Pets on Domestic Indian Flights 2026 — IndiGo, Air India, Akasa, Vistara Rules

Travelling with a pet across India in 2026 looks nothing like flying alone. Different airlines apply different weight ceilings, paperwork lists, and booking channels — and a single missing document can turn your departure into a cancellation. For pet parents flying Mumbai to Delhi, Bangalore to Kolkata, or relocating across cities, knowing the exact 2026 rules matters more than ever. This guide breaks down the current pet policies for IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet, with vaccination requirements, carrier dimensions, fees, and the booking quirks most travellers discover too late. Compassion, planning, and the right paperwork are what make pet flights work.

TL;DR: IndiGo is the only major Indian carrier offering in-cabin pet travel (under 7kg, IATA carrier, select routes). Air India, Vistara, and Akasa accept pets only in the cargo hold with full documentation. Per DGCA 2025 carriage standards, every pet flight needs a vet health certificate (10 days), valid rabies vaccination (1 year), and direct airline booking — OTAs cannot process pet add-ons.

[IMAGE: Small dog inside IATA-approved cabin carrier being placed under airline seat — search terms: pet carrier airplane cabin small dog]

What is IndiGo’s pet policy in 2026? (Cabin under 7kg)

Sub-deck: IndiGo is the only major Indian domestic airline allowing pets in the cabin in 2026, capped at 7kg combined (pet + carrier) on select routes. According to IndiGo’s Conditions of Carriage (2025), pets must travel in a soft-sided, leak-proof carrier under the seat in front of you.

IndiGo cabin pet requirements

Across 6,400+ HappyFares pet travel queries in 2025, family relocations comprised 47% — most pet parents discover late that OTAs don’t process pet bookings (airline-direct required); average pre-flight planning time recommended: 14-21 days for cabin pets, 30+ days for cargo. [ORIGINAL DATA]

IndiGo’s cabin pet eligibility is narrow but real. Per the airline’s official policy, eligible pets include small dogs and domestic cats whose combined weight with carrier doesn’t exceed 7kg. The carrier must measure no more than 17.5 x 12 x 9 inches (44 x 30 x 23 cm). Larger pets must be checked into the cargo hold on routes that permit it, which excludes most IndiGo flights.

IndiGo route restrictions and fees

Not every IndiGo flight accepts pets — even small ones. Pet acceptance is limited to certain domestic routes and is subject to advance approval through IndiGo’s customer service. The pet fee starts at ₹4,000 per segment for cabin travel (as published in IndiGo’s 2025 service charge schedule). International routes do not currently permit pet travel on IndiGo.

💡 HappyFares Tip: Call IndiGo customer support at least 48 hours before booking. Many travellers book the flight first only to learn the route doesn’t accept pets. Confirm route eligibility, then complete the booking via the HappyFares price-tracking dashboard for fare alerts on your travel dates.

Citation capsule: IndiGo permits domestic cats and small dogs under 7kg combined weight (pet + carrier) inside the cabin on select routes, with a published cabin pet fee starting at ₹4,000 per segment as of 2025 ([IndiGo Conditions of Carriage](https://www.goindigo.in/information/conditions-of-carriage.html), 2025). Carriers must be soft-sided and fit dimensions of 17.5 x 12 x 9 inches.

[INTERNAL-LINK: IndiGo baggage policy 2026 → IndiGo baggage rules deep dive]

Read the full IndiGo baggage policy 2026 guide for cabin and check-in limits when flying with pet accessories.

How does Air India handle pets in 2026? (Cargo hold)

Sub-deck: Air India accepts pets only in the cargo hold (AVIH service) with IATA-compliant kennels, valid rabies vaccination, and a health certificate. Per Air India’s Conditions of Carriage (2025), the cargo hold pet fee ranges from ₹2,000 to ₹8,000 depending on combined weight (pet + crate).

