Austrian Airlines is the national carrier of Austria and a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group. The company is based at Vienna International Airport. Austrian Airlines accepts pets in the aircraft cabin and the baggage hold.

Passengers traveling with pets should inform the company of their plans at the time of booking. It is important to check available flights and make sure that pets can be transported safely on the chosen route. For any additional information, you can call the Contact Center at +44 20 76608190 and let them know that you are planning a journey with a pet.

After you have booked a flight, you have to check the requirements for pet transportation and prepare your pet for the journey. Moreover, you should consult your veterinarian about your pet's health and collect the necessary documents depending on your destination country. You can request such information from the embassies of each country or visit the “International Travel” section of our website.

Only pets at the age of 12 weeks and more are allowed for transportation with Austrian Airlines. Depending on the weight and size, your pet can be transported in the cabin or the baggage hold. It is possible to take up to 2 animals in one container if their total weight does not exceed the norm.

When your pet weighs no more than 8 kg (including the container), it can be accepted in the cabin. In this case, consider the following requirements:

· The maximum dimensions of the container are 55 x 40 x 23 cm;

· The container must be soft, bite-proof, odor proof and leak-proof;

· It must be well-ventilated;

· The container must fit the pet well, so it can stand in a natural position, lie down and turn without any difficulties;

· During the flight, the container must be placed under the seat in front of you.

On routes to some countries, such as the UK and Northern Ireland, Hong Kong, and South Africa, pets can be only carried as cargo regardless of their size.

Pets that are not accepted in the cabin may be transported in the hold, subject to the relevant transportation requirements. The passenger must inform the airline of the size and weight of the transport container at the time of booking. The container must comply with IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations.

To prepare for the flight, familiarize yourself with the following requirements:

· You can transport a maximum of two pets in one container if they are used to each other. In this case, the weight of each pet must not exceed 14 kg;

· The container must be strong and escape-proof;

· It must fit the pet well, so it can stand in a natural position, lie down and turn without any difficulties;

· There must be proper ventilation on at least three sides;

· The container must have a leak-proof bottom, covered with absorbent material;

· There must be containers for food and water inside the container;

· If you want to transport one of the so-called fighting dogs, you will need a special crate. You can get more details by contacting the Contact Center.

Please note that Austrian Airlines workers will check the condition of the container and the behavior of the pet upon check-in to ensure its safety and secure transportation on the journey.

Animals belonging to short-nosed breeds have special physical features and may experience breathing and circulatory problems as a result. Therefore, snub-nosed animals can seriously damage their health or even die. Due to safety issues, the transportation of these breeds in the hold is prohibited.

Snub-nosed dog breeds include Affenpinschers, Bulldogs, Pugs, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Boxers, Pekingese, etc. You can find the full list of breeds on the Austrian Airlines website. Snub-nosed cat breeds are British short-haired cats, Exotic shorthairs, Himalayan cats, Persian cats, and Scottish fold cats.

To prepare your pet for the flight, use the following tips:

· Let your pet get used to the transport container in advance. You can put your pet inside the container a few times at home and then treat it for staying there for a while. Getting familiarized with the container will make a journey less stressful for your pet;

· Many pets get nervous during the flight. Even if you are worried about your animal, do not give any tranquilizers to it without consulting your veterinarian. Medicines given without prescriptions may cause some health problems;

· To calm your pet down, put a favorite toy or a blanket for your pet inside the container;

· Ask your veterinarian about special feeding instructions during the flight.

When it is time to go to the airport, make sure to arrive on time. You should bring your pet to the check-in desk no later than two hours, but no earlier than three hours before the flight. You can check in online or via mobile phone up to 23 hours before departure. However, you have to arrive at the check-in desk to get your boarding pass.