Azores Airlines Pet Policy

Azores Airlines, a Portuguese airline, was founded in 1990. It is of prime importance to be aware of the airlines’ specific pet policies to understand the requirements and prepare for a safe and comfortable journey for your pet(s). The airline allows pets to be transported in the cabin and in the cargo hold of an aircraft. Most domesticated pets are allowed to travel on Azores Airlines flights. However, certain creatures like farm animals, reptiles and certain breeds of dogs are not allowed on their flights.

Pet Criteria

Pets that are less than 8 weeks old, the ones that are breastfeeding or pregnant are not allowed to travel on fights. A maximum of 2 animals per container are allowed as long as those animals are used to co-habitation.

In-cabin

Many species of pets are allowed to be transported in the cabin along with the passengers. Some of those pets include cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas, aquarium fish and turtles. An excess baggage fee would be levied on each animal that’s being transported on the flight. This fee is charged on the basis of the weight of the animals (per lb.). The pet needs to be in some sort of container (a cage or a waterproof travel bag) for them to travel on a flight. Also, it is mandatory that they remain in his/her container/carrier during the whole flight. Pets of up to 18 lb. are allowed to travel in the cabin. The dimensions of the container used to transport the pets cannot exceed 22 x 16 x 8 inches. Only one pet is allowed to travel with one passenger on the cabin. Also, there is a limit to the number of animals that’s allowed to travel in the cabin on a single flight. Hence, it is advisable that you make arrangements for your pet to travel the moment your flight gets confirmed.

Checked Baggage

Pets are allowed to be transported in the cargo hold of the aircraft as checked baggage as long as it adheres to all the pet travel rules and regulations placed by the airline. The container that’s used to transport your pet needs to be of sturdy materials such as metal, rigid plastic, fiber glass, solid wood or plywood. The maximum dimensions of the pet carrier/container cannot exceed 39 x 31 x 27 inches. The container needs to have proper ventilation so that there is adequate air circulation for the pet to travel comfortably and safely. Enough food and water needs to be placed inside the container.

Emotional Support/Service Animal

As long as a passenger is accompanied by professionally trained and certified service animals and emotional support service animals (dogs), they’ll be allowed to take their pets with them in the cabin or in the cargo hold of the aircraft. Service dogs and emotional support dogs are not allowed to travel on the laps of their owners. If you’re traveling with your service or emotional support animal, it is advisable that you notify the airline at least 48 hours prior to your flight’s departure time. When traveling with a service animals, the dog needs to wear/carry a badge that identifies him/her as a service animal. The owner must carry the appropriate documentation as proof that the dog is a service animal. When it comes to traveling with an emotional support animal, the passenger must either have a point of entry or exit from the U.S.A. since these types of assistance dogs are officially recognized only in the U.S.A. The passenger needs to carry a documentation from a licensed mental health professional that s/he requires the assistance of an emotional support dog.

For more information kindly visit:  https://www.azoresairlines.pt/en/information/special-services/travelling-with-pets