Taking your Dog on Vacation to Dubai

Dubai, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is really easy for humans to get there, but what about your dog? What if you want to take your dog with you.

Note: This post considers you are a tourist, visiting on a holiday, not moving. For moving, see our guide.

There are two ways by which this is doable; depending on the size of your dog, your will to load them into the cargo section or in-cabin.

Emirates Pets

Emirates’ Skycargo offers the ‘Emirates Pets’ service, delivering your dog from one place to another. They follow all IATA live animal guidelines and they even have vet facilities at Dubai.

Requirements for Travel

• For all itineraries ending in Dubai, animals must be transported as cargo 
• For more information on shipping animals as cargo, please contact Emirates SkyCargo(Opens an external website in a new window) or your local cargo agent.
• For itineraries that start in Dubai and travelling to countries that allow animals to enter as “excess baggage” (i.e., not as manifested cargo), falcons, cats, dogs and pet birds can be transported as checked baggage in the hold as long as the total journey time (including any transit time) is less than 17 hours, and all appropriate conditions are met.

Animal + cage	Price
When the animal and cage combined do not exceed 23kg and 59 inches / 150cm	USD 500
When the animal and cage combined weigh between 24 ‑ 32kg and dimensions between 59inches /150cm and 118inches / 300cm	USD 650
When the animal and cage combined weigh over 32kg and dimensions between 59inches /150cm and 118inches / 300cm	USD 800
When the cage dimensions exceed dimensions 118inces / 300cms.	Cargo
When travelling into Dubai	Cargo
If the total journey time exceeds 17 hours	Cargo
When destined for a country that DOES NOT allow live animal as check‑in Baggage	Cargo

For more information; contact your local Emirates office.

Etihad

Abu Dhabi based Etihad Airways has recently allowed pets in-cabin on it’s flights to Abu Dhabi.

Requirements

• If you are travelling in Economy, your pet will sit in their carrier under your seat, or you can purchase an adjacent seat for them to sit in their carrier next to you. The pet travel bag or kennel must not exceed 40 x 40 x 22cm (L x W x H) to fit under your seat or 50 x 43 x 50cm (L x W x H) if you have purchased an adjacent seat
• If you are travelling in Business or First, you can purchase an adjacent seat for your pet to sit in their carrier next to you. The pet travel bag or kennel must not exceed 50 x 43 x 50cm (L x W x H)
• Your cat or dog must be at least 16 weeks old and weigh no more than 8kg including their carrier
• Pets will not be accepted on flights operated by our partner airlines.
• You must be at least 18 years old to travel with a pet

Arrival in Abu Dhabi

Etihad is Abu Dhabi based; they don’t operate flights to Dubai. You’ll need to land in Abu Dhabi and then drive to Dubai. That drive is about an hour on Sheikh Zayed Road (E11). This is easily arrangeable* by taxi, Uber or any such service.

*You will need to make sure the operator of the vehicle is comfortable taking a pet.

Costs

Economy

For flights six hours or less, it costs $150 or 22,000 Etihad Guest Miles each way to travel with your cat or dog. For flights over six hours, it costs $250 or 36,000 Etihad Guest Miles. 

If you are transiting, the combined price will apply.

If you’d prefer to book an adjacent seat, our normal fares apply. Please make sure to book in advance.

To pay using Etihad Guest Miles, please call. 

Business

If you’re travelling in Business or First, you must purchase an extra seat in advance for your pet. 

To pay using Etihad Guest Miles, please call.

Booking for Both

To be able to travel with a pet, you’d need to get in touch with the chosen airline, they will further direct you.

Information is rapidly changing, please check airline websites and contact airlines and destinations.