Traveling with pets

Would you like to travel in comfort and safety with your pets? For an additional fee to be paid at the airport, you can enjoy your flight with your little companions without worrying about their safety. Share all the excitement of discovering new destinations with them.

Accepting pets onto the aircraft

In order to transport a live animal in cabin or aircraft hold, the reservation must be made and confirmed no later than 6 hours before flight departure time.Note that in accordance with aircraft type there is a capacity limit on the number of animals that can be carried per aircraft. You can complete check-in procedures for pets traveling with you at check-in counters. Ensure that your name, surname, address, telephone number, number of animals and the name of your pet or pets are all available on a label affixed to the cage or container. Also ensure that you are carrying medical reports and certificate of vaccination with ID details and any other necessary documentation. Please be reminded that transportation of pets is not included in baggage allowance and is subject to additional baggage fees.

Pet permitted to be carried within the flight cabin

Cats, dogs and small singing birds (parakeets, canaries) as pets can be transported in cabin with passenger. In case there are passengers proving that they are allergic to animals with a medical report before flight, pets will be accepted in cabin according to specific conditions:

• Passengers traveling with in-cabin pets: The pet must be kept in a carrier that fits underneath the seat in front of the passenger.
• Passengers traveling with pets in the aircraft cabin may select seats that are not located in rows with emergency exit doors or infant stroller apparatus.
• In case a passenger stating his/her allergy and passenger with a pet request to travel on the same flight, the request of the passenger making the first reservation will be confirmed.
• In case a passenger with an assistance dog and a passenger stating his/her allergy request to travel on the same USA flight, assistance dogs always take precedence regardless of reservation order. (Pursuant to US Documentation of Transportation rules)
• Excluding USA flights and except search & rescue dogs, in case a passenger with an assistance dog and a passenger stating his/her allergy request to travel on the same flight, the order of reservation will be considered.

Assistance animals

We only accept dogs as assistance animals in our Partnership flights. 

We will accept assistance dogs on Istanbul-USA and USA-Istanbul flights in accordance with US D.O.T regulations. 

Passengers traveling with an assistant dog due to physical or psychological disability are required to provide related documents and obtain a booking confirmation at least 48 hours before departure. 

Assistance dogs are classified as service dogs (SVAN) and emotional support dogs (ESAN). 

SVAN 

We accept your SVAN dogs free of charge on all our flights. 

SVAN dogs must be trained and certified. Training certificate of the dog may be requested in case verbal assurance cannot not be provided. Please be certain to have your dog’s training certificate, certificate of vaccination, identification card and all documents required by according to the rules of the destination country. In case of absence of necessary documents, SVAN may not be accepted to flight. 

If SVAN dog behaves aggressively during check-in and/or boarding, if it is not well-maintained and clean or too heavy and too big, or if the dog causes a safety hazard and/or in case the crew informs that the dog might cause interruption of services, said SVAN dog may not be accepted to the cabin/flight. 

On flights scheduled to take 8 hours or more, as a condition of permitting assistance animals to travel in the cabin, we require passengers using the service animal to provide documentation that the animal will not need to relieve itself or the said animal can relieve itself in a way that does not create a health or sanitation issue during flight. Acceptable documents; 

• A written statement issued by a veterinarian 
• A written statement including the procedures that passenger will be implementing to prevent the dog from having to relieve itself 
• A signed statement with photographs or other illustrations of your dog’s ability to relieve itself without posing a health or sanitation problem 
• A letter of undertaking stating that in case of accidental relief of the dog, the contaminated area will be cleaned by the dog’s owner (please bring bags, napkins, wipes, etc with you) 

All damages that may arise during travel are under passenger’s responsibility. 

SVAN dogs must be wearing a vest and/or an identifying harness; they must be clean and seated in front of your feet during flight. Also, the extension of your dog's leash or harness should be attached to your belt throughout the flight. It is strictly forbidden for SVAN dogs to sit on passenger seats. When traveling with SVAN dogs, you should definitely make available a mouthpiece as a precaution, in case of barking, bared teeth, etc. 

