Flying AirFrance Premium Economy from Singapore to Paris With Dog in Cabin

 

 

In 2022, I flew from Singapore direct to Paris with my dog in cabin on Singapore Airlines as Snuffles is my Emotional Support Animal (ESA) and was allowed in the cabin. However, since SIA has since scrapped the policy, we decided to fly with an actual dog-friendly airline — AirFrance — direct to Paris this trip!

AirFrance does not allow dogs in their business class product because there's no way for you to stow the carrier under the seat in front of yours due to the seat configuration.

Hence, we went with Premium Economy because we definitely needed the extra legroom for such a long flight. 

Click for information on paperwork and preparation processes for flying with dog from Singapore to Paris

1) Check-In

Checking in at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 was smooth and quick. I paid the pet-in-cabin fee (about $272) at the counter, while the staff checked through Snuffles' EU pet passport swiftly. 

 

2) Queue to Board the Flight

Our flight was super full and the queue to get through the security check at the gate was INSANE. Thankfully, due to our priority access which came with our Premium Economy Ticket, we skipped almost the entire queue and went through security very quickly. I took Snuffles out of his carrier and walked through the scanner, while his carrier was scanned as a carry-on bag. Once we got through the security check, we quickly realised that the waiting area was so full that there weren't any seats left. Once again, thanks to priority access, we got to sit at the priority waiting area, and were one of the first few to board the flight. WHAT A LIFESAVER seriously!

 

IATA APPROVED BACKPACK WE USED :

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Click for Dog Backpack that we used for flying

-34.5L x 25.4W x 42.7H centimetres

-very durable - have been using it for more than 2 years(and we travel alot)

-super sturdy, foldable/collapsible/easy to keep, very breathable, expandable

-very comfortable for Snuffles - he can take naps on his back, or just lie down and watch through the clear portion, sit up and pop his head out

-Not too heavy

-good and adequate support for my back — I can carry him for hours 

-fits under seat of airplane (when you turn it)

 

3) Seats 

Very spacious and there were loads of leg room — Snuffles' carrier fit nicely in the leg space. I actually couldn't stop thinking and talking about how spacious the entire seat was!

We received an amenity kit, and champagne to kick off the flight. There were noise-reduction headphones, and a very comfortable blanket (most comfortable I've ever had on a plane actually) and pillow. My neighbour on the plane flies with AirFrance often and said that AirFrance has the best blanket — I have to agree!

 

 Plenty of space even when I placed his carrier on my lap.

 

4) Food

To be very honest, I thought that the food served onboard wasn't great. They ran out of chicken (which I heard was good) so I had the pasta. I didn't finish most of my food, and went to the back of the plane to ask for sandwiches later on, and there were so many people crowding there asking for food/drinks.

 

5) Snacks 

Candies and crackers were distributed twice

Please note that the dog and carrier have to weigh less than 8kg, and that dogs are not allowed out of the carrier in the cabin at all, so please make sure your pet is comfortable with staying in it for at least 17 hours (from pre-departure to exiting the airport at your destination).

All in all, it was a very comfortable flight and the Premium Economy product was excellent and we are looking forward to our return flight from London -> Paris -> Singapore in January 2025. Will update this post again then. I strongly recommend that you go for Airfrance/KLM should you like to fly to Europe with your precious pup! They're also very responsive with queries (I had to check the carrier dimensions with them to get the bag approved) 

When we touched down at CDG Paris both times, there were no checks conducted on Snuffles. We just walked right through immigration and exited the airport.

One question that I received alot on our previous flight to and back from Europe with a dog is "how does Snuffles go potty?" I always bring pee pads with me and if Snuffs needs to pee, I'll bring the carrier to the toilet and lay the pee pad on the ground for him to pee. He's both grass and pee-pad trained so if he needs to pee, he will do so instantly. You can have a look at the quick tiktok video/review that I made for this flight. 

As usual, if you have any questions, leave a comment (but not anonymously) so that you'll know when I reply, or drop me a DM @kimberleyyeo on instagram! P.S : if your question is already answered in the article/s, I won't be replying.

Click to find out more about paperwork for flying with dog from Singapore to Paris

Click for the best dog-friendly hotels in Paris 

Click for the best dog-friendly hotels in Europe

*Photos showing opened carrier were taken before take-off