Pet Policy Overview
Air France is one of Europe's most popular and pet-accommodating carriers for flying with cats, offering cabin, checked baggage (hold via the AVIH — Animal Vivant In Hold service), and cargo options. The airline is part of the Air France-KLM group, so policies are closely aligned with KLM, making it easy to plan multi-leg journeys through both Paris CDG and Amsterdam Schiphol hubs. Cats under 8 kg including their soft carrier can travel in the cabin on most routes, while larger cats up to 75 kg (with IATA crate) can travel in the temperature-controlled, pressurised hold. For pets exceeding 75 kg or requiring unaccompanied transport, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo handles shipments.
Key Details
Pet Fee
€70–€200 (cabin) / €80–€400+ (hold)
Pro Tip
Air France requires pet reservations at least 48 hours before departure — you can book online through the 'Manage My Booking' section or by calling customer service. Book early, as cabin pet slots are limited to one or two per cabin section. The cabin fee structure is tiered: approximately €70 for domestic French flights, €125 for European and North African routes, and €200 for long-haul intercontinental. The hold (AVIH) fee is typically €75–€300 depending on route and crate size — significantly cheaper than third-party pet shipping. Note that pets are not permitted in Business or La Première cabins on intercontinental flights. The 8 kg limit is strictly enforced at check-in — if your cat weighs 5–6 kg, the carrier alone may push you over. Weigh everything at home first.
Restrictions
Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) cat breeds — including Persian, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, and Himalayan — are NOT permitted to travel in the hold due to respiratory risks, particularly between May and October. They may travel in the cabin if they meet weight requirements. Pets cannot fly in the cabin to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, the UK, or South Africa. Category 1 dogs (defined by French law) are completely banned. Cats must be at least 15 weeks old for international travel (8 weeks for domestic French flights), with rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days prior to EU travel. Kittens under 15 weeks cannot enter the EU from a non-EU country. Only soft-sided carriers are accepted in the cabin. One carrier per passenger. Pets not allowed in Business or La Première cabins.