Flying with a Dog

I want to be honest from the start: we have flown with Hugo exactly two times. Both times it was necessary – not a first choice.

Hugo weighs 10 kilos. That's 2 kilos too much for the cabin on most airlines. So our little Cavapoo, who looks like a cuddly stuffed animal, is classified as a "large dog" and must go in the cargo hold.

The first time we faced that choice was for a family gathering in Skåne. We looked at each other, looked at Hugo, and said "we'll drive". Eight hours in the car felt better than leaving him in a dark cargo space.

But sometimes driving isn't an option. Here's what we've done when we actually flew – and what I wish I had known beforehand.

First things first: cabin or cargo?

This determines everything. And it depends on your dog's weight.

Under 8 kg: cabin
The dog travels with you in a bag under the seat in front. You have control, can calm them, can see that everything is okay. This is the best option – if your dog qualifies.

Over 8 kg: cargo hold
The dog is transported in a crate in the plane's cargo area. Temperature-controlled, pressure-controlled, safe according to the airlines. But you won't see your dog for the entire journey.

Hugo's situation: 10 kg – too big for the cabin, too small for it to feel right
This is where it gets difficult. Hugo is not a German Shepherd used to being alone for hours. He is a Cavapoo who prefers to sit in someone's lap. Sending him alone in the cargo hold feels wrong – but it's the only option if we're going to fly.

What the airlines say

I have called all the major companies that fly domestically in Sweden. Here’s the situation:

SAS

Cabin: Dogs up to 8 kg, bag max 40x25x23 cm
Cargo: Yes, IATA-approved crate required
Cost: Approximately 500-700 SEK per leg (varies)
Limited number of animals per flight – book early

Norwegian

Cabin: Dogs up to 8 kg
Cargo: Not offered on all routes – check when booking
Cost: Approximately 400-600 SEK per leg

BRA (Braathens Regional)

Cabin: Yes, small dogs
Cargo: Contact customer service
Good option for domestic travel to smaller airports

Important: Rules and prices change. Always call the airline directly before booking. Don’t rely on the information on the website being up to date.

Our first flight with Hugo

It was to a wedding in Malmö. Three days, impossible to drive back and forth with two small children and work on Monday. We decided to fly.

The preparations:

Three weeks before, we bought an IATA-approved transport crate in the right size for Hugo. It cost around 1,500 SEK – not cheap, but necessary.

We placed the crate in the living room with the door open. Hugo's blanket inside. Treats hidden in the corners. The idea was for him to start seeing the crate as a positive place, not a prison.

In the first week, he ignored it. In the second week, he started going in to get treats. In the third week, he voluntarily lay down in it sometimes. Not to sleep – but he wasn't scared anymore.

The morning:

We took a long walk at five in the morning. Hugo got to run, sniff, do all his business. Then no food – we wanted to avoid nausea.

At the airport, it was chaotic. Check-in took time. Hugo had to be registered separately, we had to fill out papers, someone had to check the crate. The kids were tired. I was stressed.

Hugo noticed it. He was nervous, sniffing around, didn’t want to go into the crate. We had to use treats and a lot of calm talking to get him in there.

The farewell:

The worst moment was when they took the crate and walked away with it. Hugo looked at me through the bars. I couldn’t explain to him what was happening or that we would see each other in two hours.

My wife cried a little. I pretended I wasn’t moved. The kids asked "where's Hugo?" all the way to the gate.

The landing:

We waited at the special baggage area. It took 20 minutes after our bags arrived before they brought Hugo out. He was quiet in the crate – didn’t whine, didn’t bark. Just sat there waiting.

When we opened the crate, he threw himself at us. Licked, wagged, whined. He was okay. But those 20 minutes of waiting were long.

