Tools
Hold heat risk: can your dog fly this month?
Departure, arrival and month: estimate the summer heat-embargo risk for hold/cargo on your route, and find the best months to travel with your dog.
Why the season decides, not just the airline
A heat embargo is not a commercial policy but a safety measure: above a temperature threshold measured at departure, at arrival or in transit, an aircraft hold becomes dangerous for a dog. 6 airlines in our corpus publish one, with their dates and thresholds.
Morphology weighs as much as the thermometer. Snub-nosed dogs breathe poorly as soon as stress and heat combine — 22 of the 172 reference breeds are in that case — and IATA advises against carrying them in hot season. 18 airlines publish their own list of affected breeds.
Hence the value of reasoning by month rather than by destination. The same route, with the same dog and the same airline, can be accepted in November and refused in July. The tool gives you the workable months rather than a plain yes or no.
Frequently asked questions
What is a pet heat embargo on flights?
It's a seasonal restriction: above a temperature threshold (often 27-30°C) at departure, layover or arrival, the airline suspends animals in hold/cargo to avoid heat stroke. Our tool estimates that risk for your route and month.
At what temperature can dogs no longer fly in the hold?
The common embargo threshold is around 30°C; between 27 and 30°C many airlines already apply restrictions. For snub-nosed breeds the cut-off is lower (often 24°C, e.g. British Airways). The climate-controlled cabin is not affected.
Are snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds more at risk?
Yes. Their compressed airways regulate heat poorly, so the risk of distress is far higher, thresholds are stricter, and many carriers ban them from the hold year-round. Tick the breed to refine the verdict.
How are the temperatures estimated?
From each airport's latitude and the chosen month (a seasonal model). These are trend estimates, not a live forecast — always confirm with the airline before booking.
What are the best months to fly a dog in the hold?
Usually the cooler months at both ends of the flight (outside summer in the relevant hemisphere). The tool shows a 12-month calendar for your route and highlights the green-light months.
Breeds most at risk in the heat
Snub-nosed breeds are banned from the hold year-round by many airlines, whatever the temperature. Open a breed to see its heat tolerance and the airlines that accept it.