Specialist service

Brachycephalic breed
air travel

Jetpets stopped transporting brachycephalic breeds in 2022. Rosardi still does — with honest assessment, correct crating, and route selection designed around your flat-faced breed's welfare.

Allbreeds
Incl. brachycephalic
Honestassessment
Before every booking
Directadvice
Holly

Rosardi transports brachycephalic breeds — with the right approach

In September 2022, Jetpets — Australia's largest pet transport company — announced they would no longer transport high-risk brachycephalic breeds. The decision was industry-wide news and left many owners of French Bulldogs, Pugs, English Bulldogs, and similar breeds without their previous provider.

Rosardi transports brachycephalic breeds. But we do it the right way — with honest assessment of your individual dog's fitness to fly, proper crate selection, route selection that minimises time in holds, and veterinary sign-off before any booking is confirmed.

Honest first: Not every brachycephalic dog is suitable for air travel. We'll tell you honestly if we have concerns about your individual pet — and we'll discuss alternatives if air transport isn't right.

Which breeds are considered brachycephalic?

Brachycephalic breeds have shortened skulls and compressed upper airways — the feature that gives them their flat-faced appearance and the physical characteristic that requires extra care during air travel. Common breeds include:

French Bulldog
English Bulldog
Pug
Boston Terrier
Shih Tzu
Cavalier King Charles
Boxer
Pekingese
Lhasa Apso
Persian cat
British Shorthair
Exotic Shorthair

This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure whether your breed is considered brachycephalic, call us and we'll advise.

How Rosardi manages brachycephalic transport safely

1
Vet fitness-to-fly assessment
Before any booking, your vet confirms in writing that your pet is fit for air travel. We require this — not just as a formality, but because it's the right thing to do.
Required
2
Honest route selection
Shorter flights where possible. Fewer connections. We avoid routes with long tarmac wait times in hot climates. Holly's airline industry background informs every routing decision.
Before booking
3
Correct crate sizing
Brachycephalic dogs need more headroom for airflow. We size up from the standard IATA minimum — extra ventilation space matters.
Crate selection
4
Temperature restrictions understood
Most airlines restrict brachycephalic breeds during summer months or in certain temperature conditions. We check your specific route's restrictions before booking.
Booking stage
5
Seasonal timing advice
We advise on the best time of year to travel for your specific breed and route — sometimes waiting one month makes a significant welfare difference.
Planning
Our commitment: If we don't think a route or timing is right for your pet, we'll tell you — even if that means delaying the booking or suggesting alternatives.

Airline policies on brachycephalic breeds

Airline policies on brachycephalic breeds vary significantly and change over time. Some airlines prohibit certain breeds entirely in cargo; others allow them with a vet certificate and temperature restrictions. Rosardi checks the current policy of your specific airline before any booking is confirmed.

  • Breed-specific restrictions checked per airline before booking
  • Seasonal temperature restrictions verified per route
  • Cabin vs cargo assessment — some small brachycephalic breeds qualify for in-cabin travel
  • Documentation requirements confirmed before your vet issues the health cert

Ready to talk?

Get a personalised quote — we'll walk you through every step of the journey, from paperwork to delivery.