Dog Breeds Airlines Restrict From Flying: What Are Your Options?
Not every dog can be booked onto an international flight.
Some airlines restrict certain dog breeds from flying because of breathing and temperature-related risks. Others impose additional requirements on large dogs, specific breeds, oversized crates, or animals traveling during extreme weather conditions.
This can be particularly stressful when you're moving internationally, and your dog is part of the family. Discovering that your airline doesn't accept your breed can leave you wondering whether your dog can still fly.
In many cases, the answer is yes—but the solution may involve a different airline, a different route, a specialized crate, cargo transportation, or a completely different travel arrangement.
💡 The important thing is not to book your own flight first and figure out your dog's transportation later. Airline and destination requirements need to be considered together.
This is where professional pet relocation becomes particularly valuable. Orient International Relocation's Pet Handling Services provide specialized support for international pet moves, including airline coordination, veterinary preparation, flight-safe crating, transit monitoring, customs clearance, and door-to-door delivery.
In this guide, we'll explain which types of dogs commonly face airline restrictions, why they are restricted, and what options you have if your dog cannot travel on a standard flight.
Why Do Airlines Restrict Certain Dog Breeds From Flying?
The biggest reason is animal safety.
Dogs with shortened or flattened noses, known as brachycephalic breeds, can have difficulty regulating their breathing, particularly when exposed to heat, stress, or restricted airflow.
Air travel can involve several potentially stressful stages:
Airport transfers
Waiting and handling
Loading and unloading
Changes in temperature
Long periods inside a travel crate
Transit through connecting airports
Because of these risks, airlines may restrict or refuse certain breeds, particularly for cargo transportation.
However, there is an important distinction:
There is no single worldwide list of dog breeds that are banned from flying.
An airline may prohibit a breed completely, permit it only under certain conditions, allow it in the cabin but not the cargo hold, or accept it only on particular aircraft or routes.
That means your dog's breed, size, destination, airline, and travel conditions all need to be assessed together.
Which Dog Breeds Are Commonly Restricted by Airlines?
1. Brachycephalic or Short-Nosed Dogs
Brachycephalic dogs are the group most commonly associated with airline restrictions.
Examples include:
French Bulldogs
English Bulldogs
Pugs
Boston Terriers
Boxers
Shih Tzus
Pekingese
Japanese Chins
Brussels Griffons
Chow Chows
Some airlines also apply similar restrictions to mixed-breed dogs with pronounced brachycephalic characteristics.
The concern is not simply the breed name. It is the increased risk associated with the dog's respiratory anatomy, particularly during stressful or hot conditions.
For example, Lufthansa states that the carriage of snub-nosed breeds of cats and dogs has been restricted since 2020.
IATA's current airline-specific Live Animals Regulations addenda also demonstrate that individual airlines can maintain their own breed restrictions or special container requirements.
Does That Mean a Brachycephalic Dog Cannot Fly?
Not necessarily.
Depending on the airline and route, alternatives may include:
Cabin travel where permitted
A different airline
A different aircraft
A different route
Specialized handling
Ground transportation for part of the journey
Professional pet relocation coordination
The key is determining the safest permitted option before the journey is booked.
2. Large and Giant Dog Breeds
Large dogs aren't necessarily "restricted breeds," but their size can create a different set of airline challenges.
Examples include:
Great Danes
Saint Bernards
Mastiffs
Newfoundlands
Irish Wolfhounds
Great Pyrenees
Bernese Mountain Dogs
The problem is often the size of the required travel crate.
A large dog may need an oversized crate that:
exceeds standard cargo dimensions
cannot fit through certain aircraft cargo doors
cannot be accommodated on particular aircraft
limits available flight options
increases transportation costs
This means a large dog may be perfectly healthy and eligible to fly but still be unable to travel on a particular flight.
In these cases, the solution is often route and aircraft planning, rather than simply finding another crate.
Orient's pet relocation team assesses your pet's breed, size and destination before planning the journey, then coordinates flights, crate preparation and logistics accordingly.
3. Dogs With Breed-Specific Airline Restrictions
Some airlines maintain restrictions on particular breeds because of safety, handling or liability considerations.
These restrictions can include certain:
Bull breeds
Mastiff-type dogs
Fighting or guard breeds
Other breeds classified as restricted by individual carriers
However, it is important not to assume that a dog is automatically prohibited because of its breed.
