Traveling with animals

When traveling with SAS, you can bring your pet with you. Depending on the animals' breed, size, weight, and age they can travel in the cabin, in the cargo hold or be shipped as cargo.

Bringing your pet is not included in your ticket, you'll have to add it to your booking and you'll be charged a fixed fee per bag/container/carrier.

Good to know

  • There are only a limited number of animals allowed on each flight.

  • We recommend that you make a request within 24 hours of booking your ticket. The earlier you make a request, the better the chances to secure space for your pet.

  • Make your request no later than 24 hours before departure.

  • Remember to have extra time for check-in and security checks when traveling with animals, we recommend you to be at the airport at least 2 hours before your departure.

  • We follow operational regulations and guidelines to keep your animal safe and healthy during the flight.

Dog breed restrictions

Starting on January 1, 2024, SAS will implement restrictions, concerning the transport of brachycephalic dogs —such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and Pekingese. For additional details, please refer the section regarding "Pets Traveling in the Cargo Hold."

Puppies or kittens

We cannot transport puppies or kittens under 8 weeks of age or which are still nursing, or mother dogs or cats which are still nursing. Puppies or kittens less than 14 weeks of age must also have a veterinary certificate, stating that the animal is fit to be transported.

Regulations vary by country

Make sure your animal has all the necessary documents for air travel. Regulations regarding transporting pets and the required documents, vaccinations and quarantine times vary by country. We recommend that you check with the embassies of your departure-, transit- and destination countries in plenty of time and before booking your flight.

You can find legal information about travelling with animals within the EU in Regulation EU) No 576/2013.

When traveling to or via certain countries, you can only ship pets as cargo, meaning that your pet is not traveling with you. Such countries are, for example, Great Britain, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates and Australia.

Small cats and dogs are welcome onboard. Other pets/animals must be shipped as cargo (see section below).

  • Each traveler can bring one pet container/carrier, holding up to two healthy pets as long as they are of the same species.

  • The pet must be kept in its own small pet container/carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.

  • The pet must remain inside the closed container/carrier on the floor during entire flight.

  • The pet and the container are considered as your carry-on baggage and you cannot bring any additional carry-on baggage, you will be charged a pet transporting fee.

  • Animals are not permitted in SAS Business and on charter flights with SAS.

Transport bags

We only accept bags and pet containers/carriers specifically designed for the transport of pets. We recommend using a Sherpa Bag or similar, which is a soft type bag approved for dogs and cats made of flexible materials (available at most pet stores).

  • Has to be made of a well ventilated strong, leakage and bite proof material.

  • Must be entirely closeable.

Size and weight limits

  • Maximum size: 40 x 25 x 23 cm (length x width x height).

  • Maximum weight: 8 kg (pet + transport bag).

Pets traveling in the cabin must be able to stand up, turn around and lay down comfortably while in the carrier/bag. If these requirements are not fulfilled we have the right to deny your pet on board.

How to add / book pet in cabin

  • You can easily request and pay for your pet in cabin via My Bookings after you have completed your booking. If the pet is confirmed, you will receive a receipt for the payment. If the pet quota for that flight is full, the option is not visible in My bookings.

  • You may also make your request by contacting SAS Customer Service.

If your pet doesn't meet the criteria's for traveling in the cabin, your pet has to travel in the cargo hold instead. Contact SAS Customer Service to check availability/book.

  • Cats and dogs are accepted for transportation in the cargo hold, other pets and wild animals may be transported only as cargo.

  • Up to three kittens/puppies can be transported together, if they are under six months old and come from the same litter.

  • Please note that the hold cannot be accessed during the flight.

Transport containers/cages

  • You have to provide your own appropriate, animal-friendly containers for animal transportation.

  • The container must be escape-proof.

  • Please check IATA's regulations and requirements for transportation containers.

  • If the container is too small or does not meet the IATA requirements we reserve the right to refuse to transport the pet at check-in.

Size and weight limits

  • Maximum size: depends on the aircraft type you are travelling on.

  • Maximum weight may not exceed 150 kg (animal + container).

  • Maximum two adult animals of comparable size up to 14 kg each can be transported in the same container/carrier if they are accustomed to living together.

  • Animals weighing more than 14 kg must travel in separate containers/cages.

How to add/book pet in cargo hold

Please contact SAS Customer Service to check availability and pay the pet transportation fee.

  • When contacting us, please have the measurements and weight of the container/cage ready.

  • We recommend that you make a request within 24 hours of booking your ticket. The earlier you make a request, the better the chances to secure space for your pet.

  • Make your request no later than 24 hours before departure.

  • If your request is confirmed you'll need to fill out the form Certificate for transportation of Animals (DOC, 113KB), and bring it to the check-in counter at the airport, except when travelling domestic in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

  • If your request is declined within 24 hours of booking your ticket and you choose to rebook, we will waive the rebooking fee (the difference in price must be paid).

Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs

Air travel for brachycephalic (snub-nosed) animals involves an increased risk of respiratory problems and overheating due to the increased stress of flight.

For that reason and for the safety of the animal, we do not allow certain brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breed in the cargo hold.

If your pet meets the pet in-cabin requirements and weighs no more than 8 kg, including the cage or pet carrier, you can bring it with you in the cabin.

Restrictions apply to the following breeds and mixed breeds thereof:

  • Bulldogs

  • Pugs

  • Pekingese

Other snub-nosed dogs are accepted in the cargo hold. Choose a transport container that is one size larger than normally required, that is well ventilated and has a door with open bars from top to bottom. Ventilation only in the lower part of the transport container is not allowed.

Shipping live animals as cargo

If you have an animal that is not accepted in the cargo hold or the animal needs to be transported as cargo, you can ship your pet with a freight forwarder.

  • Live household pets or wild animals.

  • Your pet is going to travel alone.

  • You are traveling to countries where pets/animals are required to travel as cargo.

  • All fees applies to one-way travel.

  • The fee varies according to route and/or destination.

  • Refund of ticket is according to ticket rules.

Service dogs or other service animals, such as rescue dogs, always travel for free in the cabin, when on active duty.

More info about our fees

Service animals and small cats/dogs are welcome in the lounge as long as they remain in their carriers and with their owners at all times.

To ensure the comfort and safety of all of our guests, there are some restrictions you have to follow:

  • The cat/dog must remain inside the carrier and be placed at designated area in the lounge.

  • Animals must be trained to behave properly in public settings and follow the direction of their owners.

  • Animals must be clean and properly groomed.

  • Animals are not allowed to occupy seats in the Lounge.

  • Animals are not allowed to eat or drink from SAS Lounge service ware.

  • Animals may not engage in disruptive behavior such as roaming freely, barking, growling or biting.

  • All animals must remain on the floor when they are near food or beverage display areas.

Cats and dogs are not allowed in Lounges in Norway due to local regulations