Mumbai: Pets weighing under 10kg can now travel inside the cabin with their owners on Air India flights, as the airline has simplified and expanded its pet travel policy under the newly consolidated “Paws on Board” programme, according to reports. The carrier has also reduced the booking window from 72 hours to 48 hours before departure, offering added convenience for pet owners.

Air India’s revised guidelines, applicable across more than 80 domestic and international routes, provide a clearer framework based on the total weight of the pet and its kennel. Under the updated policy, pets up to 10kg, including the carrier, are permitted in the economy cabin and will be allocated aisle seats in the last row. Cabin carriage, however, is capped at two pets per flight. The airline specifies that in-cabin travel requires a soft, leak-proof, ventilated kennel measuring no more than 17x10x9 inches.

Pets weighing between 10kg and 32kg must be transported as checked baggage using an IATA-approved hard-case carrier. Animals exceeding 32kg may only fly as cargo. Bookings must be confirmed at least 48 hours before travel, following online verification of documents.

The “Paws on Board” charges are non-refundable and applied per sector. For in-cabin travel, the fee is ₹7,500 on domestic flights, while international charges are set at $140 for short-haul routes and $160 for medium-haul routes. For pets travelling as checked baggage, the fee is ₹16,000 domestically and a flat $350 internationally.

Several destinations remain restricted under the programme. Pets are not permitted in the cabin or as checked baggage on flights to or from the United States, Canada, and Australia. On services to and from London Heathrow (LHR) and London Gatwick (LGW), pets must be transported solely as cargo, while the service is unavailable at Birmingham Airport (BHX). In addition, pets are generally not allowed in the cabin on ultra-long-haul flights.

All travelling pets must be at least eight weeks old, and the airline prohibits the carriage of critically ill, pregnant, or sedated animals. Required documentation includes a valid pet passport or vaccination record, a health and rabies certificate issued by a registered veterinarian within seven days of departure, and completed indemnity forms. Air India also bans brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds from the cargo hold due to elevated respiratory risks.