Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Independent TV

Showing now | News

Video Player Placeholder
Big change for travelling with pets in Europe

00:54

Big change for travelling with pets in Europe - Simon Calder explains all you need to know

Travelling by plane with pets in Europe? Huge changes are coming thanks to a new ruling by a top European court.

Pets will now be classed as baggage when taken on board flights, meaning airlines will no longer have to pay higher compensation if the animal is lost.

The ruling comes after a case which saw a dog escape from its pet-carrier at Buenos Aires airport and was never recovered. The owner tried to make a claim of €5,000 (£4,340) but was ultimately rejected as she had made no special declarations in relation to the baggage when checking it in.

The Independents Travel Correspondent Simon Calder explains all.

Up next

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in