input/full_documents/pets.txt

Traveling with pets
Heading out on a long vacation? Planning to move abroad with the entire family? We consolidated all of the important information so that you and your pet can enjoy a pleasant and quiet flight experience.

First and foremost
The Ministry of Agriculture is the authority in Israel that oversees the transport of pets to and from Israel, including service dogs. If you intend to transport an animal, you must obtain authorization from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Veterinary Services. Ways to contact the Ministry of Agriculture.

Please consider that the authorization process may take several months and involves performing several animal tests.

Please note, some dogs and cats may develop sensitivity and/or breathing problems during the flight, which may adversely affect their health and in some cases even result in death. EL AL will not be liable in case of death and/or any other medical event to a dog/cat during the flight.

* Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dog and cat breeds are not approved to be transported as baggage in the luggage compartment or as cargo accompanied by a waybill.
* Dangerous dogs, as defined in the Israeli Law for the Regulation of Dog Supervision, are not approved for transportation.
* EL AL reserves the right to refuse to transport an animal at any stage in accordance with the provisions of any law.

There are a number of ways to transport animals:
As personal baggage in the aircraft cabin – Only the following pets: dogs, cats and exotic birds can be transported in the cabin with their owners, giving that their weight, including the cage, does not exceed 9kg. Service dogs are exempt from this weight limit. In this case, you should arrive at the check-in counter with the pet.
As checked baggage – In certain instances (e.g. large animals), animals must be transported as checked baggage. In this case, you must send off the animal at the check-in counter; upon landing, you will retrieve your animal in the Arrivals Hall.
As registered cargo – There are instances in which an animal may be transported by the Cargo Division (e.g., an extra-large animal or an animal flying unaccompanied). In this case, all transport arrangements will be made via the El Al Cargo Division. The animal will be dropped off at the cargo terminal. Please contact the EL AL Cargo Store.



Transporting a pet from Israel abroad
If you intend to transport an animal from Israel, whether you’re traveling with it or it is flying alone, you are required to obtain the appropriate permits, in Israel and in the destination country, in advance. Passengers are responsible for contacting the authorities in the destination country and acting in accordance with their guidelines. The authorities in the destination country may determine how the animal will be transported, be it in the passenger aircraft cabin, as baggage in the aircraft hold, or as registered cargo.

The main factor that influences the mode of transport is the animal’s weight:

Animals (Dogs, cats or exotic birds only) weighing up to 9 kg with their cage – They can usually be transported in the aircraft cabin.
Transporting an animal (up to 9 kg) in the Business cabin is subject to the approval of the EL AL service center and the availability in Business cabin. The number of pets allowed in this cabin is limited and we recommend contacting the EL AL service center as early as possible to make the reservation.
Animals weighing between 9 kg and 100 kg with their cage – They can usually be transported in the aircraft hold.
Animals weighing more than 100 kg with their cage – They can usually be transported as registered cargo in the aircraft hold.
It is important to note that there are additional factors that may affect the animal’s mode of transport.

 

Please note: It is not possible to transport animals in the aircraft cabin to the following destinations: Johannesburg, London and Hong Kong. Transport is strictly with a bill of lading (cargo).

How to obtain authorization to transport an animal from Israel abroad:
Check with the destination country’s authorities to determine the requirements for transporting an animal to their country.
Contact your veterinarian to have him/her perform the required tests and issue the necessary authorizations.
After receiving all of the required documents, contact the Veterinary Services Department to request that they issue an international certificate of good health (this contact can usually be facilitated through your veterinarian).
Update us upon receiving the flight permit, at least 2 business days prior to your flight. If the permit states that the animal will be transported with a bill of lading (cargo), please follow the guidelines for transporting pets as cargo. If the permit states that the animal will be transported as baggage, update the EL AL Service Center or the travel agent through which you made the booking.
Make sure to bring with you all of the documents and authorizations; you be asked to present them at check-in. Without this authorization, a pet will not be accepted on the flight and EL AL may not be held responsible for this.
Guidelines for Transporting Dogs to the US
Please note that the regulations regarding transporting dogs to the US have changed. There are certain destinations in the US where transporting dogs will not be allowed at all. For destinations where transporting dogs are allowed, the passenger must meet all the requirements listed on the CDC website. Passengers who do not meet all the requirements, as detailed on the CDC website, will not be allowed to board the flight with their dog.
Please note that as of this date, the State of Israel is defined as a high-risk country on the CDC website.

