flight. This carrier has to fit under the seat in front of the passenger and meet specific dimensions:

• For a rigid kennel: up to about 36 cm long x 33 cm wide x 19 cm high.

• For a soft carrier or bag: up to about 40 cm long x 28 cm wide x 25 cm high.

• The container must allow the pet to stand up, turn around and sit comfortably without touching the top or sides.

These measures ensure that the animal remains safe and does not obstruct other passengers or aisles. If a pet can’t fit comfortably within these limits, it won’t be allowed in the cabin and might need to travel in the hold instead.

Weight and Booking Limits

There is also a weight limit for pets traveling in the cabin — typically around 7 kg (including the carrier) — though there can be slight variations depending on the specific route or country regulations. This means that some medium‑sized dogs and heavier cats may not qualify for cabin travel and will need to go in checked baggage space or be booked as cargo.

Space for pets in the cabin is limited on each flight, and LATAM recommends reserving a spot as early as possible. This is generally done at the time of booking, but in many cases it must be done no less than 48 hours before departure to ensure availability.

Pets in the Hold (Checked Baggage)

If your dog or cat is too large to fly in the cabin, the Latam Airlines Pet Policy allows travel in the aircraft’s hold (checked baggage area), again using an appropriate kennel or transport container. There are still important rules here.

Weight Guidelines

The combined weight of the pet and its kennel determines whether it can travel in the hold:

• For many routes within South America, the limit can be up to 45 kg.

• On some routes — such as flights to Europe, Argentina or Venezuela — the combined limit drops to about 32 kg.

These rules vary somewhat by aircraft type and regional regulations, and LATAM reserves the right to determine if a specific flight can accept pets in the hold based on safety and space.

Container Standards

Kennels must meet IATA live animal transport standards, meaning they need to be sturdy, well‑ventilated, waterproof, and sized so the animal can turn around and stand up normally. Owners should make sure that the kennel is well‑ventilated and secure, and that the pet is comfortable before heading to the airport.

Health and Breeds

Animals flying in the hold must be healthy and fit for travel. Certain breeds, especially brachycephalic (short‑nosed) breeds like pugs, bulldogs or shih tzus, are often not accepted in the hold for safety reasons except perhaps on very limited domestic routes. For cats, certain breeds like Persians or Himalayans may also face restrictions.

These restrictions are in place because some animals have breathing or temperature regulation issues that make cargo travel riskier. Always check latest lists before planning travel.

Service Animals

Service animals — especially service dogs that assist passengers with disabilities — are treated differently from regular pets under the Latam Airlines Pet Policy. They may be allowed in the cabin without additional pet fees as long as they have the proper documentation showing they are trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability.

This typically includes guide dogs for people with visual impairments, dogs trained for medical alert functions, and other recognized service tasks. For flights to, from, or through the United States, U.S. Department of Transportation rules apply, and specific forms must be completed and submitted, often at least 48 hours before travel.

Service animals must be at least 16 weeks old, behave well, remain under control at all times and usually ride in the cabin next to the passenger they assist.

Emotional Support Animals

Another category that sometimes confuses pet owners is emotional support animals (ESAs). These are allowed on selected LATAM routes under specific conditions, and in those cases they can sometimes fly in the cabin without additional transport fees.

Routes that recognize ESAs may include flights from or to Argentina, Mexico and Colombia, or domestic flights within Colombia. For these animals, an official medical certificate from a licensed mental health professional is typically required, and the airline must be notified in advance (often at least 48 hours before departure).

Important to note under the Latam Airlines Pet Policy is that emotional support dogs often must wear anti‑bite muzzles, especially after recent security updates, unless they are small enough to fit inside an appropriate kennel under the seat. Cats used as ESAs on qualifying routes must remain in the container under the seat.

The final decision on whether an ESA can fly in the cabin is generally made at the airport counter during check‑in, based on behavior, documentation and compliance with rules.

Documentation and Certificates

Documentation plays a big role in Latam Airlines Pet Policy enforcement. Whether pets go in the cabin, hold, or are classified as service or emotional support animals, certain paperwork is needed.

Health and Vaccination Certificates

A health certificate from a licensed veterinarian is almost always required. This certificate should confirm that the pet is fit for air travel, up‑to‑date on vaccinations, and free from communicable diseases. Some routes — like those entering the U.S. or Europe — have additional official documentation requirements beyond what the airline itself asks for.

This usually means a certificate issued within a certain number of days before departure (often 10 days or less) and rabies vaccination records.

Import/Export Papers

For international travel, import and export documents from the destination country’s agriculture or veterinary authority may be necessary. These could include endorsements, permits, microchip details, and more. Requirements vary hugely by country, and it is the owner’s responsibility to research these ahead of time.

Costs and Fees

The Latam Airlines Pet Policy includes transport fees that vary by flight type, route and pet size. Pets flying in the cabin usually incur a fixed fee per flight segment — for example, domestic flights in Brazil, Chile, Colombia or Ecuador have defined prices, while international flights may cost more.

Pet travel in the aircraft hold (checked baggage) is generally priced according to the combined weight of the pet and kennel, with higher fees for heavier ranges. Costs may also vary by country and whether the flight is regional or long‑haul.

Service animals such as certified guide dogs typically do not incur these pet fees, but documentation must be presented at check‑in.

Booking and Check‑In Tips

Because cabin space for pets is limited, and because kennels and health documentation must be checked by staff, owners should plan ahead:

• Reserve pet space when booking the ticket, or at least 48 hours before departure for cabin travel.

• For hold transport, bookings sometimes must be made earlier — especially on certain routes like Brazil — up to 60 days before departure.

• Arrive at the airport early to allow staff to inspect the carrier, check paperwork, and pay fees.

Final Considerations

The Latam Airlines Pet Policy aims to balance safety, comfort and airline operations. Pets are part of many families, and LATAM’s rules mean to give clear guidelines so animals and owners can travel together when possible. Always double‑check current rules for the specific flight route being used, because regulations and details can change over time.

By preparing documentation, choosing the right carrier, and booking ahead, many pet owners successfully fly with their animals without major problems. Understanding the requirements — whether it’s cabin, hold or service animal travel — helps make that journey smoother.