Maltese Air Travel Guide

The Maltese is one of the most travel-friendly breeds for international moves. At 2-4 kg, a healthy adult Maltese fits comfortably under the seat in most cabin pet programmes - no cargo, no hold time, no quarantine complications for most destinations.

No country bans Maltese. No airline specifically restricts them. The constraints are the individual airline’s in-cabin pet policy (weight, carrier dimensions, route restrictions) and the destination country’s import rules.

Not all airlines accept in-cabin pets. British Airways, for example, does not allow cabin pets (other than assistance dogs). Low-cost carriers in Europe also typically do not. So the Maltese’s size advantage depends entirely on which airline you fly with.

Health paperwork is the same as for any dog: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate. For travel to Australia, New Zealand, or Japan, a titre test and waiting period still apply regardless of how small the dog is.

Airline Restrictions for Maltese

Most major airlines allowing in-cabin pets

Accepted in cabin if under weight limit

Maltese typically weigh 2-4 kg - well within the 8 kg limit most airlines apply. Check individual airline policy.

British Airways

No in-cabin pets (except assistance dogs)

All pet dogs travel as cargo. No exceptions for small breeds.

Ryanair / easyJet

No pets in cabin

Low-cost carriers do not accept pets in cabin on international routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

On most airlines that allow in-cabin pets, yes. A Maltese typically weighs 2-4 kg, well within the 8 kg in-carrier limit that most carriers apply. The carrier itself must fit under the seat in front of you. Check the specific airline’s cabin pet policy - not all airlines accept pets in the cabin.

Airlines that commonly accept small dogs in-cabin on international routes include Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, Emirates (on some routes), Singapore Airlines (on some routes), and several others. British Airways does not allow cabin pets. Always verify the current policy with the airline before booking.

Yes. Australia requires a rabies antibody titre test for all dogs regardless of size. The 180-day post-test waiting period applies to a 3 kg Maltese exactly as it does to a 35 kg Labrador.

An IATA-approved soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. Most airlines specify maximum carrier dimensions (commonly around 55 x 35 x 25 cm). The dog must be able to stand, turn, and lie down inside it.

Post-Brexit, dogs travelling from the UK to the EU need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) within 10 days of travel. The AHC replaces the EU pet passport for UK-to-EU journeys. Microchip must be scanned first before any vaccination record is created.

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