If you want to travel with your pet on the same flight, preparation begins before purchasing the ticket. The animal must have complete identification and vaccination records, the selected airline must accept that species, and there must be availability for the animal on the relevant flight. Just because a passenger ticket is issued does not mean the pet is automatically accepted for the flight.
This guide focuses on flying with pets as carry-on luggage within Turkey. It addresses the requirements for cats, dogs, and budgerigars, including microchip, passport, rabies vaccination, transport carrier, and application steps with the airline. It also explains the conditions for species with limited cabin acceptance, such as rabbits. The acceptance rules of bus, train, and ferry companies cannot be inferred from this airline table.
What should you check before planning your flight?
During the initial consultation, share the following information with both your veterinarian and the airline that will operate the flight:
- The type, breed, age, and current health status of the animal.
- The microchip number, PETVET registration, and pet passport for cats or dogs.
- The dates and records of the rabies and other vaccinations.
- The weight of the animal with the transport carrier and the external dimensions of the carrier.
- The dates of outbound, return, and any connecting flights.
- Whether it will be transported in the cabin or in the airline's animal transport area.
- The status of any additional health documentation requested by the company and the reservation confirmation.
It is advisable to conduct this check a few weeks before travel to avoid realizing last-minute that you are missing documentation or that your transport carrier is not suitable. If you have to wait due to vaccination dates, obtaining a new document on the same day does not shorten the waiting period.
Is a pet passport mandatory for domestic travel?
For domestic travel, cats and dogs must be registered with PETVET and must have their passports with them. The thought of "We're not going abroad, a passport is not needed" is incorrect.
A pet passport consolidates the animal's identity and health records. The microchip number and owner information must be accurate; vaccination applications must be recorded by the veterinarian. The existence of an old vaccination booklet does not, by itself, prove that identification and passport processes have been completed.
Keep the original passport in an easily accessible spot in your carry-on luggage. You can save a photo of it on your phone as a backup; do not assume that the company will accept a photo instead of the original document.
Microchipping alone is not sufficient
The microchip application should be evaluated alongside registration and passport issuance. It is useful to read the chip before travel and verify that the number matches the passport. If there are changes to the owner or contact information, do not leave the updating of records until the last minute.
For details on the procedures, you can check our article on microchipping and identification of pets.
Applying the same cat-dog passport requirements to birds and rabbits is not correct. The specific documentation needs of the species and the acceptance conditions of the carrier must be researched separately.
Vaccination currency and waiting period after rabies vaccination
In evaluating vaccinations, simply asking "Has it been done?" is not sufficient. The date of vaccination, its record, and it being within the time frame accepted by the company on the flight day are also important. Perform the same check for the return journey.
Assess the rabies vaccination and other vaccinations of the cat and dog with your veterinarian. The vaccination plan, prepared considering the animal's age, previous applications, and health status, must meet the airline's documentation acceptance criteria separately. Unnecessary repeat vaccination decisions should not be made for the sake of travel.
Does the rabies vaccination need to be more than a month old?
AJet requires that the rabies vaccination checked on the flight day is no newer than 30 days and no older than one year. Therefore, having the vaccination done just a few days before the planned trip with this airline is not sufficient.
Here, rather than interpreting "one month" as a calendar month, take the specified 30-day period as the basis. Calculate the duration between the vaccination date and the flight date and confirm with the airline. Do not assume there is an automatic exception for animals that receive regular booster vaccinations.
It is not accurate to present this requirement as an unchangeable national flight rule for all airlines. By informing the company of the vaccination application date in the passport, explicitly ask whether they will accept you for outbound and return flights on that date.
Is a rabies antibody titer test required for domestic flights?
In the standard domestic transport conditions reviewed in this guide, a rabies antibody titer test is not generally a requirement. Do not directly transfer the blood sampling and waiting times encountered in international travel to domestic flights.
Do not consider trips to the TRNC as part of this assessment. Import permission, health certificate, and other entry conditions may apply. Any reservation that includes international connections should be examined separately.
Is a health report or flight suitability certificate required?
A single document list is not adequate for all companies and species. During the application, find out the precise name of the document the company requires and the dates it must be issued between. Clarify the response "A health certificate is required" with the following questions:
- Are the vaccination records in the passport sufficient, or is an additional examination certificate required?
- Which authorized person or institution should issue the document?
- How many days before the flight should it be issued?
- Will the same document be valid for the return flight?
- Is there a special form required for a different species like a bird?
The health evaluation prepared by the veterinarian after the examination is not the same document as the official veterinary health certificate used for international travel. A generic statement should not automatically be provided to every domestic passenger that "an international certificate issued within 48 hours is required."
