When my husband and I decided to travel around Europe for nine weeks, one thing was non-negotiable—we were bringing our dog with us. Like many pet owners, the idea of flying a dog from Canada to Europe, especially in cargo, felt overwhelming at first. I saw many posts from people feeling stressed or scared about traveling with their dogs, so I wanted to share our real experience in the hope that it helps others considering the same journey. We traveled from Canada to multiple European countries, including Italy, Germany, France, Hungary, Portugal, and Spain, all with our dog Jack.
I also want to address two of the biggest concerns people ask about right away: paperwork logistics and cargo safety. I live in British Columbia, and CFIA appointments book months in advance. None of the BC offices had availability before our travel date, so we had to complete the endorsement in Toronto, which worked only because our first stop was Toronto. The CFIA appointment itself was straightforward—it cost $29.99 CAD, took about five minutes, and you don’t need to bring your dog.
More importantly, I want you to hear this clearly: your dog will be okay. If your dog is crate-trained, flying in cargo often feels like another night in their crate. The first time Jack flew in cargo, I cried for half the flight. When we picked him up, he was completely unfazed—the only one stressed was me.
Pet cargo areas are temperature-controlled, pressurized, and monitored by the crew, and I researched this extensively while speaking with our vet multiple times. She never once expressed concern or suggested that Jack shouldn’t travel.
See below most commonly asked questions about our bringing our dog to Europe:
Jack’s Details at the Time of Travel
1. What is Jack’s exact weight, age, and breed at the time of travel?
Jack was about 15.3 kg (around 33–34 lbs), 14 months old, and he is a Goldendoodle. Because of his size, flying in the cabin wasn’t an option—Jack had to travel in cargo.
Flights, Airlines, and How We Planned the Route
We avoided flying whenever possible and planned our route carefully to minimize flights.
2.Which airlines did you fly with, and how many flights involved cargo?
We flew with TAP Air Portugal, Air France, Air Canada, and Iberia. Anytime we fly, Jack has to go in cargo, so we plan our trips around travel convenience. For example, we first check if we can rent a car service or take a train instead of flying.
In total, including the two flights needed to cross Canada, Jack flew cargo on six flights. We also did two long train rides, rented a car once, and used a car service a few times. All of this requires planning ahead and understanding which option is best for each leg of the trip.
3. Which airline felt most organized for pet cargo?
All of them were professional, and I have no complaints about any airline we flew. Each airline we choose goes through a thorough due diligence process on our end to make sure they meet pet cargo standards.
Air Canada had the most structured and consistent cargo policies. Air France and Iberia went the extra mile to make us comfortable, although some staff were less familiar with intra-EU pet document rules.
That said, experiences can vary significantly by airport and staff.
4. Any airline stricter with rules or paperwork?
Not dramatically. The biggest variation was how familiar staff were with international pet travel. Some were very experienced, while others required me to politely confirm regulations.
5. Breed or temperature restrictions discussed?
Yes — temperature and seasonal restrictions can exist depending on airline and route. I always recommend confirming directly with the airline close to the travel date.
Booking a Dog in Cargo and Crate Requirements
As soon as we booked each flight, we immediately called the airline to add Jack as a pet traveling in cargo. Every airline asked the same questions: breed, weight, and kennel size.
6. What crate brand, size, and type did you use for cargo travel?
We used an airline-approved hard plastic cargo crate (IATA compliant). The most important factor for us was not just brand, but making sure Jack could stand fully, turn around comfortably, and lie down naturally. If I remember correctly, we bought it at a local pet store.
7. How long was Jack crate-trained before this trip?
Jack had been crate trained since birth. His breeder did an amazing job, so he was always comfortable around his crate. However, my husband put him in our bed the second night we brought him home, and he hasn’t left since. I think now he understands that the crate usually means we’re going somewhere.
8. Did any airline ever physically measure the crate?
In our experience, no airline physically measured the crate. They confirmed dimensions verbally during booking, but our crate was fully airline compliant and appropriate for his size.
Paperwork and CFIA Endorsement in Canada
Paperwork was one of the most important—and stressful—parts of flying a dog from Canada to Europe.
9. How far in advance did you prepare paperwork?
I started researching months in advance. The final vet certificate usually must be issued within 10 days of entry, but preparation should start much earlier.
10. Most stressful part?
Timing the vet visit and CFIA endorsement within the valid travel window was the most time-sensitive part. Once we had the endorsed certificate in hand, we could finally relax and get excited. Before that, it was definitely stressful.
11. Issues using EU certificate within EU?
No major issues. There was some uncertainty from certain airline staff about regulations, but we did not run into actual problems.
12. Were authorities familiar with pet travel docs?
Yes. Across the entire trip, we only spoke with authorities for about five minutes total.
Is Flying With a Dog in Cargo Safe?
This was my biggest emotional hurdle.
13. Biggest fears before cargo?
Honestly, fear of the unknown and fear of making the wrong decision for him — fear that I was being cruel and that he would be emotionally distressed.
14. How did Jack behave?
Much more normal than I expected. He typically acted like he had just taken a long nap.
15. Airline updates during delays?
Yes — Air France proactively confirmed he was safe and that temperature conditions were stable during one delay.
Costs, Countries, and Differences Across Europe
16. Cargo cost per flight?
It varied, but typically a couple hundred dollars per flight.
17: Did costs vary by airline or route?
Yes — significantly. Distance, airline, and aircraft type all played a role.
18. Unexpected fees?
We didn’t experience major unexpected fees directly related to cargo. However, we did lose a return flight because Air Canada does not allow pets in cargo during peak holiday blackout periods, which was news to us at the time.
This resulted in unexpected costs from staying an extra week and rebooking flights. We ended up flying back on TAP Air Portugal and staying one extra night in Toronto while waiting for Air Canada’s cargo blackout period to end.
19. Easiest vs most challenging vs most affordable?
In general, major international hubs felt more experienced. Differences often came down to staff familiarity and process efficiency rather than country-specific policy.
Portugal felt slightly more affordable overall, but costs across countries were relatively similar.
Travel Day Routine and Final Lessons
20. What does travel day look like?
A long walk, minimizing daytime naps as much as possible, normal feeding routine, calm energy, early airport arrival, and keeping everything as predictable as possible for him.
21. How early do you arrive?
Usually about three hours before departure.
22. Pet relief areas?
Every airport we visited had outdoor pet relief areas, except Budapest. However, Budapest did have large green outdoor spaces nearby.
23. What do you wish you knew?
How much of the stress is emotional for the owner, not necessarily for a well-prepared dog.
24. Biggest mistake first-time pet travelers make?
Waiting too late to research paperwork and underestimating timing windows.
25. Would you do anything differently?
I would stress less emotionally — but logistically, I would prepare exactly the same way.
And I would definitely double-check cargo blackout periods for airlines — that was an expensive lesson for us.
Final Thoughts
Traveling with a dog from Canada to Europe—even with cargo flights and multiple countries like Italy, Germany, France, Hungary, Portugal, and Spain—is absolutely doable with the right preparation. If you’re researching how to fly a dog from Canada to Europe in cargo, I hope this real, unfiltered experience helps you feel more confident about what to expect.
Huge thank you to Adri Jimenez, she is the furmom of Jack for sharing this very valuable guide for those who have the same concern. She just recently started an FB group Pet Travel Diaries | Pet Travel & Care Abroad, a community for dog parents navigating travel, relocation, and living abroad with their dogs. Kindly click HERE to join.
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