Airlines for Pet Transport from Vietnam to the UAE: Emirates, Etihad and the Cabin Route (2026)

Three airline options fly pets from Vietnam to the UAE. Emirates and Etihad fly pets non-stop as cargo. For a small pet in the cabin, the route is Vietnam Airlines to Bangkok, then Etihad to Abu Dhabi.

Short Answer: Which Airline Should Your Pet Fly?

• Can my pet fly in the cabin with me? Only on Etihad into Abu Dhabi, with a change of planes in Thailand. The pet and its bag must weigh 6 kg or less.
• Which airlines fly non-stop? Emirates from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Dubai. Etihad from Hanoi to Abu Dhabi.
• Does my pet fly with me on the same plane? On the non-stop flights, pets travel as cargo, booked separately from your ticket.
• Are flat-faced breeds accepted? Only in the cooler months, under extra conditions.
• Does Daisy book flights with a stop? Not for cargo. We book non-stop flights only.

How to Choose: Three Questions

• Must your pet stay with you in the cabin? Then the two-flight cabin route is the only one. It suits pets up to 6 kg with the bag.
• Are you moving to Dubai or Abu Dhabi? Emirates lands in Dubai. Etihad lands in Abu Dhabi. The two cities are about 90 minutes apart by road.
• Where do you fly from? From Ho Chi Minh City, the non-stop option is Emirates. From Hanoi, both Emirates and Etihad fly non-stop.

Option 1: Emirates Cargo, Non-Stop to Dubai

Emirates flies non-stop to Dubai from Ho Chi Minh City (EK393) and from Hanoi (EK395). Pets leaving Vietnam on Emirates travel as cargo through Emirates SkyCargo. Emirates takes pets as checked baggage only when the journey starts in Dubai, and never in the cabin.

• Minimum age: 15 weeks. Emirates SkyCargo may raise this to 27 weeks for pets from high-risk countries, according to its pet leaflet. Confirm when booking.
• Documents: Emirates SkyCargo reviews the pet’s documents at least 72 hours before departure.
• On the day: the owner signs Emirates’ Customer Acknowledgment Form. The crate shows a 24-hour emergency contact number.
• Arrival: MOCCAE vets inspect the pet at Dubai airport’s cargo area.

Option 2: Etihad Cargo, Non-Stop from Hanoi to Abu Dhabi

Etihad has flown non-stop between Hanoi and Abu Dhabi since November 2025, six times a week. On this flight, pets travel as cargo through Etihad Cargo. The cabin is not open to pets on this route. Etihad has no non-stop flight from Ho Chi Minh City.

• Minimum age: 16 weeks.
• Flat-faced (snub-nosed) breeds: accepted as cargo only from 1 November to 1 March, after extra checks.
• Breeds Etihad refuses: besides the breeds the UAE bans, Etihad does not carry Rottweilers, Dobermans or Boxers.

Daisy has not yet flown a pet as cargo on this flight.

Option 3: The Cabin Route Through Bangkok

Etihad allows pets in the cabin on flights to and from Abu Dhabi, but not on its Vietnam flight, according to Etihad’s pet travel page and Daisy’s bookings. The route that works is two flights. Vietnam Airlines carries the pet in the cabin to Bangkok. Etihad then carries it in the cabin on to Abu Dhabi.

• Weight: Vietnam Airlines allows 6 kg in total, in a bag of up to 35 × 30 × 20 cm. Etihad allows 8 kg. The 6 kg limit decides.
• Thailand: Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development issues a transit notification before the flight. The pet stays in the airport during the connection.
• The UAE form: the transit declaration on MOCCAE’s Annex No.(3) states that the pet did not mix with other animals during the connection.
• Etihad: the documents go to Etihad at least 72 hours before the flight. Etihad approves each one-way trip separately.
• Abu Dhabi customs: a clearing agent files the customs pre-clearance before departure.

The UAE documents are the same as for cargo. They are explained step by step in our Vietnam to UAE pet shipping timeline.

Comparison Table

What About Flights with a Stop, Such as Qatar Airways?

Qatar Airways flies from Vietnam to the UAE with a change in Doha. It does not take dogs or cats in the cabin. For cargo, Daisy books non-stop flights only. A stop adds hours in the crate and time on a hot apron, and the UAE also requires that the pet does not mix with other animals in transit.

Which Breeds Do Airlines Refuse?

Two lists apply. The UAE bans some breeds from entering at all. Airlines add their own limits on top.

• UAE ban: Pit Bull types, Mastiff types, the Japanese Tosa and the Presa Canario. No airline carries them to the UAE. The full list is in our guide to banned dog breeds in the UAE.
• Flat-faced breeds: Emirates carries Pugs, Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Persians, British Shorthairs, Scottish Folds and similar breeds only from November to April. Etihad carries them as cargo only from 1 November to 1 March. Our guide to flying flat-faced dogs and cats explains why.
• Etihad only: Rottweilers, Dobermans and Boxers.

Can Pets Fly to the UAE in Summer?

Summer in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is very hot. Airlines can limit live animals on hot days. Check the airline’s position for your date when you book a flight between May and September.

What Kind of Crate Does Your Pet Need?

Cargo pets fly in a hard crate that meets IATA rules. The pet must be able to stand, turn around and lie down without touching the top. The door must close with a secure lock, and water must be reachable from outside. Our IATA crate requirements guide covers sizes. Cabin pets travel in a soft bag that fits under the seat.

Real Flights on This Route

Daisy has flown pets as cargo on Emirates from Hanoi to Dubai in October 2025 and from Ho Chi Minh City to Dubai in May and August 2026. In June 2026, a poodle flew in the cabin from Hanoi to Abu Dhabi on Vietnam Airlines and Etihad. More cases are on our Vietnam to UAE pet relocation page.

Airline choice is one part of the move. The costs for each option are in our pet relocation cost to the UAE guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take my dog or cat in the cabin from Vietnam to Dubai?

Not to Dubai. The only cabin route is into Abu Dhabi, on Vietnam Airlines and then Etihad with a change in Thailand. The pet and its bag must weigh 6 kg or less.

Which airline flies pets non-stop from Vietnam to the UAE?

Emirates flies non-stop to Dubai from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Etihad flies non-stop from Hanoi to Abu Dhabi. On both, pets travel as cargo.

Can my pet fly as checked baggage from Vietnam to Dubai?

No. Emirates accepts pets as checked baggage only on journeys that start in Dubai. From Vietnam, pets on Emirates travel as cargo.

Can a Persian cat or a French Bulldog fly to the UAE?

Only in the cooler months. Emirates carries flat-faced breeds from November to April, and Etihad cargo from 1 November to 1 March, under extra conditions.