From 1 January 2026, the new International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations (LAR), 52nd edition, are in effect. These international guidelines set stricter requirements for transporting animals by air.
The good news: almost all of the stricter rules apply to the cargo hold. If your pet travels in the cabin in a soft carrier, very little changes. In this blog, you'll find everything you need to know.
- What are the IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR)?
- What changes in 2026?
- Cabin or hold: what is the best choice for your pet?
- Price comparison: pets in the cabin with popular European airlines
- Can my pet up to 8 kg still fly in the cabin in 2026?
- What do the new rules mean for snub-nosed breeds?
- Frequently asked questions
What are the IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR)?
The Live Animals Regulations (LAR) are the global standard for safely transporting live animals by air.
They are published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Many airlines use these guidelines as the basis for their own pet policies, supplemented with their own specific conditions.
A new edition is published every year. The 52nd edition is in effect from 1 January 2026.
The changes mainly concern animals transported as cargo in the hold.
What changes in 2026?
The most important changes focus on transport in the cargo hold.
Clarified rules on ventilation and floor bedding for certain types of containers.
French Bulldogs, Pugs and Persian cats have a higher risk of breathing problems during the flight.
Airline-specific conditions (Operator Variations) differ per carrier and are updated regularly.
The LAR is applied more strictly. A new IATA working group continues to monitor future changes.
Cabin or hold: what is the best choice for your pet?
Transport in the cabin and transport in the hold fall under different sets of rules.
That difference is bigger than many pet owners think.
The stricter IATA LAR rules of 2026 mainly apply to animals transported as cargo.
For small pets allowed in the cabin, the airline's own conditions remain the deciding factor.
| In the cabin | In the hold (cargo) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who sets the rules? | The airline itself | IATA LAR + airline + government |
| Type of carrier | Soft, flexible carrier bag | Rigid IATA-approved kennel |
| Heat embargoes in summer | Not applicable | Flights refused in hot weather |
| Supervision during the flight | Your pet stays with you | No direct supervision |
| Weight limit | Usually 8 kg incl. bag | Differs per airline |
| Costs (indication) | ± €45–75 per flight | ± €75–400 per flight |
So the stricter LAR rules of 2026 mainly affect the right-hand column: animal transport in the hold.
For cabin travel, each airline sets its own maximum dimensions and allowed weight.
Always check the current conditions of your airline before booking.
Also see our complete overview of pet carrier size guidelines for 30 European airlines.
Price comparison: pets in the cabin with popular European airlines
guide price per pet, per one-way trip ± €45
international flights, depending on the destination from ± €65
flights within Europe; intercontinental higher from ± €70
per one-way trip, depending on the route from ± €75
Indicative fees for a pet in the cabin, per one-way trip (2026). Always check the current fee with your airline.
Can my pet up to 8 kg still fly in the cabin in 2026?
Yes. If your cat or dog weighs no more than 8 kg including the carrier, many European airlines still allow your pet in the cabin.
The new LAR changes have no direct impact on this.
However, the rules are checked more and more strictly, including at the gate.
These three practical tips help you avoid surprises:
-
Choose a carrier that exactly fits your airline: if you fly with Transavia, for example, the maximum size is 40 × 30 × 24 cm.
The Aurora Transavia carrier is designed for exactly that. For KLM and Air France, there is the Airloo carrier.
-
Book early: the number of pets allowed per flight is often limited to around four animals.
- Measure and weigh in advance: a bag that is just a few centimetres too big can still cause problems at the gate.
These restrictions do not apply to cabin travel. That makes a soft cabin carrier the most reliable choice for many pet owners in summer.
What do the new rules mean for snub-nosed breeds?
The 2026 edition of the LAR pays special attention to brachycephalic breeds.
Many airlines no longer transport these animals in the hold because of an increased risk of breathing problems during air travel.
For snub-nosed breeds, such as a Pug, French Bulldog or Persian cat, travelling in the cabin can therefore be the most suitable option, as long as the weight stays within the allowed limit.
Let your pet get used to the carrier well before departure and plan the trip in time.
Frequently asked questions
Do the new IATA rules of 2026 also apply to pets in the cabin?
No, mostly not. The LAR mainly covers the transport of animals as cargo in the hold. For cabin travel, airlines set their own rules for dimensions, weight and the type of carrier. Always check the conditions of your airline.
Is the cabin or the hold safer for my pet in 2026?
For small pets that fit within the allowed limits, the cabin is often the best choice. Your pet stays with you, there are no heat embargoes and the stricter cargo rules do not apply. The hold is mainly intended for animals that are too big to travel in the cabin.
Which carrier do I need for the cabin?
Choose a soft, flexible and well-ventilated carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. Many European airlines apply a maximum of 8 kg for pet and bag combined. The exact dimensions differ per airline, but a size of 40 × 30 × 24 cm fits most airlines.
Does my carrier need an IATA certificate?
There is no official IATA certificate for cabin carriers. The term "airline-approved" means the bag meets the requirements of your specific airline. An IATA-approved rigid kennel is mainly intended for transport in the hold.
Ready to fly together?
We regularly travel with our own cat and personally test every carrier before adding it to our range.
That way, we know for sure you won't run into unexpected problems at the gate.
Browse our collection of airline-approved pet carriers and find the bag that fits your airline within a minute.
That way, the new 2026 regulations become not an extra worry, but simply part of a well-prepared trip.
Sources: IATA Live Animals Regulations, 52nd edition · IATA Live Animals by Air
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