For larger dogs and cats most people transport them to Cyprus using a cargo service on one of the airlines. This requires a particular style of crate and the animal travels in the hold of the aeroplane. However, for various reasons, we wanted to transport Snufkin in the cabin of the aeroplane.

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from the UK to Cyprus which allow this, meaning we needed to look at connecting flight options. Air France, Aegean and Lufthansa do allow pets in the cabin and fly to Cyprus so we searched flights and decided that Lufthansa from Heathrow to Paphos via Munich was the best option in our case.

To travel in the cabin your animal, and the carry case, must not exceed 8Kg in weight. The case needs to fit under the seat in front of you on the flight, it must allow the animal to turnaround and lie down. We already had a cat backpack used for transporting Snufkin around which met the dimension requirements and had the ability to expand during our stopover in Munich.

This was the backpack we used, via our affiliate link on Amazon UK:

Lekesky Large Cat Backpack Carrier fit up to 10Kg

Once we had made our flight booking we needed to request that a cat in the cabin could be added to the booking here:

Luthansa Website

There are a limited number of animals allowed on each flight so the earlier you book your flight and make the request to add the animal the better. Be sure to request the animal is added to both legs of your trip! You will receive an email confirming the animal is booked on the flight, again check both parts of the journey are included.

Since the UK is no longer part of the EU instead of a pet passport you will need to arrange an EU Animal Health Certificate. Snufkin needed to have a rabies vaccine in addition to the standard annual vaccines given to cats in the UK, cats must have this at least 21 days prior to travel and after they are 12 weeks old. Snufkin had his certificate examination with Vets4Pets in Leamington-Spa, but you should check with your own animal’s vet that they provide this service, at a cost of £200. He was weighed, checked for health issues and a document was produced; with details of all his vaccinations, flea and tick treatment, rabies vaccination etc. It is a 14 page document and you should be given the original. This check MUST take place within 10 days of arrival in your destination.

This document will be required when checking in for the flight, your airline will need to check you have all the correct documents for the animal. You also need to let the Veterinary service of the Cypriot government know you are planning to bring in an animal. As we were arriving at Paphos airport I sent an email to the Paphos vet: dvs.paphos@vs.moa.gov.cy. We received a response very quickly and answers to our questions as well. They need to know what type of animal you are bringing in and details of your flight arrival time, then once you have the AHC you will need to send them a copy via email and confirm your arrival time at the airport. For full details of the Government requirements check out government website.

I made all these arrangements between end of January 2024 and end of March when the flights took place. I then contacted the vets 48 hours before arrival to confirm details as a Vet must inspect your documents and animal on arrival in Cyprus.

In my case the flight from Heathrow took off at 7am so I needed to be at the airport around 4.30am, with the cat carrier, documents and all the normal luggage. Therefore, I decided to spend the night before in a hotel, I used the Staybridge suites on Bath Road which allows animals. In the picture you can see Snufkin set up with food, water and a collapsible litter tray, puppy pads are useful to minimise mess. Snufkin was fed as normal in the evening but no food after that.

When I arrived at the terminal I approached a member of Lufthansa staff who directed me to the ‘special’ check in desk. Here Snufkin’s documents were checked and his carry case with him in was weighed, and a label was attached to let airport staff know he was in compliance with all the rules. Do be careful not to overload the case as they insist on the maximum 8Kg, I had put a bowl and some litter in the side pockets that took him over, so I had to move these into my bag until through into Departures!