Real experience from 2 flights: From Swiss Airlines disaster to TAP Airlines rescue
If you’re researching flying with dogs TAP Air Portugal or looking for reliable European pet airlines, let me share an honest experience. I’m Daisy, a 5.5kg Shih Tzu, and TAP Air Portugal gets 4.5 out of 5 stars from me. Here’s why TAP saved our vacation when Swiss Airlines abandoned us, and everything you need to know about their pet policy.
Bottom line upfront: TAP Air Portugal offers excellent pet travel with clear policies, reasonable fees, and genuinely caring service. Flying out of Lisbon is absolutely the biggest win – the experience at partner airports can vary, but TAP’s own operations are top-notch.
Let me break down exactly what it’s like flying with dogs on TAP Airlines based on our Geneva to Lisbon to Dublin rescue mission.
Flying with Dogs on TAP Air Portugal – 2025 Quick Facts:
- ✅ €40-80 pet fees per segment (transparent pricing)
- ✅ 8kg weight limit (pet + carrier combined)
- ✅ Reliable booking confirmations (unlike some airlines)
- ✅ Excellent Lisbon hub facilities with pet relief areas
- ✅ Outstanding Embraer 195 cabin space for pets
- ✅ Professional, caring crew approach
- ⭐ Overall rating: 4.5/5 stars
Meet Daisy: The Grateful Traveler
I’m a crazy one-year-old Shih Tzu who’s been flying since three months old. I absolutely love traveling in airports and meeting all the people, but I don’t love being stuck in my bag during flights. What I do love? Airlines that actually care about pet passengers.
How we ended up on TAP: This wasn’t planned. Swiss Airlines confirmed my bookings in writing, then denied boarding due to some mysterious “internal rule” about Dublin flights. We were stranded at Geneva Airport over Christmas, and an amazing travel agent found us TAP flights as our rescue option. Best disaster recovery ever!
TAP Airlines Pet Booking: Simple and Reliable
How to book pets on TAP flights: You must request to add your pet within 48 hours of your flight. Unlike Swiss Airlines’ deceptive confirmations, TAP actually honors their bookings.
Booking options:
- Online through “Manage My Booking”
- Call TAP contact center
- Through travel agents (how we booked)
Important note: This is standard across airlines – you can never book last-minute flights with dogs. Airlines limit how many pets per plane, so if there’s no room, you’ll need a different flight.
TAP’s reliability factor: Unlike certain other airlines, when TAP confirms your pet, they actually mean it.adjacent seats.
TAP Pet Fees: Reasonable and Transparent
Current TAP pet fees 2025:
- Range: €40-80 per one-way segment
- Our experience: €125 total for Geneva to Lisbon to Dublin
- Pricing factors: Route, season, and advance booking
What I appreciate: Transparent pricing that varies by route, not mysterious “internal rules” that override confirmed bookings. The fees are completely reasonable for the quality of service.
Pro tip: Book your pet as soon as you buy your ticket. Fewer cabin spots are available, and waiting could mean expensive backup options (or being stranded like we were with Swiss).
Documentation Requirements: Standard European
Required paperwork for TAP pet travel:
- Valid pet passport with microchip ID
- Rabies vaccination (21+ days old for first shot, no waiting for boosters)
- Special for Ireland/Malta: Worming medication within 5 days of arrival
My documentation adventure: Had to find a vet in Switzerland over Christmas for worming before Dublin – book these appointments well in advance during holidays!
Geneva Airport Experience: Partner Operations
Check-in reality: Swiss Airlines staff handle TAP counters at Geneva, so the experience reflects their approach rather than TAP’s standards.
What happened:
- Standard weighing process (8kg limit total)
- First time ever: Asked to close my carrier while on the weighing belt
- Early morning check-in was efficient
- Staff wasn’t particularly friendly, but Daisy still tried to charm them
Carrier closing note: This was unusual – I’ve never been asked to close the bag during weighing at other airlines. Minor inconvenience, but worth noting for Geneva departures.
Lisbon Airport: Where TAP Shines
Business class advantage: Separate check-in lanes were a lifesaver during holiday rush. The airport was absolutely packed, and business class made everything smooth.
Staff experience: The agent wasn’t super familiar with pet procedures (normal at many airlines), so she consulted her guide. Professional and thorough approach.
Dublin-specific requirements: Extra documentation check for worming certificate since we were flying to Ireland.
Pet facilities: Spacious pet relief area – one of the best I’ve experienced at European airports.
Security note: Allow extra time for secondary passport control when flying to Dublin. Fast-track security for business class passengers is essential here.
Flight Experience: From Good to Absolutely Amazing
Geneva to Lisbon Flight
Aircraft: Airbus narrow-body Class: Business (middle seat empty) Experience: Nice and smooth, professional crew, comfortable temperature. Early morning flight, so I settled in easily. Even got some cold meats for breakfast!
Crew approach: Minimal interaction, which is perfect. I’m a people dog who gets excited, so low-key service keeps me calm.
Lisbon to Dublin Flight: Absolute Perfection
Aircraft: Embraer 195 (row 2 business class) Configuration: 2×2 seating with nobody beside us Space: THE BEST under-seat space I’ve ever experienced! Every seat is different with bars and narrow spaces, but this aircraft was spacious perfection.
Service level: Our flight attendant was amazing – noticed me, checked on my well-being with friendly smiles, but didn’t overstimulate me. I even got cold meats and yogurt while my human had croissants and tea!
Why this matters: If I had to choose any aircraft to fly on with a dog, it would be this Embraer 195. The space, the service, the comfort – everything was sublime.
