Let’s get this out of the way early—Cathay Pacific does not do casual pet travel. No slipping a soft carrier under the seat. No quick cabin approval at check-in. Anyone searching the Cathay Pacific Pet Policy usually discovers this the hard way, often mid-planning, coffee going cold, tabs open everywhere. Annoying? Yes. Clear once understood? Also yes.

Cathay Pacific is a premium international airline based in Hong Kong, and when it comes to animals, it plays by strict, carefully managed rules. Pets travel as manifest cargo, not as carry-on companions. That single detail shapes everything else.

Does Cathay Pacific Allow Pets on Flights?

Yes. But with conditions. Plenty of them.

Under the Cathay Pacific Pet Policy, pets are allowed only as cargo through Cathay Cargo, the airline’s dedicated animal transport service. Pets are not permitted in the cabin and not accepted as checked baggage, regardless of size, breed, or how well-behaved they might be.

This applies to:

• Cats

• Dogs

• Other small household animals (with restrictions)

So if the plan involved a lap nap at 35,000 feet—reset expectations.

Why Cathay Pacific Uses Cargo-Only Pet Travel

This part gets misunderstood a lot.

Cathay Pacific operates long-haul routes with aircraft configurations that simply aren’t built for in-cabin pets. Add international quarantine laws, biosecurity controls (especially in Hong Kong), and the airline’s safety protocols, and the cargo-only rule starts making sense—even if it still feels inconvenient.

Cargo, in this case, does not mean thrown in with suitcases. Cathay Cargo is temperature-controlled, pressurized, monitored, and staffed by teams trained specifically for live animal transport.

Not cozy. But controlled.

Types of Animals Accepted Under Cathay Pacific Pet Policy

Cathay Pacific accepts domestic pets and certain non-domestic animals, depending on route, destination, and documentation.

Commonly Accepted Pets

• Dogs

• Cats

Limited or Conditional Acceptance

• Rabbits

• Guinea pigs

• Hamsters

• Certain birds (often route-restricted)

Not Accepted

• Reptiles

• Amphibians

• Insects

• Rodents considered agricultural risks

• Exotic or endangered species without permits

Every country involved—origin, transit, destination—has a say. One missing permit can stop everything.

Cathay Pacific Pet Travel Routes & Restrictions

Here’s where things get messy.

Cathay Pacific does not accept pets on:

• Some narrow-body aircraft routes

• Certain seasonal flights

• Specific countries with import bans or quarantine rules

Hong Kong itself has extremely strict animal import regulations. Many pets flying with Cathay Pacific are actually transiting through Hong Kong rather than entering it.

Before assuming a route works, the Cathay Cargo team must confirm:

• Aircraft type

• Ground handling availability

• Climate suitability

• Destination animal regulations

No shortcuts here.

Booking Pet Travel with Cathay Pacific

This is not a last-minute add-on.

Pet bookings must be made well in advance, often weeks ahead. The process usually looks like this:

1. Contact Cathay Cargo or an approved pet relocation agent

2. Submit pet details (species, breed, size, weight)

3. Provide vaccination and health documentation

4. Confirm crate specifications

5. Receive cargo approval and booking reference

Trying to do this solo without guidance? Possible. Stressful. Often slower.

Many travelers use professional pet shippers—not because it’s mandatory, but because international pet paperwork is famously unforgiving.

Cathay Pacific Pet Fees & Costs

There is no flat fee.

Under the Cathay Pacific Pet Policy, pet transport costs depend on:

• Pet size and weight

• Crate dimensions

• Total shipment weight

• Flight distance

• Destination handling fees

Costs often range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, especially for long-haul international routes.

And no—frequent flyer miles don’t help here.

Pet Carrier & Crate Requirements

This part trips people up constantly.

