There are not many Airlines That Allow Birds In Cabin But some do allow them with specific guidelines. Airline travel is the best mode of transport for its speed, convenience, and accessibility. However, when it comes to taking pets along in flights, Airlines have a lot of restrictions, rules, and regulations for that. Especially when it is about taking your pet bird on the flight.
Birds are known for their flight, and even the airlines are quite friendly with them. Pet birds can travel in airplanes without a problem, given that their owners meet all the airline requirements. Although most pet-friendly airlines allow birds in cabins, a few of them have banned the same. But which of them is best?
Here is all about Airlines that allow birds in Cabin, their policies, regulation, limitation, and price. Go through the guide below before you plan your next flight with your Birdie.
Have a look:
TOP 8 Airlines that allow Birds In Cabin
AIR INDIA
Air India is India’s topmost flag carrier airline. It facilitates bringing small inoffensive domestic pets, including Birds, inside the Cabin. Each passenger can carry two birds (only domestic) within a cage or well-ventilated bag.
Cage type/ size: Soft-sided cagé or bag not more than 18 x 18 x 12 Inches
Maximum weight (Including Bird and Cage/ Bag): 11 lbs
Price: Added cost though it depends upon the destination you are traveling to.
Additional Information:
- Valid health and vaccination certificates. (Owner’s name in health certificate is a must).
- Entry permit for the destination country (if flying international).
Note: Flights going to the Middle East do not allow Birds in the Cabin or as baggage.
AIR EUROPE
Air Europa is the third-largest Spanish airline. It facilitates for animals on boards, including birds. Each passenger can carry two birds within one single cage, provided they are of the same species.
Cage type/ size: An airline-approved well-ventilated cage sizing no more than 21.65 x 15.74 x 7.87 inches.
Maximum weight (Including Bird and Cage/ Bag): Pet weight no more than 17.6 lbs whereas Pet and Cage weight no more than 22 lbs.
Price: $10.4 to $165, depending upon the route and distance.
Additional Information:
- Birds are not allowed on long-haul flights.
- The airlines don’t allow birds of prey.
- For medium-haul flights, the bird must be 3 months old at least.
- Airlines can deny service for any passenger once the maximum number of pet bookings reaches the max for that particular flight.
- Passengers must carry a valid health and vaccination certification for the bird.
PJSC AEROFLOT AIRLINES
The PJSC Aeroflot is a Russian airline and the largest airline of the Russian Federation. It is also one of the oldest active airlines in the world. It facilitates pet travel, including domestic birds. A passenger can take multiple birds as long as they all have enough space inside the cage. However, with no upper limit, airlines would not allow the passenger to stuff birds inhumanely just for the sake of travel.
Cage type/ size: A soft yet rigid carrier sizing no more than 17.3 X 11.8 X 10.2 inches
Maximum weight (Including Bird and Cage/ Bag): 8lbs
Price: $34.94 for domestic flights and $75 for international flights.
Additional Information:
- Only one cage/ carrier is permitted per passenger.
- A Veterinary passport, medical certificate, and a certificate from either of the two licensed Moscow breeding clubs (SKOR or RKF). The later certification must contain a declaration that the animal presents no breeding value.
ALASKA AIR
Alaska Airlines is an American airline and the sixth-largest airline in North America. It facilitates carrying household birds inside the Cabin as well in the cargo. A Passenger can travel with two birds of the same species inside a cage provides they are comfortable with the space. Though if a passenger carries two birds in two separate cages, then booking the adjacent seat is a must.
Cage type/ size: A well-ventilated soft sides (15.7X11X11 inches) or hard-sided (19X11.8X7.4) cage or a bag.
Maximum weight (Including Bird and Cage/ Bag): 20lbs
Price: $100 each way
Additional Information:
- Birds with offensive odors or those that create a noise disturbance will travel in the climate-controlled baggage compartment only.
- Birds must be harmless and inoffensive.
- Alaska Air allows only dogs and cats on flights to Hawaii.
- Passengers must carry a valid health and vaccination certification for the bird.
DELTA AIRLINES
Delta Air Lines is a major U.S airline and the oldest operating airline in the world. It facilitates pet travel, including domestic birds in cargo. A passenger can carry only one bird in a carrier.
Cage type/ size: Soft or hard-sided cage not more than 18 x 11 x 11 inches.
However, while you book the flight, do check for cage limitation for that particularly. In the case of more/less interior space, the cage limitations too might differ a slight bit.
Maximum weight (Including Bird and Cage/ Bag): 20 lbs
Price: $75 to $200 depending upon the journey and destination place.
Additional Information:
- Birds must be 10 weeks old for flying in Delta Airlines.
- No international flights are available for taking birds.
- Delta flights, including Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam, do not allow birds inside the Cabin.
- Passengers must carry a valid health and vaccination certification for the bird.
VUELING AIRLINES
Vueling is a Spanish Airlines and the largest airline by fleet size and a number of destinations in Spain. It facilitates traveling with pets, including domestic birds. A passenger can carry only one bird.
Cage type/ size: 17.6 X 15.3 X 8.2
Maximum weight (Including Bird and Cage/ Bag):
Price: $47 to $59 depending upon the route and distance.