TAP Customer Service: They Actually Care
Post-flight follow-up: The Dublin flight experience was so amazing that my human emailed TAP customer service to thank the crew. That’s how good it was.
The difference: We’re always quick to complain when things go wrong, but TAP earned genuine praise. When airlines do pet travel right, it deserves recognition.
Compare to Swiss Airlines: TAP treats pet passengers like valued customers. Swiss Airlines… well, read my Swiss review for that disaster story.
TAP Pet Policy Details: Clear and Fair
Weight requirements:
- 8kg combined pet and carrier weight
- Most carriers weigh about 1kg, so pets should be under 7kg
Carrier specifications:
- Soft-sided with flexibility
- Maximum: 45 × 30 × 23 cm (18 × 12 × 9 inches)
- Must allow standing, turning, lying down comfortably
General rules:
- Pets must be 10+ weeks old
- Must be clean, healthy, odor-free
- One carrier per passenger (up to two pets same species)
- Pet must stay fully inside carrier during flight
Weight-saving tip: Remove interior lining from carriers – saves weight and keeps pets cooler. I don’t like that fuzzy lining anyway, especially when wearing my travel coat!
TAP vs Other European Airlines
What sets TAP apart:
✅ Professional customer service
✅ Reliable booking confirmations (unlike Swiss)
✅ Reasonable, transparent pricing
✅ Excellent Lisbon airport facilities
✅ Genuinely caring crew on TAP-operated flights
✅ Outstanding Embraer 195 cabin space
Areas for improvement:
- Partner airport operations can vary in quality
- Staff familiarity with pet procedures inconsistent at non-Lisbon locations
My TAP Airlines Ratings Breakdown
Based on 2 flights (Geneva→Lisbon→Dublin):
| Category | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Booking Reliability | ★★★★★ | Actually honors confirmed pet bookings |
| Lisbon Operations | ★★★★★ | Excellent facilities, professional staff |
| Partner Airport Ops | ★★★☆☆ | Geneva experience adequate but not special |
| In-Flight Experience | ★★★★★ | Embraer 195 was absolute perfection |
| Crew & Service | ★★★★★ | Caring, attentive, professional approach |
| Pet Policy Clarity | ★★★★☆ | Clear rules, reasonable requirements |
| Value for Money | ★★★★☆ | Fair pricing for excellent service |
Overall Score: 4.5/5 stars
Only missed perfect score due to Geneva partner airport experience
Review TAP Air Portugal Official in-cabin policy.
Expert Tips for Flying TAP with Dogs
Booking strategy:
- Add pets immediately when booking flights
- Don’t wait for the 48-hour deadline – spaces are limited
- Choose Lisbon routes when possible for best experience
Pre-flight preparation:
- Test-weigh at vet or pet store to ensure 8kg compliance
- Remove carrier linings to save weight and heat
- Book vet appointments early for Ireland/Malta worming requirements
Business class benefits:
- Fast-track security (essential at busy airports)
- Empty adjacent seats for extra space
- Separate check-in lanes during peak times
- Priority boarding (though I prefer boarding last)
Ireland Travel Specific Notes
Documentation requirements:
- Worming medication within 5 days of Dublin arrival
- Vet appointment needed if traveling from multiple countries
Dublin Airport process:
- Agriculture inspection at Terminal 1 or 2 (usually left side)
- Microchip scan to verify identity
- Passport and documentation check
- No fees for inspection
Pro tip: Book vet appointments well in advance, especially during holidays. I nearly missed my worming appointment over Christmas!
Frequently Asked Questions: TAP Pet Travel
Q: How much does TAP charge for pets in 2025? A: €40-80 per segment depending on route and season. Very reasonable for the service quality.
Q: Can I book my dog online with TAP? A: Yes, through “Manage My Booking” within 48 hours, or call their contact center.
Q: What’s TAP Airlines’ pet weight limit? A: 8kg combined pet and carrier weight – standard for European airlines.
Q: How does TAP compare to other Portuguese airlines? A: TAP is Portugal’s flagship carrier with excellent pet facilities, especially at Lisbon hub.
Q: Is TAP reliable for pet bookings? A: Yes! Unlike some airlines, TAP actually honors their confirmed pet bookings.
Q: What aircraft does TAP use for European routes? A: Mix of Airbus and Embraer. The Embraer 195 has exceptional under-seat space for pets.
When to Choose TAP Airlines
TAP is perfect if:
- You’re flying through Lisbon (their hub operations are excellent)
- You want reliable pet booking confirmations
- You value caring, professional service
- You’re traveling to Ireland or other islands (they handle requirements well)
Consider alternatives if:
- You need guaranteed premium airport experiences at all locations
- Partner airport operations are deal-breakers for you
Final Verdict: Reliable European Pet Travel
My recommendation: TAP Air Portugal is an excellent choice for European pet travel. They rescued us when Swiss Airlines failed spectacularly, and delivered an outstanding experience that earned genuine gratitude.
The Lisbon advantage: Flying through TAP’s hub provides the best possible experience – excellent facilities, caring staff, and smooth operations.
Would I fly them again? Absolutely! TAP is now on my list of trusted European airlines alongside KLM, Air France, and Aegean.
The rescue factor: When you need an airline that actually cares about pet passengers and honors their commitments, TAP delivers. They turned a travel disaster into a memorable positive experience.
Ready to book? Based on real rescue experience: choose TAP Air Portugal for reliable, caring pet travel that actually works when you need it most.
Have you flown with your dog before?
Have you flown with your pet on TAP or another European airline? Share your story and tips in the comments below. Don’t forget to check our ultimate pet travel guide for detailed checklists and subscribe for updates on Daisy’s next trip!
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