Passengers flying on Etihad Airways can now pay to bring their cat or dog with them in the cabin, according to the airline’s website. Getty Images
Passengers flying on Etihad Airways can now pay to bring their cat or dog with them in the cabin, according to the airline’s website. Getty Images
Pets must stay inside their carriers throughout the flight. Getty Images
Pets must stay inside their carriers throughout the flight. Getty Images
Although there are restrictions on the size and weight of animals allowed on board, the new service was welcome news for pet owners across the country. Getty Images
Although there are restrictions on the size and weight of animals allowed on board, the new service was welcome news for pet owners across the country. Getty Images
In Economy, it costs $150 (Dh550) per pet, per flight, to travel six hours or less. AFP
In Economy, it costs $150 (Dh550) per pet, per flight, to travel six hours or less. AFP
Bookings have to be submitted at least 72 hours before travel via an online booking form, with details declared such as the pet’s microchip number, a certified health certificate and a fit-to-travel certificate. Getty Images
Bookings have to be submitted at least 72 hours before travel via an online booking form, with details declared such as the pet’s microchip number, a certified health certificate and a fit-to-travel certificate. Getty Images

Travel

Cats and dogs can now travel in the cabin with a passenger on Etihad Airways flights

There are restrictions on the size and weight of animals allowed on board and prices start from $150 (Dh550)

Kelly Clarke
Kelly Clarke

November 14, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Passengers flying on Etihad Airways can now pay to bring their cat or dog with them in the cabin.

Pets will travel at an additional cost of the person’s cabin bag allowance and owners will be required to present the veterinary and official documents for animals at the time of check-in.

In economy, it costs $150 (Dh550) per pet, per flight, to travel six hours or less, and $250 (Dh920) for flights more than six hours. If transiting, the combined price per flight will apply.

"This is a new policy that came into effect earlier this year. Etihad has welcomed trained service animals, and pet cats and dogs on board since September 30, 2021," the airline told The National.

"Guests can bring their small pet cats and dogs in the cabin on all flights to, from and via the UAE, provided all travel conditions are met.

"One adult can bring one pet per flight. This can be increased to two pets if two guests are travelling together, provided the pets are from the same household."

Bookings have to be submitted at least 72 hours before travel via an online booking form, declaring details such as the pet’s microchip number, a certified health certificate and a fit-to-travel certificate.

The total combined weight of the pet and travel bag or kennel must not exceed 8 kilograms and it is the responsibility of the passenger to check all entry and exit regulations for the country they are flying to and from.

In cases where a person with an allergy and a person with a pet both request to travel on the same flight, the Etihad representative said the request of the person who made the reservation first will be confirmed.

Here, The National explains how to use the pet travel service.

Pets can now travel in the cabin with a passenger on Etihad Airways flights. Sarah Dea / The National
Pets can now travel in the cabin with a passenger on Etihad Airways flights. Sarah Dea / The National

How will my pet travel?

  • In economy, the pet will sit in their carrier under the passenger’s seat or the owner/guardian can purchase an adjacent seat, next to them, for the carrier to sit on.
  • The pet travel bag or kennel must not exceed 40 x 40 x 22 centimetres (L x W x H) to fit under the seat or 50 x 43 x 50cm (L x W x H) if you have purchased an adjacent seat.
  • If the passenger is travelling in business or first class, they can purchase an adjacent seat for their pet to sit in their carrier next to them. The pet travel bag or carrier must not exceed 50 x 43 x 50cm (L x W x H).
  • The pet must stay in the travel bag or kennel for the entire flight.

Criteria for travel

  • The cat or dog must be at least aged 16 weeks and weigh no more than 8kg, including their carrier.
  • The pet must be able to sit, stand in a natural position with its head fully erect (without touching the roof) and they must be able to turn around and lie down.
  • The pet travel bag or kennel must be ventilated on at least three surfaces and must be escape-proof and leak-proof.
  • The floor of the bag or kennel must contain absorbent material.

How much does it cost?

Economy: it costs $150 (Dh550) per pet per flight for flights six hours or less, and $250 (Dh920) per pet per flight for journeys more than six hours.

If you are transiting, the combined price for each flight will apply.

If you wish to purchase an adjacent seat, you must do this in advance.

Business: You must purchase an extra seat in advance for your pet.

Pets will not be accepted on flights operated by Etihad partner airlines.

How to book

You must submit a booking form, which is available on the Etihad Airways website, at least 72 hours before your flight.

Checklist for animals travelling in the cabin

Before you travel with an animal in the cabin, you must ensure the following:

  • You have checked all entry and exit regulations for the countries you are flying to and from.
  • All applicable veterinary examinations or treatments have been completed.
  • Carry any medication that may need to be administered to your pet during the journey.
  • Have all the official documents required for your pet to travel.
  • You have registered your pet for travel and received confirmation of pet acceptance.
  • You have a lead and a suitable harness or collar available.
  • You have dry pet food in a sealed container in your cabin baggage.

