Brits are the most reluctant globally to travel with their pets, despite growing support for pet-friendly air travel policies, according to a survey by Opodo. Olivia Palamountain reports
An Opodo poll of 9,000 travellers across multiple countries, including 2,000 from the UK, has found that more than half of British respondents (54%) would be “very unlikely” to travel with their four-legged companions – significantly higher than the global average of 37%.
Only 7% of UK travellers would definitely plan to take their pets abroad, compared to 15% globally who said they would be “very likely” to fly with their animals.
The research reveals stark differences across age groups and UK regions. Gen Z travellers (aged 18-24) show the greatest enthusiasm globally, with 50% reporting they would be “likely” or “somewhat likely” to travel with pets, whilst those aged 65 and over are least keen, with 65% saying it would be very unlikely.Within the UK, London emerges as the most pet-travel-friendly region, with 43% of residents saying they would be likely to take their pets abroad – nearly four times higher than Yorkshire and the Humber, where only 11% expressed similar willingness.
Despite their reluctance to travel with pets themselves, British travellers show reasonable support for allowing animals in aircraft cabins. Just over half (52%) agree that pets should be permitted in the main passenger cabin, though this drops to only 29% among over-65s.
The survey revealed an interesting split in preferred arrangements: 40% of passengers globally believe pets should travel in a separate pet-only cabin, whilst 31% think animals should have their own seats like regular passengers.
Europeans lead the world in supporting pet-friendly air travel, with Portuguese travellers most enthusiastic (78% supporting cabin access), followed by Italians (77%) and Spanish (75%). However, significant regional variations exist within the UK, with Londoners most supportive at 68%, compared to just 44% in East England and Wales.
When asked about obstacles to more pet-friendly policies, travellers cited passenger discomfort from noise and smell (48%) as the primary concern, followed by passenger allergies (40%), safety concerns (30%), and airline costs (24%).
The survey, conducted between February and March 2025, also found that 37% of travellers globally would feel comfortable staying in pet-friendly accommodation, with mode of transport (42%) and travel distance (40%) being the most important factors when deciding whether to holiday with pets.
Despite Britain’s reputation as a nation of dog lovers – with nearly 13 million pet dogs according to The Independent – the findings suggest UK travellers remain cautious about combining their love of pets with their passion for travel.
