The DIY Guide: Flying Your Pet to Abu Dhabi
Everything you need to fly your cat or dog in-cabin from Heathrow to Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways — permits, vaccinations, paperwork and timing, laid out step by step.
Rather we handled it?
Everything you need to fly your cat or dog in-cabin from Heathrow to Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways — permits, vaccinations, paperwork and timing, laid out step by step.
Rather we handled it?This covers the full process for flying a cat or small dog in-cabin from Heathrow to Abu Dhabi on Etihad Airways — the only airline currently offering this route in-cabin. Work through it in order; most steps depend on the one before.
Vaccinations and breed restrictions differ slightly between dogs and cats — pick yours below to see what applies.
Core vaccinations: distemper, parvovirus, infectious canine hepatitis and leptospirosis — alongside the rabies vaccination required for all pets.
Core vaccinations: feline panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus — alongside the rabies vaccination required for all pets.
An ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip has to be fitted before anything else on this list — it must go in before the rabies vaccination, and the number needs to match exactly across every document that follows.
Alongside rabies, your pet needs its core vaccinations up to date — the exact list differs for dogs and cats, see the “Dog vs Cat” panel above. The rabies vaccination itself must be given more than 21 days before travel, after the microchip is fitted, and your pet must have been at least 12 weeks old when vaccinated. Boosters need to stay current — within 12 months of travel.
Your vet treats your pet for external parasites (commonly fipronil or permethrin) and worms (commonly a praziquantel-based product), and records it on the health certificate.
Etihad is currently the only airline flying pets in-cabin from Heathrow, and only to Abu Dhabi. Submit their pet travel booking form at least 7 days ahead of your flight — cabin pet spaces are limited, so the earlier you book, the better. Your pet and carrier together must weigh 8kg or less, with the carrier no larger than 40 × 40 × 22cm, soft-sided, well-ventilated and leak-proof. Minimum age to fly is 16 weeks, and the travelling passenger must be 18 or older. Check the “Dog vs Cat” panel above for breed restrictions before you book.
Apply through the UAE Ministry of Climate Change & Environment's e-services portal (eservices.moccae.gov.ae). You'll need your pet's vaccination record with microchip number, species, breed, colour and date of birth, plus your flight details. Fees and validity windows are set by MOCCAE directly — confirm the current figures on the portal when you apply, as they're periodically revised.
This is UK certificate 3926, applied for online through APHA's EHC Online service with an Official Veterinarian (OV) of your choice. Your OV examines your pet within 24 hours of travel and signs the certificate, which is then valid for 10 days. APHA can turn this around in as little as 1 working day if you're booking close to your flight, but 7 working days is the standard window.
Your OV's clinical exam and certificate signing happens here. Check that every document — vaccination record, export health certificate, import permit — shows the exact same microchip number. Pack the carrier with an absorbent liner and something familiar-smelling from home.
Arrive early and check in through Etihad's pet travel process — your pet's carrier travels with you under the seat in front, not in the hold. On arrival in Abu Dhabi, your import permit and export health certificate clear your pet through customs; with everything in order, there's no quarantine.
Requirements, fees and timelines are set by Etihad Airways and UAE authorities and do change. This guide reflects official guidance as of the date below, but always confirm the live requirements directly with Etihad and MOCCAE before you book — getting paperwork wrong can mean your pet is refused travel. Last updated: 5 October 2026.
If any part of this feels like a lot to coordinate alongside work, travel and everything else, our full-service packages pick up the whole process — permits, vet timeline, Etihad booking and all.
