Cat Breeds Airlines Restrict From Flying: What Are Your Options?
Moving internationally with a cat can be complicated enough, even before finding out that your preferred airline may have restrictions on your cat’s breed.
Some airlines restrict certain breeds, particularly flat-faced or brachycephalic cats, from flying because their shortened airways can make them more vulnerable to breathing difficulties and heat-related stress during air travel. Other restrictions can be related to the aircraft, crate dimensions, temperature, route, or whether the cat is traveling in the cabin, as checked baggage, or as air cargo.
The important thing to understand is that there is no single worldwide list of cat breeds that airlines restrict from flying. Airline policies differ, and a breed that is restricted by one carrier may be accepted by another under specific conditions.
If you're planning an international move with your cat, the right approach is to check the breed, destination, airline, route, and travel method together.
Which Cat Breeds Do Airlines Commonly Restrict From Flying?
The breeds most commonly affected by airline restrictions are brachycephalic, or short-nosed, cats.
These cats have facial structures that can make breathing more difficult, particularly when combined with heat, stress and the conditions involved in air transportation.
Examples can include:
Persian cats
Himalayan cats
Exotic Shorthair cats
British Shorthair cats
Scottish Fold cats
Burmese cats
Certain mixed-breed cats with similar flat-faced characteristics
However, these should not be treated as a universal banned-breed list.
Airlines make their own decisions about which breeds they accept and under what conditions. Some may restrict these cats from the cargo hold while allowing them to travel in the passenger cabin if the airline's cabin-pet requirements are met.
For example, Lufthansa states that it restricts the carriage of certain snub-nosed cats and dogs in the cargo hold because of the potential respiratory and heat-related risks, while allowing qualifying pets to travel in the cabin.
That difference is important when planning an international relocation.
Why Are Flat-Faced Cats More Difficult to Fly?
Brachycephalic cats have anatomical features that can affect their ability to breathe efficiently.
During normal conditions, this may not cause serious problems. Air travel, however, introduces additional factors:
Stress from unfamiliar surroundings
Changes in temperature
Time spent at airports
Handling during transfers
Long periods inside a travel crate
Potential delays
Aircraft and cargo-hold conditions
These factors can increase the difficulty of breathing for some cats.
This is why airlines may have additional rules for breeds such as Persians, Himalayans and Exotic Shorthairs.
IATA also highlights the additional considerations involved in transporting snub-nosed animals and recommends checking the specific airline's requirements before booking.
Is a Persian Cat Allowed on an Airplane?
Possibly, depending on the airline and how the cat is traveling.
Persian cats are one of the breeds commonly subject to restrictions because they have a brachycephalic facial structure.
That does not automatically mean a Persian cat cannot travel internationally.
The airline may have different rules for:
Cabin travel
Checked baggage
Manifested cargo
Specific aircraft
Specific routes
Certain temperatures or seasons
For example, one airline may refuse a Persian cat in the cargo hold but allow a small Persian cat to travel in the cabin if its carrier and weight meet the airline's requirements. Another airline may have different restrictions altogether.
So instead of asking only "Can Persian cats fly?", ask:
"Can my Persian cat fly on this airline, on this route, using this method of transportation?"
That is the question that actually determines your options.
What About Himalayan and Exotic Shorthair Cats?
The same principle applies to other flat-faced breeds.
Himalayan cats
Himalayan cats have a brachycephalic facial structure and can be subject to airline restrictions similar to Persian cats.
Exotic Shorthair cats
Exotic Shorthairs are also commonly classified among snub-nosed breeds for airline transportation purposes.
British Shorthair and Scottish Fold cats
Some airline policies also include British Shorthairs and Scottish Folds among breeds requiring additional consideration.
The exact policy matters more than the breed name alone. An airline may have a specific list of breeds it does not accept in the hold, while another carrier may apply a broader definition based on physical characteristics.
This is why checking the airline's current live-animal policy before purchasing a ticket is essential.
Can Large Cat Breeds Be Restricted?
Not necessarily.
Large breeds such as Maine Coon cats may not be restricted simply because of their breed. However, their size can create a different logistical problem.
Air travel requires an appropriately sized container, and the airline must be able to accept that container through its handling and aircraft systems.
