No More Cargo Hold! Pets Can Now Fly in the Cabin

Source: OT-Team(G)，新华社; 文汇报

  After a two-and-a-half-hour flight, a happy French bulldog named Da Vinci touched down in Shanghai alongside his owner, Mr. Liu, marking the start of their journey in the city.

Mr. Liu, a Shanghai native working in Guangzhou, was delighted with the experience. "I spent an extra 1,000 yuan—almost like buying a child's ticket—but being able to fly home with my pet made it all worth it," he said with a smile.

This seamless pet travel experience was made possible by China Southern Airlines' newly introduced "Pets in Cabin" service, which builds upon its existing "Pets Fly Together" program. The service allows small, domesticated dogs and cats to accompany their owners inside the cabin on select routes, such as flights between Guangzhou and Shanghai Hongqiao. Passengers can even purchase an additional seat for their pets. However, to ensure a smooth experience for all travelers, the airline limits in-cabin pets to two per flight.

Growing Demand for Pet-Friendly Air Travel

Statistics from China Southern Airlines show that in the first week of China's 2025 Spring Festival travel rush (January 14–20), the airline transported 440 pets departing from Guangzhou. More than 20 of these pets traveled in the cabin, with approximately 35% of pet owners opting to purchase a separate seat for their furry companions.

China Southern's service is just one example of the fierce competition among Chinese airlines and airports to cater to pet owners. With pet ownership booming in major cities and the concept of "pet-friendly" travel gaining traction, China's aviation industry has ramped up efforts to accommodate pets. Social media platforms have repeatedly seen "traveling with pets" become a trending topic, reflecting the growing public interest in pet-friendly travel options.

At present, several major airlines, including Air China, China Southern, and Sichuan Airlines, offer pet transport services. China Southern and Hainan Airlines have also introduced "Human-Pet Shared Cabin" services, allowing pets to travel alongside their owners in the passenger cabin rather than being checked as cargo.

Airports and Airlines Upgrade Pet Travel Services

Beyond in-cabin pet travel, pet transportation has become a hotly contested service among Chinese airlines. Sichuan Airlines launched a "Pet Ticket" service in 2018, allowing passengers to book a dedicated transport package that includes private vehicle transfers, climate-controlled rest areas, and real-time pet status updates.

Meanwhile, Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport has taken pet travel to the next level. In May 2024, it became the first airport in China to introduce a dedicated pet lounge. The facility offers a full range of pet travel services, including temperature and air quality monitoring, separate areas for cats and dogs, and individual waiting spaces for each pet. The lounge even features entertainment areas to keep pets relaxed before their flights.

During the Spring Festival travel season, pets and their owners became a familiar sight at Shenzhen Airport. According to a spokesperson from China Southern Airlines' Shenzhen cargo division, the airport saw a nearly 20% year-on-year increase in pet transport volume from the start of the holiday travel period.

"Traditionally, airlines treated pets as live cargo, but today, many people consider their pets family members. That's why there's a growing demand for more thoughtful and personalized pet transport services," said a Shenzhen Airport representative. The pet lounge replaces the previous system of transporting pets alongside general cargo and introduces digital monitoring, telemedicine consultation, and enhanced sanitation measures to ensure pet safety and comfort.

A Booming Market

Hainan Airlines, the first domestic carrier in China to introduce in-cabin pet travel, now offers the service across 27 major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. In 2024 alone, the airline transported over 10,000 pets in its passenger cabins. In November of the same year, it further upgraded its services, launching a fully digital booking system, pet insurance options, and real-time ground-to-air pet tracking.

The fierce competition among airports and airlines is fueled by China's rapidly expanding pet transport market. According to the 2025 China Pet Industry White Paper, the country's urban pet (dog and cat) consumption market grew by 7.5% in 2024, reaching 300.2 billion yuan ($42 billion). The number of pet dogs and cats exceeded 120 million, and pet owners increasingly prioritize high-quality, professional, and convenient travel services for their animals.

Industry experts note that the surging demand has led to an influx of logistics companies entering the pet transport sector. Meanwhile, pet-related smart technologies and customized services are on the rise, signaling a shift toward more refined and specialized pet transport solutions. With this trend, China's pet travel industry is rapidly evolving into a high-potential market segment that is drawing significant attention.