EI AI Airline

Animals (pets - only dogs, cats and exotic birds) weighing up to 8 kilos (including the carrier container) will be approved for carriage in the passenger cabin together with an accompanying passenger.

Up to two pets may be carried in one cage, providing that their total weight does not exceed 8 kg. and they can be safely kept together in the container without disturbing each other or other passengers.

One of EL AL’s reservations offices should be informed regarding the request to transport animals in the passenger cabin. The request should include details regarding the weight of the animal, including the carrier container and its measurements. The Telephone Service Center will approve receipt of the reservation through the relevant travel agency.

Animals (pets) weighing over 8 kilos (including the carry container) will be allowed to be transported only in the hold of the aircraft.

Up to two fully grown pets (weighing up to 14 kilos each) may be carried in one cage. Above this weight, the animals must be transported in separate containers.

Up to three young animals (six months of age or younger, up to 14 kilos each) who were born together can be transported in the same cage.

One of EL AL’s reservations offices should be informed regarding requests for transporting animals in the cargo hold. The request should include details about the weight of the animal and the cage and the dimensions of the cage. The Telephone Service Center will authorize receipt of the reservation to the relevant travel agency.

The animal (pet) should be carried in a strong closed container, purchased by its owners and approved by an EL AL representative.

The transport container must be strong enough to protect the animal throughout the flight and to prevent his exit.

The container must have air openings on all four sides so that the quality of the air will not be impaired during the flight.

The size of the air openings should not be large enough to enable the animal to stick its nose or legs through them.

The cage door must be secured in a manner that would prevent its opening during the flight due to inflight movements or by the animal itself.

The animals should not emit bad odors.

On a flight of over 12 hours’ duration, it is important to ensure that a drinking vessel is in the cage that is stored in the cargo hold (it is recommended to include a dish for food).

The animal should be carried in a cage (hard or soft and lined with soft material, that absorbs dampness and constructed in such a way as to prevent leakage), as long as its size does not exceed 41 x 38 x 19 centimeters (16 x 7.5 x 15 inches) in Economy Class and 30 x 30 x 19 centimeters (12 x 12 x 7.5) in Business Class and can be stored under the seat in front of the passenger. 

Importing Birds and Bird Eggs

Birds and bird eggs (except poultry and their eggs) will not be approved for flights to London unless licensed by the British Ministry of Agriculture.

Import of Plants and Plant Products

The import of plants and plant products to Israel is forbidden by law, unless prior approval is obtained!

Purpose of Supervision of the Import of Plants to Israel: The Plant Protection and Inspection Services in the Ministry of Agriculture are responsible for the export and import of all vegetation produce and products, including non-commercial import in passenger baggage. The purpose of this supervision is to prevent the import of plant pests and diseases that could cause great harm to wild plants and to agriculture in Israel, as is accepted practice in many countries worldwide.

Restrictions on Transport of Animals in the Passenger Cabin   

If you wish to transport a dog to the USA please be certain to have all of the authorizations listed on the website of the United States Department of Health 

In Johannesburg, the animal should be taken through Customs in the Passenger Arrivals Hall.

In Bangkok it is required to attach a photocopy of the veterinary authorizations on the animal’s cage.

In France it is strictly forbidden to bring in pet food.

According to the Rumanian authorities, since February 28, 2012, it is forbidden to bring in animals of any kind to Rumania for commercial purposes. Carriage of animals accompanying passengers with the appropriate certificates will be allowed in the passenger cabin or the hold of the aircraft, according to regulations.

Pets will not be flown in the passenger cabin to London's two airports, Heathrow and Luton, and from Luton, in accordance with the requirements of the local authorities. 

Pets will not be flown to Johannesburg, Hong Kong or Australia in the passenger cabin, in accordance with the requirements of the local authorities in these countries. The same restriction applies for flights from Johannesburg to Israel.

Transporting animals from Moscow is possible only if veterinary authorization permits the animal to fly in the passenger cabin or as Baggage. It is not possible to transport the animal as registered cargo.

The cost of transporting pets is based on the weight of the pet + the carry-case + pet food. Pet weight of up to 8 kilos = $100 for one way; 9-50 kilos = $200 for one way; 51-100 kilos = $400 for one way. For pets weighing over 100 kilos, please contact EL AL Cargo in advance, at 03-9716679. The flights to Eilat are half the above prices.

Seeing Eye and/or Service dogs, including dogs for emotional support who are accompanying passengers with special needs, will be flown at no extra charge in the passenger cabin.

In case of risk to flight safety, the dog will be flown at no cost in the cargo hold.

Passengers must inform the Telephone Service Center no later than 48 hours before the flight that they wish to fly with their emotional support service dogs and/or with dogs that are trained to assist passengers with disabilities.

For service dogs needed for emotional support, contact the Telephone Service Center no later than 48 hours before the flight with a valid authorization from a recognized professional caregiver (mental health) or a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist.

The passenger must have a veterinary authorization stating that the dog does not constitute a danger to his surroundings. For flights that are more than 8 hours in duration, the passenger must present authorization from a veterinarian that the dog will not constitute a sanitation problem.

The passenger should have a harness and a muzzle for the dog, in case they are needed.

Passengers are responsible for obtaining all the necessary documents/authorizations required by the destination country for emotional support dogs and/or dogs that have been trained to assist passengers with disabilities.

Special Guidelines

Passengers flying to London with a guide dog are asked to register 14 days before the flight date on the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre.

* In case of safety hazard, the animal will be flown at no extra charge in the hold of the aircraft.

+ Cost of Transporting Animals

+ More Information and Contact Information

+ Importing Plants and Plant Products, Importing Birds

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