Swiss International Air Lines is a carrier from Switzerland, based in Zurich. The company carries pets on its flights, but there are several requirements you have to follow if you plan a journey with your pet.

It is allowed to transport dogs and cats with Swiss. Pets can travel in the cabin or the cargo hold, depending on their weight. The number of animals per person is limited – each passenger can take up to two pets on board. So, it is important to book a flight in advance. Please contact the service center at your local phone number to check if the place for your pet is still available (+44 345 601 0956 for the UK and +1 833 262 0737 for the USA).

If you want to transport your pet in the cabin with you, consider the following requirements:

· Dogs and cats up to 8 kg with a transport container can travel in the cabin;

· The maximum size of a container is 55 x 40 x 23 cm;

· For the transportation of a pet, you can use a soft bag or a container;

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

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

· It is prohibited to open a container and take a pet out of it during the flight. The container must be placed under the seat of the owner during the take-off, landing, and turbulences;

· You cannot travel with a pregnant, unhealthy or dangerous animal;

· Assistance and protective dogs have no restrictions and can travel in the cabin without a container.

If your pet weighs more than 8 kg, it can only be transported in the cargo hold. Make sure your pet meets these requirements to be allowed for transportation:

· Only dogs and cats can be transported in the hold. Other species travel as cargo with Swiss WorldCargo. Please, contact themfor detailed information;

· Pregnant, unhealthy, unclean, and dangerous animals are prohibited to travel in the hold;

· Snub-nosed dogs are prohibited to travel in the hold as well;

· A pet must travel in an appropriate transport container or a crate (due to IATA regulations);

· Inside the container there must be enough food and water for the flight;

· Some flights charge more than usual. Check this information on the official website of Swiss.

Swiss International Air Lines follows the IATA regulations on transport containers due to safety issues. These regulations determine the appropriate size and appearance of containers. Please, familiarize yourself with the following information:

· When your pet weighs 4 kg, its container should be 57 x 37 x 36 cm;

· When your pet weighs 6 kg, its container should be 71 x 50 x 51 cm;

· When your pet weighs 8 kg, its container should be 82 x 57 x 60 cm;

· When your pet weighs 11 kg, its container should be 93 x 65 x 68 cm;

· When your pet weighs 14 kg, its container should be 105 x 75 x 79 cm.

There are some restrictions on the transportation of pets as well:

· Pets are allowed to travel by air when they are 12 weeks old or older;

· It is prohibited to transport snub-nosed pets in the hold. They are especially sensitive to air travel due to their physical characteristics, so they may experience some health problems during the flight;

· Dogs and cats can only be transported as cargo to the following countries: Hong Kong, Ireland, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom;

· Pets flying directly to Switzerland are checked by Customs at the airport. If your pet doesn’t meet the requirements of Swiss International Air Lines, it will be sent to the departure country at your expense.

Snub-nosed dogs that are prohibited to travel in the cargo hold:

Affenpinscher, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Bulldog (all breeds except American Bulldog), Bullterrier (except Miniature Bullterrier), Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Japanese Spaniel, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Pekinese, Pit Bull, Pug (all breeds), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetian Spaniel.

Snub-nosed cats that are prohibited to travel in the cargo hold:

British Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan cat, Persian cat, Scottish Fold.

Dogs considered dangerous can only travel by Swiss in special cargo crates in the hold. They cannot be transported in the cabin. This is a list of fighting breeds:

· American Pitbull Terrier;

· American Staffordshire Terrier;

· Staffordshire Bullterrier;

· Bull terrier;

· Caucasian Shepherd Dog;

· Dogo Argentino;

· Karabash (Kangal dog);

· Rottweiler.

For the transportation of fighting breeds, the owner must get an appropriate crate that complies with these requirements:

· It must be made of wood, metal, synthetic materials, welded wire mesh, or standard wire mesh. It is prohibited to use containers that have any parts made of plastic;

· There must be applied some additional principles regarding the frame, sides, floor, top, and door. You may find the details here;

· The door of the container must be made of strong wire mesh, metal, or reinforced wood and have secure fastening. It must be small enough so that any part of the pet’s body cannot pass through it.