Flying with a Pug and French Bulldog in cabin

Flying two brachycephalic dogs in cabin at the same time is genuinely tricky — most airlines have strict rules about one pet per passenger, and some have banned flat-faced breeds in cabin entirely due to breathing concerns at altitude. Travel crates have very specific requirements depending on whether you're going by car, in the cabin, or in the hold, and airline regulations vary significantly — getting this wrong means your dogs don't board. So let me ask: what breed and size are each of your dogs, how are you travelling, and which airline are you flying with?

I need to be upfront with you here: British Airways does not currently permit pets in the cabin at all — only assistance dogs. Both your Pug and French Bulldog would have to travel in the hold, and BA actually restricts brachycephalic breeds from travelling in the hold as cargo due to respiratory risk. This is a hard block, not a crate problem. Have you got flexibility on which airline you use? Some European carriers do allow small pets in cabin, which is where I'd start looking if cabin travel is important to you.

Good thinking on splitting them — one dog per passenger is exactly how you'd need to do it, and that opens things up considerably. KLM does allow small pets in cabin and is generally more accommodating, though they still list brachycephalic breeds as requiring extra scrutiny, so you'd need to call and confirm before booking. Vueling also permits cabin pets. For cabin travel the crate requirements are consistent: it must fit under the seat in front (typically max 46 x 28 x 24cm), be soft-sided, and the dog must be able to stand and turn. At 7kg your Pug is borderline on most airline weight limits (usually 8kg including carrier), and your 10kg Frenchie is likely over — again, something to confirm directly with the airline. What size carriers do you currently have, if any?

For the Pug, the Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier is my recommendation — it's one of the few soft-sided carriers with a spring-wire frame that holds its shape, has a guaranteed-fit policy for airlines, and the medium size fits dogs up to around 7–8kg. It's well-ventilated, which matters more for flat-faced dogs than almost any other breed. For your French Bulldog at 10kg, I'd be honest: most cabin carriers won't accommodate a stocky 10kg dog comfortably within airline under-seat dimensions. If KLM or Vueling confirm they'll accept him, look at the Sherpa in Large — but you should measure your Frenchie's height and length first, because a dog that can't stand or turn inside the carrier will be stressed for the whole flight, and brachycephalic dogs under stress is exactly what airlines worry about. The Sherpa Original Deluxe Medium is a solid buy for the Pug regardless.

A few practical things: both dogs will need a health certificate from a vet issued within 10 days of travel, and for EU destinations you'll need an AHC (Animal Health Certificate) rather than just a pet passport post-Brexit. Brachycephalic dogs should never be sedated for flights — it increases respiratory risk significantly, and most vets and airlines advise against it. Get your dogs used to the carrier weeks in advance so it's familiar and calm on the day. And always carry water and a collapsible bowl — flat-faced dogs overheat faster than others and hydration matters in a pressurised cabin.