• Dogs and cats weighing up to 8 kg (weight including travel carrier)
• Larger dogs if they are trained guide dogs (e.g. guide dogs for visually impaired passengers). They must fit in front of the seat.

• Carry your pet in a soft travel carrier that is clean, leak-proof and scratch-resistant. The travel carrier must not exceed 118 cm (55 x 40 x 23 cm) so it can be stowed under the seat in front. It should therefore not have a solid frame.
• There must be enough space in it for the animal, which must remain fully in the transport container for the entire flight. It is not permitted to run around in the cabin.
• Your animal must be clean and healthy and should not bother any other passengers. It should not be dangerous, pregnant or smell.
• The transport container must be large enough for the animal to stand in its natural position, turn around and lie down.
• The transport container must be stowed under your seat for take-off, landing and during turbulence. Due to the design of the seats in the Airbus 330/340 and Boeing 777, this is not possible in SWISS Business (except in the last row) or SWISS First. Our crew will stow the transport container in the cloakroom, in one of the overhead baggage compartments or under another passenger seat during take-off and landing.
• There are no size and weight restrictions for dogs with protective or assistance functions. They can travel freely in the cabin and do not have to be in a transport container.

Please let us know well in advance that you’d like to bring your animal. You can do this online yourself in “My bookings” (except for USA flights) or via the Service Center. We’ll check the transport regulations and the space availability.

In addition, to take a pet as hand baggage in the cabin, we require confirmation from you for all flights that your pet meets all the specified conditions. Please present two printed copies of the completed and signed form at the check-in desk.

Please note that this form is not required for assistance dogs on direct flights from/to the USA.

For flights to or from the USA, you need to register by completing the following form. Otherwise, please contact the Service Centre.

For information about carrying dogs/cats as cargo (over 8 kg) see below.

The conditions in the hold are similar to those in the cabin. The temperature and air pressure are also pleasant on longer flights. You cannot visit your pet in the hold during the flight. Check in together with your pet. Bring your pet to the check-in desk in an appropriate transport container at least 2 hours but no more than 3 hours before departure.

Please note that you will be charged an additional fee of EUR 150/CHF 170/USD 170/CAD 220 per animal when travelling via FRA, MUC, VIE, ZRH or GVA (applies to tickets issued after 1 April 2021).

• Dogs and cats that do not belong to snub-nosed breeds and weigh more than 8 kg (weight including transport container) or are travelling in a transport container exceeding the permitted size (max. 118 cm; 55 x 40 x 23 cm).
• Animals other than dogs and cats are not permitted to travel in the hold. Certain species may be carried as freight. Find detailed information about which species this affects under “Extended regulations”.
• Information and special requirements for the carriage of fighting dog breeds, snub-nosed dogs and cats can be found under “Extended regulations”.

• Your pet must be clean, healthy and not dangerous. It must not be pregnant and must not smell.
• It must travel in a suitable container or crate and must have enough food and water for the entire journey.

The international aviation authority IATA has laid down regulations for transport containers. SWISS strictly adheres to these rules for reasons of animal welfare. They define the conditions, appearance and minimum size for transport containers.

Please make sure that the container is equipped with some absorbent material and is adequate for the size of the animal. Also attach the IATA “Live Animals” label securely to your container. You must also provide food and water bowls and fix them to the crate.

1. The container must be suitable for carrying the cat or dog.
2. The size must be calculated to ensure the animal can stand up, move around and lie down in a natural position.
3. The inside of the container must be smooth and free from any uneven sections which the animal could chew or scratch off. This will ensure the container remains intact.
4. The top of the container must be watertight to prevent rain, snow or hail from getting in.
5. Containers consisting of an upper and a lower section must be securely screwed together.
6. The container must be sturdy, lockable and clean, with a waterproof base lined with absorbent material.
7. The door must be well secured.
8. We recommend using cable ties to secure the door.
9. Wheels are not permitted on the container. If wheels are fitted, they must be removed or disabled before the container can be accepted.
10. Ventilation must be provided on all four sides of the container. The ventilation holes must be of a suitable size or covered with a grille, to ensure that no part of the animal’s body can protrude from the container. This will minimise the risk of injury.
11. The ventilation holes on the sides and the back must be positioned in the top two-thirds of the container.
12. Spacers must be incorporated into the design (both on the sides and at the back) to act as handles for moving the container and to ensure the ventilation holes are not blocked by other freight or items of baggage.
13. Separate bowls for both water and food must be provided and attached securely to the carrying container.
    1. Water containers must not be filled for the flight, but they must be accessible from the outside. Food and water for the flight can be provided in non-spill containers.
    2. Instructions for feeding and watering must be provided on the information sticker.
14. The container must be easy for our staff to handle and must provide protection against scratch and bite injuries by the animal.

