Travelling with dogs
Flying to Málaga and Marbella
With Your Dog
Your dog in the cabin rather than the hold. 891 nm from London, about 2 hr 10 min airborne.
From
Farnborough
FAB / EGLF
To
Malaga
AGP / LEMG
- Great-circle distance
- 891 nm
- Est. airborne time
- 2 hr 10 min
- Indicative flying charge
- £14,000
Indicative flying charge only. Pet handling, cleaning fees and any operator pet charges are additional and confirmed with the quotation.
Why people fly to Málaga with a dog
Marbella and Sotogrande have a substantial year-round British community, which means dogs making the trip repeatedly rather than once. Around two hours twenty airborne.
Worth knowing on this route
A common route for owners moving between two homes. If the dog will do the trip several times a year it is worth getting the paperwork rhythm established early.
Coming home is the regulated direction
Flying out of Great Britain is governed by the destination country’s rules. Coming back is where the APHA approved-carrier requirement applies, along with the tapeworm treatment window of 24 to 120 hours before arrival for dogs from most countries. Plan the return before you book the outbound. The rules explained.
Aircraft and costs to Málaga and Marbella with a dog
| Aircraft | Seats | Est. airborne | One way | Out, then back a week later* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop King Air 350 / Pilatus PC-12 | 8 | 3 hr 20 min | £8,500 | £34,000 |
| Light jet Phenom 300 / Citation CJ3+ | 7 | 2 hr 25 min | £8,500 | £34,000 |
| Midsize jet Citation XLS+ | 8 | 2 hr 20 min | £10,500 | £42,000 |
| Super-midsize jet Citation X | 9 | 2 hr 10 min | £14,000 | £56,000 |
Indicative flying charges only, not quotations. *A week away is usually four sectors: you out, the aircraft home empty, out again empty, and you home. If an aircraft is already positioned at either end, or another party fills an empty sector, it costs less. Airport, handling, pet and cleaning charges are additional. Seats are typical for the type; a large dog needs floor space, so plan on one or two seats fewer.
People expect a turboprop to be much cheaper. Per hour it is, but it is slower, so over 600 to 900 nm the total for the trip often comes out close to a light jet. Choose a turboprop for the cabin, the wide door and the short runways at airports like Gloucestershire or Oxford, rather than on the assumption that it saves a lot.
Big dogs are welcome
Airlines that allow dogs in the cabin at all usually cap them at around 8 kg including the carrier, and pets flying into Great Britain on scheduled flights normally travel as cargo. A Labrador, a Bernese or a Great Dane has no cabin option on an airline. On a charter the dog lies on the cabin floor beside you. Floor space decides the aircraft: a King Air or a PC-12 has a large, square cabin and a wide door, and many owners of big dogs prefer one to a small jet. Each operator sets its own limits on size, number and breed, and we confirm them before anything is booked.
Flying from outside London
You do not have to drive to London. Outbound flights can leave from smaller airports closer to home, including Gloucestershire (Staverton), Oxford, Bristol and Birmingham. The return is where the rules apply: a dog arriving in Great Britain must arrive with an operator approved for that route and arrival airport, so the airport you come home to is checked for every trip and may not be the one you left from.
| Departing from | Distance | Est. airborne | One way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gloucestershire (Staverton) Cheltenham, Gloucester, the Cotswolds | 919 nm | 2 hr 30 min | £8,500 |
| Oxford Kidlington Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds | 920 nm | 2 hr 30 min | £8,500 |
| Bristol Bristol, Bath, Somerset, South Wales | 886 nm | 2 hr 25 min | £8,500 |
| Birmingham the Midlands | 954 nm | 2 hr 35 min | £9,000 |
| Farnborough London, Surrey, Hampshire | 891 nm | 2 hr 25 min | £8,500 |
Your dog’s paperwork for Spain in 2026
Since 22 April 2026, EU pet passports issued to people living in Great Britain are no longer accepted for entering the EU. Each trip needs an Animal Health Certificate signed by an Official Veterinarian no more than 10 days before your dog arrives in the EU. The dog must be microchipped and have had its rabies vaccination at least 21 days earlier, and a new version of the certificate has been in use since 1 October 2026. Coming home, a vet abroad gives tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before you land in Great Britain. Book the vet before you book the flight, and check the current GOV.UK guidance, because these rules are changing.
Going regularly with your dogs
If you go back and forth with your dogs several times a year, tell us your usual route and how flexible you are. Aircraft already heading your way, and other owners flying in the opposite direction, are how empty sectors stop being paid for twice. Register your route.
Common questions
Can my dog travel in the cabin to Málaga?
On a qualifying chartered private aircraft your dog can normally travel in the cabin. Operator pet policies vary by size, number and breed, and are confirmed before booking.
How long is the flight to Málaga?
About 2 hr 10 min estimated airborne over 891 nm great-circle from Farnborough. Routing, winds and ATC affect the real figure.
What does my dog need to come back into Great Britain?
A microchip, valid rabies vaccination, the correct travel document and — for dogs from most countries — approved tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before arrival. The carrier must hold APHA approval for the route and arrival airport.
Related
Private jet pet travel · The rules explained · Ibiza with a dog · Nice with a dog · Faro with a dog
Approval to carry pets into Great Britain belongs to the operating carrier, not to Ben Aviation. We confirm the approving operator, route and arrival airport with your quotation. Requirements change — check current GOV.UK guidance and speak to your vet.
Book direct with a pilot
Enquire about Málaga and Marbella with your dog
Tell us about the dogs as well as the people. Their size and number decide the aircraft.