Pets

Important information – transport in the hold on flights with layovers resumed

As of August 5, the transport of animals in the hold is resumed on TAP flights with a layover. If you are traveling with your pet on a flight with a layover, please note that:

Depending on the itinerary and the combined total weight (animal + transport bag), the animal may have to fly part of the route in the cabin and another part in the hold - this is the case for flights between the United States and Europe (for example, New York - Lisbon - Madrid).
f the animal is to be transported both in the cabin and in the hold, you must ensure that the connection time (time between two flights) is at least 3 hours, to ensure that all necessary processes and procedures are completed.
If the animal travels in the cabin and moves to the hold on the second route, you must provide the transport box for the animal at the point of origin.

Pets can be transported in the cabin or in the hold.

See the conditions, follow our recommendations and make your pet as comfortable as possible.

We do not accept reservations to carry brachycephalic animals in the hold (“brachy” meaning short, and “cephalic” meaning head), that is to say, short flat-nosed dogs or cats. This restriction is a consequence of the characteristics and respiratory limitations of the certain types of animals whose lives could be placed at risk. See the list of dog and cat breeds (and crossbreeds) to which this restriction applies:

Dog breeds

Affenpinscher
American Bully
American Pit Bull Terrier / Pit Bull
American Staffordshire Terrier / “Amstaff”
Boston Terrier
Boxer
Brussels Griffon
Bulldog (all types)
Cavalier King Charles
Chow Chow
Shih-Tzu
English Toy Spaniel / Prince Charles Spaniel
Japanese Chin / Japanese Spaniel
Lhasa Apso
Mastiff (all types)
Pekingese
Shar Pei / Chinese Shar Pei
Pug (all types)
Staffordshire Bull Terrier / “Staffies"
Tibetan Spaniel
Chihuahua

Cat breeds

Burmese
Exotic
Himalayan
Persian
Scottish Fold

We would like to inform you that transporting these animals in the cargo hold is not allowed due to the average temperature in this compartment (minimum 10ºC, maximum 19ºC), which does not meet the required temperature standards for the animal's welfare.

TAP allows transportation of animals in the cabin or hold depending on available space, the type of animal and the combined weight of the animal and container, type of aircraft to be operated, the cabin reserved by the passenger and entry restrictions in the country of destination.

Passengers traveling with animals must:

Present the animal’s documents (health certificates, passports and other documents identifying the animal);
Check-in personnel in the airport will verify if all conditions are complied with for the transportation of your pet in the hold. You are asked to sign a disclaimer. View and print the document here (PDF, 0.2MB, EN);
Provide the food and water needed for the trip.

And also when traveling to countries outside the European Union:

Before traveling and as soon as possible (up to a maximum of 48 hours prior to departure of your flight), you should contact the Veterinary Directorate-General by email so that the documentation can be checked in advance by veterinary control. If your pet does not comply with established health rules, its entry into the country may be refused. This requirement applies whenever you travel with your pet from countries outside the European Union (excluding Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Vatican City State).

Important information

Sedation of animals, except under certain conditions and carried out under veterinary supervision, is not recommended for transportation. Tranquilizers lower blood pressure, especially at high altitudes, which can be fatal for animals when traveling in an aircraft cargo hold.

Only dogs registered as service animals (SVAN) can be transported to the UK, and only in the cabin. Animals that are not service animals can only be transported out of the UK.

For information on transporting animals on flights from Brazil to the European Union, see here (PDF, 177 KB, EN).

If you need information on importing and exporting animals, you should contact the embassy or consulate of the country in question.

24 hours Minimum advance period for booking transport of an animal.

This service must be requested when make your reservation or before your flight. Otherwise, we may not be able to provide it.

40cm x 33cm x 17cm / 15in x 12in x 6in Size of under seat storage area (length x breadth x height) suitable for the flexible bag/carry case.
8 kg / 17 lbs Maximum weight of animal carry case with animal inside.

We reserve the right to refuse to carry your pet in the cabin and to instead place it in the hold should it weigh more and/or be contained in a non-flexible bag/carry case unsuitable for placing in the cabin

An exception is made for assistance dogs (guide dogs, hearing dogs, and service dogs), which may travel in the cabin regardless of size. Find out more about Assistance Dogs.

Cabin transport rules

See the conditions for transporting animals here. Ensure the comfort of your four-legged friends.

Only dogs and cats can be transported in the cabin;
The flexible bag/carry case may only be used for transporting animals;
The flexible bag/carry case must be watertight (capable of retaining animal fluids);
There must be enough space within the flexible bag/carry case to allow the animal to move;
Confirmation that an animal may be carried in the hold is subject to available space, the type and total weight of the animal and the flexible bag/carry case, the type of aircraft, the cabin in which the passenger is travelling, and the destination country’s restrictions on the admission of animals;
All of the animal must be contained within the flexible bag/carry case (including head and tail) throughout the flight;
Each passenger may carry one flexible animal transport bag/carry case, which may contain more than one animal of the same species;
Should the animal meet all the conditions that allow it to travel in the cabin and have the proper confirmation, the flexible animal transport bag/carry case must be placed under the seat in front of the passenger responsible for it without causing any obstruction to free movement through the cabin;
The animal may not occupy a seat or move about in the cabin;
The animals must be clean, healthy and odor-free;
They must not be a danger to or disturb other passengers;
Females cannot be pregnant;
We are unable to carry cats or dogs in the executive cabin on long-haul flights (except assistance dogs on some services).