Please note: containers made of wire or wire mesh are not permitted for air carriage. The top of the container also must not be made of wire but must be made of a solid material. Ventilation holes are permitted, providing they do not reduce the stability of the top of the container.

1 Door hinges and latches must protrude above and below the door openings on the horizontal projections by at least 1.60 cm.

2 Ventilation holes

3 Rear view

4 Attached food and water containers

5 Door latch

6 Spacers

The charges for the carriage of animals will vary depending on the route. Animals are not included in your baggage allowance and are always charged as excess baggage. The prices for animals in transport containers refer to flights in the hold or in the cabin.

Note: for tickets issued after 1 April 2021: For animals that are transported in the hold, a supplement of EUR 150 / CHF 170 / USD 170 / CAD 220 is charged for transfers via Geneva, Frankfurt, Vienna and Zurich

We carry one (1) assistance dog free of charge.

Definition of an assistance dog

• It is a dog, regardless of breed or type.
• It is individually trained to work with or carry out tasks for a person with a disability.
• Disabilities include a visual, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability.

• a training certificate from a training institution that holds accreditation from the following organisations
  • Assistance Dogs International (ADI),
  • Assistance Dogs Europe (ADEu),
  • International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) or
• a certificate issued by a training facility and/or a dog trainer
  • with the name and address,
  • details of the type and duration of the training and
  • the task for which the dog has been trained and successfully completed the training
    

Further information about the carriage of dogs in the cabin (under 8 kg)

Further information about the carriage of dogs in the hold (over 8 kg)

• It must be at least four months old
• It must not sit on a seat
• It must fit in the footwell in front of your seat. We would like to point out to guests in First and Business Class that in this case it may not be possible to extend the seat into a fully horizontal bed.
• It must behave appropriately and remain under your direct control throughout the flight. Dogs that do not behave appropriately (e.g. by barking, growling, biting or jumping up) cannot be accepted as assistance dogs
• You must bring a muzzle for your dog. In situations where your dog poses a risk to other passengers, we will require your dog to wear a muzzle or will have to refuse to carry the dog. On flights to and from Canada you are not obliged to carry a muzzle with you. However, we strongly recommend that you bring one.

We carry two (2) assistance dogs free of charge.

Definition of an assistance dog

• It is a dog, regardless of breed or type.

• It is individually trained to work with or carry out tasks for a person with a disability.

• Disabilities include a visual, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability.

• Emotional support dogs and assistance dogs in training do not count as assistance dogs.

1. Download the US DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form(PDF). With this form you are confirming the health, training and behaviour of the animal

2. Download the US Service Animal Relief Attestation Form (PDF)

Please send the updated form to the following e-mail address

This form is required for a flight duration of more than 8 hours. Here you confirm that your animal will not need to relieve itself or that it will not do so in any way that would represent a risk to health or hygiene. Keep this form handy during your journey.

Entry regulations

• It must be at least six months old
• It must not sit on a seat
• It must fit in the footwell in front of your seat. We would like to point out to guests in First and Business Class that in this case it may not be possible to extend the seat into a fully horizontal bed.
• It must behave appropriately and remain under your direct control throughout the flight. Dogs that do not behave appropriately (e.g. by barking, growling, biting or jumping up) cannot be accepted as assistance dogs
• You are not obliged to bring a muzzle with you. However, we do recommend you bring one. If there is a situation where your dog poses a risk to other passengers, we may require that your dog wear a muzzle or will have to refuse to carry the dog.