Turkish Airlines Pet Policy for Dogs
A practical 2026 guide to Turkish Airlines dog travel rules, including cabin limits, hold requirements, breed restrictions, and booking steps.
Turkish Airlines Pet Policy Overview
Turkish Airlines allows dogs to travel either in the cabin or in the aircraft hold, depending on the combined weight of the dog and carrier, route rules, and breed restrictions. Fees are route-based and weight-based rather than one flat worldwide price.
Turkish Airlines states that pet transportation is not included in the free baggage allowance and is charged separately. Cabin pets must remain within the approved carrier size and weight limits. If the combined weight exceeds 8 kg, the dog and carrier travel in the aircraft hold. The airline also notes that destination-country entry rules, microchip and vaccination requirements, and breed eligibility must all be met before travel.
Last updated: 2026-03-25
How to Book Your Dog on Turkish Airlines
- Book your own Turkish Airlines ticket first. 2. Open your booking using your reservation code (PNR) on the Turkish Airlines website or mobile app, where the airline says pet reservations can be made. 3. Confirm whether your dog qualifies for cabin travel or must travel in the aircraft hold: cabin travel is limited to dogs whose combined weight with the carrier does not exceed 8 kg, while hold travel is allowed up to 50 kg combined. 4. Measure the carrier carefully before you finalize plans. For cabin travel, the carrier must not exceed 23 cm high, 30 cm wide, and 40 cm long. For hold travel, the crate must not exceed 75 cm high, 75 cm wide, and 125 cm long. 5. Review breed restrictions before paying. Turkish Airlines bans several dog breeds and their mixes entirely, and it separately warns that some respiratory-sensitive breeds are restricted from hold transport. 6. Check country-specific entry rules for your destination, especially if you are flying internationally or entering the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, or the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. 7. Prepare required documents, which may include vaccination records, pet passport or health certificate, microchip information, and any destination-specific rabies documentation. 8. Use Turkish Airlines’ pet fee calculator to confirm the applicable charge for your route, since fees vary by destination and by whether your dog travels as PETC or AVIH. 9. Arrive at the airport early. Turkish Airlines advises passengers traveling with pets to allow extra time before check-in. 10. At check-in, be ready for staff to verify the carrier dimensions, total weight, breed eligibility, and your dog’s travel documents before accepting the pet for transport.
Turkish Airlines vs Other Airlines
| Feature | Turkish Airlines | Lufthansa | Air Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Cabin Fee | Varies by route; interline to/from Türkiye lists PETC 0-8 kg at +75 USD | 35 EUR within Germany; 50 EUR within Europe/third countries; 70 EUR intercontinental | CA/US $50-$60 within Canada/Canada-U.S.; CA/US $100-$120 international |
| Cargo Fee | Varies by route and weight; interline to/from Türkiye lists AVIH at +150 USD | 70/100/150 EUR for medium hold kennel depending on region; 150/200/300 EUR for large hold kennel depending on region | CA/US $105-$126 within Canada/Canada-U.S.; CA/US $270-$324 international, with cargo options for larger shipments |
| Weight Limit | 8 kg in cabin; 50 kg in hold including carrier | 8 kg max in cabin | Up to 45 kg in baggage compartment including kennel |
| Carrier Size | Cabin: 23 x 30 x 40 cm; Hold: 75 x 75 x 125 cm | Cabin: max 55 x 40 x 23 cm (118 cm total) | Cabin varies by aircraft; common max 40 x 43 x 20 cm, with some aircraft allowing 40 x 55 x 27 cm |
| Breeds Restricted | Yes; several banned breeds and mixes, plus some snub-nosed hold restrictions | Yes; restrictions apply and service dogs must be notified in advance | Yes; short/snub-nosed dogs cannot travel in the baggage compartment and strong breeds may need reinforced crates |
| Booking Method | Reserve using PNR on website or mobile app | Register pet in cabin with Lufthansa in advance | Book your flight, then contact Air Canada Reservations to register the pet in advance |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog fly in the cabin on Turkish Airlines?
Yes, if your dog and carrier together do not exceed 8 kg and the carrier stays within Turkish Airlines’ cabin size limit of 23 x 30 x 40 cm.
How much does Turkish Airlines charge for dogs?
There is not one flat worldwide fee. Turkish Airlines says pet charges vary by route and weight category, and it provides a pet fee calculator. On interline flights to or from Türkiye, the published example shows +75 USD for PETC and +150 USD for AVIH.
Does Turkish Airlines allow dogs in the aircraft hold?
Yes. If the combined weight of the dog and carrier is over 8 kg, the dog must travel in the aircraft hold, subject to crate size, route, weather, and breed restrictions.
What dog breeds are not allowed on Turkish Airlines?
Turkish Airlines lists Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Pitbull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, and American Bully, plus their mixes, as not permitted on its flights.
Can I book my dog online with Turkish Airlines?
Turkish Airlines says you can make a pet reservation using your reservation code (PNR) on its website or mobile application, but acceptance still depends on space and document checks.
What documents do I need to fly with my dog on Turkish Airlines?
Requirements depend on your route and destination, but commonly include vaccination records, health documentation, and destination-specific entry paperwork. Turkish Airlines also notes microchip and rabies documentation requirements for some destinations.
How early should I arrive at the airport with a dog?
Turkish Airlines advises passengers traveling with pets to arrive with extra time before check-in because staff need to inspect the carrier, weight, breed eligibility, and travel documents.
Can I bring more than one pet carrier?
Usually yes. Turkish Airlines says a maximum of two pet carriers per passenger is allowed, but only one may be in the cabin; the other must go in the hold, or both may travel in the hold.