Please note that we may have to change your seat due to security reasons. 

ESAN 

We accept ESAN dogs free of charge only on flights from Istanbul to USA or from USA to Istanbul. On transfer flights, before and after these routes, your dog will be transported for a fee, in a cage in passenger cabin or aircraft hold. Related fee will be collected at the initial departure point. Passengers having transfer flights are required to carry empty cages in strictly appropriate dimensions. 

Cage will be free of charge. 

The requirements to travel with ESAN dogs are as follows: 

1. Passengers shall submit official documentation on a letterhead of a licensed mental health professional (e.g. a psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, including a medical doctor specifically treating the passenger’s mental or emotional disability) and the said document shall be dated within one year from the date of passenger’s scheduled initial flight. This document shall contain the following information: 

• Statement that the passenger has a DSM 4 or DSM 5 disability according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; 
• Information on the fact that passenger needs emotional support or psychiatric assistance animal for air travel and/or for activities to be conducted at the passenger’s destination; 
• Information stating that the individual providing assessment is a licensed mental health expert, and the passenger is under his/her professional care; 
• The date and type of the mental health professional’s license issued by the state or other competent authorities; 
• The report must be in English or translated into English.

2. On flights scheduled to take 8 hours or more, as a condition of permitting assistance animals to travel in the cabin, passengers using the service animal are required to submit documentation stating that the animal will not need to relieve itself or the said animal can relieve itself in a way that does not create a health or sanitation issue during flight. Acceptable documents; 

• A written statement issued by a veterinarian 
• A written statement including the procedures that passenger will be implementing to prevent the dog from having to relieve itself 
• A signed statement with photographs or other illustrations of your dog’s ability to relieve itself without posing a health or sanitation problem 
• A letter of undertaking stating that in case of accidental relief of the dog, the contaminated area will be cleaned by the dog’s owner (please bring bags, napkins, wipes, etc with you) 

Our passengers who travel with ESAN dogs shall have their valid certificate of vaccination, identification card, and documents required by the country’s they are planning to visit. In case of absence of necessary documents, ESAN may not be accepted to flight. 

If ESAN dog behaves aggressively during check-in and/or boarding, if it is not well-maintained and clean or too heavy and too big, or if the dog causes a safety hazard and/or in case the crew informs that the dog might cause interruption of services, such SVAN dog may not be accepted to the cabin. However, it may be accepted as an AVIH depending on the conditions of aircraft hold. 

All damages that may arise during travel are under passenger’s responsibility. 

ESAN dogs must be clean and seated in front of your feet during flight. Also, the extension of your dog's leash or harness should be attached to your belt throughout the flight. It is strictly forbidden for ESAN dogs to sit on passenger seats. When traveling with ESAN dogs, you should definitely make available a mouthpiece as a precaution, in case of barking, bared teeth, etc. 

We accept the empty cage for ESAN during check-in procedures in US airports for our passengers who come from US and has connection flight from Istanbul. We will deliver your dog's cage at the boarding gate of your connection flight from Istanbul. After you place your dog in cage, we will transport your dog to the cabin or aircraft hold according to our regulations. 

The dogs of our passengers arriving to Istanbul from other airports and having a connection flight to USA are accepted at the initial departure point according to our regulations in cages to be transported in passenger cabin or aircraft hold. During boarding of the Istanbul-USA flight, we will take your dog's empty cage and transport it in the aircraft hold. 

Please note that we may have to change your seat due to security reasons.

Transporting pets in aircraft hold

If your pet's cage exceeds standard dimensions or weight limits, or they cannot be carried in cabin, they can be transported in special cages in aircraft hold. To ensure that you pet enjoys a comfortable travel, special cages must be of sufficient size, properly ventilated and watertight. Please also make sure that a label displaying your pet's information is affixed to the cage.

