Can my dog fly in the cabin with Ethiopian Airlines?
Yes, if your dog and its carrier together weigh no more than 8 kg. The carrier can be at most 55 × 40 × 20 cm.
Airline · Ethiopian Airlines (ET)
Ethiopian Airlines 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 Ethiopian Airlines' 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 Ethiopian Airlines 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 Ethiopian Airlines' rules?
Take a 7.2 kg Miniature Schnauzer — bearded, bright, and endlessly game for anything. At 7.2 kg, that dog fits inside Ethiopian Airlines' 8 kg cabin limit.
Now every rule, sourced and dated.
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Pets in the Cabin
Ethiopian Airlines allows dogs and cats in the cabin, up to 8 kg including the carrier. The carrier must be no larger than 55 × 40 × 20 cm. International (general, between any Ethiopian international points): EUR120/GBP110/USD150 per direction for pet in cabin up to 8 kg including cage. Addis Ababa (ADD) to/from US points specifically: USD300 per direction for cabin up to 8 kg - a materially higher, route-specific rate confirmed on the live official fee table (re-fetched 2026-10-20), not the general international rate. Domestic (Ethiopia): USD100 per direction for cabin up to 8 kg including cage. Charged regardless of free baggage allowance; rates effective for sales/travel from 2025-06-20 ('Revised Pet Charges Effective for Sales and Travel 20JUN25') per the official fee table (U.F.N. = until further notice). Advance arrangement required for all pet transport; specify pet type and container size when booking; condition of carriage varies by country - check with nearest Ethiopian Airlines office.
- Carrier limit: 55 × 40 × 20 cm
- Cabin capacity limited by aircraft/class: Wide Body Business(C) 2 / Economy(Y) 4; Narrow Body C 1 / Y 2. If crate exceeds 55x40x20 cm or 8 kg, pet must travel in the hold instead. Codeshare flights follow the operating carrier's rules.
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Pets in the Hold
Ethiopian Airlines transports pets in the cargo hold. Pets (incl. cage) 8-45 kg travel in the hold: international fee $370/direction (8-32 kg) or $500/direction (32-45 kg); domestic hold fee is 500% of the excess baggage rate. Above 45 kg, must travel as manifest cargo per cargo procedure. PET/AVIH fee applies regardless of free baggage allowance. Addis Ababa (ADD) to/from US points specifically: the official fee table separately lists a USD500/direction hold rate for 'up to 8kg' - this row's scope conflicts with the general 8-32kg/32-45kg tiers (possible table-formatting quirk on Ethiopian's own page); confirm directly with Ethiopian before quoting a user. Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds are banned from Ethiopian Airlines' hold.
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Service Dogs
Ethiopian Airlines accepts trained service dogs in the cabin, free of charge. Documents typically needed: Not fully itemized on the fetched page beyond harness/muzzle requirement; For emotional support animals specifically: documentation from a licensed mental health professional, dated within the past year (per the live official pet-policy page, re-confirmed 2026-10-20).. Ethiopia; flights touching the US fall under US DOT 14 CFR 382.
The Ethiopian Airlines pet questions that come up most.
FAQ
Ethiopian Airlines Pets: Your Questions, Answered
Each answer checked against official sources on 2026-10-20.
Does Ethiopian Airlines transport pets in the cargo hold?
Yes, Ethiopian Airlines accepts pets in the hold — Pets (incl. cage) 8-45 kg travel in the hold: international fee $370/direction (8-32 kg) or $500/direction (32-45 kg); domestic hold fee is 500% of the excess baggage rate. Above 45 kg, must travel as manifest cargo per cargo procedure. PET/AVIH fee applies regardless of free baggage allowance. Addis Ababa (ADD) to/from US points specifically: the official fee table separately lists a USD500/direction hold rate for 'up to 8kg' - this row's scope conflicts with the general 8-32kg/32-45kg tiers (possible table-formatting quirk on Ethiopian's own page); confirm directly with Ethiopian before quoting a user.
Does Ethiopian Airlines accept trained service dogs in the cabin?
Yes, at no charge. Documents needed: Not fully itemized on the fetched page beyond harness/muzzle requirement, For emotional support animals specifically: documentation from a licensed mental health professional, dated within the past year (per the live official pet-policy page, re-confirmed 2026-10-20)..
Is Ethiopian Airlines' fee for flying with a pet published?
International (general, between any Ethiopian international points): EUR120/GBP110/USD150 per direction for pet in cabin up to 8 kg including cage. Addis Ababa (ADD) to/from US points specifically: USD300 per direction for cabin up to 8 kg - a materially higher, route-specific rate confirmed on the live official fee table (re-fetched 2026-10-20), not the general international rate. Domestic (Ethiopia): USD100 per direction for cabin up to 8 kg including cage. Charged regardless of free baggage allowance; rates effective for sales/travel from 2025-06-20 ('Revised Pet Charges Effective for Sales and Travel 20JUN25') per the official fee table (U.F.N. = until further notice).
Sources
Every rule above traces to these official pages, checked on 2026-10-20. Confidence: high. Rules change — always confirm with the airline before booking.
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