SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) Pet Policy 2026: How Many Pets Are Allowed, In Cabin or In Hold?
If you’re arranging a flight for a rescue cat or dog out of Cyprus — or flying with your own pet to Denmark, Norway, Sweden or beyond — Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is one of the carriers you’ll come across most often when connecting through Copenhagen. As flight parents ourselves, we get asked constantly: “How many pets can I bring on SAS? Does it have to go in the hold, or can it fly with me in the cabin?”
This guide breaks down the full SAS pet policy for 2026 — straight from flysas.com — so you know exactly what to expect before you book.
Quick Answer: SAS Pet Limits at a Glance
- In the cabin: 1 pet carrier per passenger, holding up to 2 healthy pets of the same species
- In the cargo hold: up to 2 adult pets (max 14 kg each) may share one container, or up to 3 pets under 6 months from the same litter
- As manifest cargo: unaccompanied pets, or pets flying to countries that require cargo entry (China, UK, UAE), booked via SAS Cargo / a freight forwarder
- Species allowed: cats and dogs only (plus service dogs, which fly free in the cabin)
- Minimum age: 8 weeks, fully weaned; pets under 14 weeks need a vet certificate
Below, we’ll go through each travel option in detail.
SAS Pet Policy: In the Cabin
Small cats and dogs can travel in the cabin on most SAS routes, as long as the carrier fits under the seat in front of you.
How many pets are allowed per passenger in the cabin? Each traveler is allowed 1 pet carrier, and that single carrier may hold up to 2 healthy pets of the same species — for example, two kittens or two small dogs from the same household that are comfortable sharing a space. You cannot bring two separate carriers as one passenger.
General cabin requirements
- Pet must be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned
- Pets under 14 weeks require a veterinarian’s certificate
- The carrier counts as your carry-on baggage
- Pet must stay inside the carrier for the entire flight
- Arrive at least 2 hours before departure to allow time for check-in and security
- No pets allowed in the cabin in Business class on flights to/from North America or Asia, or on SAS charter flights
- Number of pets per flight is limited — SAS accepts a set quota of animals per aircraft, so book early
Cabin carrier size and weight limits
| Requirement | Limit |
|---|---|
| Max carrier size | 40 x 25 x 23 cm (L x W x H) |
| Max weight (pet + carrier) | 8 kg |
| Carrier type | Soft-sided, fully closeable, well-ventilated, bite- and leak-proof |
The pet must be able to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably inside the carrier — this is checked at the gate, and a carrier that doesn’t meet these dimensions can get your pet denied boarding.
SAS Pet Policy: In the Cargo Hold
If your pet doesn’t meet the cabin criteria — too large, wrong breed, or simply too big for an 8 kg carrier — SAS can transport dogs and cats in the cargo hold, accompanying you on the same flight. This must be arranged directly with SAS Customer Service; it can’t be booked online like a cabin pet.
How many pets can share a hold container?
- Up to 2 adult pets of similar size (max 14 kg each) may share one container — except on flights to the US, where this isn’t permitted
- Up to 3 pets up to 6 months old from the same litter may travel together in one container
Size, weight and breed rules for the hold
| Requirement | Limit |
|---|---|
| Max weight (pet + container) | 50 kg |
| Max size | Depends on aircraft type |
| Container standard | Must meet IATA regulations, escape-proof |
Certain snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds — bulldogs, pugs, Pekingese and their crossbreeds — are not permitted in the hold at all, due to the higher risk of respiratory distress at altitude. Other snub-nosed dogs and cats may travel in the hold, but only in a container with bar-style ventilation from top to bottom.
To book a pet in the hold, you’ll need to submit a completed Certificate for Transportation of Animals (two printed copies, except on domestic Nordic flights) at the airport.
SAS Pet Policy: Manifest Cargo
If your pet doesn’t qualify for cabin or hold travel — or is flying unaccompanied, or heading to a country that requires cargo-only entry (SAS specifically names China, the UK and the UAE) — it will need to travel as manifest cargo through SAS Cargo, arranged via a freight forwarder rather than at check-in. This route is common for rescue organizations relocating larger dogs internationally, so it’s worth knowing about even if it doesn’t apply to your own trip.
SAS Pet Travel Fees (2026)
Pets are charged per container, per one-way flight, and pricing depends on route:
| Route | Pet in Cabin | Pet in Hold |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic (Denmark/Norway/Sweden) | €55.00 | €90.00 |
| Scandinavia, Europe & Middle East | €75.00 | €169.00 |
| Asia, Canada & US | €99.00 | €340.00 |
| China | €149.00 | €725.00 |
Service dogs always fly free in the cabin.
Booking Your Pet on SAS: Step by Step
- Request pet travel when you book, or up to 24 hours before departure, via My Trips if traveling in the cabin
- For hold travel, contact SAS Customer Service directly rather than booking online
- If your pet can be accommodated, you’ll see the option to add it to your booking online (cabin) or receive confirmation from the agent (hold)
- If space isn’t available within 24 hours of ticket purchase and you need to rebook, SAS will waive the rebooking fee — though fare differences still apply
Because SAS caps the number of pets allowed per flight, don’t leave this until the last minute, especially in peak summer travel months when Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo routes fill up fast.
Special Destination Rules to Know
- Traveling to the US: As of flights from 22 April 2025, dogs (including service dogs) must be at least 6 months old, micro-chipped, and travel with a completed CDC dog import form. Dogs that have been in a high-risk rabies country within the last 6 months cannot fly to the US with SAS.
- Traveling to Iceland: An import licence from the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority is required.
- Traveling to Greenland: Special permission from the Greenlandic Representation is needed.
- Traveling to Svalbard: Permission from the Norwegian Animal Health Authority is required for dogs — and cats are not allowed at all.
If you’re escorting a rescue animal from Cyprus that will connect through a SAS hub, these destination-specific rules are worth double-checking well ahead of travel, since import permits can take weeks to process.
SAS Pet Policy FAQ
How many pets can I bring on SAS in the cabin? One carrier per passenger, which may hold up to two healthy pets of the same species.
Can two pets share a carrier or container on SAS? Yes — up to 2 pets of the same species can share a cabin carrier, and up to 2 adult pets (max 14 kg each) can share a hold container, except on US-bound flights.
Does SAS allow cats and dogs only, or other pets too? Cats and dogs (plus service dogs). Other animals must travel as manifest cargo rather than as accompanied pets.
Are snub-nosed breeds allowed on SAS? Not in the cargo hold. Some snub-nosed breeds may be restricted in the cabin as well — always confirm with SAS before booking.
How old does my pet need to be to fly SAS? At least 8 weeks and fully weaned. Pets under 14 weeks need a veterinarian’s certificate.
Planning a Pet Flight From Cyprus?
Whether you’re relocating a rescue cat or dog, or simply flying home with your own pet, every airline’s rules are a little different — crate sizes, per-passenger limits and hold restrictions all vary. Browse our full Airlines Pet Policy library for other carriers commonly used out of Larnaca, and if you’re arranging a rescue flight, take a look at how our Animal Flight Companion service works — or check our Pet Friendly Hotels in Cyprus page if you need a stopover with your pet before the flight.
This article reflects SAS’s published pet travel policy as of September 2026. Airline pet policies change frequently — always confirm current rules directly with SAS Customer Service or at flysas.com before booking.