Summary No animals are allowed in the cabin on flydubai flights.
Certain animals, such as invertebrates and odor-producing animals, are prohibited from being transported in the cargo hold.
Certain breeds of dogs and cats are not accepted for travel on flydubai flights due to health risks associated with them.
Traveling with animals, especially those that are not allowed into the cabin, can be a very stressful experience for both the owner and the animal. While airlines and countries have clearly defined rules and regulations that allow animals to be transported between two points, they can still be confusing to navigate. At times, they can also be quirky, such as flydubai’s guide on transporting live animals on its flights, which, for example, includes restrictions on invertebrates, meaning you would not be able to transport your squid on the Dubai International Airport (DXB)-based carrier’s flights.
1 No animals in the cabin
flydubai does not allow any animals to be transported inside its Boeing 737 cabins
The very first restriction that flydubai outlined in its live animal transportation guide is that any animals will have to travel in the cargo hold “irrespective of the fact whether they are accompanied or unaccompanied by owners.” In the United States (US), for example, live animals can still accompany their owners onboard the cabins if they are service animals.
Photo: Nadisja | Shutterstock
The US Department of Transportation outlined that “a service animal means a dog, regardless of breed or type, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.”
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However, even in the US, the rules had to be tightened regarding the transportation of service animals inside the cabin. In December 2020, the DOT announced that it had revised the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) on the transportation of service animals by air, which included provisions that have resulted in emotional support animals no longer being considered service animals.
Read more: The Ins & Outs Of Flying With Service Dogs
“The final rule announced today addresses concerns raised by individuals with disabilities, airlines, flight attendants, airports, other aviation transportation stakeholders, and other members of the public, regarding service animals on aircraft.”
This means that, unfortunately, no cute dog will accompany your seatmate on a flydubai flight.
2 No odor-producing animals
flydubai does not want any odor-producing animals flying in its cargo hold
Amongst the requirements and restrictions, there are several regulations that indicate what kind of animals are able to travel on flydubai’s flights. For example, invertebrates, which means animals without a spine, such as snails or squids, would not be able to travel on the carrier’s flights.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
The list also prohibits odor-producing, seduced, poisonous, and/or pregnant animals from being placed in flydubai’s cargo hold. The airline also disallows rodents, “such as mice, hamsters, moles, squirrels, beavers, chinchillas, guinea pigs, etc.” to fly in the cargo hold. Interestingly, the list also includes a point that outlines that “sick and dead animals are NOT accepted.”
Sick and dead animals are NOT accepted.
3 Breed-related restrictions
flydubai has a long list of banned dog and cat breeds
The all-Boeing 737 operator outlined that “breeds and mixes of snub-nosed cats and dogs will not be accepted for travel as these breeds are known to be susceptible to increased risk of heat stroke, breathing difficulties, or increased travel stress.”
The list includes but is not limited to some of the most popular dog breeds, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), such as the Bulldog, Boxer, French Bulldog, Shih Tzu, Pit bull, and Rottweiler. The airline has only listed six cat breeds that owners would not be able to transport, namely the British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic, Himalayan, Persian, and Scottish Fold.
Photo: Rytis Beresnevičius | Simple Flying
Read more: A Private Jet For Dogs? K9 JETS Takes Off
4 Protected species
flydubai also does not allow any CITES Appendix I-protected animals to fly on its aircraft
The carrier outlined that any animals, plans, and their products, such as hunting trophies covered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) treaty are not allowed to travel on flydubai’s flights. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) joined the convention in February 1990, enforcing it since May 9, 1990.
CITES was originally signed in 1973 and was entered into force in 1975. As a result, owners of such protected animals as the Cheetah, Giant Panda, Red Panda, or the Cuvier’s gazelle, would have to choose another airline to transport their livestock from or to DXB.
Photo: Sergii Figurnyi | Shutterstock
5 Kennel size requirements
flydubai’s regulations regarding kennel size aim to ensure animals feel comfortable
According to the airline, all kennels must comply with its and the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) “Live Animal Regulations standards to ensure that pets are safe and comfortable throughout the journey.” As a result, each kennel must be “large enough for your pet to move freely and stand with their head erect, to turn around and to lie down in a normal position.”
Furthermore, the kennel must be tall enough that a pet’s head or tip of the ears do not touch the ceiling of the kennel, and the airline advises that each crate “must be purchased in advance of travel to allow time for the animal to get used to the new kennel.”
Photo: flydubai
The kennel must be made from rigid plastic, metal, or wood with a metal grated door, and must be leak and escape-proof. In one case, a bear had managed to escape its crate on an Iraqi Airways flight, which landed at DXB.
flydubai also reiterated that snap-side kennels that were modified or adapted, such as with additional nuts or screws, as well as collapsible or folding kennels would not be accepted. The airline has also banned plastic and top-opening doors and plastic that will bend under pressure from being transported.
Read more: How Has Flying With Pets Changed Over The Years?
Have you ever traveled with your pet in the cargo hold? How was the experience?
Sources: AKC, CITES