Carrying pets on international flights

Make sure that you are carrying all documentation for your pet required by destination country. Otherwise, we will be unable to transport your pet. Please remember that some countries do not allow pets to enter, exit or transit with passengers. In accordance with the rules of destination country, valid certificate of vaccination, identity card and all other required documentation of the assistance dogs to be accepted on flight must be made available at all times by passengers. Unfortunately, we will be unable to carry assistance dogs if these documents are incomplete.

Animals prohibited from flying

Due to international aviation regulations, we do not allow some of your pets onto our aircraft. Dogs posing danger such as American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Pitbull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro are not allowed onto our aircrafts. American Bulldog, Bandog Tosa Inu, Caucasian Ovcharka, Douge De Bordeux, Doberman (Pincher Doberman and all Doberman breeds), Presa Canario, Rottweiler; Mastiff (excluding Bull Mastiff), Wolf Dog Hybrid breeds are only accepted to flights provided that they are transported in aircraft hold by cargo unit.

Within the frame of CITES-1, the African gray parrot, that goes by the scientific name Psittacus Erithacus, is not accepted on our flights.

Pets sharing cages

In the cabin, only animals of the same species and that are used to being together can be transported in the same cage. It is possible to carry two birds, two cats or two dogs familiar with each other in the same cage provided that our maximum weight limit of 8 kg is not exceeded.

Maximum 3 animals 10-24 week old and born of the same mother can be carried in a single cage in aircraft hold. Animals of the same species each weighing maximum 14 kg, similarly sized and familiar with each other can be transported in a single cage in aircraft hold. If animals each weigh more than 14 kg, they will be accepted singly in one cage. Maximum 2 adult animals of the same species each weighing 14 kg at most, similarly sized and familiar with each other can be transported in a single cage in aircraft hold. If animals each weigh more than 14 kg, they will be accepted singly in one cage.

Exceptions for pets

We cannot transport puppies or kittens aged under 10 weeks or which are still breastfeeding, and we cannot transport mothers which are still breastfeeding. We cannot transport puppies or kittens aged between 10 to 12 weeks unless approval from a veterinary can be provided. In the aircraft hold, we can transport a mother and up to three newborns aged 10 to 24 weeks in the same cage.

Subject to weight limits, transportation of cat breeds with respiratory problems such as Iranian cats, Himalayan cats and Burmese cats in cabin is our priority.

Subject to weight limits, transportation of dog breeds with pug nose having respiratory problems (such as Pekingese, Pug, Shar-Pei, Shih Tzu, Japanese Spaniel, Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Mastiff etc.) in cabin is our priority.

The carriage of pets is not included in free baggage allowance and is subject to fees. Please see the table for more information.

1. Fees for carrying pets on domestic flights

If the pet and its cage or container weighs 8 kg or less, they may travel in the flight cabin. Those weighing more than 8 kg will be carried in the cargo hold. A fixed fee will be charged based on the total weight of the pet and its cage or container. Concerning weight, passengers are charged TRY 80 for 8 kg or less; TRY 120 between the of 9-15 kg range; TRY 180 between the 16-22 kg range; TRY 220 TRY between the 23-28 kg range and 260 TRY for 28 kg and above.

2. Fees for carrying pets on international flights

Carriage of pets is not included in free baggage allowance and is subject to fees. Fees for carrying pets on journeys which include an international destination are indicated below.

A. Fees under the baggage weight concept

If the pet and its cage or container weighs 8 kg or less, they may travel in the flight cabin. Those weighing more than 8 kg will be carried in the cargo hold.

A1. Fees for carrying pets in the flight cabin (PETC)

If the pet and its cage or container weighs 8 kg or less, they may travel in the flight cabin. The total weight of the pet and cage or container will be multiplied by the excess baggage fee applicable on the route. If the fee calculated exceeds 70 USD, the total will be charged. The minimum fee charged is 70 USD.

A2. Fees for carrying pets in the cargo hold (AVIH)

If the pet and its cage or container exceeds 8 kg, they will be carried in the cargo hold. The total weight of the pet and cage or container will be multiplied by the excess baggage fee applicable on the route. If the fee calculated exceeds 140 USD, the total will be charged. The minimum fee charged is 140 USD.

