Norwegian Air Shuttle carries cats and dogs in the cabin and in the hold, but only on flights within the Schengen area and the EU, plus flights to and from Svalbard for dogs. A pet can fly in the cabin if it and its bag weigh 8 kg or less, in a bag no larger than 43 x 31 x 20 cm, for USD 65 to 80 each way when booked online. Larger pets go in the hold for USD 150 to 180 online. Norwegian takes no more than two cabin pets per flight, allows hold pets to connect only within Norway, and asks owners of snub-nosed breeds to sign a release form at check-in.
This guide follows Norwegian's own travelling with pets page (US site, prices in US dollars) as read in October 2026. Prices differ slightly on Norwegian's other country sites, and rules change, so confirm before you book.
Norwegian pet rules at a glance
The table brings together the numbers most people look for first. Fees are per animal, each way.
| Rule | Cabin | Hold |
|---|---|---|
| Routes | Within Schengen and/or EU (not Iceland; only dogs to/from Madeira); Svalbard dogs only | Within Schengen and/or EU (not Ireland or Iceland); Svalbard dogs only |
| Fee online | USD 65 to 80 | USD 150 to 180 |
| Fee at the airport | USD 83 to 95 | USD 170 to 200 |
| Weight | 8 kg pet plus bag | No weight limit; up to 14 kg per animal if two share |
| Container size | 43 x 31 x 20 cm (soft bags may compress to fit) | 125 x 81 x 86 cm |
| Per flight | Up to 2 cabin pets | Limited spaces |
| Connections | Normal rules | Only within Norway via Oslo, Bergen or Trondheim |
Where Norwegian carries pets
This is the first thing to check, because Norwegian's pet service does not cover its whole network:
- In the cabin: flights within the Schengen area and/or the EU, except Iceland, and only dogs to and from Madeira. Dogs only to and from Svalbard.
- In the hold: flights within the Schengen area and/or the EU, except Ireland and Iceland. Dogs only to and from Svalbard.
Norwegian's page lists no pet service on routes outside Europe, so you cannot use it to fly a pet to or from the US or other long-haul destinations. For transatlantic moves, see our guide to pet transport from Europe to the US, which compares the airlines that do carry pets across the Atlantic.
Flying with a pet in the Norwegian cabin
Small cats and dogs can travel in the cabin on the routes above. Norwegian only accepts bags and containers made for carrying pets, and recommends a flexible Sherpa-style bag. The rules:
- The container must be no larger than 43 x 31 x 20 cm, or, if soft, must compress to fit those dimensions.
- The container and pet together must not weigh more than 8 kg.
- The container must be leak-proof, and the pet must be able to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably.
- The pet stays in the container for the whole trip.
Norwegian accepts up to two pets in the cabin per flight, so space goes quickly. Up to three very small puppies or kittens in the same container can be booked as one animal, as long as the container stays within the size and weight limits. Our guide to flying with a cat in the cabin covers how to prepare a cat.
Your hand baggage with a cabin pet
The pet affects your own cabin allowance. LowFare ticket holders can bring one bag that meets the size limits for an underseat bag; that bag goes in the overhead bin, because the pet has to go under the seat. LowFare tickets with an overhead cabin bag, LowFare+ and Flex tickets can bring either an underseat bag or an overhead cabin bag in addition to the pet, but not both. Pack with that in mind, especially if you are carrying pet supplies.
Flying with a pet in the Norwegian hold
Cats and dogs too big for the cabin can travel in the hold on the routes above. Up to two cats or two dogs can share a crate if they know each other well and are a similar size, with a maximum of 14 kg per animal. A dog and a cat cannot share. If your pets do not meet those conditions, each needs its own crate.
The crate rules for the hold:
- No larger than 125 x 81 x 86 cm (length x width x height). There is no weight restriction.
- Clearly marked with your name, address and mobile number.
- Clean, in good condition, solid and fully leak-proof, lined with a blanket or absorbent pad. Newspaper, cardboard and straw are not allowed, and welded mesh crates are not accepted.
- Wheels removed or fastened.
- Escape-proof, with zip ties or cable ties to secure the door.
- Ventilated on all four sides, with openings small enough that the pet cannot get a body part through or bite or scratch handlers.
- A water container securely fastened and easy to reach from outside.
Norwegian warns that hold temperatures change with outside conditions and flight stages; cabin air is circulated into the hold, but temperatures can drop to around 0 C or rise while the aircraft is on the ground. Our guide to choosing a pet transport crate explains sizing.
Connections with a pet
Hold pets can only connect on flights within Norway, through Oslo Gardermoen, Bergen Flesland or Trondheim Vaernes, and not to or from Svalbard. The connection must be at least 1 hour and no more than 2 hours. If you connect from an international flight to a domestic one, there is no automatic baggage transfer: you collect your bags and the pet, clear customs and check in again. Our guide to connecting flights with a pet explains how to plan this.
