Flying to Croatia with a pet: airline comparison 2026

The single biggest planning mistake we see people make with pet-friendly Croatia trips is booking the flight first and checking the pet policy second. By then they have already picked a Ryanair connection, or a Saturday Wizz Air flight, and the answer they get from customer service is simple: no. Your pet cannot come.

This guide covers every carrier operating routes to Croatia with an honest, source-verified breakdown of what each allows. No summaries copied from aggregator sites. Rules are pulled directly from each airline's official policy pages and are current as of April 2026.

The one rule that covers half the market#

Before the airline-by-airline breakdown, this matters:

Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air carry no pets, not in the cabin, not in the hold, except certified assistance dogs with official accreditation from Assistance Dogs International (ADI), Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK), or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF). Emotional Support Animals are explicitly refused.

These three carriers together account for the largest share of seats into Croatian airports. They fly into Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb, Zadar, Pula and Rijeka. If your routing involves any of these three airlines on any segment, your pet cannot travel on that routing.

There is no workaround and no upgrade to a different ticket class that changes this. The ban applies to the aircraft.

Airlines that allow cabin pets to Croatia#

The cabin-pet standard across European carriers has converged on one number: 8 kg combined weight (pet plus carrier). Soft carriers with a maximum sum of three dimensions of approximately 115 to 118 cm are the general standard. There are individual variations, and exceptions are noted below.

Croatia Airlines

Cabin: Yes, dogs and cats, up to 8 kg combined (pet plus carrier). Carrier dimensions: Soft carrier, max sum of three dimensions 118 cm (the Croatia Airlines website shows both 115 and 118 cm in different sections, verify at booking). Network: Zagreb (ZAG), Split (SPU), Dubrovnik (DBV), Pula (PUY), Zadar (ZAD), Osijek (OSI) and European destinations. Fee: 40 euro per leg (promotional rate valid through 30 April 2026); 50 euro per leg standard international rate; 32 euro plus 25% VAT domestic Croatia; 70 euro intercontinental. Hold: Also available for larger pets in IATA-approved kennels. Route restrictions: Croatia Airlines does not carry pets on Croatia to UK routes. UK to Croatia is permitted except on the London Gatwick to Croatia route. Ireland to Croatia hold transport is not available. Brachycephalic breeds: Allowed in cabin within the 8 kg limit using a hard-sided carrier up to 45 by 35 by 25 cm. Banned from the hold. The breed list includes all Bulldogs (except American), Pugs, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Chow Chow, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Pit Bull, Staffordshire Bull Terrier; for cats: Persian, Himalayan, Scottish Fold, British Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair. Maximum pets per flight: Normally 2, increased to 3 during the November 2025 to April 2026 promotional period with 20% discount applied at sales offices. Booking: Must be arranged in advance, not bookable online for most routes. Call Croatia Airlines reservations or use a travel agent.

Lufthansa

Cabin: Yes, small dogs and cats, up to 8 kg combined (pet plus carrier). Carrier dimensions: Soft carrier, max 55 by 40 by 23 cm. Croatia routes: Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC) to Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Pula. Fee: Approximately 60 euro per segment intra-Europe; 100 euro intercontinental (paid at airport check-in). Advance booking: Must be registered at least 72 hours before departure via lufthansa.com. Minimum pet age: 12 weeks generally; 15 weeks for flights into Germany. Route restrictions: Lufthansa notes it may refuse cabin pets on certain routes including UK and Ireland. Brachycephalic breeds: Allowed in cabin if under 8 kg. Banned from the hold since January 2020. Hold kennels from 1 March 2026 must comply with Lufthansa's LH05 standard (wood or steel; metal kennels excluded). Booking: Via lufthansa.com or call centre; cabin pets cannot be added as a last-minute option.

KLM

Cabin: Yes, one dog or cat, up to 8 kg combined (pet plus carrier). Carrier dimensions: Soft carrier, max 46 by 28 by 24 cm. Croatia routes: Amsterdam (AMS) to Zagreb and Split. Fee: Route-variable, 70 to 500 euro per one-way flight, confirmed at booking. Minimum pet age: 15 weeks. Route restrictions: KLM does not transport pets to the UK on any route. No cabin pets in Premium Comfort or intercontinental Business class. Brachycephalic breeds: Allowed in cabin within weight limit. Banned from hold. Booking: Can be booked self-service via "My Trip" online (the only carrier in this list offering online self-service) up to 48 hours before departure.

Air France

Cabin: Yes, one dog or cat per passenger, up to 8 kg combined; soft bags only (hard crates not accepted since 6 November 2017). Carrier dimensions: Soft bag, max 46 by 28 by 24 cm. Croatia routes: Paris CDG to Zagreb; seasonal Dubrovnik connections. Fee: Approximately 55 euro cabin within Europe (the current published fee table has been obscured from direct access, confirm at booking). Minimum pet age: 15 weeks for international flights. Cabin class: Not permitted in Business cabin on intercontinental routes. Restricted breeds: Category 1 dogs (bull terriers and Pit Bulls without pedigree) are totally prohibited. Category 2 dogs (Rottweilers, Tosas) are hold-only. Booking: Requires Customer Service approval, not bookable purely online.

Eurowings

Cabin: Yes, small dogs and cats, up to 8 kg combined (pet plus carrier). Carrier dimensions: Soft, leak-proof bag, max 55 by 40 by 23 cm. Croatia routes: Serves Dubrovnik, Pula, Rijeka, Split, Zadar, Zagreb. Fee: From 60 euro per segment. Hold: Not available, Eurowings carries pets in cabin only. Route restrictions: Does not carry pets to/from UK, Ireland, Dubai, Marsa Alam, Keflavik. Restricted breeds: Category-1 restricted breeds (bull-type terriers, mastiffs) not accepted.