45 kg / 99 lbs Carrier with the animal inside.
32 kg / 70 lbs Flights to, from or stopping over in the USA, Hungary, France or the Netherlands.

The airline must be informed in advance. Wait for confirmation that the animal can be transported in the hold;
Approval to transport animals in the cabin or hold is subject to availability of space, the type of animal, the total combined weight of the animal and its carrier, the type of plane used for the flight, the cabin where the passenger is seated and entry restrictions imposed by the destination country;
The animal is transported in a hard-sided carrier provided by the passenger;
The passenger must provide sufficient food and water for the entire trip, since no one will be able to feed or exercise animals during stops in transit;
After the passenger accepts the conditions of transport, the animal carrier is taken to the ventilated area of the hold;
If the weight is over the limit, the animal will have to be transported as cargo;
The weight of the animal plus carrier cannot exceed 32 kg / 70 lbs on flights to, from or stopping over in: The USA, Hungary, France or the Netherlands;
The total weight of the animal and its carrier cannot exceed 45 kg (and must comply with the other measurement requirements).
The transportation of brachycephalic animals is not permitted.

Transporting animals as cargo

Animals must be transported as cargo when the animal's weight, including its carrier, exceeds the maximum weights allowed, 45 kg / 99 lbs. or 32 kg / 70 lbs. in the case of flights to, from or stopping over in the USA, Hungary, France and the Netherlands.

Rules for cargo transport:

The animal must be transported on the route described in the passenger’s ticket;
The animal is checked in for transport four hours before departure. The conditions/timetables for accepting animals for transport may vary according to the place of departure;
The passenger must provide all the necessary documents and pay any additional fees charged at the place of origin and destination;
The transportation of brachycephalic animals is not permitted;
TAP reserves the right to decide which flight the animal is carried on;
On flights from Lisbon to Luanda, animals are transported as cargo.

Please contact the TAP Portugal Cargo Department for more information:

TAP Cargo website: www.tapaircargo.aero
Email: aceitacao.clientes.lisboa@tap.pt

Call Center Portugal (Cargo):
Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 6:30 pm
Lisbon: (+351) 218 445 470
Porto: (+351) 229 449 751
Madeira: (+351) 291 520 830
Azores: (+351) 967 661 956

Transport of animals	In the cabin	In the hold
Weight	Up to 8kg / 17lbs	Up to 32kg / 70lbs	From 32kg / 70lbs to 45kg / 99lbs
Domestic Flights (Portugal)	35 / 45 USD / 58 CAD	70 / 88 USD / 112 CAD	130 / 155 USD / 205 CAD
Europe and Morocco	70 / 88 USD / 112 CAD	100 / 130 USD / 160 CAD	200 / 240 USD / 310 CAD
Intercontinental Flights	150 / 185 USD / 235 CAD	200 / 240 USD / 310 CAD	300 / 355 USD / 465 CAD

These are prices per route and are charged in local currency, according to the daily exchange rate.

Note: In the hold as cargo (if it exceeds 45kg) please visit the TAP Air Cargo website or contact us.

Confirmation of your request to transport an animal in the cabin or in the hold will depends on:

availability of space;
type of animal/total weight of animal and crate
the planned type of aircraft;
the cabin where the passenger travels;
entry restrictions for country of destination

If the trip involves more than one airline, all the airlines involved must confirm transport of the animal.

The airline must be informed of:

the size of the box in which the animal is to be transported;
the total weight (transport box with the animal inside);
the animal species and number of animals being transported.

Animal transport boxes must comply with TAP regulations.

Important information

The maximum weight on certain routes is limited by law to 32 kg / 70 lbs.

On flights to, from or stopping over in the USA, Hungary, France or the Netherlands, only animals weighing up to 32 kg / 70 lbs. (the animal plus its carrier) can be transported in the hold.

The fees for transporting animals as cargo are only valid for departures from Portugal. Other fees may apply for transport to other countries.

These services are available only on flights operated by TAP and TAP Express;
Non-refundable;
Subject to availability.

Flights to Brazil

When traveling to Brazil with your cat or dog, you must present the “International Health Certificate” (IHC) along with all the documents required for it to be issued. Certificates issued by private veterinarians are not valid.

The European Pet Passport is not currently valid for entry into Brazil.

The Pet Passport is not sufficient to allow the animals to enter the country.

You do not need an Import License for cats or dogs; however, all other pets must have an Import License issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply. Pets do not need to be microchipped.

Please visit the links below for more information:

Passenger Guide 2014.
Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture site.
International Agricultural Vigilance.

Note: Birds destined for Guarulhos Airport (São Paulo) must be carried as cargo. Find out more here.