Choosing an airline for your dog's move to Spain isn't just about who accepts pets -- it's about who accepts pets on your specific route, what their current policies actually say, and whether your paperwork timeline lines up with your booking. Spain has two documentation requirements that directly affect how you plan around airline deadlines, and the carrier landscape for US-to-Spain pet cargo has shifted enough in the last few years that a lot of what you'll find online is out of date.
Here's what's current.
Before getting to airlines, two Spain-specific documentation points are worth knowing upfront -- because they affect when you can book and how you submit your paperwork.
Spain is one of a small group of EU countries that requires the bilingual version of the EU health certificate, not the standard English-only form. Your USDA-accredited vet must request the bilingual template from APHIS before issuing the certificate, by emailing LAIE@usda.gov. Build this request in at least 6 to 8 weeks before travel -- it's an extra step that takes a few days, and submitting it late compresses everything downstream.
This is the Spain-specific requirement most guides skip entirely. For most EU countries, your vet can submit the health certificate electronically through VEHCS and that satisfies the USDA endorsement process. Spain doesn't work that way. APHIS must ink-sign and emboss the endorsed certificate, meaning the paper certificate has to be physically mailed back to you before travel. You'll need to include a prepaid return envelope when you submit. Allow extra days for the physical mail turnaround on top of the standard 3 to 5 business day processing time -- and factor this into when your pet can actually travel. Don't book your flight until you've confirmed the mail turnaround time with your APHIS endorsement office.
Lufthansa and Lufthansa Cargo are our primary recommendation for transatlantic pet cargo to Spain. Lufthansa routes through Frankfurt, which is a major EU Border Inspection Post, with reliable connections to Madrid (Barajas) and Barcelona (El Prat). Their cargo division handles pets professionally, staff are trained, and the Frankfurt BIP is one of the smoothest in Europe for pet clearance. For a dog that needs to travel as manifest cargo -- which covers most dogs over 8 kg -- Lufthansa is the most consistent option on this route.
KLM is a solid alternative, routing through Amsterdam Schiphol (another primary EU BIP). Amsterdam handles high volumes of pet cargo and KLM's animal handling is reliable. Worth considering particularly if your US departure city has stronger KLM connections than Lufthansa.
Iberia is Spain's flag carrier and the obvious choice for direct service to Madrid and Barcelona. For smaller dogs and cats that qualify for in-cabin travel (under 8 kg including carrier), Iberia is worth considering on the European leg. However, Iberia has cargo restrictions on specific Madrid routes that are easy to miss: pets cannot travel in the hold on Iberia flights to/from Boston, Washington, Puerto Rico, Recife, and Fortaleza. If your US departure city is one of these, Iberia is not an option for your dog's cargo leg -- you'll need Lufthansa or KLM instead.
Air Europa operates US-to-Madrid routes and accepts pet cargo on transatlantic services. Note that for Air Europa flights, all connections must route through Madrid, as it is Spain's primary Border Inspection Post. Contact the Air Europa Cargo Department directly at +34 934 90 40 38 to confirm availability on your specific routing.
A note on United and Delta: Both airlines have restricted transatlantic pet cargo to active US military personnel and US State Department / Foreign Service employees. If you're not in one of those categories, United and Delta are not available options for your dog's transatlantic cargo leg. This changed in recent years and a lot of older guides -- including our own previous version of this article -- still list them as general recommendations. They're not.
British Airways is not a practical option for US-to-Spain pet cargo. BA usually routes through London Heathrow, meaning pets would need to clear UK import requirements (including DEFRA documentation and tapeworm treatment for dogs) before continuing to Spain -- a significantly more complex and costly itinerary, unless you have a transit permit or acceptance. Lufthansa or KLM are the recommended alternatives.
In-cabin travel on the transatlantic leg is only available for very small dogs -- typically under 8 kg including the carrier. If your dog qualifies, confirm the airline's specific carrier dimensions before purchasing a carrier; requirements vary and non-compliant carriers are rejected at check-in.
Excess baggage means your dog travels on the same flight as you, checked as oversized luggage. Simpler customs process, generally lower cost than manifest cargo, and keeps your move non-commercial as long as you're on the same flight.
Manifest cargo means your dog travels separately through the airline's cargo division. This is typically required for larger dogs, and is often the only option on long transatlantic routes. Manifest cargo can still qualify as non-commercial as long as you or a designated person travels within five days before or after your pet -- the Five-Day Rule.
Whatever airline you use, your dog's crate must meet IATA Live Animal Regulations standards: rigid construction, sized so your dog can stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably, secure door latches, ventilation on at least three sides, and external food and water containers accessible without opening the crate. Airlines check this at drop-off and will reject a non-compliant crate. Confirm the specific size and hardware requirements with your carrier before purchasing. If your pet needs to get comfortable in a crate before travel, see our guide to crate training your pet.
Most carriers restrict pet cargo travel during summer heat windows, typically when ground temperatures at origin, transit, or destination airports exceed around 85°F / 29°C. Spain in July and August regularly exceeds this threshold, particularly in Madrid and Seville. If your move falls between May and September, confirm embargo windows with your carrier before booking -- and note that both Madrid Barajas and Barcelona El Prat can trigger temperature holds.
Coordinating a dog's move to Spain involves more moving parts than most people expect -- the bilingual cert request, the physical mail endorsement turnaround, airline cargo booking, and timing everything around the 10-day arrival window after USDA endorsement. We've done this route hundreds of times.
Complete Support covers the full process: USDA-accredited vet coordination, bilingual certificate facilitation, APHIS physical endorsement management (including prepaid return logistics), airline cargo booking, and customs documentation at the Spanish BIP.
Vet Paperwork Support covers the documentation chain while you manage airline logistics.
Consultation lets you work through your specific timeline and questions with our team before deciding how to proceed. If you're just starting out, our frequently asked pet travel questions is a good place to begin." It fits naturally for someone who hasn't committed to a service tier yet.
For the full Spain import requirements -- microchip, rabies vaccination, Five-Day Rule, entry airports, breed restrictions -- see our Spain pet import guide.
For official APHIS requirements, see the USDA APHIS Spain pet travel page.