Thinking about transporting the pet from or to Finland? Finnair can be an excellent solution to the problem. They offer passengers to transport their pets in the cabin with them or via the cargo hold area on the same flight with them.
They also have cargo service in case passengers are not accompanying their pets.
Service dogs are allowed to be inside of the cabin without any additional charge. But emotional support animals are not accepted by Finnair. They can fly as normal pets by complying with specific regulations.
Finnair Pet Travel Options
Finnair offers all three options regarding transporting the pet companions. But there are specific criteria to meet.
| Travel options | If the total weight of the pet and its carrier is under – |
| Carry-on Pets | 8 kg or 17 lb |
| In the hold | 50 kg or 110 lb |
| Via cargo | Over 50 kg or 110 lb |
Pets in the cabin
Finnair allows passengers to keep their pet with them inside of the cabin if the pet weighs up to 8 kg or 17 lb including in its container.
Pets that are allowed inside of the cabin :
| Cats | Small dogs |
| Pet rabbits | Tortoises |
| Hedgehogs | – |
- Your animal will fly in its own pet container or box, which will be put beneath the seat in front of you. The pet must remain in the container or crate from the departure lounge until the landing port at the destination location.
- Passengers traveling with dogs are normally placed at the back of the plane.
Container requirements for pets in the cabin
- A soft -sided pet container is the most suitable option for cats, dogs, and bunnies since it is adjustable enough to slip underneath the seat in front of you and enables the pet to stand up and lie down securely.
- Kindly use an IATA-approved solid-bottomed pet container or crate. A soft-sided pet container should be leakage-proof with a ventilated mesh in the front. Pets should not be transported in other sorts of soft bags.
- The combined mass of the animal and its container cannot be more than 8kg (17lb).
- Two full grown dogs or a total of three pups under the age of six months in a single dog crate or box can be transported, as long as the overall mass does not surpass 8 kg or 17 lb.
- Air travel can be a fascinating experience for animals. It is best to provide them with food and drink well before the journey. Trying to feed the pet right before the trip, on the other hand, is not advised because flying might trigger nausea in animals. Travelers may also have a diaper on hand for their animal just in preparation. The majority of pets doze off on the plane. A comfortable blanket may frequently soothe a tense pet.
Kennel dimensions for pets in the cabin
| Container type | Finnair operated flights | Norra operated flights |
| Soft sided | 55 cm x 40 cm x 3 cm Or 22 in x 16 in x 9 in | 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm Or 21 in x 15 in x 8 in |
| Hard sided | 35 cm x 30 cm x 20 cm Or 14 in x 12 in x 8 in | 35 cm x 30 cm x 20 cm Or 14 in x 12 in x 8 in |
Pets in the hold
Finnair allows passengers to transport their pet with them in the cargo hold area of the same aircraft if the pet weighs up to 50 kg or 110 lb including in its container.
- You will receive your pet at the airport terminal reception area after the flight. Kindly demonstrate to their representative the luggage receipt that you were given during check-in. Their ground team at the terminal arrivals will gladly assist you if you want ssupport
Pets that are allowed in the hold area :
| Big dogs | Ferrets |
Conditions in the hold area
- The area of the hold where animals are transported is air-conditioned and preheated (always above +10° Celsius). There is also no lighting in the hold due to regulatory guidelines.
Container requirements for pets in the hold area
- Simply pick a travel crate designed specifically for pet movement. The shipping crate should be spacious enough for your pet to stand, lay on the floor, and rotate around freely. Kindly recheck the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) cargo container requirements.
- Pets weighing more than 40 kg or 88 lb must always be carried in a sturdy travel box.
- Finnair does not try to sell cargo crates.
- Two full grown dogs or a total of three pups under the age of six months in a single dog crate or box can be transported, as long as the overall mass does not surpass 14 kg or 30 lb. Keep in mind that some nations may have limitations on carrying more than one animal in the same box.
- Air travel can be a fascinating experience for animals. It is best to provide them with food and drink well before the journey. Trying to feed the pet right before the trip, on the other hand, is not advised because flying might trigger nausea in animals. The majority of pets doze off on the plane. A comfortable blanket may frequently soothe a tense pet. Any use of sedation and tranquilizers for pets during the transportation is discouraged by IATA.
- Keep in mind that the cargo cannot be accessible during the flight.
Container dimensions based upon different aircrafts for pets in the hold are
| AIrcraft | Maximum dimensions |
| A330, 350 | 122 cm x 81 cm x 89 cm |
| A319, 320, 321 | 122 cm x 81 cm x 89 cm |
| E90 (Norra) | 101 cm x 68 cm x 76 cm |
| ATR (Norra) | 81 cm x 57 cm x 53 cm |
Finnair Pets Cargo Service
Finnair allows passengers to transport their pets in the cargo if the pet weighs over 50 kg or 110 lb including in its container.
