EL AL Pet Policy – Flying Dogs And Cats

images-EL AL Pet Policy – Flying Dogs And Cats

Dec 25, 2024 images

EL AL Pet Policy – Flying Dogs And Cats

  • Dogs and Cats
  • Mattan Gal

Flying with a dog, cat or any other pet can be a confusing and stressful experience, especially if it’s your first time flying with them. If you are planning to fly your pets with EL AL, Israel’s national airline, it is important that you know EL AL’s pet policy.

EL AL airlines do their best to make the flying experience for your pets enjoyable, relaxed and less challenging.

EL AL airlines is considered, by many, to be a pet-friendly airline. Because of this, we decided to prepare for you the complete guide for flying pets with EL AL! – From our experience, this is an airline you could trust!

This comprehensive guide will guide you through everything you need to know about flying animals with EL AL airlines: from their policy for flying pets and the involved costs.

Flying Dogs And Cats With EL AL – Flight Options

  • Flying an animal in-cabin – EL AL allow passengers to bring small pets (dogs, cats and exotic birds) with them to the cabin.
  • Flying an animal as checked baggage, in the belly of the plane – when an animal does not meet the requirements for flying in cabin, pet owners can send their pets in the hold of plane, as checked baggage. Important note: in order for an animal to be able to fly as checked baggage, it must fly accompanied.
  • Flying an animal as registered cargo – animals that fly as registered cargo fly unaccompanied, using a bill of lading (airway bill).

Flying Pets In-Cabin (Passenger Compartment)

EL AL allows pets to fly in-cabin. However, the following should be considered:

  • Only dogs, cats and exotic birds can fly in-cabin.
  • The maximum weight for flying a pet in-cabin is 9 kg (including the weight of the crate/carrier).
  • You can take 2 animals in the same crate, as long as their total weight is less than 9 kg (including the weight of the crate/carrier).
  • EL AL will seat you in designated seat and you may have to pay extra for the seat.
  • There are destinations where pets can’t fly in-cabin, since the destination country doesn’t allow this (such as South Africa and England).
  • If you are flying to Israel, you will need to get a permit, from the Ministry of Agriculture, stating that you can bring your pet to Israel and that it can be done not as registered cargo.
  • Pets can fly in EL AL’s business class, but pets can’t fly in the business class of Boeing 777 aircrafts.

Below are the maximum dimensions allowed for crates/carriers in-cabin:

  • 787 plane (Dreamliner) – Economy Class: length 33 cm, width 20.32 cm and height 20.32 cm
  • 787 plane (Dreamliner) – Premium Class: length 43 cm, width 17.78 cm and height 17.78 cm
  • 787 plane (Dermaliner) – Business Class: length 43 cm, width 25.4 cm and height 22.86 cm
  • 737 plane – Economy Class: length 41 cm, width 38 cm and height 17.7 cm
  • 737 plane – Business Class: length 30 cm, width 30 cm and height 19 cm

You can use a soft flight carrier (bag) or a hard flight crate.

From our experience, you probably won’t find a rigid flight crate with the necessary dimensions. Therefore, we recommend you look for a soft carrier. If you decide to use a soft carrier, you can exceed, up to 4 cm, from all the measurements we mentioned above.

Flight Carriers For Flying Pets In-Cabin On EL AL Flights

Pets2Fly has a wide variety of flight carriers/bags, suitable for flying dogs and cats in-cabin (passenger compartment).

Our flight carriers have been carefully selected to meet the regulations set by IATA (International Air Transport Association).

Below are the dimensions of one of our most popular flight carriers:

  • Length: 45 cm
  • Width: 28 cm
  • Height: 22 cm
  • Weight: 1 KG

Here’s a link for further information: Flight carrier for EL AL

Flying Animals In The Hold Of The Plane (Checked Baggage)

EL AL allows animals to fly in the belly of the plane as checked baggage. However, the following should be considered:

