Flying with a dog or cat to South Africa
14 airlines take a dog or cat on our 27 routes to South Africa, 12 of them in the cabin on at least one route. Here is which ones, from where, and how long to allow.
- airlines
- 14
- in cabin
- 12
- routes
- 27
- days minimum
- 180
Airlines that accept your pet
Sorted by number of routes served. “Cabin”: at least one route where your pet can fly with you, under the seat. Per-route details (fees, weight, embargoes) are on each route page.
| Airline | Cabin | Routes |
|---|---|---|
| South African Airways | no | 27 |
| American Airlines | 11 of 11 | 11 |
| Delta | no | 11 |
| LATAM | 3 of 3 | 3 |
| Air Canada | 2 of 2 | 2 |
| Air Europa | 2 of 2 | 2 |
| Air Transat | 2 of 2 | 2 |
| Iberia | 2 of 2 | 2 |
| WestJet | 2 of 2 | 2 |
| Aerolíneas Argentinas | 1 of 1 | 1 |
| Aeroméxico | 1 of 1 | 1 |
| Air Austral | 1 of 1 | 1 |
| Air France | 1 of 1 | 1 |
| Avianca | 1 of 1 | 1 |
How long to allow, by departure country
The minimum lead time depends on the country your pet leaves from, not the airport: that is what decides whether a blood test and a months-long wait are added to the file.
- 180 days from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Spain, France, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Paraguay, United States, and Uruguay
What to watch on these routes
At least one airport on these routes has heat embargoes: in summer, some airlines refuse pets in the hold.
Every route, by departure country
27 documented routes, each with its airlines, fees and source.
United States
- New York → Johannesburg · 3 airlines
- Miami → Johannesburg · 3 airlines
- Los Angeles → Johannesburg · 3 airlines
- Chicago → Johannesburg · 3 airlines
- San Francisco → Johannesburg · 3 airlines
- Boston → Johannesburg · 3 airlines
- Atlanta → Johannesburg · 3 airlines
- Dallas → Johannesburg · 3 airlines
- Seattle → Johannesburg · 3 airlines
- Newark → Johannesburg · 3 airlines
- Washington Dulles → Johannesburg · 3 airlines
Frequently asked questions
- Which airlines allow a dog in the cabin to South Africa?
- American Airlines, LATAM, Air Canada, Air Europa, and Air Transat, among others. The maximum weight (pet and carrier) and fees vary by airline and route.
- How long does it take to prepare a pet for a trip to South Africa?
- At least 180 days, whatever the departure country on our routes.
- Where is the official rule?
- With South African Government. Every route page cites its source and verification date.
Official source
Data verified on or before September 23, 2026.