Air India Pet Policy 2026 vs Akasa Air and IndiGo: Fees and Rules

Last checked against the airlines’ own pages on 23-10-2026. Airlines change pet rules and fees; confirm with the airline before you book.

Flying with a dog or cat within India? Only some airlines carry pets, and the rules differ a lot. This guide sets out the Air India pet policy, Akasa Air’s rules and IndiGo’s position side by side, using each airline’s own published policy. For more on travelling with pets, see our pet relocation guide.

Quick comparison

	Air India	Akasa Air	IndiGo
Pets accepted?	Dogs and cats [S1]	Dogs and cats, domestic flights only [S3]	No; trained service dogs only [S6] [S7]
In cabin	Up to 10 kg, pet plus carrier [S1]	Up to 10 kg [S3]	–
Checked baggage	10 to 32 kg [S1]	Up to 32 kg [S3]	–
Cargo	Over 32 kg [S1]	Up to 100 kg [S3]	No [S6]
Domestic fee	Rs 7,500 cabin; Rs 16,000 checked (per sector, plus taxes) [S1]	Not published on Akasa’s page; reported as Rs 7,500 cabin, Rs 15,000 checked [S5]	–
Minimum age	8 weeks (cabin), 3 months (cargo) [S2]	3 months [S3]	–
Book at least	48 hours before (cabin) [S1]	24 hours before [S3]	48 hours (service dogs) [S7]
Health certificate	Issued within 7 days of departure [S1]	Issued within 72 hours of travel [S3]	Proof of training and vaccination [S7]

Air India pet policy

Which way your pet flies

Air India accepts only domesticated dogs and cats. [S1] How your pet travels depends on the combined weight of the pet and its carrier: [S1]

Up to 10 kg: in the cabin, Economy class only.
10 to 32 kg: as checked baggage, in a hard carrier that meets IATA container guidelines.
Over 32 kg: as cargo only.

Fees within India

In cabin: Rs 7,500 per sector, plus taxes. [S1]
Checked baggage: Rs 16,000 per sector, plus taxes. [S1]
On connecting flights, charges apply per segment and are paid at the origin. [S2]
The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, unless the airline’s own conditions stop your pet travelling in the cabin. [S1]
Guide dogs that meet the requirements travel free. [S2]

Cabin rules

Economy only, in aisle seats towards the back of the cabin; no emergency exit rows. [S1] [S2]
At most 2 pets in the cabin per flight, at least five rows apart, and one pet per passenger. [S1]
A soft carrier no bigger than 17 x 10 x 9 inches, leak-proof, ventilated on three sides, with no wheels, that fits under the seat. [S1]
Your pet stays in the carrier under the seat in front of you for the whole flight, and can’t sit on a seat even if one is empty. [S2]
Dogs must be muzzled and leashed in flight. Carry absorbent mats, label the carrier with your pet’s name and your 24-hour contact number, and don’t put food inside. [S2]

Who can’t fly with a pet in the cabin

Unaccompanied minors. [S1]
Passengers needing wheelchair assistance or travelling with an infant; their pets may go as cargo instead. [S1]

Breeds, age and health

Pets must be at least 8 weeks old for the cabin and 3 months for cargo. [S2]
Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds, such as pugs and bulldogs, may fly in the cabin but not in the cargo hold. Air India advises consulting a vet first. [S1] [S2]
Pregnant or sedated pets are refused, and aggressive pets or those that chew or destroy their carrier may be refused. [S1]

Documents for a domestic flight

Your pet’s vaccination record or pet passport. [S1]
Health and rabies vaccination certificates signed and stamped by a registered vet, with the health certificate issued within 7 days of departure. [S1]
Air India’s indemnity form: two copies for a direct flight, four for a connecting flight. [S1]
Originals are checked at the counter; carry a photocopy too. [S2]

How to book

Submit your documents through Air India’s customer support portal; once approved, support helps create the booking. You can also book at an airport or city ticket office. [S1]
Book a cabin pet at least 48 hours before departure. [S1]
Reach the airport 3 hours before departure. [S1]

