Airline pet policy

China Southern Airlines pet policy

China Southern Airlines takes dogs and cats in the cabin (1 per passenger) and dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets as checked baggage (1 per crate) on the routes we cover. 4 of 5 policy rows still need the airline's confirmation before you book.

Policy checked Oct 26, 2026Source: China Southern Airlines By the CollarPass team
In cabinConfirm before bookingDogs and cats1 per passengerRead the route rules Checked baggageConfirm before bookingDogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets1 per crateRead the route rules

In the cabin

Pets in the cabin travel in a carrier under the seat in front of you. The rows below are per route, so check yours.

Dogs and cats

Confirm before booking

China Southern’s "pets in cabin" service takes one small dog or cat per passenger, up to 4 per flight, in economy on the direct flights it designates (any aircraft except the C909/ARJ21). Pets must be at least 8 weeks old. Snub-nosed and aggressive dog breeds can’t fly in the cabin.

  • 1 per passenger
  • 4 per flight
  • 1 per crate
  • Crate 35 × 28 × 24 cm
  • At least 8 weeks old

Not for snub-nosed dogs

Before you fly: Buy the "pets in cabin" product at least 6 hours before departure, and check in at the counter at least 2 hours before departure.

  • The traveller must be 18 or over.
  • The carrier goes under the seat in front or on an adjacent seat.
Confirm with the airline before booking

China Southern doesn't list which international routes its in-cabin pet service runs on. Confirm with China Southern that your flight offers it before booking.

Sources: 南航行李规定 (Baggage rules, from 1 July 2026) · 爱宠进客舱产品须知 (Pets in cabin product notice) · Checked Oct 21, 2026

Rabbits and ferrets

As checked baggage

Pets in the hold as checked baggage check in with you at the desk and fly on the same flight.

Dogs

Confirm before bookingTo United States and Hawaii

China Southern carries domestic dogs, cats, birds and other pets as checked baggage in an oxygenated hold, on direct flights only (not flights with a stop). Each pet needs its own kennel, up to 90 × 60 × 66 cm and 32 kg. Snub-nosed cats and dogs, pregnant pets and pets under 8 weeks are not accepted.

  • 1 per crate
  • Max 32 kg incl. crate
  • Crate 90 × 60 × 66 cm
  • At least 8 weeks old

Not for snub-nosed breeds

Fees: Charged under China Southern’s baggage fees; no pet-specific price is published.

Before you fly: International flights: apply at least 6 hours before departure and wait for China Southern’s reply. Bring the pet to the airport at least 120 minutes before departure.

  • China Southern limits pets per flight but publishes no number.
Confirm with the airline before booking

China Southern hasn't published whether it still takes dogs on flights to the US (Air China and China Eastern have suspended them). Confirm with China Southern before booking.

Sources: 南航行李规定 (Baggage rules, from 1 July 2026) · Checked Oct 26, 2026

Dogs and cats

Confirm before booking

China Southern carries domestic dogs, cats, birds and other pets as checked baggage in an oxygenated hold, on direct flights only (not flights with a stop). Each pet needs its own kennel, up to 90 × 60 × 66 cm and 32 kg. Snub-nosed cats and dogs, pregnant pets and pets under 8 weeks are not accepted.

  • 1 per crate
  • Max 32 kg incl. crate
  • Crate 90 × 60 × 66 cm
  • At least 8 weeks old

Not for snub-nosed breeds

Fees: Charged under China Southern’s baggage fees; no pet-specific price is published.

Before you fly: International flights: apply at least 6 hours before departure and wait for China Southern’s reply. Bring the pet to the airport at least 120 minutes before departure.

  • China Southern limits pets per flight but publishes no number.
Confirm with the airline before booking

China Southern's current baggage rules (from 1 July 2026) don't say how many pets one passenger may check. Ask China Southern when you apply.

Sources: 南航行李规定 (Baggage rules, from 1 July 2026) · Checked Oct 26, 2026

Rabbits and ferrets

Confirm before booking

China Southern carries domestic dogs, cats, birds and other pets as checked baggage in an oxygenated hold, on direct flights only (not flights with a stop). Each pet needs its own kennel, up to 90 × 60 × 66 cm and 32 kg. Snub-nosed cats and dogs, pregnant pets and pets under 8 weeks are not accepted.

  • 1 per crate
  • Max 32 kg incl. crate
  • Crate 90 × 60 × 66 cm
  • At least 8 weeks old

Not for snub-nosed breeds

Fees: Charged under China Southern’s baggage fees; no pet-specific price is published.

Before you fly: International flights: apply at least 6 hours before departure and wait for China Southern’s reply. Bring the pet to the airport at least 120 minutes before departure.

  • China Southern limits pets per flight but publishes no number.
Confirm with the airline before booking

China Southern takes 'other pets' as checked baggage but not rodents or very small animals, and doesn't say whether rabbits or ferrets count. Ask China Southern before booking.

Sources: 南航行李规定 (Baggage rules, from 1 July 2026) · Checked Oct 26, 2026

Country pages for these routes

Entry rules for the countries named in the rows above.

🌺Hawaii🇺🇸United StatesCountries

Official sources

Every row above cites one of these pages. Dates show our last check, not the page’s own update.

Put this policy on a dated plan

A Trip Pack turns your route into steps counted back from the flight, with the airline rules to check.