Allow Small Pets in the Cabin on Ryanair Flights
The Issue
- To: Michael O'Leary (Group CEO), Eddie Wilson (CEO), and the Executive Committee of Ryanair DAC
Pets are family. Across Europe, millions of responsible pet owners face a major, unnecessary barrier every time they travel: Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline, enforces a blanket ban on household pets in the passenger cabin (with exceptions granted solely to recognised assistance dogs).
Meanwhile, leading European network carriers and budget operators alike—including KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, ITA Airways, TAP Air Portugal, Vueling, and Volotea—safely and routinely welcome small dogs and cats into the aircraft cabin every single day.
By continuing to exclude small pets, Ryanair forces travellers into stressful multi-day road journeys, cost-prohibitive private transport, or flying with competing carriers.
Why Ryanair Should Introduce a Cabin Pet Policy (PETC):
• Proven European Regulatory Standards: Standardised EU pet passports, mandatory microchipping, valid rabies vaccinations, and strict vet checkups are already standard across the European Union. The legal and health framework is already built and working.
• Substantial Ancillary Revenue: Pet owners are more than willing to pay a fair, dedicated fee (€50 to €100 per flight segment) to carry their pet aboard. For Ryanair, this unlocks a high-margin ancillary revenue stream without taking up passenger seating capacity.
• Fast Turnarounds Preserved: Small pets remain secured inside an IATA-approved soft-sided carrier stowed entirely under the seat in front for the entire flight. Boarding times, safety protocols, and Ryanair’s renowned 25-minute turnaround remain completely unimpacted.
• Safe, Humane, and Responsible: Modern short-haul travel should not separate families or force pets into unnecessary distress when seamless in-cabin accommodation has been proven safe across millions of European flight hours.
What We Are Calling For:
We urge Ryanair’s leadership to launch a dedicated Cabin Pet Pilot Programme:
1. Permit small household dogs and cats (up to 8 kg including an approved soft carrier) to travel under the seat in front of the passenger.
2. Cap the allowance to a fixed number of pets per flight (e.g., 4 to 6 animals) to ensure passenger comfort, balance, and operational ease.
3. Integrate pet bookings into the Ryanair app/website, allowing streamlined document verification and transparent fee handling prior to departure.
Ryanair pioneered accessible, democratic aviation across Europe. It is time to modernise pet travel policies and give European passengers the choice they already enjoy with other airlines.
Sign and share this petition today to bring paws on board Ryanair!
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The Issue
- To: Michael O'Leary (Group CEO), Eddie Wilson (CEO), and the Executive Committee of Ryanair DAC
Pets are family. Across Europe, millions of responsible pet owners face a major, unnecessary barrier every time they travel: Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline, enforces a blanket ban on household pets in the passenger cabin (with exceptions granted solely to recognised assistance dogs).
Meanwhile, leading European network carriers and budget operators alike—including KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, ITA Airways, TAP Air Portugal, Vueling, and Volotea—safely and routinely welcome small dogs and cats into the aircraft cabin every single day.
By continuing to exclude small pets, Ryanair forces travellers into stressful multi-day road journeys, cost-prohibitive private transport, or flying with competing carriers.
Why Ryanair Should Introduce a Cabin Pet Policy (PETC):
• Proven European Regulatory Standards: Standardised EU pet passports, mandatory microchipping, valid rabies vaccinations, and strict vet checkups are already standard across the European Union. The legal and health framework is already built and working.
• Substantial Ancillary Revenue: Pet owners are more than willing to pay a fair, dedicated fee (€50 to €100 per flight segment) to carry their pet aboard. For Ryanair, this unlocks a high-margin ancillary revenue stream without taking up passenger seating capacity.
• Fast Turnarounds Preserved: Small pets remain secured inside an IATA-approved soft-sided carrier stowed entirely under the seat in front for the entire flight. Boarding times, safety protocols, and Ryanair’s renowned 25-minute turnaround remain completely unimpacted.
• Safe, Humane, and Responsible: Modern short-haul travel should not separate families or force pets into unnecessary distress when seamless in-cabin accommodation has been proven safe across millions of European flight hours.
What We Are Calling For:
We urge Ryanair’s leadership to launch a dedicated Cabin Pet Pilot Programme:
1. Permit small household dogs and cats (up to 8 kg including an approved soft carrier) to travel under the seat in front of the passenger.
2. Cap the allowance to a fixed number of pets per flight (e.g., 4 to 6 animals) to ensure passenger comfort, balance, and operational ease.
3. Integrate pet bookings into the Ryanair app/website, allowing streamlined document verification and transparent fee handling prior to departure.
Ryanair pioneered accessible, democratic aviation across Europe. It is time to modernise pet travel policies and give European passengers the choice they already enjoy with other airlines.
Sign and share this petition today to bring paws on board Ryanair!
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Petition created on 27 September 2026