Worried about leaving your legged friend behind? Pet owners often face such situations, where they cannot carry their pets on a trip. If you’re one of those travelers, look no further than Singapore Airlines. Pets can travel as checked baggage on the same flight you have booked. However, service dogs are allowed to enter the cabin with you.
Singapore Airlines has certain rules and regulations regarding pet travel to ensure the safety and security of both passengers and your furry friend. It is essential for you to understand guidelines to ensure your pets arrive safely at your next destination.
What Types of Pets Can Fly With Singapore Airlines?
The Singapore Airlines pet policy accepts dogs and cats to travel as checked baggage. However, there are certain breeds of dogs and cats that are restricted from boarding on the flight.
Banned Dogs: The following breeds of dogs are not permitted to travel on a Singapore Airlines flight:
- Akita
- Boerboel
- Boston Terrier
- Boxer
- Brussels Griffon (Petit Brabancon)
- Bulldogs, including American, French, and English Bulldogs
- Chow Chow
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Japanese Chin (Chin, Japanese Spaniels, Japanese Pug)
- Lhasa Apso
- Mastiffs, including Neapolitan, and Dogue de Bordeaux
- Perro De Presa Canario
- Pit Bull (American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, American Bulldogs, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers)
- Pugs, including Carlino, Chinese, Mopshond, Mops Hund, and Pekingese
- Shar-Pei
- Shih Tzu
- Brachycephalic spaniels, including Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, English Toy Spaniel (King Charles Spaniel), and Tibetan Spaniels
- Tosa
Banned Cats: The following breeds of cats are not permitted to travel on a Singapore Airlines flight:
- British Shorthair
- Burmese
- Exotic Shorthair
- Himalayan
- Persian
- Scottish Fold
In addition to this, you must be aware of the following points too:
- Pregnant pets are not allowed to travel.
- Singapore Airlines Boeing 737-operated flights do not accept pets, as there is no temperature control on cargo.
Read Also – Air France Pet Policy
What Is The Pet Policy Of Singapore Airlines?
Singapore Airlines allow pets but only small dogs and cats, to travel as checked baggage, as the temperature in the cargo hold is maintained at a level similar to the passenger cabin for their comfort and safety. However, passengers must follow specific guidelines to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey for their furry companions. Please review the points below to understand the policy in detail:
- The pets must be at least three months or older to travel.
- Restricted dogs and cats will not be eligible to fly.
- The pet must be added to the travel at least two weeks before departure.
- When traveling with an assistance dog, the passenger must notify the airline at least 48 hours before scheduled departure.
- Singapore Airlines holds the right to deny boarding if dogs show disruptive behavior.
What Are The Pet Carrier Requirements of Singapore Airlines?
When flying with pets Singapore Airlines ensures that the design and structure of the container must meet the IATA standards for a safe and secure journey for the pet. In case the container fails to meet the requirements, you might not be able to transport your pet with you. To understand the pet carrier requirements, review the points below:
- The container for the checked bags must not exceed the maximum height that depends on the aircraft:
- 70cm on A350 aircraft
- 60cm on A380 aircraft
- 101cm on B777 aircraft
- 111cm on B787 aircraft
- The Boeing 737 does not accept pets in the cargo.
- The Singapore airlines allow pets in cabin but the maximum dimension of the container must not exceed 19 x 13 x 9 inches (48 x 33 x 23 cm) so that it can easily fit under the seat.
- If the combined weight of the dog and its container exceeds 32 kg, the pet will be transported as cargo instead of checked baggage.
- The container must be spacious enough to allow the pet to turn, lie, and stand easily.
- The container must be ventilated from three sides, with majority ventilation on the upper part.
- The container must be locked properly to avoid your pet escaping from the container during the trip.
- The container either already carries food and water for the pet or it can be refilled easily from outside.
How Much Does Singapore Airlines Charge For Pet Travel?
It is important to understand the Singapore Airlines pet travel cost in order to add your pet. Singapore Airlines considers pets as checked baggage, but they are not a part of your free checked baggage allowance. The airline counts it as additional baggage and charges accordingly. Additionally, the discounted rates are not available for the pet’s carriage.
- Domestic (For flights to and from the USA): Singapore Airlines counts the pet and the container as two separate pieces of baggage. The standard rate of the additional baggage will apply.
- International (For all flights, except those to and from the USA): The Singapore Airlines pet travel cost international flights will be calculated based on the total weight (container + pet). The standard rate for overweight baggage will apply.
What Are The Documents Required For Pet Travel?
Passengers planning for pet travel must submit certain documents to the airline. Otherwise, Singapore Airlines pets on board can be denied on the aircraft. The requirements for the documents can differ based on whether traveling is scheduled in Singapore or outside.
Documents when pet is traveling outside Singapore:
- Export license
- Indemnity form
- A veterinary health certificate
- Rabies vaccination letter
- Transshipment license (if any)
- Pet’s passport (if any)
Documents when pet is traveling to or within Singapore:
- Import license/Transshipment license, valid for 90 days
- Indemnity form
- A veterinary health certificate
- Vaccination records with dog’s or cat’s microchip number indicated
The pet owner must bring these documents to the airport to submit before the airline’s officials at the time of check-in.