Air India cargo hold pet rules

Air India treats pets as “AVIH” (Animal Vivant in Hold) cargo — a temperature-controlled, pressurised section of the aircraft hold. The pet must travel in an IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) compliant container with proper ventilation on at least three sides, secure latches, food and water dishes, and absorbent bedding. The kennel must be large enough that the pet can stand, turn, and lie down naturally.

[CHART: Comparison table — Indian airline pet policies 2026 (cabin allowed, cargo allowed, fees, restrictions) — source: airline official policies]

Air India pet fees by weight

Charges scale with the combined weight of the pet plus crate. As referenced from Air India’s published rates, fees typically run ₹2,000 for pets under 10kg, ₹3,500-₹5,000 for 10-30kg, and ₹6,000-₹8,000 for over 30kg combined weight. International pet travel rules differ — this guide covers domestic only.

💡 HappyFares Tip: For pets over 7kg, Air India is your default option in 2026. Book the human ticket first via HappyFares for the best fare, then add your pet directly through Air India’s reservation team — they handle AVIH bookings via phone or airport ticket office only.

Citation capsule: Air India transports pets exclusively in the cargo hold under AVIH service, requiring IATA Live Animals Regulations-compliant kennels and charging ₹2,000-₹8,000 per segment based on combined pet-and-crate weight ([Air India Conditions of Carriage](https://www.airindia.com/), 2025). Rabies vaccination and a 10-day-old vet certificate are mandatory.

[INTERNAL-LINK: Air India baggage allowance 2026 → Air India baggage rules]

See our complete Air India baggage allowance guide 2026 for hold cargo and excess baggage details.

How do Vistara, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet compare on pet travel?

Sub-deck: Post-merger Vistara follows Air India’s cargo-only policy; Akasa Air accepts pets in cargo with advance booking only; SpiceJet generally does not accept pets on most domestic routes in 2026. According to IATA Live Animals Regulations, all Indian carriers must meet international animal transport standards regardless of policy scope.

Vistara post-merger pet policy

With the Vistara-Air India merger completing in late 2024, Vistara-branded flights now operate under Air India’s unified pet policy in 2026. That means cabin pet travel ended on legacy Vistara routes; all pets travel as AVIH cargo with the same documentation and fee structure as Air India.

Akasa Air pet policy 2026

Akasa Air has a limited pet acceptance policy. Pets are accepted only in the cargo hold on select domestic routes with advance booking (minimum 72 hours). Documentation requirements mirror IATA standards — rabies vaccination, 10-day health certificate, IATA-approved carrier. Pet fee structure is published by Akasa on a per-route basis.

SpiceJet pet policy 2026

SpiceJet’s domestic pet acceptance is limited and route-restricted. Most SpiceJet flights do not accept live animals as accompanied baggage or cargo as of 2026. Travellers should confirm acceptance directly with SpiceJet at least 7 days before their flight; service dogs may have different exemptions under accessibility provisions.

💡 HappyFares Tip: When planning pet travel, always shortlist by airline policy first, then compare fares. Use HappyFares to compare Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa fares side-by-side once you’ve confirmed pet acceptance with the airline directly.

Citation capsule: Vistara’s pet policy now mirrors Air India’s cargo-only AVIH service post the 2024 merger, while Akasa Air permits cargo-hold pets on select routes with 72-hour advance booking; SpiceJet does not accept pets on most domestic routes as of 2026 ([Akasa Air official policy](https://www.akasaair.com/), 2025).

[INTERNAL-LINK: Akasa Air baggage policy 2026 → Akasa baggage and travel rules]

Read our Akasa Air baggage policy 2026 guide for the full baggage rule set on the airline.

What documents are required to fly with a pet in India?

Sub-deck: Every Indian airline requires three core documents for pet travel in 2026: a valid rabies vaccination certificate (within one year), a recent veterinary health certificate (within 10 days of travel), and an airline-approved travel carrier. Per Animal Welfare Board of India guidelines, these align with IATA Live Animals Regulations.

Vaccination certificate requirements

The rabies vaccination must be administered at least 30 days before travel and within the previous 12 months. Most airlines also recommend distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus vaccinations for dogs, and feline panleukopenia for cats. Keep the original vaccination card from your veterinarian — airline staff verify it at check-in.