ITA Airways

Cabin: Dogs and cats only (effective 1 December 2025), at least 3 months old. Carrier dimensions: Soft carrier, international max 40 by 24 by 20 cm. Croatia routes: Rome FCO to Split (seasonal). Fee: 95 euro per segment Europe/North Africa (other route bands: 73 euro domestic Italy, 100 euro Middle East/North Africa, 210 euro North America). Cabin weight: 10 kg international / 12 kg domestic (ITA weight limits have appeared inconsistently, verify at booking). Summer 2026 note: ITA is introducing a "Large Pet Friendly" 30 kg cabin service on Italy domestic routes only, not applicable to Croatia.

LOT Polish Airlines

Cabin: Dogs, cats, and ferrets, up to 8 kg combined (pet plus carrier). Carrier dimensions: 55 by 40 by 20 cm (B787/B737 fleet); 45 by 30 by 20 cm (Embraer fleet). Croatia routes: Warsaw (WAW) to Zagreb (seasonal); Warsaw to Split (seasonal). Fee: 150 euro per segment within Europe and Middle East; 310 euro to North America/Asia. Minimum pet age: 3 months, with rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel. Brachycephalic breeds: Banned from hold; allowed in cabin within 8 kg limit (breed list matches standard European brachycephalic categories including crossbreeds).

British Airways: cabin closed, hold only#

Cabin pets: Not permitted on any BA route, no exceptions except certified assistance dogs. Hold transport: Available via PetAir UK (outbound, UK to Croatia) and IAG Cargo (inbound). Fees are not published as standard rates, case-by-case. Croatia routes: London Heathrow to Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Split, Pula. Brachycephalic breeds: Subject to individual assessment via IAG Cargo, no blanket hold ban but restrictions apply to the most extreme brachycephalic cases.

Carrier dimensions cheat sheet#

• Croatia Airlines: Soft carrier with sum of dimensions at most 118 cm; 8 kg
• Lufthansa: 55 by 40 by 23 cm; 8 kg
• KLM: 46 by 28 by 24 cm; 8 kg
• Air France: 46 by 28 by 24 cm; 8 kg
• Eurowings: 55 by 40 by 23 cm; 8 kg
• ITA Airways: 40 by 24 by 20 cm international; 10 kg international
• LOT Polish: 55 by 40 by 20 cm widebody; 8 kg

Cabin vs cargo#

For most dogs under 8 kg and almost all cats, cabin travel is available and strongly preferable. The animal is with you, temperature-controlled, and you can monitor distress.

For dogs over 8 kg, the hold is the only option. Modern aircraft hold pet areas are temperature-controlled and pressurised to the same standard as the passenger cabin, the conditions are not as frightening as some travelers imagine. However, hold transport is more logistically complex: IATA-approved hard kennel required, advance booking essential, higher fees, and some carriers (Eurowings, KLM for some routes) do not offer it at all.

Brachycephalic breeds in the hold: most European carriers have banned short-nosed breeds from hold travel due to breathing risks at altitude and temperature stress. Croatia Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, and LOT allow brachycephalic breeds in cabin within the standard 8 kg limit, this is the only option for those breeds on these carriers.

Brachycephalic restrictions#

The following breed types face restrictions beyond standard cabin rules:

Typically banned from hold on all carriers listed: All Bulldogs (French, English, American, with variation by carrier), Pugs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apso, Shar Pei, Brussels Griffon, Bull Mastiff, Pekingese, Chow Chow; and cat breeds including Persian, Himalayan, Scottish Fold, British Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair.

Typically allowed in cabin (if under weight limit) on Croatia Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, Eurowings, LOT: all of the above.

The hard-sided carrier exception: Croatia Airlines allows brachycephalic breeds in cabin with a hard-sided carrier up to 45 by 35 by 25 cm (slightly different dimensions than soft-carrier rule). Other carriers require soft carriers, check before purchasing a hard crate.

Booking process and day-of-flight tips#

Book the pet space the moment you book your ticket. Most airlines operate a per-flight pet quota (Croatia Airlines: 2 to 3; most others: 1 to 5). These fill up particularly on summer routes to Dubrovnik and Split. Waiting until a week before travel on a July Saturday means you will not find a space.

Confirm the booking specifically, not just "I saw a pet option online." For Croatia Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France, and LOT, pet bookings require a phone call or sales office, not an online click. Get a booking reference and written confirmation.

At check-in: Arrive early. Your pet will be weighed with its carrier at the check-in desk. If the combined weight exceeds the limit, you will be asked to check the animal as hold baggage or refused boarding. Do not overfeed your pet on travel day. Pack the carrier light.

Document presentation: Croatian Customs checks documents on arrival, not at departure. You do not need to present the EU pet passport or AHC at check-in, but the airline may ask to see it for cabin routing compliance.

Exercise before the airport. A well-exercised dog is calmer in a carrier. Plan a long walk in the 2 to 3 hours before you leave for the airport.

Sources#

Croatia Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, Eurowings, ITA Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, British Airways, Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air official pet policy pages; Zagreb Airport pet transport page; Croatian Veterinary Directorate; Croatian Customs Administration. Carrier policies on brachycephalic breeds in the hold have been updating since 2019; the information above reflects each airline's stated policy as of April 2026. Verify the current breed list with your carrier directly, breed classifications sometimes differ between airlines.