Pets that must be shipped via cargo :
| Rodents | Exotic pets |
| Snakes | Lizards |
| Birds | Insects |
| Unaccompanied animals | Animals brought by a third person from outside the EU |
Animals that are not transported in cargo :
| Primates | Canines | Animals intended for laboratory experiment |
- Whenever pets are transported as cargo, they must be brought to the cargo terminal and picked up at the destination freight terminal. The amount charged is determined by several factors, including the weight and size of the animal and its carrier.
Booking for cargo
- Reservations for pets should be arranged through a forwarding provider, such as Travelcargo.
- When transporting live animals, it is critical to arrange trips well in advance
Destination restrictions for cargo
- Finnair Cargo flies pets from outside Finland all the way to Helsinki.
- Animal transfers are not often accessible inside Finland since no special cargo is permitted on internal routes.
- Restrictions and procedures may be in effect for each country of destination. The simplest option to obtain more precise country-specific data is to approach the target country’s local embassy.
Documents for cargo
- Have all of the appropriate documentation in order to comply with the International Air Transport Association’s requirements (IATA).
Checklist for pets in cargo
- Gather all of the relevant documentation for the pets.
- Confirm a cargo reservation and double-check the information.
- Verify that IATA and airline requirements are followed.
- Buy an appropriate animal crate.
- Confirm to see what sort of food is permitted during transportation.
- Give directions for feeding.
- Examine the animal’s physical health and alert the transporter.
- Inform about the drug’s to the carrier.
Finnair Pet Travel Fee
Pet travel costs for Finnair flights are listed below.
| Travel options | Flights Within The Middle East, Europe and Russia | Transcontinental flights |
| Pet in the cabin | €50 | €90/$100 |
| Pet in the hold | €90 | €300/$350 |
- State taxes will be applied to the charge while exiting from India.
Documents required
Guidelines for shipping pets and the necessary documentation, vaccines, and confinement times differ by country. Prior to booking the travels, Finnair recommends contacting the officials in the countries of departing and landing.
Any cats, dogs, and ferrets traveling across European Union’s nations must have a pet passport. A pet passport may be obtained from a veterinarian. The Finnish Food Authority‘s website has more details concerning moving pets into and out of Finland.
Age restrictions
- Whether you’re taking a puppy, it should have been at least eight weeks old, separated from its mum, and able to sustain itself.
Destination restrictions
Various nations have various rules when it comes to traveling with animals. Specific animals or breeds may well be prohibited from entering specific nations. Finnair recommends contacting the closest embassy or consulate to learn about the relevant restrictions for the visit.
Pets can only be transported via cargo in the below-mentioned countries :
| United Arab Emirates | Hong Kong |
| Great Britain | Australia |
- Keep in mind that beginning March 1, 2020, dogs traveling in the aircraft hold do not automatically move to connected flights at Helsinki Airport. Retrieve the animal in the airport terminal and check it in for the connection journey in the airport departure lounge in case of having a connecting flight from Helsinki afterward.
Aircraft restrictions
- Keep in mind that dogs are not permitted to fly in Business Class on all transcontinental flights due to a lack of space beneath the full-flat seats.
- Keep in mind that the type of aircraft for their European flights may alter after the booking has been done. If you do have any additional problems or queries about this, feel free to contact their customer care.
Service dogs
Any guide dog, listening dog, or service dog is permitted to fly inside of the cabin on every one of Finnair flights for free of charge. The service dog is welcome to ride in the square footage in front of the passenger’s chair.
Whenever the fasten seatbelt light is illuminated, position the dog beneath the chair in front of you. If you’re concerned whether there is sufficient space inside the cabin for your dog, please contact Finnair customer care for additional details.
Remember to notify Finnair of your dog’s presence at least 48 hours prior the departure using the special assistance form or through reaching their customer service. They will need some information regarding the dog, such as its species and dimensions. Finnair will then verify that the dog is permitted onboarding, and you can make your way with confidence.
Checklist for travelers with service dogs:
- Kindly confirm that the dog conforms with all hygiene regulations in the arrivals and departures nations to guarantee a seamless flight to or from the desired destination.
- Because flying may be exhilarating for pets, it is important to ensure that the dog is used to traveling and is adapted to varied situations along the journey.
- Finnair proposes that your dog wears a collar or anything comparable to signify that it is on duty.
- Travelers on their direct flights to or from the United States may fly with a service dog, along with a mental service dog, that has been specially trained to perform activities for the benefit of a qualifying individual with a handicap.
Emotional Support Animals (ESA)
Kindly take note that under US Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, emotional support pets are no longer classed as service dogs, therefore Finnair will no longer recognize or accept the emotional support pet designation.
Booking
To fly with your animal on Finnair, you must first obtain confirmation from them. Kindly order tickets and let them know about your pet as soon as possible (inside 24 hours) via reaching them via their messaging platform.
Must have the pet kennel measurements and also the overall mass of the animal and the container on hand. If they are unable to accommodate your pet on the scheduled flights, they will reimburse your ticket.
- When you’ve already booked a reservation and intend to bring your pet, please inform them using their chat service.
