Akasa Air is now second Indian airline, after Air India, to allow pets to fly with passengers

Akasa Air, the low-cost airline headquartered in Mumbai, has become one of the two airlines in India to allow pets in the passenger cabin. Other than the Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-founded airline, Air India was the only airline to allow pets as cabin add-ons (only for domestic flights). 

Other airlines like Jet Airways and SpiceJet allow pets only within the cargo hold. IndiGo, Vistara and AirAsia do not permit the carriage of pets on flights at all. 

Akasa’s move was announced at a press conference today (October 6) with the airlines referring to it as a step towards a more “inclusive” flying experience. 

This has been a first-of-its kind move for India as other Indian airlines allow animals in the cabin only if they were service animals or guide dogs for blind people. 

While this change is yet to be reflected on Akasa Air’s website, going by the terminology of Air India’s pet policy, it is most likely that carrying a pet on cabin or cargo hold would be “at owner's risk and subject to requirements of the carrier.” 

This change will come into effect in all Akasa flights starting November 1.