A large cat may therefore require:
A larger travel crate
Special cargo handling
Different aircraft arrangements
Additional planning at the airport
A different travel route
IATA's guidance requires animal containers to provide enough space for the animal to stand, sit, turn normally, and lie down naturally. So a large cat isn't necessarily a restricted breed. It may simply require a more carefully planned transportation arrangement.
Other Cats That May Require Special Travel Arrangements
Breed isn't the only consideration.
An airline or veterinarian may need additional planning for cats that are:
Elderly
Older cats may require a veterinary assessment before international travel, particularly if they have existing health concerns.
Very anxious
Some cats react strongly to unfamiliar environments. Airport handling, long journeys and changes in routine can increase stress.
Cats with respiratory problems
A cat with an existing respiratory condition may require additional veterinary assessment before travel.
Cats with other medical conditions
The ability of a cat to travel safely depends on its individual health, not just its breed.
Very large cats
As discussed above, size can affect crate requirements and available transportation options.
This is one reason a proper pet relocation assessment should consider the individual animal, not just its breed.
Does the Airline Matter?
Yes. A lot. Two airlines operating similar international routes can have completely different pet policies.
Airline requirements can cover:
Accepted breeds
Cabin eligibility
Cargo eligibility
Crate specifications
Weight limits
Temperature restrictions
Advance booking requirements
Number of animals accepted on a flight
Connecting-flight restrictions
Documentation
Destination-specific requirements
IATA's current guidance specifically recommends contacting the airline to confirm that it accepts your pet on the specific day and flight you want. Airlines may also limit the number of animals accepted on a particular flight.
That means booking your own ticket first and figuring out your cat's transportation later can create unnecessary problems. For an international relocation, the pet's route should be planned alongside the rest of the move.
Can a Restricted Cat Travel in the Cabin Instead?
Sometimes. This depends on the airline.
A cat that cannot travel in the cargo hold may still be eligible for cabin travel if:
The airline permits cats in the cabin
The cat meets the airline's size and weight requirements
The carrier meets the airline's specifications
The route permits cabin pets
The destination accepts the arrangement
The airline confirms the booking
But cabin travel isn't automatically available as an alternative. Some airlines do not permit pets in the cabin on certain international routes, while others have strict carrier and weight requirements.
Therefore, if your cat is a breed that faces cargo restrictions, checking cabin eligibility can be one possible solution—but it needs to be confirmed with the airline.
What If Your Cat Cannot Fly on Your Preferred Airline?
You may still have options.
1. Choose another airline
The simplest solution may be finding a carrier whose current pet policy allows your cat to travel.
2. Change the route
Sometimes the issue isn't the destination itself but the specific airline or connection.
A different routing may provide a viable transportation option.
3. Change the method of transport
Depending on the origin, destination and circumstances, your cat may be able to travel through a different transportation arrangement for part of the journey.
This needs to be assessed carefully because international pet transportation involves both animal-welfare considerations and border regulations.
4. Use a specialist pet relocation company
For complicated cases, professional pet relocation specialists can assess the available routes and coordinate the different requirements.
This can be particularly useful when you are dealing with:
A restricted breed
A brachycephalic cat
A large cat
Multiple pets
Complex international connections
Tight documentation requirements
A move involving Nepal
Don't Try to Solve an Airline Restriction With Sedation
Sedation is not a workaround for an airline's breed restriction. IATA does not encourage the use of sedatives or tranquilizers for animals traveling in either the cabin or cargo hold because of the potential for adverse effects during transportation. If your veterinarian believes medication may be appropriate for your individual cat, discuss it with them well before travel and make sure the airline's requirements are also followed.
The objective should always be to find a transportation arrangement in which the cat can travel safely—not to make an otherwise unsuitable journey possible through medication.
What Documents Does Your Cat Need for International Travel?
Breed restrictions are only one part of international cat relocation.
Depending on the destination, your cat may need:
ISO-compliant microchip
Rabies vaccination
Other required vaccinations
Rabies antibody testing
Veterinary health certificate
Import permit
Export documentation
Quarantine arrangements, where applicable
Airline documentation
Customs clearance
Requirements vary significantly by destination.
For example, cats entering Nepal have specific import requirements involving identification, vaccination, health certification and advance notification to the relevant quarantine authority.
If you're moving between Nepal and another country, the requirements of both sides of the journey need to be considered.