  • On 737 planes, the maximum height of the flight crate can’t exceed 80 cm. Therefore, the biggest flight crate for flying in EL AL’s 737 aircrafts is the BB75 flight crate. However, we know that it is also possible to fly on EL AL’s 737 aircrafts with a crate that is 85 cm high. Contact us for more details!
  • A flight crate must have ventilation openings on all 4 sides and the front door/gate should be made out of metal.
  • Wheels – if your flight crate has wheels, they must be locked during the flight and/or removed. We don’t recommend attaching wheels to flight crates.
  • The flight crate must be large/spacious enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably.
  • You need to make sure that there are two bowls – one for drinking and another for food. You’ll also need to place a water bottle if your journey is over 12 hours.
  • Up to 2 adult animals, up to 14 kg each, can fly in the same flight crate.
  • The maximum weight for flying as checked baggage is 100 kg (including the weight of the flight crate). If you exceed 100 kg, you will have to fly your pet as registered cargo.
  • In order to fly an animal as checked baggage, it must be accompanied by the owner. If you need to fly your pet unaccompanied, you can do so as registered cargo.
  • There are destinations where animals can’t fly as checked baggage, since the destination country doesn’t allow this (such as South Africa and England).
  • If you are flying to Israel, you will need to get a permit, from the Ministry of Agriculture, stating that you can bring your pet to Israel and that it can be done not as registered cargo.

In addition, we recommend that you review the following file: Click here!

Flying Animals As Registered Cargo – EL AL Cargo

What is registered cargo?

When flying pets as registered cargo, it is done using an airway bill (bill of landing). In practice, you will have to deliver your pet at the cargo facility (the cargo terminal) in the country of origin and you will have to “release” your pet at the cargo terminal at the destination country.

When a pet is flying as registered cargo, the pet’s flight ticket (airway bill) is not linked to the owner’s flight ticket. In other words, your pet will fly “unaccompanied”, even if you are actually on the same flight.

If you want or need to fly your pet as cargo, keep in mind that:

  • This is an expensive process!
  • You will have to perform an “export” process in the country of origin and also an “import” process in the destination country.
  • You may need to hire a broker/customs agent and/or a pet shipping company to assist you with the process.
  • In some destinations you will need to get permission, in advance, to fly your pet into the country (for exmaple: Israel requires you to get an “ok 2 fwd” for all pets flying as registered cargo).
  • There are countries where EL AL can’t fly/export animals as registered cargo (such as Thailand, the Netherlands, India and others).

In which cases should an animal fly as registered cargo with EL AL?

There are several cases, here are some of them:

  • When it comes to an animal that weighs (together with the flight crate) over 100 kg.
  • When the destination country and/or the origin country requires this.
  • When the owner isn’t flying (accompanying) the pet.

Flying Snub-Nosed Dogs/Cats With EL AL

Following the unfortunate case of a French bulldog that died on one of EL AL’s planes (from our knowledge, this wasn’t EL AL’s fault), EL AL decided to change their regulations. From this point forward, snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs and cats can’t fly as baggage or as cargo with EL AL.

We think this issue is less significant for cat owners, since cats are usually small enough to fly in cabin.

Below is a short list of snub-nosed dogs that can’t fly in the belly of EL AL’s planes:

  • Boston Terrier
  • French Bulldog
  • English Bulldog
  • Chow Chow
  • Pekingese
  • Shih Tzu
  • Pug

For further information regarding transporting snub-nosed dogs/cats, we recommend you check out the following article: Flying a snub-nosed dog

Flying Dangerous Dog Breeds With EL AL

This, truthfully, isn’t clear to us, but EL AL decided that they will no longer transport “dangerous” dogs, as defined in the Israeli law.

Unlike snub-nosed dogs, dangerous dogs aren’t allowed to fly in EL AL’s cabins, even if they are considered service or emotional support dogs. In other words, if your dog is on the “dangerous” dog list, you won’t be able to fly them with EL AL.

The following breeds are considered “dangerous” in Israel and therefore, can’t fly with EL AL:

  • American Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Amstaff)
  • Bull Terrier
  • Argentinean Dogo
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier (English Staff)
  • Pitbull Terrier
  • Brazilian Fila
  • Rottweiler
  • American Bully

For further information regarding transporting dangerous dog breeds, we recommend you check out the following article: Flying a dangerous dog

The Cost Of Flying Dogs And Cats With EL AL

EL AL, like all other airlines in the world, charges a fee for flying dogs and cats.

What price are you going to pay EL AL to fly your pet? Well, the fee for flying pets in-cabin or as checked baggage is based on the total weight (pet + flight crate).

