Can a Shih Tzu fly in the cabin?
On some airlines: a Shih Tzu at 16 lb (the top of the AKC standard) clears 10 of the 43 published weight caps; 18 airlines set no weight rule, so size decides, and 6 carriers are rated for it. The AKC breed standard puts the Shih Tzu at 9-16 pounds and 9-10.5 inches tall. Your own dog may be lighter or heavier than the standard, so weigh it in its carrier before you book.
Airlines whose weight cap it clears
| Airline | Limit | Airline's wording |
|---|---|---|
| Avianca | 22 lb pet + carrier | 10 kg (22 lb) including the container |
| Azul Linhas Aéreas | 22 lb pet + carrier | 10 kg (limite de 10kg) including the carrier |
| Copa Airlines | 22 lb pet + carrier | Max 10 kg (pet + carrier) |
| Vueling | 22 lb pet + carrier | 10 kg (22.0 lb) including the pet inside the carrier |
| Breeze Airways | 25 lb pet only | pet 25 lb or less |
| GOL Linhas Aéreas | 26 lb pet + carrier | 12 kg (26 lbs) including the kennel |
| ITA Airways | 26.5 lb pet + carrier | 12 kg on domestic flights and 8 kg on all other flights, including carrier and food |
| Viva Aerobus | 26.5 lb pet + carrier | Max 12 kg (pet + carrier) |
| Volaris | 26.5 lb pet + carrier | 12 kg total (pet + carrier) — 'El peso máximo entre el contenedor y el perro debe ser de 12 kg' from Volaris's live policy page; a Volaris PDF terms document instead states 10 kg — the live page is used here as current, but confirm the figure at booking |
| JSX | 30 lb pet only | under 30 lb (pet only; a separate 80 lb leashed-floor-space program applies to larger dogs, not tracked here) |
Plus 18 airlines with no weight rule, only a carrier size: see them and the roomiest carrier for each →
Carriers the maker rates for 16 lb or more
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- ibiyaya JetPaw Expandable Backpack maker rating: up to ~17 lb · See on Amazon
- Away The Pet Carrier maker rating: pets up to ~18 lb · See on Amazon
- Sleepypod Air maker rating: up to ~18 lb · See on Amazon
- Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Standard (Expandable) maker rating: up to ~20 lb · See on Amazon
- Frisco Premium Airline-Compliant Carrier maker rating: up to ~22 lb · See on Amazon
- Sherpa Original Deluxe (Large) maker rating: up to ~22 lb · See on Amazon
All breeds: can your breed fly in the cabin? → · every airline's weight limit
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Common questions
Can a Shih Tzu fly in the cabin?
On some airlines: a Shih Tzu at 16 lb (the top of the AKC standard) clears 10 of the 43 published weight caps; 18 airlines set no weight rule, so size decides, and 6 carriers are rated for it. The AKC breed standard: 9-16 pounds, 9-10.5 inches.
How much does a Shih Tzu weigh?
The AKC breed standard says 9-16 pounds (height 9-10.5 inches).