Conditions of the airlines for transporting pets
The following comparison is prepared according to the official conditions reviewed on September 26, 2026. The dimensions are the external measurements of the transport carrier; the weight limit includes both the animal and the carrier. The type of aircraft, species, breed, and flight quota may affect acceptance.
| Airline | Accepted species in cabin | Cabin weight limit | Carrier dimensions: length × width × height | Application and other transport options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish Airlines | Cat, dog, budgerigar, canary | 8 kg | 40 × 30 × 23 cm | Approval must be completed at least 6 hours before the flight; there is an option for under-plane transport for suitable animals. |
| Pegasus | On domestic flights, cats, dogs, and accepted birds | 8 kg | 50 × 32 × 32 cm | Requests are received by call center or agency; there is under-plane transport for cats and dogs on domestic flights. Confirm the species of the bird separately. |
| AJet | Cat, dog, budgerigar, canary | 8 kg | 40 × 30 × 23 cm | Call center approval must be obtained at least 6 hours in advance; under-plane pet transportation is not available for new reservations. |
| SunExpress | Cat, dog; budgerigar on domestic flights | 8 kg | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | Application must be made at least 3 business days in advance; there is an option for under-plane transport for suitable cats and dogs. |
Learn about seat availability when choosing your ticket rather than targeting the last application time. Having met the time limit does not guarantee a reservation if the capacity is full.
Traveling with Turkish Airlines
Pet transactions can be made through the reservation on THY's website and mobile app. Check the approval given for the animal; do not assume that your passenger ticket is sufficient on its own.
The cabin bag must be soft-sided and able to fit under the seat. Window seats and safety restrictions are considered when choosing a seat. Although a maximum of two transport units can be accepted per passenger, both cannot be carried in the cabin at the same time.
The total weight limit for under-plane transport is 50 kg, and the maximum measurements for the cage are length × width × height as 125 × 75 × 75 cm. The hard cage must be securely locked, properly ventilated, and waterproof. Staying within these limits does not guarantee that every animal will be accepted; especially for brachycephalic breeds, there may be additional restrictions.
Traveling with Pegasus
Request transport by informing the call center or agency of the animal's type, age, and weight with the carrier. Pegasus states that it does not accept animals under three months and requires all vaccinations to be completed. Clarify health, identification, and vaccination documents during the application.
Ask whether there is an under-plane option for domestic flights for cats or dogs exceeding the cabin limit. Do not rely on an unsuitable animal being automatically transferred to this option at the airport.
Traveling with AJet
AJet's removal of the under-plane animal transport option for reservations made on or after September 1, 2025, particularly affects the plans for larger dogs. Do not assume there is an alternative compartment in this airline for an animal exceeding the cabin limit.
Identification and vaccination records for cats and dogs and a flight certificate for birds are required. There is a one pet carrier limit per person. Be sure to specifically inform them of the rabies vaccination date during the application.
Traveling with SunExpress
Do not confuse the specified three business days for SunExpress applications with three calendar days; account for weekends and holidays. The accepted bird species on domestic flights is specified as budgerigar.
For cats and dogs exceeding eight kilograms, the conditions for under-plane transport are evaluated separately. Ventilation, leak-proofing of the cage, and the animal's access to water are important. Confirm the cage and breed conditions with the company before payment.
Important distinctions for flying with birds and rabbits
The phrase "pets are accepted" does not mean all species are welcome. Do not apply the positive response for budgerigar to cockatoos, canaries, or other birds.
While THY states that it does not require documentation for domestic bird transport, AJet requires a flight certificate for birds. THY has different transport rules for parrots and pigeons that are not extendable to all species; protection status may also affect the evaluation. Clearly state the species name in your application.
Rabbits do not appear on the standard cabin acceptance lists of the aforementioned companies. Being small or under eight kilograms does not guarantee acceptance. Do not purchase a ticket without open company approval for carry-on transport. If a separate live animal cargo service is to be researched, its suitability and process should be evaluated separately.
How to make individual applications to the airline?
Completing passport or vaccination procedures at the veterinary clinic does not mean that an application has been submitted to the airline for a reservation. The transport request must also be created by the passenger through the channel authorized by the company.
1. First, determine which company will actually operate the flight. The brand selling the ticket and the airline operating the flight may differ. Check each leg of the connection separately.
2. Correctly identify the animal with accurate information. The species, breed, age, total weight, carrier dimensions, and vaccination date must be consistent with each other. Weigh the animal with the carrier instead of estimating weight.
3. Obtain separate approvals for outbound and return. Approval for one-way does not guarantee return. If continuing with another company, the acceptance of the first company does not bind the other.
4. Verify the status of the request. "Request received" and "transport approved" are different. Find out if the approval has been processed into your reservation, which section it will be carried in, and the fee conditions. Keep the reference number or processing number on record.