Below are the costs for flying dogs and cats with EL AL:

To Europe and the Middle East:

  • Up to 9 kg = $100 USD
  • Over 9 kg and up to 50 kg = $200 USD
  • Over 50 kg and up to 100 kg = $400 USD

To North America and the Far East:

  • Up to 9 kg = $150 USD
  • Over 9 kg and up to 50 kg = $250 USD
  • Over 50 kg and up to 100 kg = $450 USD

Please note that the weight also includes the weight of the flight crate/carrier.

Payment is done at the check-in counter, on the day of the flight, after weighing the animal and the flight crate/carrier.

If you wish to know the cost for sending your pet as registered cargo with EL AL, you’ll have to contact their cargo department (EL AL cargo) or you may contact us for a quote.

Flying Service Dogs In-Cabin

A service dog is a dog that accompanies a passenger with special needs and/or a dog that accompanies an IDF soldier/combat victim suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

EL AL no longer allows emotional support dogs to fly in their aircraft cabins.

In order to fly a service dog in EL AL’s cabins, the passenger (the owner of the dog) must present an official document proving that the dog has been trained in one of the organizations authorized to train service dogs. In addition, the passenger must provide a certificate from a veterinarian stating that the dog is able to restrain itself throughout the flight.

Note: We can’t make your dog a service dog! We can’t help you with this.

Flying Dogs And Cats With EL AL – Frequently Asked Questions

My pet can’t fit in the flight carriers that are allowed in EL AL’s cabin. Can I bring my pet with a bigger flight carrier?

Unfortunately, pets that don’t meet the size and weight requirements for flying in the passenger cabin must be transported in the hold (as checked baggage or registered cargo). We highly recommend pet owners to follow the airline’s guidelines/restrictions.

How do you book a flight ticket for a dog or cat?

In order to order a flight ticket for your dog or cat, you will need to contact EL AL’s customer service by phone.

It isn’t possible to book a pet’s ticket through EL AL’s website!

Are there temperature restrictions for pets traveling in the hold of EL AL aircrafts?

EL AL takes the well-being of pets seriously and because of this, EL AL may impose temperature restrictions on pets flying in the hold. In cases of extreme temperatures, the airline may refuse to transport pets to ensure their safety.

How far in advance should I book my pet’s flight ticket?

It is important to book your pet’s flight ticket as early as possible, since the space for pets on EL AL flights is limited.

We recommend pet owners contact EL AL’s customer service well in advance to ensure availability.

Is it possible to fly a rabbit in EL AL’s cabin?

EL AL only allows dogs, cats and exotic birds to accompany their owners in the passenger cabin. That is, if you have a rabbit, unfortunately, you won’t be able to fly it with you in the passenger cabin.

If you own a rabbit, you probably should take this into account as sending a rabbit in the hold of a plane is considered risky!

Are EL AL’s planes temperature controlled? Do they heat the belly of the planes?

To the best of our knowledge, only some of EL AL’s planes have heating in the belly.

However, it is important for us to emphasize that EL AL takes many steps to ensure the well-being of all the animals that fly with them, even if they fly on planes that are not equipped with heated cargo areas.

From our knowledge, below are the temperatures in the hold of EL AL planes:

737 planes:

  • Summer: between 2-10 degrees Celsius
  • Winter: between minus 2 degrees Celsius and 8 degrees Celsius

787 planes:

  • Summer: between 20-28 degrees Celsius
  • Winter: between 12-24 degrees Celsius

We recommend pet owners always check with EL AL’s customer service, in order to get the most recent information regarding these or other limitations.

Summary – EL AL Isn’t Just An Airline, It’s Israel In The Air

EL AL recognizes the importance of your pets in your life, and treats them not only as baggage/cargo, but as “special passengers”.

EL AL’s pet-friendly policy allows your four-legged friends to fly safely and comfortably, whether in the passenger cabin with you or, in the hold as checked baggage or registered cargo.

Safety is EL AL’s top priority, and their dedicated staff has undergone special pet care training. They follow strict IATA (International Air Transport Association) guidelines to ensure that every pet’s flight goes smoothly!

In conclusion, flying with pets requires an airline that combines safety and comfort, and EL AL ticks all those boxes. Their commitment to providing a pet-friendly flight experience makes them a great choice for pet owners.

When it’s time to fly with your pets, choose EL AL and fly with confidence, knowing that your beloved friend is in good hands!

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