Airline policies are not universal. One airline may refuse a particular breed while another may accept it under specific conditions. Additionally, destination countries can have their own breed restrictions that are completely separate from airline rules.
So there are actually two questions to answer:
Will the airline transport my dog?
Will the destination country allow my dog to enter?
Both need to be checked before travel.
4. Dogs Affected by Extreme Temperatures
Sometimes the problem isn't the breed itself.
Airlines can impose restrictions when temperatures at the departure, transit, or arrival airport become too hot or too cold.
This is particularly important for:
Brachycephalic dogs
Elderly dogs
Very young dogs
Dogs with respiratory problems
Dogs with other health concerns
A flight that is acceptable during one season may not be suitable during another. This is why choosing the right departure date and routing can be just as important as choosing the airline.
IATA recommends that travelers confirm with their selected airline that the pet will be accepted on the specific day and flight, and notes that airlines may limit the number of animals accepted on a flight.
5. Dogs Requiring Special Handling
Some dogs may not be prohibited from flying but still require additional planning.
This could include dogs that are:
Very large
Elderly
Anxious during travel
Recovering from a medical issue
Traveling with special veterinary requirements
Traveling on complex multi-leg international routes
These cases require more than simply purchasing an airline-approved crate.
They require coordination between:
Your veterinarian
The airline
Airport handlers
Customs authorities
Pet relocation specialists
What Should You Do If Your Dog Is Restricted From Flying?
Finding out that your preferred airline doesn't accept your dog doesn't necessarily mean your international move has to be postponed.
There are several possible solutions.
Option 1: Find an Airline That Accepts the Breed
Different airlines have different pet policies.
A professional pet relocation company can compare available routes and determine which airlines are suitable for your dog's:
Breed
Size
Age
Destination
Travel date
Crate dimensions
This is much safer than choosing an airline based solely on your own passenger ticket.
Option 2: Change the Route
Sometimes the best solution isn't changing the airline—it is changing the route.
For example, a direct flight may not be possible, while a carefully selected connecting route may work.
However, additional connections can also introduce:
Longer travel times
Transit restrictions
Additional handling
More complicated documentation
Additional airline requirements
The goal should therefore be the safest viable route, not simply the cheapest or fastest flight.
Option 3: Use Specialized Cargo Transportation
For many international relocations, pets travel as air cargo rather than as ordinary passenger baggage.
This can provide access to specialized animal-handling procedures and may make certain international routes possible.
However, cargo does not automatically mean that a restricted breed can fly.
The airline, aircraft, route, weather conditions and breed restrictions still need to be checked.
Orient coordinates airline bookings, approved crates, airport handling, flight monitoring, and arrival procedures as part of its end-to-end pet relocation service.
Option 4: Use a Professional Pet Relocation Service
For complicated cases, professional assistance can make a significant difference.
A specialist can evaluate the entire journey rather than looking at one part of it.
At Orient, the process starts by assessing details such as:
Breed
Pet size
Origin
Destination
Travel requirements
The team then plans the appropriate travel arrangements, crate preparation, documentation and logistics.
This becomes particularly important when a dog has an airline restriction or requires special handling.
What About Driving or Ground Transport?
For some international routes, part of the journey may be possible by ground transportation.
For example, a pet may be transported by road to an airport or location where a suitable airline and route are available.
This can sometimes provide an alternative when the most convenient local airport does not accept the breed.
However, international ground transportation brings its own requirements and must be assessed based on the countries involved.
The objective isn't to force a particular transportation method.
It is to create a safe, legal and practical door-to-door relocation plan.
What About Sedation?
Sedating a dog simply because it is difficult to transport is not a solution to an airline breed restriction.
Sedation can affect an animal's ability to respond to changes in its environment, and whether medication is appropriate should be determined by a veterinarian in accordance with airline requirements.
Orient specifically advises that sedation should only be considered under veterinary guidance and in line with airline rules.
Never use medication to try to make an otherwise unsuitable flight possible.
How Orient Handles Special-Case Dog Relocations
This is where professional pet relocation can make the biggest difference.
Orient International Relocations is Nepal's only IPATA-certified pet relocation specialist, according to its current pet-handling service page.
The team doesn't simply book a flight and hand your dog over at the airport.
