Singapore Airlines does not permit pets in the passenger cabin on most routes. If you are planning to bring a dog or cat to or from Singapore on SIA, your pet will travel as manifested cargo via SIA Cargo — a separate service from the passenger booking.
This distinction matters because the booking process, documentation requirements, and costs for live animal cargo are completely separate from your passenger ticket. You cannot add a pet during online check-in.
Airline policies change frequently. Always verify the current SIA live animal policy directly with SIA Cargo or SIA Reservations before booking. The information below reflects general SIA practices as commonly reported; confirm all details with the airline for your specific route and travel date.
In-Cabin Pets: Not Permitted on Most Routes
Singapore Airlines does not offer in-cabin pet travel on most routes. The only exception is guide dogs and certified assistance dogs, which may travel in the cabin subject to advance notification and documentation requirements.
Emotional support animals without formal certification as assistance dogs are not accepted in the SIA cabin.
If you want to travel with your pet in the passenger cabin, you will need to consider other airlines that offer in-cabin pet travel on your specific route (e.g., Bangkok Airways for short Southeast Asian routes).
How Pets Travel on SIA: Manifested Cargo
Pets on SIA flights travel as manifested cargo via SIA Cargo (Singapore Airlines' cargo subsidiary). This means:
- Your pet is booked as a separate cargo shipment, not as excess baggage on your passenger ticket
- Booking is made through SIA Cargo, not through the passenger booking website or call centre
- Your pet may travel on the same flight as you or on a different flight, depending on capacity
To book: Contact SIA Cargo directly. The SIA Cargo desk handles all live animal bookings and can advise on route availability, space, and documentation requirements.
Do not assume your pet can travel on the same flight as you without confirming with SIA Cargo. Space for live animal cargo is limited, and some aircraft types used on specific routes have hold height restrictions that affect maximum crate size.
Brachycephalic Breed Restrictions
Singapore Airlines applies restrictions to brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds due to the health risks of air travel for these animals. The specific breeds affected and the restrictions that apply (embargo, fitness certificate requirement, or prohibition) vary and may change.
If you are travelling with a French Bulldog, Pug, English Bulldog, Persian cat, or other flat-faced breed, contact SIA Cargo before booking to confirm whether your pet can be accepted on your specific route. Do not assume acceptance without direct confirmation.
IATA Crate Requirements
All pets travelling in the cargo hold must be in an IATA-compliant rigid crate. Key requirements:
- Hard-sided rigid construction (no soft carriers for hold travel)
- Metal bolt fasteners (not plastic clips)
- Ventilation openings on at least 3 sides
- Water and food tray attached inside, accessible from outside
- Absorbent bedding
- "Live Animal" labels on all sides; upward-pointing arrows
SIA Cargo can advise on crate dimensions accepted on your specific aircraft type. Some aircraft have hold height restrictions that limit crate sizes.
Documentation for SIA Live Animal Bookings
When booking with SIA Cargo, you will need:
- Origin and destination details
- Pet species, breed, weight (including crate), and dimensions
- Health certificate details
- Your contact information and the consignee's details in Singapore
SIA Cargo may have its own documentation checklist separate from Singapore's AVS requirements. Confirm both the airline and the regulatory requirements before travel.
Checklist Before Booking SIA for Pet Transport
Before confirming any SIA flight for your pet:
- Contact SIA Cargo directly (not the passenger booking line)
- Confirm the route has live animal capacity available on your travel date
- Confirm your pet's breed is accepted (especially for brachycephalic breeds)
- Confirm the maximum crate height allowed for the aircraft type on your route
- Get the SIA Cargo booking reference before purchasing your passenger ticket
- Confirm health certificate timing requirements from the airline side
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sit with my pet in the same section of the aircraft? No. Pets travel in the temperature-controlled cargo hold, not in the passenger cabin. You will not be able to access or check on your pet during the flight.
My pet is very anxious. Should I sedate them for the SIA flight? Most vets and airlines, including SIA, advise against sedating animals for air travel. Sedation can suppress respiratory function, particularly dangerous for brachycephalic breeds. If your pet has severe travel anxiety, discuss non-sedative options with your vet.
Can SIA decline to carry my pet even after I have a confirmed booking? Airlines can refuse carriage if the animal appears ill at check-in, documentation is incomplete, or the crate is non-compliant. This is one reason to have all documentation reviewed by your CAPQ agent before travel day.
Is there a weight limit? SIA Cargo applies weight limits for live animals. The combined weight of the pet and crate is typically capped. Contact SIA Cargo for current weight limits for your specific route.
What happens if my SIA flight is delayed and my pet's health certificate expires? A significant delay that pushes the arrival date outside the health certificate's validity window (7 days from issue) requires a new certificate before CAPQ clearance can happen. Contact your CAPQ agent as soon as a delay is confirmed.
Planning to bring your pet to Singapore via Singapore Airlines? Your CAPQ agent can help coordinate documentation timing. Contact our team for a fixed-price quote.
Source: Confirm current SIA Cargo live animal policy directly at singaporeair.com or via SIA Cargo. Policies are subject to change without notice.