Akasa Air pet policy

Where: domestic flights within India only. [S3]
Which pets: cats and dogs at least 3 months old. [S3]
Limits per flight: up to 3 pets, 2 in the cabin and 1 in the hold. [S3]
Weight: up to 10 kg in the cabin, up to 32 kg checked in at the airport, and up to 100 kg through the cargo terminal. [S3] Akasa’s page doesn’t say whether these include the carrier; ask when you book.
Carrier size: cabin carriers up to 19 x 12.6 x 10 inches; checked or cargo crates up to 36 x 28 x 28 inches. Your pet must stay in a closed carrier at the airport and throughout the flight. [S3]
Booking: at least 24 hours before departure, through the Akasa Air Care Centre on +91 9606 11 21 31, or by email to pets@akasaair.com. [S3]
Documents: a vaccination and health certificate from a registered vet, obtained within 72 hours of travel and valid for 15 days, plus Akasa’s indemnity form. [S3] [S4]
Included: a pre-booked window seat, priority check-in and bags, and boarding first. [S3]
Fees: Akasa’s pet page doesn’t publish fees. PetTravel.com reported Rs 7,500 for the cabin and Rs 15,000 for checked baggage in May 2025. [S5] Confirm the current fee with Akasa.

IndiGo: no pets, only service dogs

IndiGo does not carry pet dogs. Asked “Can I transport my pet dog on CarGo?”, IndiGo’s cargo guidelines answer that it does not carry livestock. [S6]
Trained service dogs can fly with their owner. You must add the dog to your booking through the call centre at least 48 hours before departure and show credible evidence that it was trained by an appropriate institution and is vaccinated. [S7]
The service dog sits on the floor in front of your feet, should be restrained, odour-free and muzzled, and needs a moisture-absorbent mat under it. [S7]
IndiGo can deny boarding to a service dog that can’t be contained or poses a safety risk. [S7]

Before you fly: a checklist

Weigh your pet in its carrier; that combined weight decides cabin, checked or cargo on Air India. [S1]
Book the pet as soon as you book your own ticket, as cabin places are limited to 2 per flight on both airlines. [S1] [S3]
Get the vet’s health certificate at the right time: within 7 days for Air India, within 72 hours for Akasa. [S1] [S3]
Keep your pet’s vaccination dates in a free Pet Passport, so you can show them at the counter.
Get your pet used to the carrier for a few days before the flight.

The Pawsitive Hoomans Take

For a small dog or cat, both Air India and Akasa let it fly in the cabin with you, and that’s the least stressful option. For a bigger dog, check the weight bands carefully, and in summer think about whether the hold is right for your dog at all. Snub-nosed breeds can’t go in Air India’s hold. [S1] If you’re flying IndiGo, plan another route for your pet.

🐾 Travelling by train instead? See our guide to taking your dog on an Indian train. Keep vaccination dates handy with our free Vaccination Tracker.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Air India charge for a pet?

Within India, Rs 7,500 per sector in the cabin (up to 10 kg with the carrier) and Rs 16,000 per sector as checked baggage (10 to 32 kg), plus taxes. [S1]

Does IndiGo allow pets?

No. IndiGo doesn’t carry pet dogs; only trained service dogs can fly, with 48 hours’ notice. [S6] [S7]

Can I take my dog in the cabin on Akasa Air?

Yes, if it’s at least 3 months old and within 10 kg, booked at least 24 hours ahead. [S3]

Can a pug or bulldog fly on Air India?

In the cabin, yes, but not in the cargo hold. Air India advises consulting a vet first. [S1] [S2]

Can my pet sit on my lap on Air India?

No. It must stay in its carrier under the seat in front of you for the whole flight. [S2]

Sources and last checked

[S1] Air India, Travelling with pets (Paws on Board) – airindia.com – Last checked: 23-10-2026
[S2] Air India, Pet travel FAQs – airindia.com – Last checked: 23-10-2026
[S3] Akasa Air, Pets on Akasa – akasaair.com – Last checked: 23-10-2026
[S4] Akasa Air, Pets indemnity form (PDF) – akasaair.com – Last checked: 23-10-2026
[S5] PetTravel.com, Akasa Air pet policy (updated 05-05-2025) – pettravel.com – Last checked: 23-10-2026
[S6] IndiGo, CarGo product guidelines – goindigo.in – Last checked: 23-10-2026
[S7] IndiGo, Disability assistance (service dogs) – goindigo.in – Last checked: 23-10-2026

Disclaimer: PawsitiveHoomans is an independent information resource and is not affiliated with any airline. Fees and rules change; confirm with the airline before booking.