Best Airlines for Terrier Breeds: Weight Limits, Fees, and Recommendations

When we first started flying with Sami — our West Highland White Terrier — I didn’t think the breed would matter much. A dog is a dog, right? You check the airline’s weight limit, buy a carrier bag, and off you go.

It’s not that simple. And after over 20 flights with a Westie, I’ve learned that the specific challenges terrier breeds face are different from, say, a Chihuahua or a Yorkie. Not harder, exactly. Just different. And knowing the differences ahead of time makes everything smoother.

The Terrier Problem: Too Heavy for Some, Too Tall for Others

Most terrier breeds — Westies, Scotties, Cairn Terriers, Jack Russells, Miniature Schnauzers — fall into this awkward middle zone. They’re small enough to technically qualify for in-cabin flying, but they’re not tiny. They’re stocky. They’re muscular. And they tend to sit right at the upper end of airline weight limits.

Sami is a perfect example. He weighs about 7.7 kg. The most common airline weight limit is 8 kg, including the carrier bag. So we’re always cutting it close — close enough that we have a whole pre-flight weight management routine just to make sure we clear the check-in scale.

Then there’s the height issue. Sami stands about 29 cm from paw to shoulder — 40 cm if you measure to the top of his head. Most airline-approved carrier bags are only 23-24 cm tall. So he can’t fully stand inside the bag when it’s zipped up. And some airlines specifically require that your dog be able to stand and turn around in the carrier.

This has actually caused us problems. We were almost rejected at check-in once because an agent decided Sami didn’t look comfortable enough in his bag. That experience taught us to invest in a slightly taller carrier bag — even if it technically exceeds the airline’s stated dimensions by a few centimeters.

What to Look for in an Airline (If You Have a Terrier)

Not all airlines are equal when you’re flying with a terrier-sized dog. Here’s what matters most, in my experience.

Weight limit of 10 kg or higher. If your terrier weighs 7-8 kg, an airline with an 8 kg limit (including the bag) gives you almost no room. Airlines with 10 kg limits are much more comfortable. Some go up to 12 kg, which basically eliminates weight stress entirely. This is the single biggest factor when I’m choosing which airline to book.

Soft-sided carrier bags allowed. Some airlines only allow hard-shell carriers, which tend to be heavier and don’t compress to fit under the seat as easily. For terriers, you want an airline that allows soft-sided bags. They’re lighter (which helps with the weight limit) and they’re flexible (which means a slightly oversized bag can still squish under the seat).

Generous carrier size allowances. If an airline’s maximum carrier height is 20 cm, your terrier is probably not going to work. Look for airlines that allow at least 25-28 cm height. Better yet, look for airlines that specify dimensions but don’t actually measure the bag at check-in — which, in my experience, is most of them.

Airlines That Work Well for Terrier Breeds

Based on our experience and research, here are the airlines we’ve had the best luck with — or that have the most terrier-friendly policies.

TAP Air Portugal — This is the airline we fly most often. They allow 8 kg total (dog + bag), which is tight for Sami but doable with preparation. They’ve always been friendly about pets, and we’ve never been hassled about carrier dimensions. Domestic and European flights tend to be smooth.

Aegean Airlines — They were great on our flights to Greece. Reasonable weight limits and the staff was genuinely nice about Sami. Friendly agents make a bigger difference than you’d think when you’re nervous about the weight check.

Delta — For US flights, Delta was our airline for the transatlantic trip to New York. They don’t really weigh the dog (this seems to be a US thing in general), so the weight limit is less of a concern. They focus more on carrier bag fit. The fee is steep — $200 each way — but the process was smooth.

Air Europa — Another good European option. They allow up to 8 kg and are generally pet-friendly. Worth considering if you’re flying within Europe.

The airlines you want to avoid with a terrier are the ones with very strict 6 kg limits, hard-shell carrier requirements, or those that don’t allow pets in the cabin at all (looking at you, Ryanair and EasyJet).

A Few Terrier-Specific Tips

After all these flights, I’ve picked up a few things that are specific to terrier breeds:

Grooming matters. Terriers — especially Westies and Scotties — have thick double coats. When they’re fully fluffed out, they look significantly bigger than they actually are. We always make sure Sami is well-groomed before a flight, not just because he looks good, but because a freshly trimmed terrier looks smaller and fits more neatly in the carrier. That agent who almost rejected us? Sami was overdue for a grooming and looked like a cotton ball with legs.

Terriers are stubborn. Getting a terrier comfortable with a carrier bag takes more patience than some other breeds. They have opinions. Strong ones. We started carrier training weeks before our first flight, and it made all the difference. Sami now walks into his bag on his own because he associates it with travel adventures.

They’re surprisingly good flyers. For all their stubbornness on the ground, terriers tend to be calm and adaptable on flights. Sami sleeps through most of our flights — he curls up in his carrier and that’s it. We schedule flights during his usual nap times, which helps, but honestly he’s just naturally good at this. Most terrier owners I’ve talked to say the same thing.

If you’re flying with a terrier and you’ve found an airline that works well, I’d love to hear about it. The more data points we collect, the better we all fly.