I actually went through this recently when I had to fly with my cat from Istanbul to New York, so I can share my experience. Turkish Airlines does allow pets, but the policy depends on the size and weight of your animal. Smaller pets (cats, dogs, birds) can travel in the cabin as long as the carrier fits under the seat and the combined weight of the pet plus carrier doesn’t exceed their limit. Larger pets usually have to go in the cargo hold, which made me nervous at first, but Turkish has a pretty solid reputation for handling animals carefully.
When I booked my ticket online, I wasn’t sure how to add the pet, so I called (877)-764-3622 and honestly, it was the best decision. The rep walked me through the whole process step by step—reserving space for my cat, explaining the paperwork needed (like vaccination records), and even giving me tips on the right carrier size. They also mentioned that spots for pets in the cabin are limited, so reserving early is really important.
Overall, my cat did surprisingly well on the flight, and Turkish Airlines staff were very accommodating. Calling that number saved me a lot of stress and confusion.