What I learned

Book the dog at the same time as the flight tickets. The number of animals per flight is limited. We booked almost too late and had to call to get a spot.
Call the airline directly. Websites are unclear. A 10-minute call answers all questions.
Allow extra time everywhere. Check-in takes longer. Security takes longer (they scan the crate separately). Pickup after landing takes longer. Add at least an hour to everything.
Practice with the crate at home. Three weeks was just right for Hugo. Start earlier if you can.
Be prepared for emotions. Handing over your dog to strangers who carry him away is hard, even if you know it’s safe.

Cabin travel – for those with smaller dogs

If your dog weighs under 8 kg, you have it easier. Here’s what I’ve understood from friends with smaller dogs:

The transport bag: Must be soft (fabric, not hard plastic) and fit under the seat in front of you. Typical max dimensions are 40x25x23 cm. Buy the bag first, measure it, call the airline, and double-check that it’s approved.

Preparations: Same as for cargo travel – get the dog used to the bag at home, long walk beforehand, no food 3-4 hours before.

On the plane: The bag must be under the seat during takeoff, landing, and turbulence. In between, you can have it in your lap on some airlines – ask the cabin crew. The dog must not be taken out of the bag.

Tips I’ve received:

Book a window seat – less traffic passing by, calmer for the dog
Bring a mat in the bag in case of accidents
Have treats available to reward calm behavior
Stay calm yourself – dogs sense stress

Our decision nowadays

After the two flights, we have a clear policy: we drive.

Yes, it takes longer. Stockholm to Malmö is seven hours by car compared to one and a half by plane. But for us, it doesn’t outweigh:

Hugo is with us the whole time
We can stop for breaks
No farewells at check-in
No waiting at the baggage claim
No stress about whether he’s okay down there

The only time we consider flying now is if we’re going abroad to a place where driving isn’t reasonable. And then we carefully weigh whether the trip is worth it for Hugo at all.

If you must fly: practical checklist

Weeks before:

Book flight tickets and register the dog at the same time
Call the airline and confirm rules and measurements
Buy an IATA-approved crate (cargo) or approved bag (cabin)
Start training the dog with the crate/bag at home
Check that vaccinations are up to date
Check weight limits – weigh your dog just to be safe

The day before:

Pack the dog's things separately (easy to access)
Put the dog's blanket or something with a familiar scent in the crate
Prepare treats and favorite toy
Plan the morning walk

The flight day:

Long walk early – tire the dog out
No food 3-4 hours before
Water until 1 hour before
Extra time to the airport
Have documents available (vaccination certificate, ID)
Stay calm – your stress rubs off

What to bring:

Vaccination certificate
Treats
Mat in the bag/crate
Water bowl (collapsible)
Poop bags
Papers from the vet if the dog is on medication

Extreme weather – be aware

Airlines may refuse to transport dogs in the cargo hold during extreme weather. Too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter. The cargo area is temperature-controlled, but waiting on the ground before and after the flight can be problematic.

If you fly in the middle of summer or winter: call the airline the same morning and confirm that the transport is going as planned.

Alternatives we have considered

Train: SJ allows dogs. Hugo has traveled by train and it works better for him than flying – he can lie at our feet, we can calm him, no farewells. Takes longer than flying but shorter than driving on some routes.

Leave Hugo at home: We have tried having him with grandma and grandpa a couple of times. It works – he knows them well. But we miss him, and the vacation doesn’t feel complete.

Travel without the dog: Sometimes the right answer is not to bring the dog. A weekend in Paris? Hugo stays home. A week in Thailand? Hugo stays home. Some trips simply aren’t suitable for dogs.

Flying with a dog is possible. It’s safe. Thousands of dogs fly every day without problems.

But for us, with a 10-kilo Cavapoo who ends up in the cargo hold, it never feels like the first choice. We drive. We take the train. We choose vacation destinations that work with a car.

And the times we have to fly? Then we do it. But I don’t like it.

Dog-friendly hotels near airports

If you are flying with a dog, it might be smart to stay near the airport the night before. Check our dog-friendly hotels in Stockholm (near Arlanda) or dog-friendly hotels in Malmö (near Sturup). In Skåne there are also many options near Kastrup if you are flying from Copenhagen.

/Love & Hugo