Can my dog fly in the cabin with Avianca?
Yes, if your dog and its carrier together weigh no more than 10 kg. The carrier can be at most 55 × 35 × 25 cm.
Airline · Avianca (AV)
Avianca Pet Policy: Flying With a Dog or Cat in 2026
Hi, I'm Merlot — a 30 kg Golden Retriever and trained Service Dog. Here's Avianca's pet policy exactly as published on its own official pages: the cabin rules, the hold, what changes for trained service dogs, and booking basics. Where Avianca doesn't publish a fixed number, I say so directly instead of guessing.
Last verified: 2026-10-20. Rules change — always confirm with the airline before booking.
A worked example first, then each rule in detail.
Worked example
Does my dog fit Avianca's rules?
Take a 9.0 kg Shetland Sheepdog — a miniature collie look-alike with a big herding brain. At 9.0 kg, that dog fits inside Avianca's 10 kg cabin limit.
Now every rule, sourced and dated.
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Pets in the Cabin
Avianca allows dogs and cats in the cabin, up to 10 kg including the carrier. The carrier must be no larger than 55 × 35 × 25 cm. Not confirmed this session (avianca.com blocked automated fetch with HTTP 403). Per a 2023-dated Colombian news report (Valora Analitik, secondary source): cabin limit is 10 kg combined including carrier; applies to both emotional-support and service dogs. Request at least 24 hours before departure (secondary source, unconfirmed on avianca.com).
- Carrier limit: 55 × 35 × 25 cm
- One pet per passenger/row unless same family group (secondary source). Domestic Colombia flights: only dogs, cats, and small ornamental birds. Policy reportedly updated 2023-02-01 after public complaints about a flight with 25 dogs; details of the current rule not independently confirmed.
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Pets in the Hold
Avianca transports pets in the cargo hold. Per secondary source: a pet exceeding the cabin weight limit travels in the hold at no extra cost, under conditions Avianca communicates to the passenger beforehand. Brachycephalic dog and cat breeds are explicitly NOT transported in the hold. Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds are banned from Avianca's hold.
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Service Dogs
Avianca accepts trained service dogs in the cabin, free of charge. Documents typically needed: Not confirmed in this session. Notify the airline at least 24 hours before departure. Colombia; flights touching the US fall under US DOT 14 CFR 382.
The Avianca pet questions that come up most.
FAQ
Avianca Pets: Your Questions, Answered
Each answer checked against official sources on 2026-10-20.
Does Avianca transport pets in the cargo hold?
Yes, Avianca accepts pets in the hold — Per secondary source: a pet exceeding the cabin weight limit travels in the hold at no extra cost, under conditions Avianca communicates to the passenger beforehand. Brachycephalic dog and cat breeds are explicitly NOT transported in the hold.
Does Avianca accept trained service dogs in the cabin?
Yes, at no charge. Documents needed: Not confirmed in this session.
Is Avianca's fee for flying with a pet published?
Not confirmed this session (avianca.com blocked automated fetch with HTTP 403). Per a 2023-dated Colombian news report (Valora Analitik, secondary source): cabin limit is 10 kg combined including carrier; applies to both emotional-support and service dogs.
Sources
Every rule above traces to these official pages, checked on 2026-10-20. Confidence: low. Rules change — always confirm with the airline before booking.
ⓘ This airline’s official policy page could not be fully re-confirmed in our latest check — numbers above may be outdated. Always verify directly with the airline before booking.
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