Air Astana flying with pets

Does Air Astana allow passengers to travel with pets?

Passengers may travel with pets (dogs, cats, birds and other animals) in the cabin or in the hold. However, because the legislation covering the transportation of animals can vary from country to country, restrictions, such as the following, may apply on some routes:

• Pets are not accepted either in the passenger cabin or as checked baggage on the following routes:
  • From the Republic of Kazakhstan to Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Hong Kong.
  • To/from India, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa and Australia.
• Only cats and dogs are accepted on flights to/from Malaysia and China (Urumqi, Beijing).
• Only as checked baggage to/from Urumqi.

What are the general conditions for the carriage of pets on Air Astana flights?

The pet must be at least 3 months old to be accepted for carriage. Air Astana requests that customers do not present their pets at check-in without having made a preliminary booking for their transportation with either your travel agent or Air Astana Special Services. Carriage of pets is subject to a prior consent of Air Astana, and the notification of the intention to carry animals should be made at least 24 hours in advance of the flight departure.

When you book transportation for your pet, you should ensure that you have all the required documentation as they will not be able to travel without them. You will be asked to provide your pet’s passport, a veterinary certificate and an identifying microchip or tattoo for European countries (not necessary when transporting animals within Kazakhstan or to Russia), as well as any other documents required by veterinary authorities of the countries to, from and via which such carriage is performed.

For carriage of animals and birds, you must provide a container (cage) of sufficient dimensions to permit your pet to stand upright and lie down comfortably in its natural position. The container provided must be strong enough to keep your pet secure during the journey and have a leak-proof bottom and holes for feeding and ventilation. Bird cages must be covered with dense light proof fabric.

Pets in the Passenger Cabin

For transportation in the passenger cabin, Air Astana accepts small cats, dogs, fish, turtles and tortoises. Birds and rodents are not accepted for carriage in the passenger cabin. For transportation of small dogs and cats, Air Astana recommends that you use a soft bag specially designed for the purpose (ordinary soft bags cannot be used for transportation). Small fish must be transported in an aquarium or glass jar with the minimum quantity of water necessary for the wellbeing of the fish and a cover (with apertures for air). Fish cannot be transported in open plastic bags.

A passenger can carry only one container. For pets transported in the passenger cabin, the maximum weight is 8 kg (17 lbs) including the weight of the container. The limitations regarding the number of pets per flight and the maximum size of the container vary according to the type of aircraft:

Fees

The pet container is not included in the free baggage allowance. For transporting pets in the cabin, you will be asked to pay an additional fee:

• KZT 15000 – domestic flights.
• USD 145 – international flights.

Pets as Checked Baggage

Pets weighing more than 8 kg must travel in the cargo hold. For pets transported as checked baggage, the maximum weight is 50 kg, including the weight of the container. Pets over 40 kg must be transported in strong wooden containers. The number of pets that can be transported in one container depends on the age and weight of the pets:

• Maximum 3 pets up to the age of 6 months and from the same litter.
• Maximum 2 pets of comparable size, weighing up to 14 kg each and used to living together.
• Pets over 14 kg must travel individually.

The number of pets transported in the hold is limited to 2 pets per flight. Special rules apply to flights operated with E190 during the winter period (from October 1st until April 30th). Pets are not allowed in the E190 hold on the flights longer than 2 hours.

The maximum size of the container (L x W x H) varies according to the type of aircraft:

• Boeing B767 & all Airbus aircraft – 120 x 80 x 115 cm.
• Boeing B757 – 120 x 80 x 90 cm.
• Embraer E190 – 120 x 70 x 80 cm.

Fees

The pet container is not included in the free baggage allowance. For transporting pets in the cargo hold, you will be asked to pay an additional fee depending on the container size:

• Up to 60 x 40 x 45 cm:
  • KZT 18000 – domestic flights.
  • USD 175 / KZT 68000 – international flights.
• Over 60 x 40 x 45 cm up to the maximum size:
  • KZT 24000 – domestic flights.
  • USD 230 / KZT 89500 – international flights.

Assistance Dogs

Passengers with visual or hearing impairments traveling on Air Astana flights with an Assistance Dog can do so at no additional cost (the animal is not considered to be part of the passenger’s baggage allowance). A trained Assistance Dog, always muzzled and with all required veterinary documents and certificates, may be transported in the cabin at the feet of its owner. Prior notification to Air Astana Special Services is required.

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