Pet Policy Overview
Finnair is widely regarded as one of Europe's most pet-friendly airlines and is an excellent choice for cat owners traveling between Europe and Asia. The airline's Helsinki hub provides uniquely efficient connections between Western Europe and destinations in Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, India, and Singapore, often with shorter total travel times than routing through Middle Eastern hubs. Finnair accepts cats and dogs in both the cabin and the cargo hold, plus rabbits, tortoises, and hedgehogs in cabin on some routes.
Key Details
Pet Fee
€40–70 (cabin) / €80–300 (hold, varies by route)
Pro Tip
Finnair's Helsinki hub (HEL) is specifically designed for efficient transfers, with typical connection times of 35–60 minutes. This short connection is a significant advantage for cats traveling in the hold, as it minimises the total journey time compared to routing through Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul. Book your pet via Finnair's website or call centre — the airline allows online pet booking on many routes, which is unusual for European carriers.
Restrictions
Cabin pets not accepted on flights to the UK (cargo only). Route restrictions apply to some Asian destinations — check specific routes. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from hold travel. Cats must be at least 8 weeks old domestically and meet EU Pet Passport requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination, 21-day waiting period) for international travel. Hold transport may be suspended during extreme temperatures.