A3. Fees for carrying pets on intermediary fights (5th and 8th Freedom of the Air)

On intermediary flights able to carry pets, the applicable excess baggage fees for the route will be charged on fights where pets are carried in the flight cabin. If the fee calculated exceeds 35 USD, the total will be charged. The minimum fee charged is 35 USD.

B. Fees under the baggage piece concept

If the pet and its cage or container weighs 8 kg or less, they may travel in the flight cabin. Those weighing more than 8 kg will be carried in the cargo hold.

B1. Fees for carrying pets on transit flights

B1.1. Fees for carrying pets in the flight cabin (PETC)

The applicable excess baggage fees for the route will be charged on transit flights where pets are carried in the flight cabin. If the fee calculated exceeds 150 USD, the total will be charged. The minimum fee charged is 150 USD.

B1.2. Fees for carrying pets in the cargo hold (AVIH)

Twice the applicable excess baggage fees for the route will be charged on transit flights where pets are carried in the cargo hold. If the fee calculated exceeds 300 USD, the total will be charged. The minimum fee charged is 300 USD.

B2. Fees for carrying pets on journeys with stopovers

B2.1. Fees for carrying pets in the flight cabin (PETC)

On journeys with stopovers in Turkey which apply the baggage piece concept, when carrying pets in the flight cabin, the applicable excess baggage fee for the location which applies the baggage piece concept and Turkey will be charged. If the fee calculated exceeds 150 USD, the total will be charged. The minimum fee charged is 150 USD. 

At stopover points in Turkey where check-in will be completed at least 24 hours later, the carriage fee for pets will be determined according to the onward destination when checking in at the stopover location. For carriage of pets on domestic flights within Turkey, a fee of 35 USD per cage or container will be charged. On international flights which apply the baggage weight concept, a fee of 50 USD per cage or container will be charged. On international flights which apply the baggage piece concept, a fee of 150 USD per cage or container will be charged.

B2.2. Fees for carrying pets in the cargo hold (AVIH)

On journeys with stopovers in Turkey which apply the baggage piece concept, when carrying pets in the cargo hold, twice the applicable excess baggage fee for the location which applies the baggage piece concept and Turkey will be charged. If the fee calculated exceeds 300 USD, the total will be charged. The minimum fee charged is 300 USD. 

At stopover points in Turkey where check-in will be completed at least 24 hours later, the carriage fee for pets will be determined according to the onward destination when checking in at the stopover location. For carriage of pets on domestic flights within Turkey, a fee of 70 USD per cage or container will be charged. On international flights which apply the baggage weight concept, a fee of 100 USD per cage or container will be charged. On international flights which apply the baggage piece concept, a fee of 300 USD per cage or container will be charged.

B3. Fees for carrying pets on intermediary fights (5th and 8th Freedom of the Air)

On intermediary flights which apply the piece baggage concept and which able to carry pets, a fee of 75 USD will be charged per cage or container carried in the flight cabin, and a fee of 150 USD will be charged per cage or container carried in the cargo hold.

Accepting pets on flights to Northern Cyprus

In order to carry pets on flights bound for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, you must obtain an import license from the TRNC Veterinary Office. The validity of this license is 60 days. You must also obtain a travel health certificate from the veterinary directorate of your country at least 48 hours before departure. 

You must carry your cat's or dog's passport which shows their inoculation record and their medical records. Dogs must have received inoculations for Parvo, Distemper, Hepatitis and Leptospira; cats must have received inoculations for Feline Enteritisa and Feline Influenza. Your pet must have been inoculated against rabies at least one month and no more than one year before traveling. 

You must also carry the original lab report showing your pet’s levels of blood antibodies against rabies in order to travel with your cat or dog. 

We do not carry pets younger than three months alone on our Northern Cyprus flights. We can carry pets aged over two months on the condition that they travel with their mother, they have a passport, they have stayed in the same location since birth, and have not come into contact with any wild animals which may have passed on infection. 

For more information, please visit http://www.veteriner.gov.ct.tr.