MADJNB
Flying with your pet from Madrid (MAD) to Johannesburg (JNB)
What to check before booking: which airlines take your pet, at what price, and what entry into Johannesburg requires.
3 airlines accept your pet on this route, 2 of them in cabin. Minimum lead time: 180 days.
Rules verified on September 16, 2026
Blockers on this route
- Long-preparation destination, up to 180 days (permit, titer test, sometimes quarantine on arrival).
- Heat embargo likely: most airlines close the hold above 27-29 °C on the ground, May to September.
Minimum lead time
180 Allow at least 180 days between the first vet step and departure.
The dated plan for your pet
Free search: the airlines that accept your pet on this route, their transport mode and their fees. The full dated plan is €19, a single payment.
See the airlines for MAD → JNBAirlines on this route
| Airline | Travels as | Pet fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Europa | In cabin | 35 EUR Spain · 50 EUR Europe/Africa/Americas · 150-175 EUR long-haul | Verified at source |
| Iberia | In cabin | 40 EUR Spain · 60 EUR Europe/Afrique du Nord/Israel · 180 EUR Amérique/Asie (en ligne, par segment) | Verified at source |
| South African Airways | Checked hold | 300 ZAR VAT included (domestic South Africa) | Verified at source |
From $35 to $300 depending on airline and travel mode. These are the carriers' published amounts; they cover neither vet work nor the crate.
Derived corridor The rules below follow from the same official sources, but this specific route was not re-verified individually — only 9 corridors were. Confirm with your airline and the destination authorities.
What this means in practice
Of the 3 airlines serving Madrid → Johannesburg with a pet, 2 take it in the cabin, 3 in the hold as checked baggage and 2 through cargo — a single airline may offer more than one of these.
The highest cabin weight limit on this route is 8 kg, with Air Europa. Above that, 3 airlines still take the animal in the hold.
one of these airlines apply a restriction on short-nosed breeds (Air Europa) — a carrier policy, unrelated to the destination country's rules.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take my dog in the cabin from Madrid to Johannesburg?
Yes, with Air Europa, Iberia. The highest limit on this route is 8 kg with Air Europa. The others publish a lower limit or none at all, and in every case the pet must fit under the seat.
How long does it take to prepare the trip?
Allow at least 180 days between the first vet step and departure.
What paperwork is required to enter Johannesburg?
An import permit and an endorsed health certificate are generally required — checked against South African Government.
Can a large dog travel in the hold on Madrid → Johannesburg?
Yes, with Air Europa, Iberia, South African Airways. Above the published limits, cargo remains — a shipment separate from the passenger ticket.
How much does it cost to fly the pet?
From $35 to $300 depending on airline and travel mode. These are the carriers' published amounts; they cover neither vet work nor the crate.
Are short-nosed breeds accepted?
1 of the 3 airlines on this route restrict short-nosed breeds: Air Europa. This is a carrier policy driven by respiratory risk, unrelated to the destination country's rules.