- They can normally accommodate two dogs in the cabins and two in the baggage area for a single journey. Nevertheless, the type of aircraft, whether at the target or on the journey, as well as allergic passengers, can restrict the amount of dogs allowed.
- Please keep in mind that various carriers have varying regulations regarding pet transportation. If your itinerary contains flights on other carriers, kindly verify their regulations as well.
Check-in
Whenever flying with an animal, kindly check-in at the Finnair check-in counter rather than through the self-service portals. The check-in procedure is the same for dogs flying in the cabin as well as those flying in the aircraft’s hold.
- They measure your pet’s weight and ensure that the pet container or crate meets IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations and is large enough for your animal during check-in. They will then go over all of the relevant paperwork with you, such as the pet passport, transfer/export/import permissions, and medical and immunization certifications.
- The pet travel charge must be paid upfront; Utilize their chat service to obtain the payment link.
- When your pet is transported in the hold, they will take care of it once the check-in process is done. To prevent leaving your pet in the aircraft’s hold for any longer than needed, your pet would be transported there only after all departing procedures have been completed and the airplane is prepared to take off.
- Animals will also be subjected to a security screening. If you are traveling with an animal in the cabin, you will be required to take the animal through screening. After check-in, their personnel will take dogs traveling in the hold through screening.
- While flying with your animal, you will generally join the airplane with the group listed on your booking card.
Checklist – if you are flying with a pet
- Check out if you can fly with your animal to your location.
- Confirm to see if your animal may fly in the cabin or hold on the very same aircraft as you, or if it must fly as cargo individually.
- Plan your trip ahead of time. Confirm your reservation online and let Finnair know concerning your pet as soon as possible (inside 24 hours) by reaching them via their messaging platform.
- When you’ve already purchased your tickets and also have decided to fly along with your pet, let Finnair know as soon as possible by informing them using their chat service.
- Take better care of your animal’s documentation and vaccines.
- Make absolutely sure your pet has a proper container, crate, or bucket.
- Start preparing your pet for the journey by familiarizing it with the crate or box ahead of time.
- Rather than utilizing the self-service methods, kindly verify in for your journey at their check-in counter.
How to add a pet to my flight?
- Inform Finnair about your pet as soon as you book your flight. Contact a certified flight forwarder in case you are shipping your pet via cargo.
- Gather all the documents as per the requirements of your destination country.
- Visit your vet to make sure your pet is all good to fly.
- Buy a container as per the regulations of the IATA.
- Prepare your pet for the flight.
- Check-in a few hours ago with your pet before the flight so that you can manage any complications that can occur on the flight day.
- Enjoy your flight.
Tips
- Whenever traveling with a pet, the first step would be to make a consultation with your vet. You want to make sure your pet is in excellent enough health to travel. If your veterinarian gives you the go-ahead to go, schedule a follow-up appointment close to your departure date.
- Carriers only accept a certain number of animals each flight, so book in advance to guarantee you receive your preferred flight. Make your bookings well in advance, especially if you are flying with your pet in cargo or abroad, because planning the procedures might take months.
- Feed your dog in the pet carrier for a few weeks before your travel to help her create a good relationship with it. Place her bedding and a few personal possessions inside to demonstrate that this is her area to play, rest, and relax.
- Come to the airport on time, but not quite so early, and bring your dog’s health certificate with you. You will not be permitted to check-in your pet more than 4 hours prior to the trip. When flying with a pet, most carriers advise coming two hours before your flight. People traveling with dogs must check in at the desk; curb and self-service check-in are not permitted.
FAQ
Are pets allowed on Finnair?
Finnair offers all three options regarding transporting pets. But there are certain criterias to meet. Finnair offers to transport pets in the cabin with you or via the cargo hold area of the same flight. They also have cargo services for in cases unaccompanied pets.
Can you bring a dog to Finland?
Yes, by using Finnair, dogs can be brought to Finland. They are allowed to fly while inside the cabin and in the cargo compartment. Dedicated cargo service is not available, as there are no certified flight forwarders allowed.
How much does Finnair charge for pets?
Finnair normally charges 50 to 100 euros for pets inside of the cabin and 90 to 350 euros for pets as checked baggage. Charges for cargo depend on the size and weight of the pet and its container as well as on the specific destinations.
What documents does Finnair require?
Guidelines for shipping pets and the necessary documentation, vaccines, and confinement times differ by country. Prior to booking the trip, Finnair recommends contacting the officials in the countries of departing and landing.
Finnair Contact details
| Finland | +358 300 871 160 |
| Canada | +1 647 946 9431 |
| Singapore | +65 3158 9868 |
| Abu Dhabi | +971 2 676 0900 |
| Dubai | +971 4 397 8434 |
| United Kingdom | 0330 8081 188 |
| New York | +1 929 474 6049 |
| Los Angeles | +1 323 694 7646 |
Finnair Short Profile
| Airlines Name | Finnair |
| IATA Code | AY |
| ICAO Code | FIN |
| Callsign | FINNAIR |
| Website | Finnair |
| Social Media Pages | |
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