Brussels Airlines is the main carrier and largest airline in Belgium, based at Brussels Airport. They welcome cats and dogs in the cabin and hold to most of their flights. Other animals can be transported as cargo.

First, if you want to travel with Brussels Airlines, you should book your pet for the flight in advance. For this, connect to the service center by phone at +44 800 640 40 04. Please note that on some routes, pets cannot be transported in the cabin or the hold (for example, to the UK), so check the restrictions of your destination country. As soon as your pet is approved for transportation, you can start preparing for the journey.

Different rules and regulations apply depending on the type of animal and its size. According to the pet policy of Brussels Airlines, only dogs and cats that weigh no more than 8 kg (including the transport bag) can travel in the aircraft cabin. Besides, you should consider the following requirements:

· The animal must be older than 15 weeks (16 weeks for the USA);

· It must be clean, healthy, and calm;

· Pregnant pets may be transported if the owner provides a certificate from a veterinarian that proves that the transportation of this pet is allowed;

· Fees for small animals vary from €50 to €100. You can find more information on costs on the Brussels Airlines website.

Pet owners are responsible to provide a proper container for their pets. You can choose a soft bag or a hard transport container for the transportation of your pet in the cabin. If you travel from Brussels Airport, you can buy a container at the airport for €45. When choosing a container, note that:

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

· It must be leakproof and odor proof;

· Only 1 container with a pet is allowed per passenger;

· You can take a maximum of 2 adult pets in the same container if they are comfortable with each other and their total weight does not exceed 8 kg (including the container);

· You can take a maximum of 2 small pets (not older than 6 months) in the same container if they are from the same litter and their total weight does not exceed 8 kg (including the container);

· Container with the pet must be placed under the seat in front of the owner. The pet must stay in the container during the flight. No part of the pet’s body may pass through the container (head, tail).

Passengers with pets must be seated on the window seats and cannot have the following places on the aircraft:

· In the emergency exit rows;

· In the first row on narrow-body aircraft;

· Close to other pets.

If your pet weighs more than 8 kg (including the container), it can be transported in the hold.

· The animal must be older than 15 weeks (16 weeks for the USA);

· It must be clean, healthy, and calm;

· The pet must be transported in a suitable container;

· It must have enough food and water for the flight;

· It is prohibited to transport pregnant animals in the hold.

Pet owners are responsible to provide a proper container for their pets. When choosing a container, note that:

· The maximum dimensions of the container are 125 x 75 x 85 cm. If your container exceeds the norm, it must be transported as cargo;

· The pet must be able to stand in the natural position, turn around and lie down without any difficulties in the container;

· No part of the pet’s body may pass through the container (head, tail);

· The container must have rigid walls;

· It must have a solid top and a waterproof bottom;

· The doors must be fastened securely, so the container does not open during the flight;

· The container must be escape-proof, claw-proof, and clean;

· It must be ventilated on 4 sides;

· It is prohibited to use containers with wheels;

· You must put a label on the container with the information about feeding your animal;

· You should provide food and water for your pet in hermetic containers. The water container must be accessible from the outside.

Due to safety issues, snub-nosed breeds of cats and dogs are not allowed in the hold. When they travel by air, they can suffer stress and have serious health problems. However, you can take your pet in the cabin if you complete a special formand send it to release@brusselsairlines.com. Snub-nosed animals can also be transported as cargo under certain restrictions.

Snub-nosed dog breeds include:

· Affenpinscher;

· Bulldog (all breeds except American Bulldog);

· Pugs (all breeds);

· American Pit Bull Terrier;

· American Staffordshire Terrier;

· Boston Terrier;

· Boxer;

· Brussels Griffon;

· Bull Mastiff;

· Bull Terrier;

· Chow Chow;

· English Toy Spaniel;

· Japanese Chin;

· Japanese Spaniel;

· Lhaso Apso;

· Pekingese;

· Pit Bull;

· Shar Pei;

· Shih Tzu;

· Staffordshire Bull Terrier;

· Cross-breeds of the breeds above.

Snub-nosed cat breeds include:

· British Shorthair;

· Exotic Shorthair;

· Himalayan;

· Persian;

· Scottish Fold.

If you plan to transport your pet unaccompanied or its weight exceeds the maximum of 20 kg, your pet can only be transported by cargo. Transportation of live animals is handled in full compliance with the IATA Live Animal Regulations (LAR) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

For pets traveling in the cargo hold, small carriers must measure 53 x 36 x 38 cm. Other permitted shipping container sizes:

66 cm x 46 cm x 48 cm;

80 cm x 56 cm x 55 cm;

91 cm x 61 cm x 66 cm;

102 cm x 69 cm x 88 cm;

121 cm x 81 cm x 88 cm.

Do not forget that you also have to collect all the required documents for the transportation of your pet. These documents may include:

· Export, import, or transit permits;

· Health and/or vaccination certificates;

· Pet passport/ID.

Different countries have different requirements for transporting pets. It is important to clarify the details with the governmental representatives. For more information, please visit the “International Travel” section on our website.