International Travel with a Pomeranian: Cabin Options and Country Requirements

Pomeranians are one of the most popular small dog breeds for international travel, largely because their compact size makes them eligible for in-cabin travel on many airlines. At 1.5 to 3.5 kg, a Pomeranian comfortably fits under an aircraft seat in an airline-approved soft carrier on most carriers.

Cabin Travel: What You Need to Know

Most European, North American and major Asian airlines allow pets in the cabin on long-haul and medium-haul routes, provided the combined weight of pet plus carrier stays within the carrier’s limit. For Pomeranians, this is rarely an issue. The typical limit is 6 to 8 kg including the carrier, and a small Pomeranian in a Sherpa or Sleepypod carrier is well within this range.

Key points for cabin travel:

• Book early: Airlines allow only 1 to 2 pets in the cabin per flight. Contact the airline directly when booking, not through a third-party booking site, to confirm your pet is registered on the reservation
• Approved carrier required: The carrier must fit under the seat in front. Measure the under-seat dimensions before purchasing a carrier. Soft-sided carriers are generally accepted; hard crates rarely fit
• Pet must stay in the carrier for the entire flight: Your Pomeranian cannot come out, even in a quiet cabin
• Not all routes are available: Some airlines restrict in-cabin pets on routes to or from specific countries. Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and the UK (for non-UK origin pets) are common examples of places where in-cabin pet arrival may not be possible at the destination end

Airlines That Accept Pets in Cabin on Long-Haul Flights

Airlines with generally good cabin pet policies for Pomeranians on long-haul routes include:

• Lufthansa (selected long-haul routes from Germany)
• Air France (cabin pets on some long-haul)
• Emirates (cabin pets on selected routes, with conditions)
• LATAM (cabin pets on many routes including transatlantic)
• Turkish Airlines (cabin pets on many international routes)

Always confirm with the airline directly before booking. Policies change and route-specific restrictions apply.

Country-Specific Rules

While a Pomeranian’s size simplifies the airline side of travel, the destination country’s import requirements remain the same as for any other dog. You will still need:

• Microchip (ISO 15-digit)
• Rabies vaccination (and titre test for certain destinations)
• Health certificate from an accredited vet, with government endorsement as required
• Import permit for countries that require one

For travel to Australia, New Zealand and Japan, allow significant lead time (5 to 9 months) regardless of breed or size, because the rabies titre test protocol is the same for a Pomeranian as it is for a Great Dane.

Common Concerns

Brachycephalic risk? Pomeranians are not brachycephalic. They have a normal muzzle and do not face the breathing restrictions that affect pugs, French bulldogs and similar flat-faced breeds.

Cold weather? Pomeranians have a thick double coat and handle cooler temperatures well. In hot climates, ensure they are not overheated in their carrier in the cabin or on the tarmac.

Travel anxiety? Pomeranians can be vocal. A well-crate-trained dog that is comfortable in its carrier is much less likely to bark or whine throughout the flight – which benefits everyone on board. Invest in crate training time before travel.