Pet Policy Overview
Turkish Airlines is one of the world's most genuinely cat-friendly airlines, which is perhaps unsurprising given Turkey's famous cultural affection for cats. The airline offers cabin, checked baggage, and cargo options across its enormous network spanning over 340 destinations — more than any other carrier. For cat owners, Turkish is particularly valuable because it serves routes that many Western carriers do not, connecting Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia through its Istanbul hub. The airline opened a dedicated soundproofed 2,700-square-foot Pet Lounge at Istanbul Airport in late 2024 — the first of its kind in commercial aviation — with capacity for 36 cats, 32 dogs, and 10 birds, including an indoor space and outdoor terrace.
Key Details
Pet Fee
From $15 (domestic) / $70–$320 (international, route-dependent) / Cargo varies
Pro Tip
Turkish Airlines allows online pet reservations via their website or mobile app — one of the few international airlines offering this convenience. You can book as late as 6 hours before departure. Fees are calculated per segment, so a connecting flight through Istanbul incurs two separate charges. Use the official Turkish Airlines Pet Fee Calculator on their website to get an exact price for your route. Soft-sided carriers are mandatory for cabin travel — hard-sided carriers are not accepted in the cabin. Two pets of the same species can share one carrier if their combined weight stays under 8 kg. A maximum of 2 carriers per passenger is allowed, but only 1 in the cabin — the second goes in the hold.
Restrictions
Cats and dogs cannot fly on the same aircraft, even in different cabins — this is a unique Turkish Airlines rule. Cats and birds also cannot share an aircraft. Brachycephalic cat breeds (Persian, Birman, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Burmese, Scottish Fold, British Shorthair) can travel in the cabin but have been restricted from the cargo hold since October 2021 due to respiratory risks. Pets are banned from the cabin on flights to the UK, Bahrain, and the UAE (must go cargo). Only one carrier per passenger in the cabin. Pregnant animals are not accepted. All cabin pets must be assigned window seats. Kittens under 10 weeks are not accepted. For flights over 8 hours or layovers over 4 hours, food and an automatic water dispenser must be provided in the carrier.