Stopover and Layover with a Pet: What Happens to Your Animal at Transit Hubs

Most international pet relocations involve at least one transit – a connection through a hub airport before the final destination. What happens to your pet during that connection is one of the questions owners ask most often, and it is one that deserves a clear answer.

What Happens to a Pet in the Cargo Hold During a Transit?

When your pet travels as cargo hold freight:

On the aircraft: The pet remains in the cargo hold for the full flight. On wide-body aircraft the hold is pressurised and temperature-controlled to a range that typically stays between 7 and 24 degrees Celsius (45 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit), though the specific range varies by aircraft type and airline.

At the transit hub: On landing, the cargo off-loading process begins. Your pet’s crate is removed from the hold and placed in a staging area. At a well-equipped hub (Frankfurt, Singapore, Doha, Dubai, Amsterdam, London Heathrow), there is a dedicated live animal cargo facility where the temperature is managed and the animal can be checked by the cargo staff.

The pet is then held in this facility until the connecting flight is ready. It is loaded back into the hold of the next aircraft before departure.

How Long Can a Transit Take?

IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) specify maximum journey time limits including transits. For most dogs and cats, the combined air journey and transit time should not exceed 24 hours from first check-in to final arrival, under normal conditions.

Many hubs have transit connection times of 2 to 6 hours for cargo pets. A connection of less than 2 hours is considered tight for cargo transfer and can result in your pet missing the connection (known as an off-load). A connection of more than 12 hours at a hub may trigger additional care or feeding requirements.

Best Transit Hubs for Pet Cargo

Well-equipped, with dedicated live animal facilities:

• Frankfurt (FRA): Lufthansa Cargo’s Animal Lounge is purpose-built; one of the best facilities in Europe; temperature-controlled; 24-hour staffing
• Amsterdam (AMS): Amsterdam Schiphol has strong live animal handling infrastructure
• Singapore (SIN): Changi Airport has modern live animal facilities; SIA Cargo invests heavily in animal welfare
• Doha (DOH): Qatar Airways’ hub has a dedicated animal care station within the cargo complex
• Dubai (DXB): Emirates SkyCargo operates a large live animal facility; summer temperatures outside the facility are extreme but inside conditions are controlled

Hubs where conditions are more variable:

• Hub airports with limited dedicated live animal infrastructure may hold cargo animals in general temperature-controlled areas; conditions are adequate but not purpose-built
• Any transit hub in a hot climate during summer months requires that the connection is during cooler hours and the on-ground time is minimised

The Summer Temperature Risk

For a connection through Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi or any tropical hub in July and August, the ambient temperature on the tarmac can exceed 45 degrees Celsius. The time between the aircraft door opening and the cargo reaching the temperature-controlled facility matters. Most cargo handlers move live animals as a priority, but delays happen.

Request confirmation from your airline that your pet will be treated as a priority live cargo item during ground handling and that the transit hub’s live animal facility will be used.

Questions to Ask Your Airline

1. What live animal facility is used at the transit hub?
2. What is the minimum and maximum recommended connection time for live cargo animals?
3. Will my pet be able to receive water during a transit of more than 6 hours?
4. At what temperatures will you refuse to handle my pet on the tarmac?
5. What happens if my pet misses its connection?

Cabin Transit: Different Rules

For small pets in the cabin, the transit is simpler – you and your pet travel together through the connection. However, some transit airports have rules about animals leaving and re-entering the terminal. Confirm whether your pet is permitted to remain in the cabin for a connection on the same booking or whether you need to recollect from cargo and re-check in.

Sources: IATA Live Animals Regulations 50th Edition; Frankfurt Animal Lounge (Lufthansa Cargo); Qatar Airways live animals cargo guide; Singapore Airlines Cargo live animals; Emirates SkyCargo live animals.