5. Report any changes again. If there is a change in flight, date, aircraft type, or carrier, check if the animal's reservation is still valid. Do not assume that a ticket change will automatically carry over the animal's registration.
If the animal will travel with a person other than the registered owner on the passport, clarify this situation during the application; find out if the company will require additional authorization documentation.
How to choose a transport carrier?
Having the phrase "suitable for flight" on the carrier does not mean it is accepted by all airlines. Dimensions vary from company to company. Before purchasing, compare the selected airline's length, width, and height limits separately.
The animal must be able to stand naturally inside, turn around, and lie down. Do not place the animal in a small carrier where it cannot move, just to comply with weight or size limits. Ventilation, secure closing, and a liquid-proof base should also be checked.
The rules of the company dictate where the carrier is kept in the cabin and that it must remain closed throughout the flight. An under-plane transport option may require a different, hard, and secure cage than a cabin bag. Before placing two animals in the same carrier, find out the company's conditions regarding species, age, number, and total weight.
The animal should not have its first encounter with the carrier at the airport. Performing short and calm exercises at home before traveling is an important part of preparation.
Does age, breed, and health status affect acceptance?
Yes. For young animals, minimum age conditions, vaccination records, and any required waiting periods must be met together. Being past the age limit alone does not guarantee flight eligibility.
For short-nosed cats and dogs, pregnancy, current illnesses, or a history of respiratory problems, the decision to travel should be evaluated with the veterinarian. There may be different restrictions depending on breeds or transport sections that airlines do not accept. Do not assume that a breed accepted by one company is accepted by another.
Do not administer sedative medications to the animal on your own prior to the flight. THY states that it does not accept animals that have been sedated. The responsibility for health-related practices and evaluations of flight suitability lies with the veterinarian.
Fees, airport procedures, and final checks
Separate fees may be applied for pet transportation apart from passenger baggage. The fee may vary based on the company, route, transport section, and weight. During the reservation, inquire about the payment channel, how layovers are charged, and the conditions for cancellation/change. Do not take a figure seen in an old article online as the current fee.
Arrive at the airport in a timely manner, as recommended by the company, and allow time for animal checks. Even if online check-in has been completed, you may still need to approach the counter for documentation and animal acceptance processes.
Before leaving, check the original passport, any additional documents requested by the company, and the animal reservation. Test the closing mechanism of the carrier; include an accessible phone number on it. Plan the necessary care supplies and the animal's needs. Do not change feeding or medication schedules based on a generic internet suggestion.
A final assessment regarding weight, carrier, documentation, and the animal's condition may be made at the airport. A reservation made in advance does not guarantee that a non-compliant animal will definitely board the plane.
Frequently asked questions
My cat doesn't leave the house. Is a passport still necessary for the flight?
Yes. Having a cat or dog living at home does not eliminate the identification and passport requirements for domestic travel.
Can I have the rabies vaccine today and fly tomorrow?
Do not make this plan without company approval. AJet's published condition requires that at least 30 days have passed since the vaccination. Inform your selected airline of the exact vaccination and flight dates.
Is the weight limit of eight kilograms inclusive of the carrier?
Yes. The cabin weight in the table is the total of the animal and the carrier. The carrier's dimensions and the animal's ability to move comfortably inside are also evaluated.
Do I need to purchase a separate plane ticket for my pet?
Generally, instead of a standard passenger seat ticket for the animal, a separate transport service reservation and fee is made. Check that the animal transport approval is linked to your own ticket.
I received a document from the veterinarian; do I need to apply to the airline again?
Yes. Health and identification procedures and airline reservation processes are different. The animal capacity and transport approval must also be completed at the company.
Do I need a rabies vaccination and a cat-dog passport for my bird?
Do not apply the document list for cats and dogs to birds. The species of the bird and the documents requested by the company are taken into consideration; there are differences between airlines.
Can I take my rabbit in a small carrier to the cabin?
A small carrier does not guarantee acceptance. As rabbits are not listed in the standard cabin acceptance lists of the companies in this guide, do not plan your journey without open approval.
Are support animals and trained service dogs under the same scope?
No. There may be separate application and documentation processes for certified service dogs. Defining a pet as an "emotional support animal" does not automatically grant exemption; discuss special applications with the company separately.
Do not leave travel preparation to the last week
At Çeliktepe Veterinary Clinic, you can plan to check the microchip and passport information, evaluate vaccination records, and arrange for your animal's health examination before traveling. Bringing the current passport and flight information with you for the appointment will facilitate preparation.
Share the document list you received from the airline with your veterinarian. This way, the procedures to be carried out at the clinic and the reservation steps to be completed by the company will proceed in the correct order.
