Flying with pets

Travel with a pet on flights, operated by Bulgaria Air

Because we know that they are part of the family too!

Bulgaria Air will take care of your pet's peace of mind and safety during the flight. To prepare for your trip, check out the full information on pet transport options and requirements on our flights.

Pets in the passenger cabin /PETC/ Dogs or cats are accepted in a hard or soft (fabric) crate located under the seat in front of the passenger. Maximum size and total weight of animal with cage:     - up to 8 kg.     - up to 48 x 35 x 22 cm Up to 2 animals of the same species (dog or cat), breed and family may be carried in one cage. The service is available on all direct flights operated by Bulgaria Air except those to/from London Heathrow. To request carriage of a pet in the passenger cabin:     - online during the booking process of your flight     - online via the "Check your reservation" button     - via the Customer Service Centre     - at the airline's office in the country or abroad     - via your ticket issuing agent     - at the departure airport before the flight This service may be denied if the pet quota on board is full, therefore it is recommended to request and pay for it in advance. Passengers traveling with a pet on board cannot be accommodated in 1st row or emergency exits due to safety measures.

Fees

Carrying tipped-nosed breeds of dogs and cats in the cabin

Pets that are tipped-nosed may experience respiratory problems during a flight. It is recommended that you consult a veterinarian before booking your flight.

The following dog breeds are considered tipped-nosed:

Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Bulldog (all breeds), Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Pug (all breeds), Chow Chow, Great Dane (all breeds), some spaniels (Tibetan, Japanese, English, King Charles), Brussels Griffon, Lhasa Apso, Mastiffs (all breeds), Neapolitan Mastiff, Pekingese, Petit Brabant, Shih Tzu, Shar Pei, Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Tipped-nosed cat breeds include: Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, and Persian.

Pets in the hold /AVIH/

Dogs and cats with a total weight of over 8kg of the animal with the cage are transported in the hold of the aircraft. Each passenger is entitled to carry up to 1 cage with a pet.

Maximum cage dimensions: 110 x 65 x 70 cm without any weight limit for the animal, subject to compliance with the requirements for the transport container cage* for the transport of pets on flights operated by Bulgaria Air. Only rigid cages/containers certified by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) are accepted. The service is not available for flights to/from Heathrow Airport, London.

The service can be requested at least 72 hours before the flight in one of the following ways:

• via the Customer Service Center at e-mail: callfb@air.bg

• at an airline office in the country or abroad

• via your service agent, ticket issuer

The transportation of pets in the baggage compartment can only be provided upon prior request of the service. Otherwise, it will be refused at the airport.

Fees

Pets prohibited from being transported in the baggage compartment

• Pets that are tipped-nosed

Dogs: Affenpinscher, Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Bulldog (all breeds), Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Pug (all breeds), Chow Chow, Great Dane (all breeds), some spaniels (Tibetan, Japanese, English, King Charles), Brussels Griffon, Lhasa Apso, Mastiffs (all breeds), Neapolitan Mastiff, Pekingese, Petit Brabant, Shih Tzu, Shar Pei, Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Cats: Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, and Persian.

• Animals with a total weight including the container exceeding 25 kg. are not accepted for transport to/from Brussels.

• Fighting and dangerous breeds – American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Kangal (Anatolian Shepherd), Caucasian Shepherd, Rottweiler, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Doberman, Cane Corso, etc.

Pets transported as cargo

The fees for transporting animals as cargo depend on their size and weight. Standard fees for transporting pets in the baggage compartment do not apply.

The service allows the transportation of animals without an accompanying passenger on the same flight. To request the service, please contact us at the e-mail address: cargo@air.bg

Requirements* for a transport container/cage for transporting pets

All pets must be transported in a cage/transport container specifically designed for the transportation of animals, which is provided by the owner. Failure to comply with the requirements for a cage/transport container may result in the refusal of transportation.

• All cages/transport containers must meet the requirements for the transportation of live animals established by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

• Both soft and hard cages/transport containers are accepted for pets in the passenger cabin, which are placed under the seat in front of the passenger. It is not acceptable to transport animals in a handbag or other type of bag that is not specifically designed for the transport of pets.

• Only rigid cages/transport containers are accepted for pets in the baggage compartment.

• The cage/transport container must be large enough for the animal to stand in its natural position, to be able to turn around and lie down

• The cage/transport container must be designed to be leak-proof, e.g. lined with absorbent material such as a blanket;

• The cage/transport container must be resistant to attempts to escape and made of harmless and non-toxic material. Wire mesh cages are not permitted.

• To avoid injury to the animal, the interior of the cage/container must not have sharp corners, edges or nails

• The cage/transport container must have ventilation openings on all four sides and be able to be closed.

• Pets on a leash without a cage or with their head or limbs outside the cage/transport container are not accepted for transport.

• The owner must have provided the animal with sufficient water and food for the entire duration of the flight in advance

Conditions for transporting pets

    - Their transport must not be commercially related

    - Be at least 3 months old

    - Have an ID microchip

    - Have a valid passport with all necessary details (vet, owner, etc.)

    - Have a rabies vaccine

    - Check-in of passengers traveling with pets is possible at the airport only

Passengers wishing to travel with a pet (dog or cat) must first read the instructions for transporting pets and comply with all the conditions of Regulation 576/2013. The Regulation is mandatory in all EU countries.

Important!

Bulgaria Air is not responsible for any expenses incurred by the passenger in the event that:

• A pet is refused carriage by the ground handling operator at the departure airport due to non-compliance with the airline's requirements and conditions of carriage

• A pet is refused carriage upon arrival at a transfer airport or the final destination of travel due to non-compliance with the regulations in force in the respective country