We recommend using the services of companies specializing in animal air transport.
Please note that additional charges are incurred for inspecting and releasing of a dog from airport facilities in the United States.
Additional requirements for obtaining authorization to transport a pet as cargo with a bill of lading
In cases where the destination country authorities determine that an animal may be transported with a bill of lading (usually when the animal weighs more than 9 kg), this service will be offered through the Cargo Division. Email the following address: [email protected]​ and attach the following documents in a single PDF file:

Transport authorization from the destination country authorities.
Export license.
Bill of lading.
Certificate of good health.
Destination, flight details, flight date, details of the sender, and details of the recipient.
The measurements of the transport cage.
Bring all of the required authorizations with you to the airport and present them at the check-in counter.

For questions and clarifications please contact the Cargo Division: +972-3-9716679

Transporting pets to Israel
If you intend to transport an animal to Israel, whether you’re traveling with it or he is flying alone, you are required to obtain the appropriate permits in advance. The Ministry of Health is the body that has the authority to approve the entry of animals into Israel. It will also determine how the animal will be transported, be it in the passenger aircraft cabin, as baggage in the aircraft hold, or as registered cargo.

The main factor that influences the mode of transport is the animal’s weight:

Animals (Dogs, cats or exotic birds only) weighing up to 9 kg with their cage – They can usually be transported in the aircraft cabin.
Transporting an animal (up to 9 kg) in the Business cabin is subject to the approval of the EL AL service center and the availability in Business cabin. The number of pets allowed in this cabin is limited and we recommend contacting the EL AL service center as early as possible to make the reservation.
Animals weighing between 9 kg and 100 kg with their cage – They can usually be transported in the aircraft hold.
Animals weighing more than 100 kg with their cage – They can usually be transported as registered cargo in the aircraft hold.
It is important to note that there are additional factors that may affect the animal’s mode of transport.

 

Please note: There are certain airports from which animals cannot be transported as registered cargo: Bangkok, Amsterdam, Boston, Mumbai, Brussels, Larnaca, Frankfurt, Moscow, Munich, Madrid, Berlin, Prague, Warsaw, Toronto, Vienna, Budapest, Kyiv, and Rome. 

How to obtain authorization to transport an animal to Israel:
Contact the local authorities to obtain the required documents.
After receiving the required documents and no later than two business days prior to the flight, email Veterinary Services at Ben Gurion Airport at [email protected] and include the following documents in a PDF file: certificate of good health, rabies antibody test, Appendices B and C (the last page of the file below). If you have met all of the conditions, the Veterinary Services flight permit will be sent to you by email.
Did you send the documents to Veterinary Services and you did not receive a response within four hours?
Please call: +972-3-9792240
Update us upon receiving the Veterinary Services permit. If the permit states that the animal will be transported with a bill of lading (cargo), please follow the guidelines for transporting pets as cargo. If the permit states that the animal will be transported as baggage, update the EL AL Service Center or the travel agent through which you made the booking.
Make sure to bring with you all of the documents and authorizations; you will be asked to present them at check-in. Without this authorization, a pet will not be accepted on the flight and EL AL may not be held responsible for this.
Additional requirements for obtaining authorization to transport a pet as cargo with a bill of lading
In cases where the Veterinary Services Department determines that the animal may be transported with a bill of lading (usually when the pet weighs more than 9 kg), this service will be offered through the Cargo Division. Email the following address: [email protected]​ and attach the following documents in a single PDF file:

Authorization from the Veterinary Services Department.
Export license.
Bill of lading.
Certificate of good health.
Laboratory results for rabies antibodies.
Name of customs brokerage company (if necessary).
Bring the Veterinary Service authorization with you to the airport and present it at the check-in counter.

Where do you pick up animals after landing in Israel?
When the animal is transported as baggage, it will be released in the Ben Gurion Airport Arrivals Hall.
When the animal is transported as cargo, it will be released in the Ben Gurion Airport cargo terminal.
For questions and clarifications please contact our Cargo Division: (import tracing):
[email protected]
[email protected]
Telephone: +972-3-9716589/592
The costs of transporting animals
Transport costs as baggage:
 	​Europe and Middle East	North America and Far East
Animals weighing up to 9 kg with their cage	$100	 $150
Animals weighing between 9 and 50 kg with their cage	$200	$250
Animals weighing between 50 and 100 kg with their cage	$400	$450
Animals weighing more than 100 kg with their cage cannot be transported as baggage and will be handled by the Cargo Division.

