Plan pet travel
on Aer Lingus.

1. Check the operator and aircraft

Ordinary pets travel in the hold through a pet agent; passenger check-in cannot accept them. Transatlantic household-pet arrangements cover cats and dogs.

No pets are permitted on journeys containing Emerald Airlines-operated Aer Lingus Regional flights. A321neo LR aircraft cannot carry live animals.

From North America, Dublin must be the final destination; Friday and Saturday shipments are prohibited. Arrange through the North American Pet Desk: +1 888 578 4806 or petdesk@iagcargo.com. For these North America-to-Ireland journeys, Aer Lingus requires the owner or an authorised person to accompany the pet; confirm how that applies to the itinerary.

For USA arrivals into Ireland, book the DAFM compliance check before arrival. This carrier-specific requirement is not a complete Ireland entry guide.

Assistance dogs use a separate process.

Source: Aer Lingus: animals and pets. Checked October 15, 2026.

2. Prepare a quotation request

The IAG Cargo form requests the origin, destination, departure date, pet type, breed, age, dimensions and weight, plus your contact details. It requires consent to share those details with relevant third-party partners.

A quotation enquiry is not confirmed animal space. Ask for written acceptance covering every operating flight, the exact crate and all pets travelling.

Source: IAG Cargo: quotation form. Checked October 15, 2026.

3. Separate booking windows from handover deadlines

IAG Cargo lists a booking window of up to 14 days before scheduled departure, with USA/Canada bookings available up to six weeks. That wording does not establish a universal minimum-notice deadline: ask the agent when your shipment can be booked and its final acceptance cutoff.

The general live-animal handover requirement is four hours before departure, subject to station capability. Aircraft limits determine weight and volume; station availability must also be checked.

IAG’s wider Aer Lingus live-animal listing includes cats, dogs and invertebrates. This guide covers dogs and cats only.

No fixed flightwide quota, per-passenger pet allowance or mixed-species sharing permission was verified. Obtain approval for the complete group rather than assuming space or shared-crate eligibility.

Source: IAG Cargo: live animals. Checked October 15, 2026.

4. Have the crate and breed approved

IAG Cargo specifies a minimum series-200 kennel for cats departing the USA or Canada: minimum internal dimensions 68 × 50 × 48 cm (27 × 20 × 19 inches). Smaller series-100 kennels are accepted from other countries only when the animal fits appropriately.

The pet must stand and sit upright without touching the roof and turn comfortably. Use a secure, strong crate ventilated on all four sides, with an externally accessible water pot; fibreboard, wicker and wire-mesh containers are unsuitable.

Some dangerous and snub-nosed breeds may be refused. A larger crate does not establish breed eligibility. Pets Delivery Expert plans brachycephalic journeys in the cabin only.

IAG directs Ireland departures to its pet enquiry form. Obtain an itemised quotation; no universal pet fee was verified.

Source: IAG Cargo: pets. Checked October 15, 2026.

5. Confirm the Dublin cargo appointment

IAG’s Dublin station lists no live-animal arrivals on Saturdays or Sundays. Its live-animal table shows a 240-minute departure cutoff and 90-minute post-arrival availability; these are station planning figures, not a promise that inspection and release finish within 90 minutes.

The listed location is Cargo Terminal One, Dublin Airport; this is not a passenger-terminal handover. General collection/delivery hours are Monday–Friday 08:00–20:00 and Saturday 08:00–14:00, with Sunday closed. Saturday general cargo opening does not override the live-animal import closure.

Have the agent confirm the actual delivery and collection appointments, inspection arrangements and contingency plan before booking travel.

Source: IAG Cargo: Dublin station. Checked October 15, 2026.

6. Keep the required original documents

IAG’s October 2026 paperless-document rollout does not eliminate live-animal originals. Its operational notice says certain original live-animal documents and applicable health certificates must still accompany the shipment.

Confirm the originals, copies and electronic submissions needed for your specific route. Government entry and transit permission remain separate from airline acceptance.

Source: IAG Cargo: operational alerts. Checked October 15, 2026.

Questions before you book

Related reading: Airline pet travel guides · Carrier preparation.

Official sources and scope

• Aer Lingus: animals and pets
• IAG Cargo: pets
• IAG Cargo: live animals
• IAG Cargo: quotation form
• IAG Cargo: Dublin station
• IAG Cargo: operational alerts

Official passenger and cargo pages checked October 15, 2026. Flight availability, price, exact booking cutoff and complete import requirements need individual confirmation.