Which Airlines Accept Large Dogs in 2026?

Large dog owners have fewer airline options than owners of small dogs, but there are plenty of good carriers willing to take big dogs if you plan properly. Here is a practical overview of who accepts large dogs and how the logistics work.

Full-service carriers that accept large dogs

Lufthansa: One of the most accommodating major carriers for large dogs. Accepts dogs as hold baggage (up to 32 kg combined in crate) and as cargo (up to 75 kg combined via Lufthansa Cargo). Operates an extensive network from Frankfurt, Munich, and other German hubs.

British Airways: Accepts dogs as checked baggage on some routes and as cargo via BA World Cargo. No pets in the hold on certain route types (some long-haul leisure routes). Check the specific route.

Air France / KLM: Both carriers accept large dogs as hold baggage and cargo. Air France Cargo and Martinair (KLM’s cargo arm) have active live animal programmes.

Singapore Airlines: Accepts live animals as cargo through Singapore Airlines Cargo. No pets in the cabin on any route. Extensive network through Changi Airport (SIN).

Qantas: Accepts dogs as checked baggage on domestic Australian routes and as cargo on international routes. Live animal cargo through Qantas Freight.

Emirates SkyCargo: Emirates does not accept pets in cabin on any commercial flight. Emirates SkyCargo accepts dogs as live animal cargo from Dubai (DXB). Extensive global network.

American Airlines / United Airlines / Delta: All three US major carriers accept large dogs in the hold as checked baggage or cargo, subject to temperature restrictions and route availability.

Etihad Cargo: Live animal cargo service via Abu Dhabi (AUH). Accepts dogs. No cabin pets on Emirates or Etihad commercial services.

Low-cost carriers: not an option for large dogs

easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, Wizz Air (UK and EU low-cost carriers) do not accept pets in the hold, only guide dogs in cabin. Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant in the USA similarly do not accept pets in the hold.

If you are on a budget and need to move a large dog internationally, you will need to use a full-service carrier for at least the pet’s flight, even if you yourself fly on a budget carrier.

Seasonal embargoes

Most airlines that accept dogs impose temperature restrictions during summer and winter. If the outdoor temperature at any point on the route exceeds 29 degrees Celsius or falls below 10 degrees Celsius, many carriers will refuse to load live animals. This particularly affects summer US domestic routes and winter northern European routes.

Book flexibility around these windows and check the airline’s specific temperature policy before confirming travel dates.