Last-minute pet travel on Indian flights: why it is almost never truly last-minute
By Reyansh Mehta (Reyansh Mehta covers hill stations across the Indian Himalayas — Manali, Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim, Spiti — with a focus on flights, road conditions, altitude acclimatisation and permit rules. He's spent 90+ days above 3,500m in the last five years.) · Published · 9 min read
If you need to fly your dog or cat in India urgently, the first thing to know is that IndiGo — the airline with the most domestic flights — does not allow pets at all. Air India does, but requires 48-hour advance notice. The options are more limited than most people expect.
TL;DR — the short answer
Domestic pet travel on Indian flights is not a last-minute option. IndiGo, which operates the majority of domestic flights in India, does not accept pets — in cabin or in cargo — on any of its flights. Air India accepts small pets in the cabin (under 7 kg including carrier) but requires you to notify them at least 48 hours before departure. Air India also accepts pets in the cargo hold with a similar advance notice requirement. The fee is typically around ₹7,500 per pet per sector (verify the current rate on airindia.com before booking — this figure changes). SpiceJet and Akasa Air have their own pet policies; both require advance notice of at least 24–48 hours. There is no Indian domestic airline today that will take your pet on same-day notice.
IndiGo: the answer is no
Let me save you the 20-minute customer care wait: IndiGo does not accept any pets, emotional support animals, or service animals in the cabin or cargo hold on domestic or international flights operated by IndiGo. This has been their policy for years and it has not changed. The only exception is certified guide dogs or mobility-assist dogs for passengers with visual or mobility impairments, which are handled under a separate special assistance framework and require advance documentation — still not last-minute.
If your route only has IndiGo options (say, Delhi–Chandigarh or Bangalore–Hubli on a thin frequency day), you are looking at ground transport for your pet, or restructuring your plans around the Air India schedule on that route — which may only fly once or twice a day.
Air India: the 48-hour rule and what cabin travel actually requires
Air India is the main carrier for pet travel on domestic Indian routes. Their cabin pet policy allows one small pet (dog or cat) in the cabin, subject to these conditions:
- The pet plus its carrier must not exceed 7 kg total weight. This is firm — Air India staff weigh the carrier at check-in.
- The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you. Rigid carriers that cannot fit under economy seats will be refused.
- You must notify Air India at least 48 hours before departure when booking or via the special services desk. Walk-in requests are not accepted.
- Pets are limited to a certain number per flight — typically one or two in the cabin, depending on the aircraft type. During peak booking periods, the allocation fills up quickly.
- Your pet must have a current health certificate from a registered veterinarian, dated within a specific window (usually 7–10 days of travel — verify with Air India directly).
The fee for a cabin pet on Air India domestic flights is in the range of ₹7,000–₹8,000 per sector as of mid-2026, but this is a figure that changes and should be confirmed on airindia.com or by calling reservations. It is not bookable through most OTAs — you typically have to call Air India directly or use their own website with the special services option.
The 48-hour rule is the killer for last-minute travel. If your family emergency comes up on a Monday evening and you need to fly with your dog on Wednesday morning, you are 36 hours away — likely outside the window for Air India's notification system to process and confirm the pet booking. Call immediately and explain the situation; some agents will process it if there is time, but it is not guaranteed.
Cargo vs cabin: what changes when the pet travels in the hold?
For larger pets (over 7 kg with carrier, or breeds that airlines classify as 'too large for cabin'), the hold or cargo option is the only route. Air India accepts pets in the cargo hold under their 'accompanied excess baggage' framework on domestic routes. The pet travels in a temperature-controlled hold section, not the main cargo bay.
Key differences from cabin travel:
- Weight limits are higher — cargo pets can be substantially larger, though there are maximums per airline. Verify the current maximums with Air India's cargo desk.
- IATA-approved crate required — the pet must travel in a rigid, ventilated, IATA-approved crate (not a soft carrier). These are available from pet stores and online; do not improvise with a grocery crate.
- Advance booking still required — Air India requires the same 48-hour minimum for cargo pets. The cargo booking is a separate process from the passenger booking.
- vet documentation — a health certificate and, for some routes, a no-objection certificate from the state animal husbandry department may be required. The documentation burden for cargo pets is higher than for cabin pets.
