Aegean Airlines, the Greek airline based in Athens, has been named one of Europe’s most pet-friendly airlines in a new review of how major carriers treat passengers traveling with cats and dogs.
The carrier stood out alongside nine other European airlines for allowing pets in the cabin, in the cargo hold, and inside its airport lounges, the three conditions researchers used to judge how welcoming an airline is toward animals.
The review examined the pet policies of 22 of the most popular airlines flying within the European Union and the European Economic Area, not including the United Kingdom.
Greek airline ‘Aegean’ keeps pet-friendly fares affordable
Researchers found that most European airlines allow pets on board in some form. Only three carriers, Ryanair, Wizz Air and Icelandair, refuse to let pets fly in the cabin with their owners.
Icelandair permits animals in the cargo hold only on domestic flights within Iceland. Four airlines in total, including Volotea, do not accept pets in the hold at all. Ten airlines, Aegean among them, let pets into their branded airport lounges, though the animals must stay inside their carriers the whole time.
Under Aegean’s policy, passengers may bring one cat or dog into the cabin as long as the animal and its carrier together weigh no more than eight kilograms (17.6 lbs). Larger pets can instead be booked into the hold.
Flying in the cabin costs 35 euros on domestic routes and 65 euros internationally, while hold fees range from 50 to 180 euros depending on the flight and the pet’s size. Pets must be at least 12 weeks old to travel. That pricing puts the Greek airline among the more affordable pet-friendly choices in the review.
Other European carriers offering pet travel options
Other carriers named among the top 10 included Air France, KLM, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Finnair, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS and TAP Air Portugal. Each allows pets in both the cabin and the hold, though costs and weight limits differ from one airline to the next.
The review also flagged complications that can affect pet travel no matter which airline is chosen. These include restrictions on flat-faced breeds such as bulldogs and pugs, added paperwork for international trips, minimum age rules for young animals, and limits on how many pets can travel on a single flight. Pets are also typically barred from codeshare flights and premium cabin seating.
Compared with the United Kingdom, the European Union gives travelers far more choice when flying with animals, according to the review. Compensation rules for delayed or canceled flights within the EU, however, apply only to human passengers and do not extend to their pets.
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