Transport costs as cargo:
Transport costs depend on a number of factors. To clarify costs, please contact the Cargo Division at:
+972-3-9716679

Costs – What you need to know:
The cost of transporting a pet is based on the total weight of the animal, the carrying case, and the food.
The prices are valid for animals accompanying the passenger on the same flight.
Payment is made at the airport after the animal is weighed.
Payment for transporting pets is made separately; it is not included in the weight of the permitted baggage allowance.
If the flight ticket includes any connecting flights with other airlines, payment must be arranged with the other airline.
The costs are not applicable to codeshare flights, operated by other airlines.
A passenger with an open ticket must pay for the outbound and return flight, even if the return date is unknown.
General guidelines for transporting animals
Only the following pets: Dogs, cats or exotic birds, can be transported in the passenger cabin, depending on their size and weight and the required permits.
Animals exhibiting clear and visible signs of illness and/or who are emitting a foul odor may not be approved to fly.
Pets who have been approved for transport must also be authorized by the relevant authorities at the intermediate or final destination.
The passenger is required to prepare the animal for the flight according to the recommendations of a veterinarian.
EL AL will not be held responsible in the event an animal is denied transit or entry into another country.
Transport cage guidelines



























Transporting service dogs in the aircraft cabin
Service dogs that are accompanying:

A passenger with special needs.
An I.D.F soldier / A person experiencing "shell shock" (Post-trauma caused by military service).
May be transported at no additional cost in the aircraft cabin, subject to the following terms and conditions:

You must hold an official document/License that states that your dog has been properly trained and is in active duty as your service dog from one of the certified organization for training service dogs (The Israel Service Dogs Training Center, The Israel Guide Dog Center for The Blind).
It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to ensure all documents and/or authorizations required by the destination country for the transport of a service dog have been completed. EL AL will bear no responsibility in this regard.
The passenger is required to update the Service Center regarding a flight with a service dog, no later than 48 hours prior to the flight date.
The passenger must provide a veterinary certificate stating that the dog is vaccinated and has the ability to maintain proper sanitary conditions during the flight and transport.
The dog must be tied to a leash and/or harness from check-in until landing at the destination.
It is important to come equipped with a cage adapted to the dog and its size, in the event it is necessary.
It is the passenger’s full responsibility to complete all the forms and documents required to transport animals to Israel / from Israel, and to check with the destination country to determine its requirements.
Flying to London with a service dog?

In addition to the guidelines we mentioned before, passengers traveling to London with a service dog are asked to register 14 days prior to the date of the flight on the Heathrow Airport website. You can do this by clicking on Heathrow Animal Reception Centre.

 

Flying to or from the United States with a service dog?

In addition to all of the details included above, it is the passenger’s responsibility to fill out, print, and bring special additional forms for the United States and to present them at the check-in counters.

Please note that the regulations regarding transporting dogs to the US have changed. There are certain destinations in the US where transporting dogs will not be allowed at all. For destinations where transporting dogs are allowed, the passenger must meet all the requirements listed on the CDC website. Passengers who do not meet all the requirements, as detailed on the CDC website, will not be allowed to board the flight with their dog.
Please note that as of this date, the State of Israel is defined as a high-risk country on the CDC website.

We recommend using the services of companies specializing in animal air transport.
Please note that additional charges are incurred for inspecting and releasing of a dog from airport facilities in the United States.

Important information

EL AL may require the passenger to have the dog tied to a leash and/or harness and/or barrier throughout the flight.
EL AL may be entitled to require the passenger to seat the dog on his/her lap or in the area designated for the passenger's feet, so that the dog does not invade the space of other passengers.
EL AL will be entitled to refuse to transport the dog and/or decide to transport it in the hold if any of the following occurs:
The dog constitutes a direct threat.
The dog causes a disturbance in the aircraft or its behavior indicates that it has not been trained to behave in public.
Transporting the dog violates safety and security regulations.
The passenger does not provide the necessary forms as required and/or did not meet all of the cumulative conditions mentioned above.
To the extent that damage is caused by the dog, EL AL will be entitled to charge the passenger for the full damage.