Information required for booking form

  • Declare whether it is a pet or service animal
  • Name, breed and date of birth of animal
  • Microchip number
  • Health certificate (signed by authorised vet)
  • Fit-to-travel certificate (from local vet within 10 days of travel)
  • Vaccination certificate (completed in full)
  • Rabies vaccine (EU 21 days, other countries 30 days)
  • RNATT – Rabies titre test (check with local authority if applicable)
  • Internal and external parasite treatment
  • Screwworm / tapeworm treatment
  • Export permit (check with local authority if applicable)
  • Import permit (check with local authority if applicable)
  • Weight (gross weight of animal and container in kilograms)
  • Dimensions of container (in centimetres: length x width x height)
More from this story
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20DarDoc%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Samer%20Masri%2C%20Keswin%20Suresh%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%24800%2C000%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Flat6Labs%2C%20angel%20investors%20%2B%20Incubated%20by%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi's%20Department%20of%20Health%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
On Women's Day
WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

The Bio

Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village

What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft

Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans

Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface

While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Your rights as an employee

The government has taken an increasingly tough line against companies that fail to pay employees on time. Three years ago, the Cabinet passed a decree allowing the government to halt the granting of work permits to companies with wage backlogs.

The new measures passed by the Cabinet in 2016 were an update to the Wage Protection System, which is in place to track whether a company pays its employees on time or not.

If wages are 10 days late, the new measures kick in and the company is alerted it is in breach of labour rules. If wages remain unpaid for a total of 16 days, the authorities can cancel work permits, effectively shutting off operations. Fines of up to Dh5,000 per unpaid employee follow after 60 days.

Despite those measures, late payments remain an issue, particularly in the construction sector. Smaller contractors, such as electrical, plumbing and fit-out businesses, often blame the bigger companies that hire them for wages being late.

The authorities have urged employees to report their companies at the labour ministry or Tawafuq service centres — there are 15 in Abu Dhabi.

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Zayed Sustainability Prize
More on this story
More on Afghanistan
Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea
More on Quran memorisation:
Transgender report
Madrid Open schedule

Men's semi-finals

Novak Djokovic (1) v Dominic Thiem (5) from 6pm

Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) v Rafael Nadal (2) from 11pm

Women's final

Simona Halep (3) v Kiki Bertens (7) from 8.30pm

On Women's Day
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

West Indies v England ODI series:

West Indies squad: Jason Holder (c), Fabian Allen, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas.

Fixtures:

1st ODI - February 20, Bridgetown

2nd ODI - February 22, Bridgetown

3rd ODI - February 25, St George's

4th ODI - February 27, St George's

5th ODI - March 2, Gros Islet

While you're here
On Women's Day
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Disturbing%20facts%20and%20figures
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E51%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20of%20parents%20in%20the%20UAE%20feel%20like%20they%20are%20failing%20within%20the%20first%20year%20of%20parenthood%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E57%25%20vs%2043%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20is%20the%20number%20of%20mothers%20versus%20the%20number%20of%20fathers%20who%20feel%20they%E2%80%99re%20failing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E28%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20of%20parents%20believe%20social%20media%20adds%20to%20the%20pressure%20they%20feel%20to%20be%20perfect%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E55%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20of%20parents%20cannot%20relate%20to%20parenting%20images%20on%20social%20media%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E67%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20of%20parents%20wish%20there%20were%20more%20honest%20representations%20of%20parenting%20on%20social%20media%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E53%25%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20of%20parents%20admit%20they%20put%20on%20a%20brave%20face%20rather%20than%20being%20honest%20due%20to%20fear%20of%20judgment%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2014px%3B%22%3ESource%3A%20YouGov%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Carzaty%2C%20now%20Kavak%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECarzaty%20launched%20in%202018%2C%20Kavak%20in%20the%20GCC%20launched%20in%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20140%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Automotive%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECarzaty%20raised%20%246m%20in%20equity%20and%20%244m%20in%20debt%3B%20Kavak%20plans%20%24130m%20investment%20in%20the%20GCC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
While you're here
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
  1. Join parent networks
  2. Look beyond school fees
  3. Keep an open mind
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

The Two Popes

Director: Fernando Meirelles

Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce 

Four out of five stars

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Masters%20of%20the%20Air
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cary%20Joji%20Fukunaga%2C%20Dee%20Rees%2C%20Anna%20Boden%2C%20Ryan%20Fleck%2C%20Tim%20Van%20Patten%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Austin%20Butler%2C%20Callum%20Turner%2C%20Anthony%20Boyle%2C%20Barry%20Keoghan%2C%20Sawyer%20Spielberg%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
MATCH INFO

Day 1 at Mount Maunganui

England 241-4

Denly 74, Stokes 67 not out, De Grandhomme 2-28

New Zealand 

Yet to bat

ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
%3Cp%3EBy%202030%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%20aims%20to%20achieve%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%2039.3%20million%20visitors%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20nearly%2064%25%20up%20from%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%20Dh90%20billion%20contribution%20to%20GDP%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20about%2084%25%20more%20than%20Dh49%20billion%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%20178%2C000%20new%20jobs%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20bringing%20the%20total%20to%20about%20366%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%2052%2C000%20hotel%20rooms%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20up%2053%25%20from%2034%2C000%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%207.2%20million%20international%20visitors%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20almost%2090%25%20higher%20compared%20to%202023's%203.8%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%203.9%20international%20overnight%20hotel%20stays%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2022%25%20more%20from%203.2%20nights%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final

Kashima Antlers 3 (Nagaki 49’, Serginho 69’, Abe 84’)
Guadalajara 2 (Zaldivar 03’, Pulido 90')

Updated: June 23, 2023, 12:00 PM`
Etihad AirwaysAbu DhabiPets