Pets can be classed as baggage on flights in Europe, a top court has ruled

Pets can now be classed as baggage by airlines, meaning owners will be entitled to less compensation if their animal is lost. 

Europe’s highest court, the European Court of Justice, made the ruling in a case after a passenger tried to claim compensation for her lost dog. 

The passenger, who was named in court documents as Felicisima, lost her pet on a flight from Buenos Aires to Barcelona in October 2019.

Due to her size and weight, the dog, Mona, was supposed to travel in a pet carrier in the hold.

But she escaped while being taken to the plane and was never found. 

The owner filed a claim with the airline for €5,000 (£4,340) for “non-material damage” as a result. 

While Iberia accepted liability for the dog going missing, it argued that the amount she was claiming for exceeded the limit for checked baggage. 

The court ruled that the owner had failed to make any special declarations in relation to the baggage, and so could not claim the €5,000 and was entitled to a smaller amount. 

Simon Calder, travel expert at The Independent, said pet owners should try to take their animals on flights as cabin luggage instead. 

“The answer is to have a small pet that you can actually take into your cabin with you. A number of airlines will allow that. Of course, there are rules about how big it can be, but basically take your pet as cabin baggage if you possibly can.”