Snub-nosed breeds
Norwegian points out that veterinary associations warn about breathing problems and overheating for snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs and cats in flight. Unlike many airlines, it does not ban them outright: if you still want to fly with a brachycephalic pet, you sign a release form at check-in acknowledging the risks. If you are unsure whether your pet counts, ask your vet. Our guide to snub-nosed breeds and flying covers the risks in more detail.
Paperwork and Svalbard
Make sure your cat or dog has all the paperwork for the trip, including vaccination records. On international flights, Norwegian requires the certificate to be in English. Travel within the EU follows Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 on the non-commercial movement of pets, available on EUR-Lex, and the European Commission's pet movement page explains it in plain terms: in general, a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport.
To take a dog to or from Svalbard, you need a permit from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. Cats cannot fly to or from Svalbard on Norwegian.
Booking and check-in
You can book a pet online or through Norwegian's Contact Centre, and add one to an existing booking with your booking reference and surname if space remains. Each flight has a limited number of spaces for animals, so book early. If you booked through a travel agency, you may not be able to prebook the pet online and could end up paying the higher airport price.
With a pet, you must finish check-in at least one hour before departure. Norwegian also notes there is no vet at the airport or on board, and that it does not recommend sedatives or tranquilizers for animals in transit. Check with your vet that your pet is fit to fly.
Working out the cost of a round trip
Norwegian charges per animal, each way, and the price depends on whether you book online or pay at the airport. A small dog in the cabin on a return trip booked online costs roughly USD 130 to 160 in total; paid at the airport, it rises to about USD 166 to 190. A large dog in the hold on the same return trip costs roughly USD 300 to 360 online, or USD 340 to 400 at the airport. Two cats sharing one crate in the hold count as two animals for pricing, since the fee is per animal. Booking the pet at the same time as your ticket is the simplest way to lock in the online price and secure one of the limited spaces.
Cats on Norwegian
Most cats fit the cabin rules, and the cabin is usually the calmer choice for them. Norwegian's 43 x 31 x 20 cm limit is smaller than many airlines' allowances, so a soft bag that compresses is often the only thing that fits a large cat. Weigh the cat and bag together at home; the total has to be 8 kg or less. Two cats that know each other can share a crate in the hold if each weighs no more than 14 kg, but they cannot share with a dog. Remember that cats cannot fly to or from Svalbard on Norwegian, which carries only dogs on those routes.
Getting your pet used to the bag or crate
Norwegian points out that air travel can be stressful, and asks owners to make sure their pet is familiar and comfortable with its crate well before the trip. Leave the bag or crate open at home for a couple of weeks, with a favourite blanket inside and treats for going in. Practice closing the door for short periods, then take a short car ride with the pet inside. On the day, give a light meal a few hours before the flight, a last walk or litter visit, and pack spare absorbent pads. For a hold crate, attach the water container firmly and make sure it can be filled from outside without opening the door.
Preparing the crate for the hold
Norwegian's crate rules follow the international standard most airlines use, set out on the IATA live animals page. Measure your dog standing, sitting and lying down, and choose a crate that lets it turn around comfortably without being so large that it slides around. Bring cable ties to the airport to secure the door, and label the crate clearly with your contact details.
A sample plan: Oslo to Barcelona with a small dog
- Confirm the route is within the Schengen area or EU; Oslo to Barcelona is.
- Check the dog's microchip, rabies vaccination and pet passport, with documents in English.
- Weigh the dog in a soft pet bag; the total must be 8 kg or less, and the bag must fit 43 x 31 x 20 cm.
- Book the pet online when you book your seat; expect USD 65 to 80 each way, or a little more on the Norwegian site for your country.
- Plan your own hand baggage around the pet, and finish check-in at least an hour before departure.
A sample plan: Bergen to Tromso with a large dog
A domestic Norwegian trip with a connection is one of the few cases where Norwegian moves a hold pet across two flights. Book a connection through Oslo with 1 to 2 hours between flights, use a crate no larger than 125 x 81 x 86 cm with zip ties on the door and a water bowl fillable from outside, and expect the hold fee of USD 150 to 180 online. Label the crate with your name, address and phone number.
Common mistakes with Norwegian pet bookings
- Trying to book a pet on a route outside Europe; Norwegian's pet service covers Schengen/EU and Svalbard routes only.
- Booking a hold pet to or from Ireland or Iceland, or a cabin pet to Iceland.
- Planning an international connection with a hold pet.
- Using a hard carrier that will not fit 43 x 31 x 20 cm in the cabin.
- Booking through an agency and paying the higher airport price.
Norwegian compared with nearby options
For Nordic trips, compare SAS, which has its own carrier size and flies some longer routes with pets, and Finnair, which carries pets on intercontinental flights from Helsinki with its own transfer rules.