Read Also – Cathay Pacific Pet Policy
Does Singapore Airlines Allow Pets In Cabin?
Yes, but only the assistance dogs are allowed to travel in the cabin. All the other cats and dogs must travel in the climate-controlled cargo hold as checked bags or manifest cargo.
Assistance dogs are the ones who are trained to perform tasks for disabled or medically challenged passengers. As per the Singapore Airlines pet travel policy, the comfort dogs, emotional support dogs, companionship dogs, and assistance dogs-in-training will not be considered as assistance dogs under the policy, and thus these animals are also not qualified to travel inside the cabin.
Singapore Airlines does not charge any additional fees for traveling with an assistance dog. However, the passenger must submit certain documents or answer a few questions to ensure the airline that it is eligible for travel as an assistance dog.
Documents Required For An Assistance Dog Travel

Assistance dogs are trained to assist the passengers with hearing disabilities, psychiatric services, or mobility assistance. The documents given below must be submitted before the airline:
- US DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form
- US DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form
- US Dog Import Declaration Form
- Import and/or export permits (subject to country-specific regulations)
- Transshipment license, if your dog is transiting through Singapore
- Veterinary health certificate
- Rabies vaccination letter
Terms And Conditions For An Assistance Dog
To bring an assistance dog inside the cabin, there are certain Singapore Airlines pet in cabin policy that must be followed:
- The assistance dog must be at least 4 months old or older.
- An assistance dog must not occupy a seat. Smaller dogs can sit on laps, and larger dogs must sit on the floor without obstructing the legroom space of other passengers.
- The dog cannot block an aisle or emergency seat.
- The dog must be harnessed, leashed, or kept inside a carrier the whole time during the flight.
- The dog must not show any sign of disruptive behavior. If they do so, the airline might restrict them from traveling.
Can You Explain The Pet Travel Journey With Singapore Airlines?
The Singapore Airlines pet travel arrangements must be made at least 2 weeks before the flight departure. Once you add the pet, here’s what you can expect throughout your pet’s journey:
- Report to the check-in counter two hours before for a domestic flight. If the journey is scheduled outside the U.S., you must reach the airport three hours before departure. Please remember to bring all the documents to the check-in counter.
- Once checked in, you can move to the boarding gate. You will have to leave the pet to the baggage storage area; the airline’s staff will transport the pet to the Singapore Airlines pet cargo section before departure.
- The pet will remain inside the carrier the whole time during the journey. The carrier will be refilled with food and water only when the aircraft lands.
- Once you land to your destination, collect your pet. Different airports might have different pet collection locations. Ask the arrival agent for more information.
Read Also – Spirit Airlines Pet Policy
How Do I Book Pet Travel With Singapore Airlines?
The Singapore Airlines travel with pets reservation cannot be made online. The passenger must contact the airline at least two weeks before the departure to add the pet on their booking. To add a pet with Singapore Airlines, follow the steps below:
- Book your Ticket: The passenger must have a valid booking with Singapore Airlines to add a pet.
- Contact the Airline: Dial and connect with a representative of the airline and share the following details:
- Type / breed / species
- Gender
- Name
- Age
- Colour
- Weight of pet
- Weight of container
- Dimensions of container (length x breadth x height)
- Documentation: Gather all the documents and send it to the airline. (Required documents are mentioned above)
- Payment: Enter the card details and complete the payment.
- Confirmation Email: The airline will send you the confirmation email.
Conclusion
The pet friendly airlines singapore offer a structured and safe pet travel experience for dogs and cats traveling as checked baggage, while assistance dogs are allowed in the cabin. To ensure there is no inconvenience, passengers are required to adhere to the airline’s rules and regulations regarding pet eligibility, carrier requirements, documentation, and booking procedures. With a little planning and knowledge of the airline’s rules, pet owners can make their pet travel from take-off to landing to be comfortable, stress-free, and smooth.
FAQs – Singapore Airlines Pet Travel
Yes, passengers can fly with their pets on Singapore Airlines aircraft, but they travel in the cargo hold as checked baggage.
Yes, small domesticated dogs and cats can travel in the temperature-controlled cargo hold.
The Boeing 737 cargo hold is not equipped with a temperature control system and thus unable to provide a comfortable environment for live animals.
You do not need to pay as long as your pet is an assistance dog. Other animals are not allowed to travel inside the cabin and must be placed in the cargo hold.
The pets inside the cabin will remain with you. If the pets are in the cargo section, they will be transferred to the connecting flight. If your layover is longer than 4 hours, you can take your pets to the pet relief area or kennel boarding service at the airport.
Yes, Singapore Airlines has prohibited the travel of “brachycephalic” (snub-nosed) breeds due to the higher risk of respiratory distress. The complete list of the banned breeds is provided above.
The passenger must submit the pet’s paperwork at least 14 days prior to the date of departure. There are a limited number of pets allowed on each flight, so add your pet immediately after your booking.
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