Cathay Pacific follows IATA Live Animals Regulations, which means crates must be:

• Hard-sided

• Escape-proof

• Well-ventilated on all sides

• Leak-proof

• Large enough for the pet to stand, turn, and lie down naturally

Soft carriers are a hard no.

Crates must also be:

• Clearly labeled with “Live Animal”

• Equipped with food and water dishes

• Properly secured (zip ties often required)

Incorrect crate = denied boarding. No negotiation.

Breed Restrictions Under Cathay Pacific Pet Policy

Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds are a major issue.

Due to higher risk of respiratory distress, Cathay Pacific restricts or refuses transport for certain breeds, especially in warmer months.

Commonly Restricted Dog Breeds

• Bulldogs (English, French)

• Pugs

• Boxers

• Shih Tzus

• Boston Terriers

Commonly Restricted Cat Breeds

• Persian

• Himalayan

• Exotic Shorthair

Even when accepted, extra conditions may apply—larger crates, cooler routes, or seasonal embargoes.

Seasonal Heat Restrictions

Summer changes everything.

Cathay Pacific may suspend pet transport during extreme heat periods, particularly on routes involving:

• Middle East

• South Asia

• Southeast Asia

These restrictions are not flexible. Safety overrides schedules.

Planning pet travel during cooler months increases approval chances significantly.

Required Documents for Flying Pets with Cathay Pacific

Paperwork matters. A lot.

Typical requirements include:

• Veterinary health certificate

• Rabies vaccination proof

• Microchip documentation

• Import permits

• Export permits

• Quarantine approvals (if applicable)

Documents must:

• Match pet name exactly

• Be within valid date ranges

• Be issued by approved authorities

One typo can delay a shipment for days—or cancel it entirely.

Quarantine Rules at Destination

Cathay Pacific doesn’t control quarantine rules, but they enforce them strictly.

Some destinations require:

• Mandatory quarantine on arrival

• Pre-arrival approval

• Government inspection

Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore—these places are especially strict.

Assume quarantine until proven otherwise.

Can Service Animals Fly with Cathay Pacific?

Service animals are not permitted in the cabin on Cathay Pacific flights.

Even certified service dogs must travel via Cathay Cargo, subject to the same crate and documentation rules as pets.

This catches many travelers off guard, especially those used to U.S. airline policies.

What Happens During the Flight?

Once checked in:

• Pets are loaded into climate-controlled cargo holds

• Temperature and pressure are monitored

• Ground staff receive live animal alerts

No mid-flight visits. No status updates. That silence can be rough—but it’s standard.

Arrival & Pet Collection Process

On arrival:

• Pets are unloaded by trained staff

• Customs and veterinary checks occur

• Quarantine procedures begin (if required)

Pets are released only after all checks clear. Delays happen. Patience helps. Panicking doesn’t.

Is Cathay Pacific Safe for Pet Travel?

Despite the strict rules—yes.

Cathay Pacific has a solid reputation for animal transport safety. The airline’s caution often frustrates travelers upfront, but that same caution reduces in-flight risk.

This is not a casual system. It’s controlled, conservative, and deliberate.

Tips for Flying Pets with Cathay Pacific

A few practical lessons learned the hard way by many:

• Start planning early—earlier than feels necessary

• Use a professional pet relocation service if the route is complex

• Double-check crate measurements

• Avoid peak summer travel

• Confirm approvals in writing

And maybe don’t book human tickets until pet approval is confirmed. That one hurts.

Final Thoughts on Cathay Pacific Pet Policy

The Cathay Pacific Pet Policy isn’t warm and fuzzy. It’s not flexible. It’s not designed for emotional comfort.

But it is structured, safety-focused, and consistent.

For travelers relocating internationally, especially across Asia-Pacific routes, Cathay Pacific remains a viable—and often reliable—option for pet transport, as long as expectations are realistic and preparation is thorough.

Not easy. Not cheap. But doable.

And once the paperwork dust settles and paws touch ground at the destination, the stress fades fast. Funny how that works.