Orient's pet relocation process can include:
Pre-Travel Assessment
Your dog's breed, size, destination and travel requirements are assessed before the journey is planned.
Airline and Route Planning
Orient coordinates airline options, routes and timing based on your dog's specific circumstances.
Veterinary Coordination
Pre-flight health checks and required veterinary documentation are coordinated with local veterinary partners.
Specialized Crating
Orient can provide airline-approved crates or advise on the correct crate size for owner-supplied crates.
Airport Handling
Trained staff accompany the pet through the airport and coordinate handover to the airline.
Transit Monitoring
Orient monitors the journey and provides updates at major milestones.
Customs and Arrival
The team coordinates customs clearance and safe delivery to the destination.
This end-to-end approach is particularly valuable when a dog cannot simply travel on the same flight and in the same way as a standard pet.
What If You're Moving a Restricted Dog From or To Nepal?
For families moving to or from Nepal, there is another layer of complexity.
International pet relocation involves both the requirements of the country your pet is leaving and the requirements of the destination country.
Orient has experience coordinating pet moves in and out of Nepal, including veterinary documentation, airline-approved crates, customs procedures and international transportation.
The company also provides door-to-door pet relocation, including airport handling, flight monitoring and home delivery.
That means you don't have to figure out the airline, veterinary, customs and transportation requirements separately.
Don't Book Your Flight Before Checking Your Dog's Travel Options
This is one of the most important lessons for anyone relocating internationally with a dog.
Your flight and your dog's flight are not necessarily the same booking problem.
Before committing to your travel dates, determine:
Whether your airline accepts your dog's breed
Whether the aircraft can accommodate the required crate
Whether the route allows pets
Whether connecting airports accept animals
Whether temperature restrictions apply
Whether the destination permits the breed
What documentation is required
Whether your dog needs special veterinary preparation
A professional assessment early in the process can prevent expensive changes later.
For more guidance, see Orient's published guide on Airline Pet Travel Rules: How Pets Fly Internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dog breeds are most commonly restricted by airlines?
Brachycephalic or short-nosed breeds are among the most commonly restricted, including Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers and similar breeds. Large dogs may also face transportation limitations because of crate size and aircraft restrictions.
However, restrictions vary by airline and route.
Can French Bulldogs fly internationally?
They may be able to travel internationally, but many airlines impose restrictions on French Bulldogs because they are brachycephalic. The available options depend on the airline, route, aircraft, season and destination.
Can Pugs fly on airplanes?
Some airlines restrict Pugs, particularly for cargo travel. Other travel options may exist depending on the carrier and route.
Can large dogs fly internationally?
Yes, many large dogs can travel internationally. The challenge is often finding an aircraft and route capable of accommodating their crate.
What happens if an airline refuses my dog's breed?
A different airline, route, aircraft or travel arrangement may be possible. A professional pet relocation specialist can evaluate the options and coordinate the safest permitted solution.
Can Orient relocate dogs that airlines restrict?
Orient specializes in complex international pet relocations and can assess breed, size, destination, airline restrictions and routing options to determine an appropriate travel plan.
Having a dog that an airline restricts doesn't necessarily mean you cannot relocate internationally.
The important thing is understanding why the restriction exists and what alternatives are available.
For brachycephalic breeds, the issue may be respiratory safety. For large dogs, it may be crate dimensions or aircraft capacity. For other breeds, the restriction may come from an individual airline or the destination country's import regulations.
In many cases, there is another solution—a different airline, route, aircraft, travel arrangement or specialized handling plan.
The key is to investigate those options before you book your move.
With specialized international pet relocation support, even complicated cases can be planned around safely and compliantly.
Moving or Travelling With Your Dog?
If your dog is a brachycephalic breed, a large breed, subject to airline restrictions, or simply has a complicated international travel requirement, don't leave the planning until the last minute.
Get a Pet Relocation Quote from Orient International Relocations
Orient can help assess your dog's travel requirements, coordinate veterinary preparation, select suitable airline and routing options, arrange compliant crating, manage airport handling, monitor the journey and coordinate customs and delivery.
Whether you're moving to or from Nepal, the goal is the same: find the safest practical way to get your pet home.
For more information about the complete relocation process, read The Complete Guide to International Pet Relocation.
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