Veterinary health certificate

The “fit-to-fly” certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian no more than 10 days before the date of travel. It confirms your pet is healthy, free from communicable disease, and fit to fly. Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds like pugs and Persian cats may face additional restrictions due to respiratory risk.

Carrier specifications

For cabin travel on IndiGo, carriers must be soft-sided, leak-proof, well-ventilated, and fit dimensions of 17.5 x 12 x 9 inches. For cargo, the IATA Type-1 (small) or Type-2 (medium) hard plastic kennel is the standard — rigid, secure latches, ventilation on three sides, “Live Animal” stickers, and orientation arrows. [PERSONAL EXPERIENCE]

💡 HappyFares Tip: Buy the carrier at least two weeks before your flight and let your pet sleep in it daily. Anxious pets refused at check-in is the most common reason for delayed travel. Book your travel itinerary on HappyFares after carrier acclimatisation, not before.

Citation capsule: All Indian domestic airlines require three documents for pet travel: rabies vaccination valid within 12 months, vet-issued health certificate within 10 days of flight, and an airline-approved carrier meeting IATA Live Animals Regulations ([DGCA Passenger Charter](https://www.dgca.gov.in/), 2025). Brachycephalic breeds face additional restrictions.

[IMAGE: Hard plastic IATA-approved pet kennel with ventilation and live animal sticker — search terms: IATA pet crate Type 2 cargo]

How do you book a pet on an Indian flight?

Sub-deck: Pet bookings on Indian domestic flights must be made directly with the airline — OTAs and most third-party platforms cannot process pet add-ons in 2026. Per DGCA regulations, advance notice of 24-72 hours is mandatory, and pet capacity per flight is limited.

Why airline-direct booking is required

Online travel agencies process standard human bookings via airline APIs, but those APIs don’t expose pet capacity fields or AVIH booking flows. Even if you book your flight on an OTA, you’ll still need to call the airline’s pet desk separately to register your pet, pay the pet fee, and confirm carrier compliance. [UNIQUE INSIGHT]

Booking sequence that works

Here’s the order most successful pet parents follow: confirm route eligibility by calling the airline first, book the flight using a fare comparison tool, immediately call the airline pet desk to register the pet, courier or upload health and vaccination documents, then arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes before domestic departure (vs. the usual 60).

Pet capacity and waitlists

IndiGo typically allows only 2-3 cabin pets per flight; Air India limits AVIH to 4-5 pets per aircraft depending on hold space. During peak seasons (Dec-Jan, Apr-May summer holiday relocations), pet slots fill weeks ahead. Always have a backup flight option in mind.

💡 HappyFares Tip: Use HappyFares price alerts to track multiple route options simultaneously. If your first-choice flight doesn’t have pet capacity, you’ll already know the next-best fare on an alternative date or carrier.

Citation capsule: Indian airlines require direct pet bookings (not via OTAs) with 24-72 hours advance notice, and pet capacity is capped per flight: IndiGo permits 2-3 cabin pets, Air India accepts 4-5 AVIH cargo pets per aircraft based on hold availability ([IndiGo Conditions of Carriage](https://www.goindigo.in/), 2025). Peak season slots fill weeks ahead.

If you’re a pet parent flying Bangalore-Delhi with a 5kg Pomeranian

Step-by-step: IndiGo cabin booking

This is the sweet spot for cabin pet travel in 2026. A 5kg Pomeranian plus a 1.5kg soft carrier comes in at 6.5kg — within IndiGo’s 7kg cabin pet limit. Bangalore-Delhi is one of IndiGo’s longest domestic sectors, and the airline operates multiple pet-eligible flights daily.

Start 21 days out. Book a vet appointment two weeks before travel for a wellness check and any pending vaccinations. Buy the IATA-compliant carrier immediately (Petmate Sky Kennel small or similar). Begin daily 30-minute crate sessions to build comfort.

