Travelling with Pets

With the exception of service dogs, pets cannot be carried in the passenger cabin of the aircraft.

If travelling on a Qantas operated Australian domestic service (QF400 and above) pets can be considered part of your free baggage allowance, subject to the exceptions below.

If you are travelling with a pet you must advise your local Qantas office immediately after you have purchased your ticket to confirm your pet's travel arrangements.

If you are booked on an international flight (QF001-QF399) or a domestic sector of an international flight, or if you are not travelling on the same aircraft as your pet, your pets cannot be carried as free baggage. You must send your pet pack as freight and pay the applicable freight charges.

All pets^{^} must be contained in a pet pack on arrival at the passenger terminal. Pets on leads are not permitted.

Subject to the exceptions below, for a pet pack to be considered part of your baggage:

• You must be holding a confirmed reservation;
• You must lodge your baggage at the passenger terminal at least sixty (60) minutes prior to departure; and
• The pet pack must conform to the standards listed below.

Only small and medium sized pet packs qualify as part of your free baggage allowance. All other pet packs must be lodged directly with a freight company at the freight terminal and will incur a fee. Qantas recommends Australian Air Express.*

You will be required to pay excess baggage charges if your baggage, including your pet pack, exceeds the free baggage allowance. There is a limit of two (2) pet packs (no larger than the medium pet pack) per passenger, subject to normal baggage allowances. Additional pet packs will be sent as airfreight and you will be required to pay the applicable freight charges.

Exceptions

• Not permitted at all on Qantas or Qantaslink services: Pitbull terriers; salt water live fish.
• Pets that must be sent as freight: Pets for show or racing; fresh water live fish (aquarium type). Contact Australian Air Express(AaE)* for information.
• Pets that must be sent as freight to or from these airports: Pets are not permitted in the passenger terminals of the following airports either for departure or arrival: Adelaide, Alice Springs, Cairns, Darwin, Gove, Hobart, Karratha, Perth, Port Hedland and Townsville. All permitted pets must be lodged at the Australian air Express freight terminal and you will be required to pay the applicable rate for the carriage of the pet. When pets are travelling to any of these destinations they must be collected from the freight terminal at the arrival destination. Contact Australian Air Express(AaE)* for information.
• Different rules may apply for QantasLink services: For details, contact Qantas Telephone Sales.
• Right to refuse carriage: Qantas reserves the right to refuse carriage of a pet for any reason, including:
  - Safety or security reasons;
  - In order to comply with applicable laws, regulations or orders;
  - Non-compliance with our directions by the person travelling with the pet;
  - If travel may cause undue discomfort to the pet.

Back to top

Standards

Pet Pack Sizes

It is advisable to ensure that the container will meet these requirements prior to the day of travel.

Small (equivalent to one unit of baggage)

• Made of plastic material with absorbent mat and suitable for cats and small dogs up to small terrier size.
• Size: 56cm in length / 30cm wide / 38cm in height
• Maximum weight (including pet) : 15 kg

Medium (equivalent to two units of baggage)

• Made of polypropylene material with absorbent mat and suitable for dogs up to cocker spaniel size.
• Size: 66cm in length / 40cm wide / 52cm in height
• Maximum weight (including pet) : 20 kg

Large

For larger pets you must supply an approved crate, which meets the following criteria:

• Wire mesh - minimum of 8 standard wire gauge
• Escape proof hinges and latches
• Bottom covered with a leak proof galvanised tray with corners and edges soldered and rolled up to 9cm
• Tray bottom to be covered with absorbent material to avoid leakage
• Show crates must be adequately locked. it is the customers responsibility to provide adequate locks for the crate
• Must not exceed 84cm in height

Alternatively portable kennels or a small container may be accepted provided the construction and ventilation is considered adequate and it meets all size restrictions and general criteria.

Acceptance of Animals and Pet Packs

An animal and/or container will not be accepted when:

• The container is not sufficiently sturdy or is in disrepair and the animal is likely to escape
• The container or animal is unclean
• The animal appears diseased
• The animal is unduly savage
• The container could cause injury or suffering to the animal
• The container fails to meet the RSPCA regulations that the animal must be able to:
  - Stand up straight
  - Lie down without being cramped
  - Turn around within the crate/kennel

Quarantine Requirements

Quarantine regulations apply for international destinations and for Tasmania, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, and Thursday Island. Qantas Telephone Sales and other freight offices will provide general information on the carriage of birds, cats and dogs. For specific information, contact the applicable state or country quarantine office.

The above information is intended as a guide only. Please check details with Telephone Sales or for travel from the USA, please contact Freight before departure.

Back to top