SpiceJet historically allowed pets in cargo on domestic routes (check their current policy on spicejet.com — SpiceJet's operational status and route network have been in flux in 2025–2026). Akasa Air accepts pets in cargo with 24–48 hours advance notice; verify on akasaair.com.
Hill station routes and pet travel: a specific planning note
I cover hill-station travel extensively, and the pet question comes up a lot for people driving their dogs from Delhi to Manali or planning to take them to Kashmir. The important thing to know is that most Himalayan airports are not on Air India's domestic pet route. Kullu-Manali Airport (KUU), Srinagar (SXR) and Leh (IXL) all have limited Air India schedules, and the pet allocation per flight is tiny — often just one cabin pet slot. For Leh in particular, altitude acclimatisation for pets is a separate issue: dogs need time to adjust above 3,500m just like humans, and flying them directly to Leh and immediately doing strenuous walks is not recommended.
For most hill-station destinations, the practical reality is that pet owners drive. It is more logistically complex but far more reliable — road transport with your pet in the car, stopping for breaks and acclimatisation, is the default for most people bringing dogs to Spiti, Ladakh or Sikkim.
What to do if you genuinely need to fly your pet last-minute
If the situation is a genuine emergency — a move, a family crisis, a vet referral that requires you and your pet to travel urgently — here is the fastest path:
- Call Air India reservations immediately (not the chat bot, the actual phone line) and explain it is an emergency. Ask specifically whether any pet slots are available on your route and whether they can accept notice within 24 hours given the circumstances. Some agents have discretion; most do not.
- Check if a pet courier service works — companies like PetKart, Pet Air India (different from Air India), and some regional logistics operators specialise in pet transport via cargo as unaccompanied freight. These services handle the documentation and cargo booking on your behalf, though they charge a premium. The pet typically travels alone on a cargo flight, not on your passenger flight.
- Consider a surface option — for routes under 600–700 km, a private taxi or train (Indian Railways allows dogs in the luggage van on most express trains, with the right booking) may be faster than navigating the airline process under time pressure.
For all other pet travel planning, FlightGPT can help you find the flight schedules and compare departure times — once you know your route, call Air India directly to check pet slot availability on those specific flights before buying your ticket.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take my dog on an IndiGo flight in India?
No. IndiGo does not accept pets — dogs, cats, or any other animals — in the cabin or cargo hold on any of its flights. The only exception is certified guide or mobility-assist dogs for passengers with disabilities, which require advance special assistance documentation. For pet travel on domestic Indian routes, Air India is the primary option.
How much does Air India charge for a pet in the cabin on domestic flights?
Air India's cabin pet fee on domestic routes is typically in the range of ₹7,000–₹8,000 per sector as of mid-2026, but this figure is subject to change. The current fee should be confirmed on airindia.com or by calling Air India's special assistance desk before booking, as OTA booking sites rarely show the correct pet fee.
What documents does my pet need to fly on Air India?
At minimum, you need a health certificate from a registered veterinarian, typically dated within 7–10 days of travel (verify the exact window with Air India). For cargo pets, an IATA-approved crate is mandatory. Some routes or states may additionally require a no-objection certificate from the state animal husbandry department — ask Air India's special services desk about your specific origin–destination pair.
What is the weight limit for a cabin pet on Indian domestic flights?
Air India's cabin pet limit is 7 kg total — that includes the pet and the carrier combined. If your pet plus its carrier exceeds 7 kg, it must travel in the cargo hold instead, with different documentation and booking requirements. Weigh your pet in its carrier at home before heading to the airport, as check-in staff will weigh it there.
Does Akasa Air allow pets?
Akasa Air accepts pets in the cargo hold on domestic routes, with typically 24–48 hours advance notice required. They do not allow pets in the cabin. As with all airline pet policies, verify the current rules directly on akasaair.com before booking, as policies can be updated.
Can I book a pet flight on an OTA like MakeMyTrip or Cleartrip?
Most OTAs do not support pet bookings in their standard booking flow. You generally need to book your own passenger ticket through any channel, then call Air India (or the relevant carrier) directly to add the pet to your PNR with at least 48 hours' notice. Some travel agents who specialise in pet transport can handle both steps, usually for a service fee.