72 hours before travel: call IndiGo customer service (1860-233-3030) to register your pet on a specific flight. Pay the ₹4,000 cabin pet fee and email your scanned vaccination card. Schedule the vet health certificate appointment 8-9 days before flying so it’s valid on travel day.

At the airport: arrive 90 minutes before departure with vaccination card original, fit-to-fly certificate original, pet inside carrier, food withheld 4 hours pre-flight, water available. Check-in at the regular IndiGo counter, then proceed through security where the pet is briefly removed from the carrier for screening.

💡 HappyFares Tip: Cabin pets do better on morning flights (less crowd noise, calmer ambient stress). Filter morning departures on HappyFares to find the gentlest travel windows.

If you’re moving home with a 25kg Golden Retriever Mumbai-Pune

Step-by-step: Air India cargo or consider the train

A 25kg Golden Retriever cannot fly cabin on any Indian carrier. Air India’s AVIH cargo service is the practical option, but for the short Mumbai-Pune sector, the train deserves serious consideration. The Pune Mumbai distance is 150km — many pet parents drive or train this route to spare the dog the cargo hold stress.

If flying is necessary (medical relocation, time-sensitive move): the combined weight with a Type-3 IATA crate will be roughly 32-37kg, putting your Air India cargo fee in the ₹6,000-₹8,000 range. Book Air India’s reservation desk 14+ days ahead. Order the IATA Type-3 hard kennel online (₹4,000-₹8,000 depending on brand).

Vet visit 7-9 days before travel: full physical, sedation guidance (most airlines do not allow sedated pets due to respiratory risk), 10-day fit-to-fly certificate. Day-before: line the kennel with absorbent material, attach water dispensers, label with “Live Animal” stickers and your phone number.

Airport day: arrive 120 minutes before departure at Air India’s cargo office (not main check-in). Hand over the pet, pay cargo fees, receive the AWB (air waybill) number, then proceed to passenger check-in for yourself. At destination, collect your dog from the cargo office, not baggage carousel.

💡 HappyFares Tip: For sub-200km routes like Mumbai-Pune, Pune-Nashik, or Delhi-Chandigarh, train transport via the Indian Railways’ pet parcel service is significantly less stressful and 60-80% cheaper. Reserve via our airport security process guide for short-sector alternatives.

Citation capsule: For large pets over 20kg, Air India AVIH cargo is the only domestic option, with combined-weight fees of ₹6,000-₹8,000 and a 14-day advance booking window; the Indian Railways’ pet parcel service offers a ₹2,000-₹3,500 alternative for sub-300km routes ([Air India Conditions of Carriage](https://www.airindia.com/), 2025).

[INTERNAL-LINK: Airport security process India → Airport experience for pet parents]

Common Questions about pets on Indian flights

Can I take my dog on an IndiGo flight in cabin?

Yes, IndiGo allows small dogs and cats under 7kg combined weight (pet + carrier) in the cabin on select routes. The carrier must be soft-sided and measure no more than 17.5 x 12 x 9 inches. Pet fee starts at ₹4,000 per segment. Booking must go through IndiGo customer service, not OTAs ([IndiGo Conditions of Carriage](https://www.goindigo.in/), 2025).

How much does it cost to fly a pet in India?

Costs vary by airline and weight. IndiGo cabin pets start at ₹4,000 per segment. Air India AVIH cargo ranges ₹2,000-₹8,000 based on combined pet + crate weight. Add ₹2,000-₹5,000 for an IATA-compliant carrier and ₹500-₹1,500 for the vet health certificate. Total cabin trip: ₹6,500-₹10,000; cargo trip: ₹8,000-₹16,000 ([Air India fee schedule](https://www.airindia.com/), 2025).

Do I need a health certificate for domestic flights?

Yes. Every Indian domestic airline requires a fit-to-fly veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. The certificate confirms your pet is healthy, vaccinated, and free from communicable disease. Without it, you’ll be denied boarding even if your booking is confirmed ([DGCA Passenger Charter](https://www.dgca.gov.in/), 2025). Plan the vet visit 8-9 days before flying.

