On Vueling, pets travel only in the cabin, never in the hold: in an approved soft carrier of up to 45 Ă— 39 Ă— 21 cm and 10 kg in total including the animal, under the seat in front of you. Dogs, cats, birds (not birds of prey) and turtles or tortoises are accepted, one per passenger and up to 5 per flight. Important for UK travellers: the pet service is not available on flights to or from the UK. Here are the rules, documents and what happens at the airport.
Vueling pet rules at a glance
| Rule | What Vueling says |
|---|---|
| Where it travels | Cabin only, on the floor under the seat in front; never in the hold |
| Carrier | Soft and approved, up to 45 Ă— 39 Ă— 21 cm |
| Maximum weight | 10 kg, carrier included |
| How many | 1 per passenger, up to 5 per flight (2 on Iberia-operated flights) |
| Same carrier | Up to 2 dogs or cats of the same species or litter, within the weight and size limits |
| Accepted | Dogs, cats, birds (not birds of prey), turtles and tortoises |
| Not accepted | Rodents, rabbits, ferrets, farm animals, birds of prey, fish, reptiles |
On flights operated by GetJet or AirHub only cats and dogs are allowed. The service is not available on flights to or from the UK and Iceland. Vueling may refuse animals that are unwell, dirty, smelly or aggressive.
How to book your trip with a pet
- Add the pet when you book: according to Vueling, you choose the Fly Light fare in the section where you customise your flight. If you have already booked, call the Customer Services Centre.
- Check the legs: the pet is added to every flight in the booking. If it only travels one way, go through Customer Services (subject to availability) or make two separate bookings.
- Get the documents ready: for dogs and cats, a microchip and an EU pet passport showing a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before the flight.
- On the day, go to the check-in desk: you are given a suitable seat (window, not the front row or emergency exits) and your boarding pass with instructions.
- At security the carrier goes through the scanner with the lead and food, while your pet walks or is carried through the metal detector.
During the flight the carrier stays closed on the floor or under the seat in front: you may only open it once you have left the aircraft.
Documents and special destinations
- Flights within the EU: microchip and EU pet passport with a rabies vaccination at least 21 days old.
- Ireland: arriving from the EU or Schengen area, your pet also needs tapeworm treatment; from outside the EU there are extra tests and you must notify the Irish authorities in advance.
- Into Spain from outside the EU: an official animal health certificate if your pet has no EU passport and, in some cases, a rabies blood test.
- Outside the EU: always check the destination's rules with its embassy or the relevant ministry, and talk to your vet.
Guide and assistance dogs
Assistance dogs follow different rules: declare them when you book (passengers with special needs) or at least 48 hours before the flight. You need an official certificate from an accredited body (such as ADI, IGDF or ADAA): a doctor's note is not enough. The dog must be at least 3 months old, microchipped or tattooed and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before. Two assistance dogs are allowed per flight. On UK routes, extra DEFRA requirements apply, including a written declaration of the tasks your dog performs. Emotional support animals are not recognised as assistance animals.
If your Vueling flight is delayed or cancelled
A delay is even harder with a pet. If your flight arrives 3 hours or more late, or is cancelled less than 14 days before departure, you may be entitled to €250, €400 or €600 per passenger, unless there were extraordinary circumstances, plus care at the airport and, if it is cancelled, a refund or alternative flight. See our page on Vueling delays and compensation.
With DelayFlight24 you can check for free in 2 minutes whether you are owed money: you pay nothing upfront and you pay 25% + VAT only if you get the compensation. If you also fly Ryanair, read our guide to pets and assistance dogs on Ryanair: the rules are very different.
Frequently asked questions about pets on Vueling
Does Vueling carry pets in the hold?
No, never: animals travel only in the cabin, in their carrier.
What is the maximum weight for a pet in the cabin on Vueling?
10 kg in total, carrier included.
What size must the carrier be?
Up to 45 Ă— 39 Ă— 21 cm, soft and approved.
Can I take my dog on a Vueling flight from London?
No, the pet service is not available on flights to or from the UK and Iceland. Assistance dogs follow different rules.
Can I add my pet after booking?
Yes, by contacting Vueling's Customer Services Centre, subject to availability.
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Find out more
- Air passenger rights
- Delayed flight: when you can claim compensation
- Cancelled flight: refund and compensation
- Overbooking: what you are owed
- What our service costs
Article updated on 22/10/2026 by the DelayFlight24 editorial team.