Additional Information:
- The airlines don’t allow birds of prey
- The airlines don’t allow hard side cages.
- The crew might ask you to de-board the flight if the pet accompanying you is loud, smelly, unhygienic, and violent with fellow passengers.
- Passengers must carry a valid health and vaccination certification for the bird.
FRONTIER AIRLINES
Frontier is an American airline that operates over 100 U.S. destinations and 31 international routes. It is a pet-friendly airline that facilitates birds for traveling inside their Cabin within the domestic route. A passenger can carry only one bird or pet along.
Cage type/ size: Soft or hard-sided cage not more than 18 X 14 X a8 inches.
Maximum weight (Including Bird and Cage/ Bag): 20 lbs maximum
Price: $75 one way
Additional Information:
- Bird traveling in Cabin must be harmless, not disruptive, and odorless.
- The bird must be 3 weeks old and fit to fly.
- Passengers must carry a valid health and vaccination certification for the bird.
IBERIA AIRLINES
Iberia is a Spanish airline that operates an international network of services. It allows passengers to travel with their pets, including domestic birds. Passengers can carry multiple birds of the same species in one cage, provided they all are physically and socially comfortable.
Cage type/ size: 17.7 X 13.7 X 9.8 (the sum of the three dimensions cannot exceed 41.3 inches).
Maximum weight (Including Bird and Cage/ Bag): 17.6 lbs
Price: $45 to $180
Additional Information:
- The airlines don’t allow birds of prey.
- Birds must travel with you without bothering the other passengers.
- Passengers with pets must not occupy seats in the aisles next to the emergency exits.
- Passengers must carry a valid health and vaccination certification for the bird.
TOP Airlines That Allow Birds in Cargo 2022
- Aegean Airlines
- Aeroflot Airline
- Air India
- Alaska Airlines
- Alitalia Airlines
- FinnairAirlines
- Japan Airlines
- WestJet Airlines
- Aeroméxico Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
How to prepare your domestic bird for a flight journey (Airlines)?
Traveling with a bird can prove mentally and physically challenging. Birds get stressed out really soon; the process can become daunting for the owner. However, if you have your plans right, you can make the process easy for your pet and yourself as well.
- Begin with a vet visit first. It is important to consult with your vet/ bird expert and ensure whether your Birdie is fit to fly or not. Plan vet visits from a month before.
- Invest in a nice aircraft-approved cage and familiarise your bird with it. Fill it with things your birds like the most, including toys and treats.
- Start feeding stress-formula vitamins and minerals to your bird at least a week or two before the flight. These supplements will reduce her stress level and will make her less prone to diseases. Though do consult your vet before starting the supplements.
- Feed your bird plenty of food, fruits, and water before the flight.
- Mark the bird’s cage and bird collar with all the required identification.
- Consider taking your bird on short and long car rides before the actual flight.
- Take your bird among people and try to make her comfortable. This will make the in-flight experience easy for you and the bird both.
What documents do I need for my bird to travel?
- A health certificate showing your bird is fit and healthy. It must not be older than 10 days.
- All necessary papers from the Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and USDA before departing the United States.
- Live animal sticker on the bird’s cage with your identification and destination country/ state/ city.
Can I take my bird on an international flight?
Taking birds or pets on an international flight can prove really strenuous for the animal. Extra-long flights pose a greater risk of harm and stress on birds. That is why most pet-friendly airlines don’t facilitate international travel for pets. However, if you are still stubborn, you can look for airlines that allow international travel for pets.
What bird species are allowed on airplanes?
Airlines generally allow domestic/ household birds to fly along with their owners. The list can include parrots, cockatoos, parakeets, cockatiels, budgies, canaries, finches, and more. However, besides airplane guidelines, do check whether the bird you are carrying is allowed in your destination country/ state/ city or not.
Can I Take My Parrot on A Plane?
Yes, Parrots are allowed to travel in-cabin with different airlines. However, do check with the specific airlines before planning your trip. For example, you cannot take Quaker Parrots to Southwestern states.
Or your parrot will have to remain in a quarantine facility for a number of days or weeks in case you are traveling to the USA & Hawaii, Australia, Fiji, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Why is Bird quarantine necessary in some countries?
Bird quarantine is necessary for some countries as a preventive measure. Since animals and birds can carry any communicable, infectious viral, or bacterial disease and spread to other healthy species quarantine is important to break the spread.
Some of the common communicable infections and diseases include Rinderpest, Rabies, Distemper, and Leptospirosis. Bird or animal quarantine makes sure that the being transported is safe to fly or walk on the countries surface.
- Airlines That Allow Cats In Cabin or Cargo
- The Airlines That Allow Large Dogs In Cabin
- Airlines That Allow Dogs in Cargo
Wrapping up…
The above-mentioned airlines make it possible to take your pet birds in a cabin. Different airlines have different rules; however, most pet-friendly airlines allow domestic/ household birds on the flight. Though besides checking rules, regulations, and price, do check airline reviews before onboarding your pet bird. It is necessary for ensuring your pet’s safety and well-being.