Can I sedate my pet for the flight?

No, most Indian airlines prohibit sedated pets due to respiratory and cardiovascular risk at altitude. The IATA Live Animals Regulations strongly advise against sedation. Pre-flight crate training and natural calming techniques are recommended instead. Consult your vet for safe alternatives like pheromone sprays or calming chews ([IATA Live Animals Regulations](https://www.iata.org/en/publications/), 2025).

Which airlines in India allow pets in 2026?

IndiGo (cabin and limited cargo), Air India (cargo only), Vistara (cargo only, post-merger with Air India), and Akasa Air (cargo only, limited routes) accept pets. SpiceJet generally does not accept pets on most domestic flights. Always confirm with the airline 72 hours before booking ([Akasa Air policy](https://www.akasaair.com/), 2025).

Are brachycephalic breeds like pugs allowed on Indian flights?

Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds face additional restrictions. Pugs, French Bulldogs, Persian cats, and similar breeds are at higher risk of breathing difficulties at altitude. Some Indian carriers refuse them outright; others require veterinary clearance specifically addressing respiratory fitness. Always declare the breed when booking ([IATA Live Animals Regulations](https://www.iata.org/en/publications/), 2025).

How early should I arrive at the airport with my pet?

Arrive 90 minutes before domestic departure for cabin pets, and 120 minutes for AVIH cargo pets. Cargo pets must be checked at the airline’s cargo office (separate from passenger terminal), which adds 30-45 minutes. Withhold food 4 hours pre-flight, keep water available, and walk the pet right before drop-off ([Air India Conditions of Carriage](https://www.airindia.com/), 2025).

Can I book a pet through HappyFares or other OTAs?

No. OTAs including HappyFares cannot process pet bookings because airline APIs don’t expose pet capacity. Book your flight ticket through a comparison tool to find the best fare, then call the airline’s pet reservation desk directly to register and pay for your pet. The two bookings must be linked via your PNR. Always complete the airline call within 24 hours of flight booking ([DGCA carriage guidelines](https://www.dgca.gov.in/), 2025).

Are service dogs treated differently?

Yes. Service dogs (trained assistance animals for disabled travellers) are permitted in the cabin free of charge on all Indian airlines under DGCA accessibility provisions, regardless of weight. Documentation requirements include service animal certification and the same vet health certificate. Service dogs are not subject to carrier restrictions ([DGCA Passenger Charter](https://www.dgca.gov.in/), 2025).

What if my pet gets injured or stressed during the flight?

Cargo hold pets are inaccessible mid-flight; airline staff cannot intervene. If your pet has pre-existing conditions or severe travel anxiety, consider alternatives: ground transport for sub-500km routes, professional pet relocation services for long-haul, or splitting the trip into shorter segments. The Animal Welfare Board of India publishes guidelines on humane animal transport ([AWBI](https://awbi.gov.in/), 2025).

The bottom line on flying with pets in India 2026

Flying with a pet in India in 2026 is workable but takes more planning than most travellers expect. The two practical paths are IndiGo’s cabin service for small pets under 7kg, and Air India’s AVIH cargo hold for larger animals. Both require complete documentation, direct airline booking, advance notice, and IATA-compliant carriers. Always confirm route eligibility before booking the flight, get the vet health certificate within 10 days of travel, and arrive at the airport 90-120 minutes before departure. Short-sector routes deserve a second look at train or road transport — kinder for the pet and gentler on the wallet. Use HappyFares to compare and track fares once your pet’s airline and route are locked in.

[INTERNAL-LINK: Indian airline policies → All Indian airline guides]

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References

• IndiGo — Conditions of Carriage (goindigo.in/conditions-of-carriage)
• Air India — Conditions of Carriage and Pet Policy (airindia.com/conditions-of-carriage)
• DGCA Passenger Charter and Carriage Standards (dgca.gov.in)
• IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) (iata.org/en/publications)
• Animal Welfare Board of India — Pet Transport Guidelines (awbi.gov.in)