Travelling with pets is a big deal for a lot of people. Whether it’s a cat that’s been part of the family for years, a small dog that always follows around, or even a rabbit that hops around with personality, knowing exactly how an airline handles pet travel matters more than any other detail when booking a ticket. Finnair Pet Policy covers how animals can travel, what restrictions exist, fees, documentation, and a bunch of other practical things that will help anyone plan a smoother trip.

This guide is based on Finnair’s official information and general industry practices, broken down into easy‑to‑follow sections. It does get into specifics, but the aim isn’t to overwhelm — just to prepare you for every scenario you might bump into.

What Pets Are Allowed on Finnair Flights?

When thinking about the Finnair Pet Policy, it’s important to start with what animals the airline actually accepts.

Finnair allows a range of animals onboard or in its cargo services, but not all creatures are treated the same. The most common pets — cats and dogs — are accepted both in the cabin and in the aircraft hold or as cargo depending on size, weight and destination requirements. Smaller animals such as rabbits, tortoises and hedgehogs are sometimes allowed in the cabin or hold, but this depends on where the flight originates and the specific route you are flying. Other types of animals that are not considered typical pets — like reptiles (excluding tortoises), fish or exotic birds — usually must travel as cargo if accepted at all.

Some countries impose extra restrictions, so what’s allowed from one place might not be allowed from another. That needs checking before booking. It’s not a “one‑size‑fits‑all” rule, but Finnair does try to make clear what types are acceptable in general.

Travelling With Pets in the Cabin

One of the first questions people ask when reading the Finnair Pet Policy is whether small animals can ride along in the passenger cabin with their owners.

The short answer is yes, but only under tight conditions. Pets such as small cats, small dogs, and in some cases rabbits, hedgehogs, and tortoises are allowed in the cabin if they meet specific size and weight rules. Cabin travel for pets is limited to animals that, together with their carrier, weigh no more than about 8 kg (17.6 lbs).

The pet carrier must fit under the seat in front of the passenger. This means it needs to be compact but still comfortable enough that the animal can stand, turn around, and lie down without issues. A soft‑sided carrier often works best because it squeezes into the space under the seat easily, but hard‑side carriers are sometimes accepted if they meet the size limit.

Only one pet carrier per passenger is allowed, and the pet must stay inside it from the time boarding starts until the aircraft doors open at the destination. There’s no exception for a quick walk or cuddle during the flight — the carrier stays closed the whole time.

Booking early is crucial. Finnair limits how many pets can be accepted on each flight. If you book late or wait until check‑in, there’s a good chance that no space will be available for the pet cabin option.

Documentation and Health Requirements

One thing that can trip people up with the Finnair Pet Policy isn’t size or weight, it’s paperwork.

Different destinations have their own rules about what documents are needed. Flights within the EU generally require a pet passport for cats, dogs, and ferrets. This is issued by a vet and contains vaccination history, microchip information and details required by the authorities.

Travelling to or from non‑EU countries adds another layer of complexity. Rabies vaccination certificates, import permits, and sometimes a health certificate issued by a vet shortly before departure are mandatory. In some places like the UK or Australia, additional tests or quarantine requirements might apply. Being unaware of these can lead to your pet being refused entry at the destination.

Vet checks before travel also help ensure that the pet is fit to fly. Most airlines, including Finnair, require that the animal shows no signs of illness and is healthy enough for air travel. Check with your vet for any country‑specific forms well in advance.

Pets in the Aircraft Hold

When a pet and its carrier exceed cabin limits, the Finnair Pet Policy allows travel in the aircraft’s hold — but with specific conditions.

Pets in the hold must be in an airline‑approved carrier or crate that complies with IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards. These crates need to be sturdy, well ventilated, leak‑proof and large enough that the animal can stand, turn around, and lie comfortably.

On most Finnair flights, the combined weight limit for pets and crate in the hold is up to 75 kg. On certain partner flights operated by Norra, that limit might be lower (around 50 kg).

Reservations for hold travel aren’t automatic — the airline needs to confirm that space is available, and that the container meets its requirements. This often involves contacting Finnair ahead of time or using the airline’s customer service channels after booking.

Hold travel also has timing implications. You usually need to arrive at the airport earlier than without pets, and online check‑in is often not possible when transporting pets in the hold. That extra time helps staff check the pet’s carrier, weight and paperwork to make sure everything is in order.

Shipping Pets as Cargo

Some situations simply don’t fit the cabin or hold rules. When that happens, the Finnair Pet Policy allows pets to be shipped via Finnair Cargo.

This is usually the case when:

• The pet and carrier exceed weight limits on passenger flights.

• You’re transporting a species not permitted in cabin or hold.

• The destination country requires cargo transport.

• You’re not travelling with the pet yourself.

Pets shipped as cargo must be booked well in advance through a forwarding agent such as Travelcargo – PetExpress. This means more preparation, more documentation, and careful attention to local laws at both departure and arrival points.

Cargo transport places the animal in a dedicated area of the aircraft. This is not “baggage” space — it’s regulated to meet animal welfare standards, and the temperature and pressure are controlled appropriately for live animals. But because the pet is not with its owner, careful video, tracking, or pickup planning is important.

Fee Structure Under the Finnair Pet Policy

Travelling with pets on Finnair isn’t free — pets aren’t included in your standard baggage allowance — and fees vary based on how the pet travels.

For pets in the cabin, fees are different depending on whether the flight is within Europe or international. Expect charges around €60–€65 for short‑haul flights and €120–€130 for long‑haul flights if purchased well in advance.

Pets in the hold incur higher fees, such as around €140 one‑way for a pet up to the combined weight limit. These prices can be much higher on long‑distance or intercontinental flights.

Shipping pets via cargo has its own pricing, generally set by weight, destination and container size. Because these costs vary so widely, it’s often necessary to contact Finnair Cargo or an agent to get a quote.

Note that service or assistance dogs usually travel free of charge in the cabin once the proper forms are submitted in advance. This is one of the few exceptions where a pet does not incur a fee.

Extra Practical Tips from Real Travellers

Rules are one thing, and real experiences are another. Lots of people who’ve flown with pets on Finnair mention these everyday details that don’t always appear in the official policy pages.

• Some staff might check pet weight and carrier size more strictly than others. Being just a bit over the limits increases the chance they’ll look closer.

• It’s a good idea to make sure your pet is familiar with its carrier well before travel, so they’re calmer when the day arrives.

• Brachycephalic breeds (flat‑faced dogs and cats) may face extra restrictions or health concerns. Checking with the airline beforehand is always wise.

Those everyday insights add a bit of realism to the official rules and help avoid surprises at the airport.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Understanding the Finnair Pet Policy is one thing, but avoiding common missteps makes travel easier:

1. Booking last minute — cabin spaces for pets fill up fast, so reserve early.

2. Ignoring country rules — entry requirements sometimes outweigh the airline’s own guidelines.

3. Underestimating paperwork — missing a health certificate or import permit can mean refusal at the gate.

4. Wrong carrier size — carriers must meet airline specs and be comfortable for the pet.

Avoiding these helps reduce stress and potential travel disruptions.

Final Thoughts

Flying with a pet doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does take preparation. The Finnair Pet Policy gives clear avenues for pets of different sizes and types, but it sits alongside international travel laws, health requirements, and airline logistics.

For anyone planning to travel with a furry or shelled companion soon, taking time to read both Finnair’s guidelines and the destination’s animal import rules makes a world of difference. The smoother the preparation, the calmer the journey for both traveller and pet.