For a broader overview, see Orient's Complete Guide to International Pet Relocation.
You can also use the International Pet Relocation Checklist to organize the preparation process.
How to Prepare a Cat for International Air Travel
Once the route and airline have been confirmed, preparation should begin well before departure.
Start early
Some destinations require vaccinations, blood tests or import approvals that can take weeks or months to complete.
Get your cat comfortable with the crate
Don't wait until the day before the flight.
Give your cat time to become familiar with the travel crate so it isn't an entirely unfamiliar environment on travel day.
Get a veterinary assessment
Your veterinarian can assess whether your cat is fit to travel and advise you on any health concerns.
This is particularly important for older cats, brachycephalic breeds and cats with existing health conditions.
Confirm the airline requirements
Don't rely on a generic internet list of "airline-approved" breeds.
Confirm the current requirements for:
Your airline
Your specific flight
Your route
Your cat's breed
Your cat's size
Your travel method
Prepare the documentation
Make sure vaccination records, health certificates, permits and other documents are completed within the required validity periods.
Confirm the booking again
IATA recommends reconfirming pet arrangements before departure.
Moving Internationally With a Cat From or To Nepal
For families relocating to or from Nepal, international cat relocation involves another layer of planning.
You may need to coordinate:
Veterinary preparation
Export documentation
Import requirements
Airline bookings
Travel crates
Airport handling
Customs and quarantine procedures
Final delivery
Orient International Relocations provides Pet Handling Services for international pet moves, including documentation, flight-safe crating, veterinary coordination, airline coordination, airport handling, customs clearance and door-to-door delivery.
Orient also has a dedicated guide on Moving Internationally With Cats: Requirements, Costs & Travel Tips for owners preparing a cat for an international move.
How Orient Helps With Cats That Need Special Travel Arrangements
A complicated cat relocation isn't simply a matter of buying a plane ticket and putting the cat in a crate.
The airline, route, destination regulations, veterinary requirements and individual characteristics of the cat all need to work together.
Orient's pet relocation team can help coordinate:
Airline and route planning
Export and import documentation
Veterinary coordination
Travel-crate preparation
Flight bookings
Airport handling
Transit monitoring
Customs clearance
Door-to-door delivery
Orient is Nepal's only IPATA-certified pet relocation specialist and provides 24/7 support for international pet moves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cat breeds are not allowed on airplanes?
There is no universal list of cat breeds that are banned from all airplanes. Some airlines restrict certain breeds, particularly brachycephalic cats such as Persian, Himalayan and Exotic Shorthair cats.
Can Persian cats fly internationally?
Yes, Persian cats can potentially travel internationally, but the available options depend on the airline, route, travel method, destination and the cat's individual health.
Can Himalayan cats fly on airplanes?
Himalayan cats may face restrictions because they are brachycephalic. Some airlines restrict them in the cargo hold while allowing qualifying cabin travel.
Can British Shorthair cats fly?
British Shorthairs can potentially travel by air, but some airlines include them among breeds subject to restrictions or special handling. Always check the specific carrier's current policy.
Can Scottish Fold cats fly?
Scottish Folds can travel by air in some circumstances, but airline policies differ. The airline should confirm whether your cat can travel on the specific route and under which conditions.
What if my cat is too large for cabin travel?
Your cat may be able to travel as air cargo if the airline accepts it and the appropriate crate and handling arrangements are available. If one carrier cannot accommodate the cat, another airline or route may provide an alternative.
Can I sedate my cat before a flight?
Do not use sedation as a way to overcome an airline restriction. IATA does not encourage sedatives or tranquilizers for animals traveling by air because of potential adverse effects. Discuss any medication with your veterinarian and follow the airline's requirements.
Finding out that your cat's breed is restricted by an airline does not necessarily mean your international move has to stop.
The key is understanding that breed restrictions are airline-specific.
A Persian cat, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair or another brachycephalic cat may face restrictions with one carrier while having another available transportation option. Large cats may need special crate and cargo planning, while older or medically sensitive cats may require additional veterinary assessment.
The safest approach is to assess the cat, airline, route, aircraft, crate and destination requirements together before making travel arrangements.
If you're moving internationally with a cat from or to Nepal and aren't sure which options are available, contact Orient International Relocations to discuss your pet's specific requirements.
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